{"id":1013,"date":"2026-09-09T11:53:33","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T15:53:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/?page_id=1013"},"modified":"2026-09-09T11:53:34","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T15:53:34","slug":"research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/research\/","title":{"rendered":"Research"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kb-row-layout-id1013_c30910-9e > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1013_c30910-9e > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1013_c30910-9e > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1013_c30910-9e > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1013_c30910-9e > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1013_c30910-9e > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1013_c30910-9e alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1013_2137a9-43 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1013_2137a9-43 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1013_2137a9-43 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1013_2137a9-43 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1013_2137a9-43 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1013_2137a9-43 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1013_2137a9-43{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1013_2137a9-43 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1013_2137a9-43 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1013_2137a9-43\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Research<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><em>We engineer more function into materials by controlling interfaces, working with biological processes, and designing manufacturing methods that reduce the need for continuous inputs.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Across our research, we ask how materials can perform sophisticated functions with less energy, fewer recurring inputs, and manufacturing approaches suited to a resource-constrained future. The work below shows how we are pursuing that question across biological materials, engineered interfaces, and scalable sensing systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Explore our research<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/research\/#grown-coatings\">Fungal-grown coatings \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/research\/#cellulose-coatings\">Cellulose-based functional coatings \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/research\/#passive-biointerfaces\">Passive biointerfaces \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/research\/#sensing-diagnostics\">Scalable sensing and diagnostics \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id1013_aca3c6-f9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1013_aca3c6-f9 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1013_aca3c6-f9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1013_aca3c6-f9{background-color:#f2f6f6;}.kb-row-layout-id1013_aca3c6-f9 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1013_aca3c6-f9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1013_aca3c6-f9 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1013_aca3c6-f9 alignnone kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1013_c08cc6-54 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1013_c08cc6-54 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1013_c08cc6-54 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1013_c08cc6-54 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1013_c08cc6-54 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1013_c08cc6-54 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1013_c08cc6-54{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1013_c08cc6-54 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1013_c08cc6-54 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1013_c08cc6-54\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"grown-coatings\">Growing function directly on familiar materials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><em>We use fungal growth as a fabrication process, cultivating thin interwoven layers that add liquid-barrier function to paper, textiles, and wood.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image1013_b6711c-63 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image1013_b6711c-63\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Denium.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"479\" height=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Denium.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1019\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Denium.jpg 479w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Denium-300x166.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Denium-360x200.jpg 360w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Denium-105x58.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Denium-317x175.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Denium-423x234.jpg 423w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,479px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Most coatings are fabricated first and then applied to a surface. We take a different approach: using biological growth itself to fabricate functional structure directly on a material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By growing fungal hyphae together with cellulose-derived material, we can form thin, interwoven coatings on lignocellulosic substrates. These grown layers resist water, oil, and grease without requiring continuous energy or repeated chemical treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Selected publication<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acs.langmuir.5c03185\">Zier et al., \u201cGrowing sustainable barrier coatings from edible fungal mycelia,\u201d <em>Langmuir<\/em> (2025)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fungal mycelium grown with cellulose nanofibrils produced water-, oil-, and grease-resistant coatings across paper, denim, felt, and wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>From grown coatings to predictive design<\/strong><br>We are working toward design rules that connect how a fungal network grows to the structure and performance of the coating it creates.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id1013_b0e7db-ac > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1013_b0e7db-ac > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1013_b0e7db-ac > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1013_b0e7db-ac > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1013_b0e7db-ac > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1013_b0e7db-ac > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1013_b0e7db-ac alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1013_a9561c-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1013_a9561c-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1013_a9561c-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1013_a9561c-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1013_a9561c-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1013_a9561c-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1013_a9561c-2b{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1013_a9561c-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1013_a9561c-2b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1013_a9561c-2b\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"cellulose-coatings\">Building high-value function from abundant cellulose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><em>We turn abundant cellulose into thin functional layers using coating methods designed to work with paper manufacturing rather than specialty fabrication.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image1013_a8a1e8-c6.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image1013_a8a1e8-c6 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:546px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image1013_a8a1e8-c6.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image1013_a8a1e8-c6 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image1013_a8a1e8-c6 figure{max-width:546px;}.kb-image1013_a8a1e8-c6 .image-is-svg, .kb-image1013_a8a1e8-c6 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image1013_a8a1e8-c6 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image1013_a8a1e8-c6\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/MFC-SEM-XSection.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"494\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/MFC-SEM-XSection-1024x494.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1033\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/MFC-SEM-XSection-1024x494.png 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/MFC-SEM-XSection-300x145.png 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/MFC-SEM-XSection-768x371.png 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/MFC-SEM-XSection-1536x741.png 1536w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/MFC-SEM-XSection-105x51.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/MFC-SEM-XSection-317x153.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/MFC-SEM-XSection-423x204.png 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/MFC-SEM-XSection-634x306.png 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/MFC-SEM-XSection-846x408.png 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/MFC-SEM-XSection-951x459.png 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/MFC-SEM-XSection-1268x612.png 1268w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/MFC-SEM-XSection.png 1587w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC)<\/strong> can form dense, high-performance barrier layers, but their low-solids suspensions make them difficult to apply efficiently using conventional coating approaches. We ask whether the coating process itself can be redesigned around the properties of the material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using vacuum assistance, we can deposit and consolidate MFC onto paper in a single coating step, creating a functional layer directly on an abundant, familiar substrate. The result shows how coating processes can be designed around the unusual properties of cellulose fibril suspensions rather than requiring specialty fabrication.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Selected publication:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10570-025-06838-8\">Zier et al., \u201cSingle-step coating of cellulose nanofibrils on paper for sustainable food packaging,\u201d <em>Cellulose<\/em> (2025)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vacuum-assisted coating enabled MFC to be deposited onto paper in a single step, creating functional barrier layers from low-solids cellulose suspensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>From barrier layers to integrated functionality<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We are working to control how coating conditions, deposited mass, consolidation, and layer architecture determine performance at manufacturing-relevant speeds\u2014and how cellulose layers can become platforms for additional or biologically grown functions.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id1013_2edca9-ed > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1013_2edca9-ed > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1013_2edca9-ed > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1013_2edca9-ed{background-color:#f2f6f6;}.kb-row-layout-id1013_2edca9-ed > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1013_2edca9-ed > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1013_2edca9-ed > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1013_2edca9-ed alignnone kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1013_440d6f-e4 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1013_440d6f-e4 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1013_440d6f-e4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1013_440d6f-e4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1013_440d6f-e4 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1013_440d6f-e4 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1013_440d6f-e4{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1013_440d6f-e4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1013_440d6f-e4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1013_440d6f-e4\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"passive-biointerfaces\">Making antifouling behavior part of the interface<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><em>We design interfaces whose physical structure continuously manages biological adhesion and fouling, so the material itself performs work that would otherwise require repeated treatment.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image1013_0fb29c-f1.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image1013_0fb29c-f1 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:421px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image1013_0fb29c-f1.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image1013_0fb29c-f1 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image1013_0fb29c-f1 figure{max-width:421px;}.kb-image1013_0fb29c-f1 .image-is-svg, .kb-image1013_0fb29c-f1 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image1013_0fb29c-f1 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image1013_0fb29c-f1\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2016\/01\/IMG_0985.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2016\/01\/IMG_0985-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Infused PDMS in an algae dish\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-94\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2016\/01\/IMG_0985-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2016\/01\/IMG_0985-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2016\/01\/IMG_0985-105x70.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2016\/01\/IMG_0985-210x140.jpg 210w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2016\/01\/IMG_0985-317x211.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2016\/01\/IMG_0985-634x423.jpg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2016\/01\/IMG_0985-423x282.jpg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2016\/01\/IMG_0985-846x564.jpg 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2016\/01\/IMG_0985-1268x845.jpg 1268w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2016\/01\/IMG_0985-1692x1128.jpg 1692w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2016\/01\/IMG_0985-951x634.jpg 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2016\/01\/IMG_0985-1902x1268.jpg 1902w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2016\/01\/IMG_0985.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Biological fouling begins at an interface. Proteins arrive, organize, and change the surface that cells and microorganisms subsequently encounter. Rather than treating fouling only after it occurs, we ask how the interface itself can be engineered to change that sequence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One approach is to incorporate a stable liquid layer into a solid material. This creates a mobile boundary between the underlying material and the surrounding biological environment, changing how proteins and microorganisms interact with the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our work examines how the amount, composition, and organization of these interfacial liquids affect adhesion\u2014and why different organisms can respond differently to apparently similar materials. These mechanistic insights guide the design of passive surfaces that maintain function without continuous external input.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Selected publications<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/adma.201802724\">Howell et al., \u201cDesigning Liquid-Infused Surfaces for Medical Applications: A Review,\u201d <em>Advanced Materials<\/em> (2018).<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1039\/D4IM00003J\">Applebee and Howell, \u201cMulti-component liquid-infused systems: a new approach to functional coatings,\u201d <em>Industrial Chemistry &amp; Materials<\/em> (2024).<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1116\/6.0003776\">Fong et al., \u201cEffect of free liquid layer quantity on bacteria and protein adhesion to liquid infused polymers,\u201d <em>Biointerphases<\/em> (2024)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acsapm.5c00693\">Fong et al., \u201cSpecies-Specific Bacterial Responses to Partially Oil-Infused Silicone Polymers,\u201d <em>ACS Applied Polymer Materials<\/em> (2025).<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>From persistent interfaces to self-renewing materials<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We are working to understand how interfacial liquids are lost, redistributed, and replenished over time\u2014and how those processes can be designed into materials that restore their own surface function.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id1013_5f8e44-46 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1013_5f8e44-46 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1013_5f8e44-46 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1268px;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1013_5f8e44-46 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1013_5f8e44-46 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1013_5f8e44-46 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1013_5f8e44-46 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column1013_690270-9e > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1013_690270-9e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1013_690270-9e > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1013_690270-9e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1013_690270-9e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1013_690270-9e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1013_690270-9e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1013_690270-9e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1013_690270-9e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1013_690270-9e\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"sensing-diagnostics\">Moving sensing intelligence into material geometry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><em>We encode sensing and fluid-handling function into structures that can be made at scale, read with simple tools, cleaned, and reused.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image1013_1ee1cc-15.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image1013_1ee1cc-15 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:754px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image1013_1ee1cc-15.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image1013_1ee1cc-15 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image1013_1ee1cc-15 figure{max-width:754px;}.kb-image1013_1ee1cc-15 .image-is-svg, .kb-image1013_1ee1cc-15 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image1013_1ee1cc-15 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image1013_1ee1cc-15\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-Sep-4-2026-02_17_27-PM.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1681\" height=\"936\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-Sep-4-2026-02_17_27-PM.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1043\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-Sep-4-2026-02_17_27-PM.png 1681w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-Sep-4-2026-02_17_27-PM-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-Sep-4-2026-02_17_27-PM-1024x570.png 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-Sep-4-2026-02_17_27-PM-768x428.png 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-Sep-4-2026-02_17_27-PM-1536x855.png 1536w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-Sep-4-2026-02_17_27-PM-360x200.png 360w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-Sep-4-2026-02_17_27-PM-105x58.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-Sep-4-2026-02_17_27-PM-317x177.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-Sep-4-2026-02_17_27-PM-423x236.png 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-Sep-4-2026-02_17_27-PM-634x353.png 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-Sep-4-2026-02_17_27-PM-846x471.png 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-Sep-4-2026-02_17_27-PM-951x530.png 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-Sep-4-2026-02_17_27-PM-1268x706.png 1268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,1681px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Many sensing systems concentrate complexity in electronics, instrumentation, and specialized fabrication. We ask what happens when some of that measurement function is instead encoded directly into inexpensive material geometry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our replicated diffraction structures transform changes in fluids into spatial, temporal, and spectroscopic optical information that can be captured with simple imaging. Because the patterned material can be manufactured over large areas, the same principle can support measurements across space and time rather than at a single instrumented point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We apply the same manufacturing philosophy to fluid handling. Mass-manufactured channel networks can generate microdroplets without specialized microfabrication and can be cleaned and reused, extending scalable design from optical sensing into fluidic systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Selected publications:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1021\/acs.iecr.4c02774\">White et al., \u201cVariable-area sensor permits near-continuous multipoint measurements of aqueous biological and chemical analytes,\u201d <em>Industrial &amp; Engineering Chemistry Research<\/em> (2024).<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.rineng.2025.107597\">White et al., \u201cMass-manufactured diffraction pattern enables large-scale spectroscopic, temporal, and spatial measurements of fluid movement and mixing,\u201d <em>Results in Engineering<\/em> (2025).<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1017\/S2978168X26000003\">Fessler et al., \u201cReusable and cleanable mass-manufactured microdroplet generators\u201d <em>Cambridge Materials Circularity <\/em>(2026).<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Together, these systems explore how optical and fluidic function can be built into inexpensive, manufacturable structures rather than added through increasingly complex instrumentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>From individual sensors to distributed measurement<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We are working toward sensing systems inexpensive and scalable enough to measure environmental processes across large areas and over long periods, including field settings where conventional instrumentation is difficult to deploy.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id1013_ff8adc-74 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id1013_ff8adc-74 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id1013_ff8adc-74 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id1013_ff8adc-74{background-color:#172a3a;}.kb-row-layout-id1013_ff8adc-74 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}.kb-row-layout-id1013_ff8adc-74 ,.kb-row-layout-id1013_ff8adc-74 h1,.kb-row-layout-id1013_ff8adc-74 h2,.kb-row-layout-id1013_ff8adc-74 h3,.kb-row-layout-id1013_ff8adc-74 h4,.kb-row-layout-id1013_ff8adc-74 h5,.kb-row-layout-id1013_ff8adc-74 h6{color:#ffffff;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id1013_ff8adc-74 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id1013_ff8adc-74 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id1013_ff8adc-74 alignnone kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column1013_620161-15 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column1013_620161-15 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column1013_620161-15 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column1013_620161-15 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column1013_620161-15 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column1013_620161-15 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column1013_620161-15{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column1013_620161-15 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column1013_620161-15 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column1013_620161-15\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\"><strong>The questions connecting our work.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Across these systems, we are interested in a common challenge: how much useful function can be built into materials themselves\u2014through interfaces, biological growth, and manufacturable structure\u2014rather than supplied continuously from outside? These ideas are leading us toward new questions about<strong> growable functionality, biological manufacturing, and materials that can be produced locally from abundant resources.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Research We engineer more function into materials by controlling interfaces, working with biological processes, and designing manufacturing methods that reduce the need for continuous inputs. Across our research, we ask how materials can perform sophisticated functions with less energy, fewer recurring inputs, and manufacturing approaches suited to a resource-constrained future. The work below shows how [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":343,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1013","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Research - Howell Biointerface Engineering Lab - University of Maine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/research\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Research - Howell Biointerface Engineering Lab - University of Maine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Research We engineer more function into materials by controlling interfaces, working with biological processes, and designing manufacturing methods that reduce the need for continuous inputs. 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