UNE lands $1.3M grant to develop new technologies for seaweed production

The United States Department of Energy awarded the University of New England a three-year, nationally competitive research grant for $1.32 million to develop technologies that will enable the United States to become a leading producer of seaweed, MaineBiz reports. UNE’s award is part of a new program called Mariner, which stands for “Macroalgae Research Inspiring Novel Energy Resources.” Besides fostering innovation in seaweed production, the program seeks to improve U.S. energy security and economic competitiveness by using macroalgae as a feedstock for domestic transportation fuels, chemicals, foods and other commercial products without competing with food crops for land and water. Read more