As part of its continuing commitment to intellectual community, the University of Maine at Augusta Research Colloquium (UMARC) series is a venue for UMA faculty, staff, and sponsored students to present completed scholarly works to their peers. The series provides a forum for the presentation of all UMA research (as defined by the Faculty Senate in 2010) including scientific investigations, innovations in education, creative works, and theoretical considerations. Priority is given to those who have not already presented at the Research Colloquium.
The Research Colloquium series takes place during the noon hour using technology to connect UMA’s multiple campuses and Centers. The time reflects our commitment to inclusion, a traditional lunch hour for staff and the time between morning and afternoon classes for faculty and students. Ensuing discussion promotes collaboration through the exchange of ideas and the development of relationships across colleges, programs, departments and disciplines.
2025 Schedule
Simulating the Performance of TEMPO-Oxidized Nanocellulose in the Filtration of Drinking Water
Wednesday, April 30, 2025 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM on Zoom™ & in person at 295 Jewett Hall Augusta Campus
When the wood of the forest meets the methodologies of nanoengineering, nanocellulose-based materials with unique properties are created. Thousands of product designs have been generated to this effect within areas such as biomedicine and food packaging. All this progress leaves us still with the crucial question – what can be done to better assist the nanocellulose design of the future? The answer is to investigate the atomic scale behavior of wood fibers through Molecular Dynamics simulations in order to paint a detailed picture of how these fibers behave during operation. As drinking water quality is of great concern, the specific application of TEMPO-oxidized nanocellulose to the filtration of lead ion contamination is explored in this presentation. Simulations depict lead ions directly competing with calcium ions to be filtered out by the nanocellulose. Beyond this visualization of competitive adsorption, it will be shown that, in general, the performance of nanocellulose-based filters is a complex result of both fiber morphology and various metal-oxygen interactions.
David Welch
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Lindsey Wiehl
Assistant Professor of Music
Playful Practice: Electrifying My Musical Instrument
Coming in the 2025-2026 academic year!
This presentation explores the evolving role of technology to electrify typically acoustical instruments through the integration of pickups, digital audio workstations (DAWs), effects processing, and live looping. The presentation offers a performance-rich overview of how electronics can enhance the sonic possibilities of musical instruments, often performing examples on the bassoon. Topics include choosing and positioning pickups or microphones, navigating amplification options, and using DAWs such as Garage Band for live effects and looping. Attendees will hear real-time demonstrations that illustrate how reverb, delay, distortion, and harmonizers can transform the instrument’s voice. Special attention is given to looping as a solo performance and compositional tool, highlighting layering techniques and methods for building dynamic, evolving textures.
The presentation also addresses practical performance practice techniques: exercises for loop timing and phrasing, intonation control with effects, and managing transitions between acoustic and processed passages. Through discussion and performance, this session aims to demystify the technology and empower musicians to confidently explore electronics into their creative work. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or a curious music-admirer, this presentation offers a comprehensive and inspiring look at the integration of music and electronics.
