RRF Seed Grant Awards

Lobster Shell Golf Ball Production and Initial Beta Market Launch

PI: James Beaupre (Foster Center for Student Innovation, UMaine) Sector: Aquaculture, Manufacturing Partners: Cape Seafood Abstract: In an effort to accelerate the commercialization of the lobster golf ball technology developed at the University of Maine, a start-up enterprise will be nurtured and built at UMaine. This technology takes advantage of waste lobster shell from the […]

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Sensor Development/Adaptation to Improve Healthcare: A Partnership Between the University of Maine System and Saint Joseph's Hospital

PI: John Vetelino (Electrical and Computer Engineering, UMaine) Sector: Biotechnology Partners: Saint Joseph’s Hospital, James Moreira (UMM), Steven Quackenbush (UMF) Abstract: The goal of this proposal is to develop a partnership between University of Maine System researchers and Saint Joseph’s Hospital to develop/adapt and commercialize sensors to detect/monitor diseases and/or medical conditions to improve public […]

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Supporting the development of Maine’s sea scallop aquaculture industry

PI: Dana Morse (Marine Sciences, UMaine) Sector: Aquaculture Partners: Maine Aquaculture Cooperative, Rachel Lasley-Rasher (USM), Hugh Cowperthwaite (CEI) Abstract: Maine’s opportunity in the ear-hanging technique of scallop aquaculture is clear: a large domestic market for scallops, a need to diversify our working waterfronts along with strong brand recognition of Maine seafood. Results from field trials […]

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Augmented reality respiratory simulators for combined visual and haptic medical training in low-resource settings

PI: Caitlin Howell (Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, UMaine) Sector: Biomedical, Biotechnology Partners: Zephyrus Technology, Denham Ward (Maine Medical Center Research Institute) Abstract: Simulation-based learning is becoming a newly adopted standard for training medical professionals, immersing students in complex ‘real-life’ scenarios to facilitate clinical knowledge application and hands-on skill development. However, current training simulators are expensive, […]

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Maine-Based Construction and Assembly of Aqua Ventus Floating Hull

PI: Habib Dagher (Advanced Structures and Composites Center, UMaine) Sector: Engineering, Composite Technology Partners: U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Cianbro, Stantec Abstract: The RRF funding will be used to develop construction procedures which allow for the 8,000 tons VolturnUS floating concrete offshore wind turbine hulls to be produced in Maine. Offshore wind […]

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Turning Maine’s Wood Fiber Resource into Renewable Food Packaging Systems

Principal Investigator: Mehdi Tajvidi, UMaine School of Forest Resources Partners: Douglas Bousfield (UMaine, Department of Chemistry), William Gramlich (UMaine, Department of Chemistry), Douglas Gardner, (UMaine ASCC), Nigel Sanders (Synthesis Group Minerals Technologies, Inc.), Balu Nayak (UMaine School of Food and Agriculture), Nicole Stark (USDA Forest Products Lab), & Jinqu Wang (USDA Forest Products Lab) Abstract: This project seeks […]

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MicroAlgae Culture Coupled Catalysis: Producing Marine Diesel Fuel Additives from Algal Biomass

Principal Investigator: Thomas Schwartz (Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering) Partners: Scott Eaton (Maine Maritime Academy, Marine Engine Testing & Emissions Laboratory), Mike Lomas (Bigelow Labs), & Joshua Henry (Maine Maritime Academy, Marine Engine Testing & Emissions Laboratory) Abstract: Due to its high yield potential, algal biomass is a promising alternative to fossil-based carbon feedstocks for fuels. However, […]

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Variable and High Porosity Nanocellulose Solid Forms for Biomedical Applications

Principal Investigator: Michael Mason (UMaine Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering) Partners: Mehdi Tajvidi (UMaine, School of Forest Resources) & Ian Dickey, MD (Colorado Limb Consultants Abstract: Material scientists and engineers are constantly seeking to develop new biomaterials that address existing and emerging challenges in human health. Dehydrated cellulose Nano-fiber (CNF), produced here at UMaine, is one such […]

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Elder Tech Collaborative

Principal Investigator: Lenard Kaye (UMaine School of Social Work and Center on Aging) Partners: Mark Jadkowski (Elder Technology Labs) and Wayne Woodford (Phillips-Strickland House Corporation) Abstract: This project proposes the planning and start-up of the ElderTech Collaborative, an innovative approach for responding to the expanding technology and aging R&D sector that aims to meet the needs and preferences […]

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Application of low cost bio filled thermoplastics to 3D printed marine tooling

Principal Investigator: Douglas Gardner (UMaine, Advanced Structure and Composite Center) Partners: Mindy Crandall (UMaine, School of Forest Resources), James Anderson (UMaine, Advanced Structure and Composite Center, Lyman Morse, Hinckley Yachts, Hodgdon Yachts, Sabre, & Thermwood Corporation Abstract: For small to medium boat builders, the biggest cost and longest lead time item in developing a new boat model is […]

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