Through DEPSCoR the University is solving critical national defense problems in the areas of detecting undersea mines and improving the performance of jet engines. The DEPSCoR programs also will expand capability and expertise in Maine in the important areas of oceanography and advanced materials.
"I'm extremely pleased at DoD's decision to make these awards to the University of Maine," said Senator Collins. "One of my goals since coming to the Senate has been to increase the amount of federal research and development funding for Maine, so this is, indeed, a strong endorsement of the level of scientific research happening here in Maine."
The two programs receiving DoD awards are:
Nutritional Control of Bioturbation The mixing, or disturbance, of marine sediments by animals. Sediment disturbance influences Navy operations in the coastal ocean by affecting the operation and detectability of mines hidden in the ocean floor. Consequently, the Navy has invested considerably in the study of processes influencing the styles and intensities of bioturbation.
Mutli-Functional Ceramic Coatings for High Temperature Aerospace Applications Ceramic coatings are critical ingredients in aerospace propulsion systems and aircraft engine components. They act as protective corrosion barriers as well as heat insulation layers, leading to increased fuel efficiency and higher reliability during flight. A major problem is that these coatings crack and delaminate during use due to the high temperatures of exhaust gases. In this project, improved ceramic coatings will be developed as next generation advanced materials for aerospace applications.
The Department of Defense awarded research funds for science and engineering research to 29 academic institutions in 16 states to perform research in fields important to national defense.