Senators Collins, King Announce More Than $2.3 Million to Support UMaine’s Development of Wireless Sensors

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the University of Maine has received a total of $2,340,000 to support ongoing research on environment sensor technology.  This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).

“The University of Maine is a global leader in developing cutting-edge technology that supports a wide variety of industries and creates good jobs,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.  “Wireless sensors are one of UMaine’s exciting areas of research that have enormous potential for manufacturers, space exploration, transportation, and many other applications.  These sensors are only a couple of millimeters in size, but they can withstand extreme temperatures and pressure to transmit valuable data that can increase safety and efficiency as well as reduce maintenance costs.  We welcome this investment that will support UMaine’s development of these devices.”

This funding will allow UMaine to leverage their expertise in the area of sensor materials, devices, and wireless systems to conduct research on sensors that can operate in harsh environments.  UMaine is creating a wireless nano-technology sensor that is able to withstand extreme temperatures up to 1000°C (1800°F) and over 50,000 times the force of gravity on earth.  The devices can be as small as 1 mm by 2 mm, roughly the size of a grain of rice.

UMaine and its partners will work to test and evaluate prototype wireless systems in locations including power plants and advanced manufacturing sites.  The research will ultimately have a substantial impact on energy production, use, safety, and efficiency in many industrial sectors.

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