|  | MAINE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTING NEWSLETTER | FEBRUARY 2024 |  |
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| Mainebiz feature highlights innovative instruction and R&D at UMaine | A report from Mainebiz on innovation and engineering at the University of Maine featured President Joan Ferrini-Mundy; Maine College of Engineering and Computing Dean Giovanna Guidoboni, Associate Vice President for Strategic Partnerships, Innovation, Resources and Engagement Renee Kelly; a project by the Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) to create a 3D-printed, bio-based home; and information on a life-size knight sculpture created at the Innovative Media Research and Commercialization (IMRC) Center. The article focused on how the university has invested in creating pathways to careers. In addition to the recently completed E. James and Eileen P. Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center, UMaine is soon breaking ground on the Green Engineering and Materials Factory of the Future. | | |  | UMaine’s surveying program receives equipment loan valued at $1.7 million | The University of Maine’s Surveying Engineering Technology (SVT) program has received an equipment loan valued at $1.7 million from Topcon Positioning Systems Inc., an industry-leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of precision measurement and workflow solutions headquartered in Livermore, California.
The university’s SVT program, which has the largest number of undergraduate students per faculty in the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC), will receive 12 robotic total stations (electronic/optical instruments for surveying and building construction), 12 digital levels,12 multi-constellation GPS receivers, tablets, software and accessories at no cost. As part of the agreement, Topcon will maintain, update and replace the equipment (if necessary) every three years. This agreement was made to ensure the program’s students receive instruction with the latest surveying technology as part of the Topcon Learn/Apply/Build (LAB) initiative. | | | | Monitoring Ice Quality: MCEC and Athletics' Game-Changing Collaboration | In the world of sports, high-quality ice is a game-changer, ensuring safety and enjoyment for players and spectators. The Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC) and UMaine Athletics are teaming up to improve ice quality through innovative technology.
Led by Andy Sheaff in Electrical and Computer Engineering, the all volunteer team is implementing a real-time condition monitoring system in two phases. Phase I involves distributed sensors strategically placed in the arena to gather comprehensive data, while Phase II integrates infrared cameras for a visual dimension, providing a holistic view of ice conditions. This range of sensors will monitor temperatures, humidity and other variables that impact the ice conditions.
A team of six ECE undergraduates, including Lambert, Picard, Bajracharya, Bryant, Varghese, and Mock contribute their skills and enthusiasm to the initiative. Partnerships with Facilities, Athletics, Mechanical Engineering, and Network Maine ensure a comprehensive approach. |
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| |  | 2023-24 Cybersecurity Team qualifies for Northeast Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition Regional event. | On Saturday, February 3rd, 2024, UMaine’s Cybersecurity Team competed in the qualifier round of the Northeast Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (NECCDC), facing off against 19 other Colleges and Universities. UMaine’s competitors participated in the event remotely, gathered in Barrows Hall, featuring a mix of veteran experience and talented newcomers. As part of the top ten performing teams, UMaine has qualified to proceed to the NECCDC regional event in March, which will take place at Pace University in New York City.(neccdl.org/neccdc).
The competition encompassed a wide variety of challenges for the Team to overcome including but not limited to securing machines to defend against professional ethical hackers, establishing logging systems, and writing reports on the work completed. | |  | Student Volunteers Make First Lego League (FLL) Robotics Championship a Resounding Success! | On February 3rd, the Maine State FLL Robotics Championship witnessed the invaluable contributions of student volunteers from COS 121 Coding for Everyone and COS125 Introduction to Problem Solving using Computer Programming. Throughout the entire day, 26 teams competed in various categories, including Robot Design, Core Values, Innovation, and Game Challenge. These dedicated volunteers not only assisted as competition judges, field re-setters, and referees, but also offered their expertise and enthusiasm to make the event a remarkable experience. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the additional volunteers from various majors, such as Biology (Lillian Gurney) and Elementary Education (Lucy Eldridge) and Orono High School student (Abigail Gurney), who generously joined us for the weekend. Together, they made a significant impact on the success of the championship. Thank you to all our incredible volunteers! | |  |  | Carlos Lück, Chair of the Engineering department at USM, stands behind the joint booth at the Championship. |
| 2024 Vex Robotics State Championship | Dean of the Maine College of Engineering and Computing (MCEC), Giovanna Guidoboni gave the speech and acted as a judge at the 2024 Vex Robotics State Championship. This competition features statewide teams competing in challenges that test their creativity, teamwork and technical prowess.
“The convergence of engineering and computing that the competitors will experience while designing, building and improving their robots is at the basis of what MCEC is. A place to solve problems collaboratively, bridging disciplines to find the most effective solutions.” said Guidoboni. “Examples of this convergence include sensors that they used on their robots can also be used to monitor cardiovascular function remotely, or assess the health of bridges, and so much more.”
The Championship took place on March 9th in Portland Maine.The top 48 high school teams 24 middle school teams from across the state.
Watch the opening speech by Dean Giovanna Guidoboni and the event below.
https://www.youtube.com/live/jI-wyH_p4hA?si=QQbTR5BGcNQ_xj79&t=2435 |
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| |  | On March 2nd, the University of Southern Maine hosted the 2024 Engineering Expo, attracting 1,600 attendees. The event featured hands-on STEM activities and booths and exhibits hosted by student and faculty volunteers. Focused on engineering education, the expo was organized by the Maine Engineering Promotion Council, which is composed of industry professionals and alumni. | | Alumni Highlights - Andrea Wood ’08 | Why did you choose Electrical Engineering? I initially chose engineering because I was good at math and science and had an engineering drafting class in high school that I really liked.
Why did you choose UMaine’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department?
I had no idea what the different kinds of engineers were, so I initially chose engineering undecided until I received a $1k scholarship for freshman year if I went into Electrical. Since I was paying my own way, $1k made a big difference, and I did that. Once I was in, I liked the first class ECE 101, so decided to keep going. When courses got tough in Sophomore year, the excellent lecturers were there to help and even talked to me about the benefits of staying in the major during a particularly tough time when I wanted to switch majors. What was your experience at UMaine (classes, social network, other activities)? UMaine was a great experience. I got a great education at a reasonable cost. I developed lasting friendships with engineers of all disciplines. With a lot of work and time management, I was fortunate enough to try the swim team one semester, do a study abroad in Australia another semester, and keep my horse at a nearby facility so I could continue riding often.
What is your position today? What do you do in your job? Today I work for POWER Engineers in Freeport, Maine. I have focused my technical experience on transmission line and substation design studies including grounding, lightning, EMF, and my favorite: AC Interference on railroads and pipelines. I am currently a department manager in the northeast for our Protective Relaying, SCADA, and Design studies team.
How did UMaine contribute to your success?
The most important thing I learned at UMaine was learning how to learn. High school was easy for me, but the EE program was a challenge for me at times. The ECE department gave me the support and resources I needed to learn how to be successful, which is something that has carried through all other places of my life. I now seek out UMaine interns and graduates to employ, knowing that they will have also learned the tools they need to be successful in their careers.
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|  | We love to hear what our alumni are up to! Please fill out the short questionnaire below to be featured in a future issue and social media! | |
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| | Quick Bytes | On February 26th,
New Media professor Jon Ippolito, gave a webinar entitled "AI as a Tool for Teaching" for the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance. |
| Biointerphases recognizes Dr. Onur G. Apul of the University of Maine for his contributions to the journal as an author and Guest Editor. |
| UMaine will be hosting the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Eckhardt Northeast Regional Student Conference on April 19-20, 2024 |
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| Civil and Environmental Engineering A UMaine team is a Phase One winner of a $75,000 DOE Wind Turbine Materials Recycling Prize for their project "Blades for Large-Format Additive Manufacturing". This summer, the team will compete for a Phase Two prize of $500,000! |
| In the 2024 US News and World Reports ranking of Online Information Technology MS programs, the Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) moved from 69th up to 50th. |
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