Discovery News Features UMaine Robotic Venus Flytrap

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

October 21, 2011 UMaine in the News

Discovery News carried an article Oct. 20 about a novel robotic Venus flytrap created at UMaine by mechanical engineering professor Mohsen Shahinpoor that uses soft artificial muscle nanomaterials to replicate the sensory responses of the small carnivorous plant, the Venus flytrap. Shahinpoor hopes the model and associated research will lead to improved artificial muscles in humans, specifically those with facial paralysis.

Contact: George Manlove, (207) 581-3756