Maine Technology Institute Announces $980,000 in two new awards to boost Maine’s High-Potential Technology Clusters
The Maine Technology Institute has announced the distribution of two new awards from its Cluster Initiative Program (CIP) for collaborative projects that boost Maine’s high-potential technology-intensive clusters. Awards made under the CIP program support the success of Maine businesses by funding joint work of companies, service providers, research laboratories and educational institutions and expanding the infrastructure that helps them to thrive. The University of Maine at Orono and the University of New England at Portland both received awards.
The University of Maine at Orono received $500,000 which was matched by an additional $500,000 from a private company for the further development of Maine’s off-shore wind technology cluster. With the award, UMaine will purchase a floating LIDAR system to measure wind velocity from the near surface to the 300ft offshore turbine hub and beyond. UMaine is home of the U.S. Department of Energy’s national deepwater wind research center and has been charged by US Energy Secretary Chu with leading the nation in deepwater offshore wind technology.
About the award, Jake Ward, Assistant Vice President of Research and Economic Development, said “Maine’s wind energy cluster has developed a long-term technology-driven development strategy for offshore wind energy. This award will enable us to purchase a first-of-its-kind system to revolutionize wind resource assessment in Maine. It is an integral part of our strategy and compliments the $8 million in Department of Energy funding for synergistic activities.”
Habib Dagher, Director or the University of Maine Composites Center added, “The system is needed because Maine plans to place wind farms 20+miles offshore out of sight in water depths exceeding 300 ft. In these deeper waters, bottom-fixed-based anemometer towers would be cost-prohibitive, as they would cost more than $20 million. A floating Lidar would replace a $20 million fixed tower with a device that costs about $1 million. As opposed to fixed towers these floating lidars units can also be easily moved from one job site to another. This project will first evaluate the viability of floating lidars and compare their wind speed measurements to fixed-based anemometer stations. “
In the second CIP award, the University of New England received $480,000, matched by $678,000, for its College of Pharmacy to collaborate with the Maine Medical Center Research Institute and the City of Portland’s Division of Economic Development to complete its Portland facility dedicated to bridging basic research and the clinical development of drugs and medical devices.
About the award, John V. Schloss, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of New England remarked “This award strengthens an ongoing collaboration between the University of New England, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, the University of Southern Maine, and the City of Portland, providing critical technology and infrastructure critical for the development of a biotechnology cluster. It will establish a Core for Drug Analysis and Development (CDAD) which is not just the best facility for molecular analysis in Maine, but one of the most advanced and comprehensive facilities of its type anywhere. CDAD will attract new biotech ventures, support Maine-based companies, and stimulate new federally-funded research.”
Greg A. Mitchell, Director, Economic Development Division, City of Portland added, “The City of Portland’s Economic Development Division is excited to join with UNE’s College of Pharmacy and MMCRI to grow the region’s emerging life sciences cluster. This industry provides life-saving medical research and well-paying jobs for young people with associate, bachelor and graduate degrees. We recognize the importance of expanding the life sciences industry in our region and look forward to continuing to grow a dynamic environment for innovation.”
MTI’s Cluster Initiative Program has recently announced the fall application deadline of November 15, 2010 for new proposals under the award program. Firms, service providers, research laboratories and educational institutions may all apply. Workshops being scheduled for September will present information about the program and processes for application, review and award, as well as answer questions potential applicants might have. In 2008, MTI launched an enhanced Cluster Initiative Program with support and leadership from the Governor and the Maine Legislature. MTI’s program in support of Maine’s technology intensive clusters had been recognized as instrumental to growing Maine’s innovation economy in the 2008 Brookings Report, “Charting Maine’s Future” as well as the Governor’s Council on Jobs, Innovation and the Economy.
Maine Technology Institute is a publicly financed, nonprofit organization created by Maine’s Legislature to stimulate research and development activity leading to the commercialization of new products, processes and services in the state’s seven technology-intensive sectors. Visit www.mainetechnology.org for more information about the Cluster Initiative Program and other MTI programs.