{"id":999,"date":"2026-09-09T12:05:54","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T16:05:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/?page_id=999"},"modified":"2026-09-11T15:29:49","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T19:29:49","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kb-image999_408e72-80.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image999_408e72-80 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:130px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image999_408e72-80.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image999_408e72-80 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image999_408e72-80 figure{max-width:130px;}.kb-image999_408e72-80 .image-is-svg, .kb-image999_408e72-80 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image999_408e72-80:not(.kb-image-is-ratio-size) .kb-img, .kb-image999_408e72-80.kb-image-is-ratio-size{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);}.kb-image999_408e72-80 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-image999_408e72-80:not(.kb-image-is-ratio-size) .kb-img, .kb-image999_408e72-80.kb-image-is-ratio-size{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-image999_408e72-80:not(.kb-image-is-ratio-size) .kb-img, .kb-image999_408e72-80.kb-image-is-ratio-size{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image999_408e72-80\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Signature-e1788980947278.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"541\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Signature-e1788980947278.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1133\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Signature-e1788980947278.png 600w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Signature-e1788980947278-300x271.png 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Signature-e1788980947278-105x95.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Signature-e1788980947278-317x286.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Signature-e1788980947278-423x381.png 423w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id999_bcc2d5-17 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id999_bcc2d5-17 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id999_bcc2d5-17 > .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-id999_bcc2d5-17{background-image:url('https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Howell-Lab-Rainbow-Roll-Hero-Web-rotated.jpg');background-size:cover;background-position:47% 66%;background-attachment:scroll;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.kb-row-layout-id999_bcc2d5-17 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.35;background-color:#071b24;}.kb-row-layout-id999_bcc2d5-17 ,.kb-row-layout-id999_bcc2d5-17 h1,.kb-row-layout-id999_bcc2d5-17 h2,.kb-row-layout-id999_bcc2d5-17 h3,.kb-row-layout-id999_bcc2d5-17 h4,.kb-row-layout-id999_bcc2d5-17 h5,.kb-row-layout-id999_bcc2d5-17 h6{color:#ffffff;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id999_bcc2d5-17 > .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-id999_bcc2d5-17 > .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-id999_bcc2d5-17 alignnone kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-layout-overlay kt-row-overlay-normal\"><\/div><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-column999_96a59e-62 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column999_96a59e-62 > .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-column999_96a59e-62 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column999_96a59e-62 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column999_96a59e-62 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column999_96a59e-62 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column999_96a59e-62{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column999_96a59e-62 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column999_96a59e-62 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column999_96a59e-62\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:32px;font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Engineering more function into materials<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>The Howell Biointerface Engineering Lab investigates how interfaces, material structure, biological systems, and scalable manufacturing can create sophisticated function with fewer continuous inputs to build a more sustainable future.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kb-btns999_f1ce19-82{gap:var(--global-kb-gap-xs, 0.5rem );justify-content:flex-start;align-items:center;}.kt-btns999_f1ce19-82 .kt-button{font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;}.kt-btns999_f1ce19-82 .kt-btn-wrap-0{margin-right:5px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns999_f1ce19-82 .kt-btn-wrap-0 .kt-button{color:#555555;border-color:#555555;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns999_f1ce19-82 .kt-btn-wrap-0 .kt-button:hover, .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns999_f1ce19-82 .kt-btn-wrap-0 .kt-button:focus{color:#ffffff;border-color:#444444;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns999_f1ce19-82 .kt-btn-wrap-0 .kt-button::before{display:none;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns999_f1ce19-82 .kt-btn-wrap-0 .kt-button:hover, .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn.kt-btns999_f1ce19-82 .kt-btn-wrap-0 .kt-button:focus{background:#444444;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn kb-buttons-wrap kb-btns999_f1ce19-82\"><style>ul.menu .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn999_b35fd3-19.kb-button{width:initial;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn999_b35fd3-19.kb-button{color:#ffffff;background:#06467f;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn999_b35fd3-19.kb-button:hover, .wp-block-kadence-advancedbtn .kb-btn999_b35fd3-19.kb-button:focus{color:#008b84;}<\/style><a class=\"kb-button kt-button button kb-btn999_b35fd3-19 kt-btn-size-standard kt-btn-width-type-auto kb-btn-global-fill  kt-btn-has-text-true kt-btn-has-svg-false  wp-block-kadence-singlebtn\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/research\/\"><span class=\"kt-btn-inner-text\">Explore our research<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id999_37b897-7a > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id999_37b897-7a > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id999_37b897-7a > .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-xs, 1rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id999_37b897-7a{background-color:#f1f7f9;}.kb-row-layout-id999_37b897-7a > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id999_37b897-7a > .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-id999_37b897-7a > .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-id999_37b897-7a 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 kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column999_b844a9-11 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column999_b844a9-11 > .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-column999_b844a9-11 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column999_b844a9-11 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column999_b844a9-11 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column999_b844a9-11 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column999_b844a9-11{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column999_b844a9-11 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column999_b844a9-11 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column999_b844a9-11\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Our Approach <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\"><em>Engineering at the Interface<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our work begins at interfaces: the places where materials, organisms, fluids, molecules, and environments meet. By controlling what happens there, we develop materials that do more through structure, growth, and fabrication.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id999_52bd69-88 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id999_52bd69-88 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id999_52bd69-88 > .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-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kb-row-layout-id999_52bd69-88 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}.kb-row-layout-id999_52bd69-88 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));}.kb-row-layout-id999_52bd69-88 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id999_52bd69-88 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id999_52bd69-88 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id999_52bd69-88 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}.kb-row-layout-id999_52bd69-88 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id999_52bd69-88 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-3-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column999_f50ed7-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column999_f50ed7-2e > .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-column999_f50ed7-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column999_f50ed7-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column999_f50ed7-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column999_f50ed7-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column999_f50ed7-2e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column999_f50ed7-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column999_f50ed7-2e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column999_f50ed7-2e\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image999_27cda8-52.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image999_27cda8-52 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:117px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image999_27cda8-52.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image999_27cda8-52 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image999_27cda8-52 figure{max-width:117px;}.kb-image999_27cda8-52 .image-is-svg, .kb-image999_27cda8-52 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image999_27cda8-52 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image999_27cda8-52\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Drop-icon.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"646\" height=\"613\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Drop-icon.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1148\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Drop-icon.png 646w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Drop-icon-300x285.png 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Drop-icon-105x100.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Drop-icon-317x301.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Drop-icon-423x401.png 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Drop-icon-634x602.png 634w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,646px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Passive and low-energy function<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We embed useful behavior into material structure so it can occur with less continuous power, chemical treatment, or maintenance.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column999_1b801f-df > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column999_1b801f-df > .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-column999_1b801f-df > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column999_1b801f-df > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column999_1b801f-df > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column999_1b801f-df > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column999_1b801f-df{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column999_1b801f-df > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column999_1b801f-df > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column999_1b801f-df\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image999_af1fcd-4b.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image999_af1fcd-4b .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:100px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image999_af1fcd-4b.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image999_af1fcd-4b .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image999_af1fcd-4b figure{max-width:100px;}.kb-image999_af1fcd-4b .image-is-svg, .kb-image999_af1fcd-4b .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image999_af1fcd-4b .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image999_af1fcd-4b\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Plant-icon.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"588\" height=\"650\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Plant-icon.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1149\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Plant-icon.png 588w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Plant-icon-271x300.png 271w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Plant-icon-105x116.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Plant-icon-317x350.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Plant-icon-423x468.png 423w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,588px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Growing and transforming materials<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We use organisms and biological processes as active participants in creating or modifying functional materials.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column999_5b5d5c-6d > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column999_5b5d5c-6d > .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-column999_5b5d5c-6d > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column999_5b5d5c-6d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column999_5b5d5c-6d > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column999_5b5d5c-6d > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column999_5b5d5c-6d{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column999_5b5d5c-6d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column999_5b5d5c-6d > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column999_5b5d5c-6d\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image999_fca0e2-bc.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image999_fca0e2-bc .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:109px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image999_fca0e2-bc.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image999_fca0e2-bc .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image999_fca0e2-bc figure{max-width:109px;}.kb-image999_fca0e2-bc .image-is-svg, .kb-image999_fca0e2-bc .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image999_fca0e2-bc .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image999_fca0e2-bc\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Paper-icon.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"599\" height=\"592\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Paper-icon.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Paper-icon.png 599w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Paper-icon-300x296.png 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Paper-icon-105x104.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Paper-icon-317x313.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Paper-icon-423x418.png 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Paper-icon-32x32.png 32w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,599px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Resource-conscious manufacturing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We develop scalable, reusable, feedstock-conscious, and locally accessible ways to produce advanced function.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-14408563a0367facdb7a38d4ff69af25\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Learning from nature&#8217;s operating strategies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We study growth, replenishment, dynamic interfaces, distributed transport, and adaptation as operating strategies for engineering materials and systems.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id999_f9edea-7e > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id999_f9edea-7e > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id999_f9edea-7e > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-lg, 4rem);max-width:1268px;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-id999_f9edea-7e > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id999_f9edea-7e > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id999_f9edea-7e > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id999_f9edea-7e 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-column999_292c1a-34 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column999_292c1a-34 > .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-column999_292c1a-34 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column999_292c1a-34 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column999_292c1a-34 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column999_292c1a-34 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column999_292c1a-34{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column999_292c1a-34 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column999_292c1a-34 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column999_292c1a-34\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Research in practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Across different applications, our projects ask how more function can be built into material structure, biological processes, and scalable manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id999_567276-31 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id999_567276-31 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id999_567276-31 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-lg, 4rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-lg, 4rem);max-width:1268px;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}.kb-row-layout-id999_567276-31 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id999_567276-31 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-lg, 4rem);grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id999_567276-31 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id999_567276-31 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column999_ed8979-d9 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column999_ed8979-d9 > .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-column999_ed8979-d9 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column999_ed8979-d9 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column999_ed8979-d9 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column999_ed8979-d9 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column999_ed8979-d9{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column999_ed8979-d9 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column999_ed8979-d9 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column999_ed8979-d9\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Fungal-grown coatings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We grow thin fungal mycelial layers across paper, textiles, and wood to create water-, oil-, and oxygen-resistant surfaces through biological self-assembly.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image999_126f7b-5f .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image999_126f7b-5f\"><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><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/research\/#fungal-grown-coatings\">Explore grown coatings \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column999_0cdc0e-0e > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column999_0cdc0e-0e > .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-column999_0cdc0e-0e > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column999_0cdc0e-0e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column999_0cdc0e-0e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column999_0cdc0e-0e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column999_0cdc0e-0e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column999_0cdc0e-0e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column999_0cdc0e-0e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column999_0cdc0e-0e\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Cellulose-based functional coatings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We develop vacuum-assisted and single-step methods for applying cellulose nanofibrils to paper, connecting renewable feedstocks with controllable, scalable barrier manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image999_bf84e1-43 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image999_bf84e1-43 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>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/research\/#cellulose-based-functional-coatings\">Explore cellulose coatings \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id999_6fd381-d1 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id999_6fd381-d1 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id999_6fd381-d1 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-lg, 4rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-lg, 4rem);max-width:1268px;padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}.kb-row-layout-id999_6fd381-d1 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id999_6fd381-d1 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-lg, 4rem);grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id999_6fd381-d1 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id999_6fd381-d1 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column999_1bdd11-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column999_1bdd11-4a > .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-column999_1bdd11-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column999_1bdd11-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column999_1bdd11-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column999_1bdd11-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column999_1bdd11-4a{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column999_1bdd11-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column999_1bdd11-4a > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column999_1bdd11-4a\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Passive biointerfaces<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We design liquid-infused and vascularized materials that resist fouling, guide biological interactions, or replenish function through material structure rather than repeated external treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image999_d18288-32.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image999_d18288-32 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:450px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image999_d18288-32.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image999_d18288-32 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image999_d18288-32 figure{max-width:450px;}.kb-image999_d18288-32 .image-is-svg, .kb-image999_d18288-32 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image999_d18288-32 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image999_d18288-32\"><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><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/research\/#passive-biointerfaces\">Explore passive biointerfaces \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column999_61ff98-03 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column999_61ff98-03 > .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-column999_61ff98-03 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column999_61ff98-03 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column999_61ff98-03 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column999_61ff98-03 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column999_61ff98-03{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column999_61ff98-03 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column999_61ff98-03 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column999_61ff98-03\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Scalable sensing and diagnostics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We combine roll-to-roll diffraction structures with reusable microfluidic systems to move sensing and diagnostic functions into simpler, scalable platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image999_b17b2a-0f.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image999_b17b2a-0f .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:2085px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image999_b17b2a-0f.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image999_b17b2a-0f .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image999_b17b2a-0f{max-width:2085px;}.image-is-svg.kb-image999_b17b2a-0f{-webkit-flex:0 1 100%;flex:0 1 100%;}.image-is-svg.kb-image999_b17b2a-0f img{width:100%;}.kb-image999_b17b2a-0f .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image999_b17b2a-0f size-large\"><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=\"1024\" height=\"570\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-Sep-4-2026-02_17_27-PM-1024x570.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-1024x570.png 1024w, 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-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, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/ChatGPT-Image-Sep-4-2026-02_17_27-PM.png 1681w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/research\/#scalable-sensing-and-diagnostics\">Explore sensing and diagnostics \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id999_73a655-17 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id999_73a655-17 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id999_73a655-17 > .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-xxs, 0.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id999_73a655-17{background-color:#102a36;}.kb-row-layout-id999_73a655-17 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}.kb-row-layout-id999_73a655-17 ,.kb-row-layout-id999_73a655-17 h1,.kb-row-layout-id999_73a655-17 h2,.kb-row-layout-id999_73a655-17 h3,.kb-row-layout-id999_73a655-17 h4,.kb-row-layout-id999_73a655-17 h5,.kb-row-layout-id999_73a655-17 h6{color:#ffffff;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id999_73a655-17 > .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-id999_73a655-17 > .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-id999_73a655-17 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 kb-theme-content-width\">\n<style>.kadence-column999_0e4813-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column999_0e4813-3c > .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-column999_0e4813-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column999_0e4813-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column999_0e4813-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column999_0e4813-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column999_0e4813-3c{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column999_0e4813-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column999_0e4813-3c > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column999_0e4813-3c\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Questions we are pursuing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Our current work is extending these approaches toward materials and manufacturing systems that can operate under tighter resource constraints.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5 > .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);}.kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}.kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));}.kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5{background-color:#102a36;}.kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}.kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5 ,.kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5 h1,.kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5 h2,.kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5 h3,.kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5 h4,.kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5 h5,.kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5 h6{color:#ffffff;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:repeat(3, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}.kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id999_13664b-d5 alignnone kt-row-has-bg wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-3-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column999_fa9724-e4 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column999_fa9724-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-column999_fa9724-e4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column999_fa9724-e4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column999_fa9724-e4 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column999_fa9724-e4 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column999_fa9724-e4{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column999_fa9724-e4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column999_fa9724-e4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column999_fa9724-e4\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Growable functionality<\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image999_0e52f5-aa .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image999_0e52f5-aa size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Mycelial-material-n-bg.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1283\" height=\"1226\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Mycelial-material-n-bg.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Mycelial-material-n-bg.png 1283w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Mycelial-material-n-bg-300x287.png 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Mycelial-material-n-bg-1024x979.png 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Mycelial-material-n-bg-768x734.png 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Mycelial-material-n-bg-105x100.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Mycelial-material-n-bg-317x303.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Mycelial-material-n-bg-423x404.png 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Mycelial-material-n-bg-634x606.png 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Mycelial-material-n-bg-846x808.png 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Mycelial-material-n-bg-951x909.png 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Mycelial-material-n-bg-1268x1212.png 1268w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Mycelial-material-n-bg-32x32.png 32w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,1283px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>How can growth be used not only to create a material, but to add, restore, or adapt function over time?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column999_3b1531-21 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column999_3b1531-21 > .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-column999_3b1531-21 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column999_3b1531-21 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column999_3b1531-21 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column999_3b1531-21 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column999_3b1531-21{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column999_3b1531-21 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column999_3b1531-21 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column999_3b1531-21\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Bio-manufacturing<\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image999_db8b4f-cd .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image999_db8b4f-cd size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Biomaterial-nobg.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1254\" height=\"1254\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Biomaterial-nobg.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1218\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Biomaterial-nobg.png 1254w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Biomaterial-nobg-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Biomaterial-nobg-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Biomaterial-nobg-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Biomaterial-nobg-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Biomaterial-nobg-105x105.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Biomaterial-nobg-317x317.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Biomaterial-nobg-423x423.png 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Biomaterial-nobg-634x634.png 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Biomaterial-nobg-846x846.png 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Biomaterial-nobg-951x951.png 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Biomaterial-nobg-32x32.png 32w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,1254px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>When can organisms and biological transformation replace energy- or equipment-intensive processing?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column999_d0d7e2-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column999_d0d7e2-1e > .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-column999_d0d7e2-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column999_d0d7e2-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column999_d0d7e2-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column999_d0d7e2-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column999_d0d7e2-1e{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column999_d0d7e2-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column999_d0d7e2-1e > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column999_d0d7e2-1e\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Local material use<\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image999_978368-b6 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image999_978368-b6 size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Maine-materials-no-bg.png\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1241\" height=\"1268\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Maine-materials-no-bg.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1219\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Maine-materials-no-bg.png 1241w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Maine-materials-no-bg-294x300.png 294w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Maine-materials-no-bg-1002x1024.png 1002w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Maine-materials-no-bg-768x785.png 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Maine-materials-no-bg-105x107.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Maine-materials-no-bg-317x324.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Maine-materials-no-bg-423x432.png 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Maine-materials-no-bg-634x648.png 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Maine-materials-no-bg-846x864.png 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Maine-materials-no-bg-951x972.png 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Maine-materials-no-bg-32x32.png 32w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,1241px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>What advanced functions can be created from abundant feedstocks using simpler and more accessible manufacturing?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id999_d1ec6f-b7 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id999_d1ec6f-b7 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id999_d1ec6f-b7 > .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-md, 2rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id999_d1ec6f-b7{background-color:#f2f6f6;}.kb-row-layout-id999_d1ec6f-b7 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id999_d1ec6f-b7 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id999_d1ec6f-b7 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id999_d1ec6f-b7 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-column999_ccd657-fa > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column999_ccd657-fa > .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-column999_ccd657-fa > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column999_ccd657-fa > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column999_ccd657-fa > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column999_ccd657-fa > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column999_ccd657-fa{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column999_ccd657-fa > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column999_ccd657-fa > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column999_ccd657-fa\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"work-with-us\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:700\">Work with us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We welcome collaborators, partners, and curious people interested in creating sophisticated material function through interfaces, biological processes, and scalable manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image999_a60fe1-26.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image999_a60fe1-26 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:546px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image999_a60fe1-26.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image999_a60fe1-26 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image999_a60fe1-26 figure{max-width:546px;}.kb-image999_a60fe1-26 .image-is-svg, .kb-image999_a60fe1-26 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image999_a60fe1-26 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image999_a60fe1-26\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-picture-pots-scaled.jpg\" class=\"kb-advanced-image-link\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-picture-pots-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-1068\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-picture-pots-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-picture-pots-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-picture-pots-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-picture-pots-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-picture-pots-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-picture-pots-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-picture-pots-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-picture-pots-423x317.jpg 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-picture-pots-634x476.jpg 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/howelllab\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/131\/2026\/09\/Group-picture-pots-846x635.jpg 846w, 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continuous inputs to build a more sustainable future. Our Approach Engineering at the Interface Our work begins at interfaces: the places where materials, organisms, fluids, molecules, and environments meet. [&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-999","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>Home - 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\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Home - Howell Biointerface Engineering Lab - University of Maine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Engineering more function into materials The Howell Biointerface Engineering Lab investigates how interfaces, material structure, biological systems, and scalable manufacturing can create sophisticated function with fewer continuous inputs to build a more sustainable future. 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