UMaine plans $75M ‘factory of the future’ for high-tech bio-manufacturing

The University of Maine has plans in the works to expand its Advanced Structures and Composites Center in Orono, with an eye toward advancing research into large-scale, bio-based additive manufacturing that uses artificial intelligence and arrays of huge 3D printers.

The university calls the new facility the “factory of the future.” On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee voted to fund $35 million this fiscal year for the expansion, representing about half its projected cost. The center’s new capabilities could drive new technology development in industries such as affordable housing, clean energy, construction, transportation, boatbuilding and furniture. Read more

Related Posts

Business Leaders: Deborah Bronk steers Bigelow Lab expansion to boost reach, programming

Deborah Bronk is president, CEO and a senior research scientist at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in East Boothbay, which will...

24 March 2025

UNE retains R2 Research status, reinforcing leadership in scientific advancement

The University of New England has retained its status as one of the country’s leading research universities with the recent release...

23 March 2025

Maine college students investigate health effects of forever chemicals

Two dozen Maine college students are investigating the public health effects of forever chemicals by using zebrafish as human stand-ins and...

21 March 2025