FIRST: Frontier Institute for Research in Sensor Technologies

10/29/2025

Following two years of testing and development, University of Maine scientists and engineers created a microelectronic sensor that can withstand both the in-core radiation levels and the extreme temperatures that exist within these advanced nuclear reactors. The nanotechnology-based microchip at the heart of this sensor system not only survives the harshest reactor environments, it also provides operational data in real-time. This can help nuclear power plant engineers and operators identify technical issues faster and reduce maintenance costs. Click the link for the full article.

Nuclear power plants provide 20% of the nation’s energy. To ensure they remain functional and safe to operate, plant engineers rely on sensors to provide feedback on a wide range of parameters, including temperature; reactor power, or neutron flux; and strain on vessel walls.  A new fleet of adva...

10/16/2025

"Advances in Materials II" is being offered in Spring 2026. There is still time to apply for the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. and Graduate Certificate programs in Materials Science and Engineering!

09/29/2025

University of Maine senior Gus Hoy has been named a 2025 Goldwater Scholar for his research excellence in the fields of the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering.

Hoy, a mechanical engineering major and physics minor, is one of 441 college students nationwide who received the award for the 2025-26 academic year, according to the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation website. This year, there were 1,350 nominees from 445 academic institutions.
Hoy is currently performing research with Dr. Nick Bingham, a member of the Frontier Institute for Research in Sensor Technologies.

09/17/2025

UMaine News publishes article on Schwartz's research to lower prescription drug costs.

Thomas Schwartz One of the main factors driving prices in pharmaceuticals, such as cholesterol-lowering drugs and antibiotics, is the cost of production and materials. Researchers at the University of Maine Forest Bioproducts Research Institute (FBRI) have discovered a sustainable method to produce....

09/17/2025

FIRST associate member Schwartz featured on WABI.

WABI Morning News

07/30/2025

FIRST's PFAS Research in the News

University of Maine researchers are creating a low-cost PFAS testing tool for farmers that delivers faster results via portable sensors.

05/08/2025

Dr. Sharmila Mukhopadhyay was recently awarded $496,432 from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) for Rapid Detection and Monitoring of PFAS in Water and Solids. She and her research team will be developing portable, farmer-friendly sensors for fast, affordable PFAS testing directly on farms.

The PFAS Fund has awarded $3 million to researchers to conduct studies that will help commercial farmers make informed decisions.

12/23/2024

We are excited to announce that the Materials Science and Engineering professional graduate certificate is beginning May 12, 2025! This professional graduate certificate is tailored for full-time professionals wanting to expand their skills in the semiconductor, clean energy, and environmental industries. More information is available here!
https://umaine.edu/first/materials-science-engineering/

06/25/2024

https://umaine.edu/news/blog/2024/05/21/umaine-researchers-creating-semiconductor-curriculum-for-high-schoolers/

The National Science Foundation awarded $1.2 million to a University of Maine-led team of researchers to create a comprehensive semiconductor curriculum for high school students.  Spearheaded by principal investigator Prabuddha Chakraborty and co-principal investigator Rosemary Smith from UMaine’...

03/04/2024

CORE is hiring! Please apply using the link.

Employment at the University of Maine