The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Maine (virtual campus tour) has dozens of talented graduate students from around the world. If you are considering joining them by working with Prof. Reed Miller as a Master's or PhD student, please fill out this short form! Applications to this program at UMaine are rolling.
There is a position open starting in January 2025 which focuses on a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) of the G-Beam composite bridge girder. This position is supported by the Transportation Infrastructure Durability Center, and will be in collaboration with the firm AIT. Engineering knowledge of composite materials and bridges will aid this work, but can be learned via graduate coursework at UMaine if the student has an engineering background. Here is a video where Prof. Bill Davids discusses recent G-Beam research results.
Prof. Miller applies key methods from Industrial Ecology to tackle sustainability challenges in modern production and consumption systems. These methods include: LCA, environmentally-extended input-output analysis (EEIO), and material flow analysis (MFA). He is interested in taking a systems view of complex problems to identify tradeoffs and opportunities.
At UMaine, much of his forthcoming research will pertain to LCA of innovative technologies being developed by UMaine researchers, especially at the Advanced Structures & Composites Center where Prof. Miller holds a joint appointment. These technologies often use advanced manufacturing processes to cleverly enhance infrastructure and material systems. Current technologies under development at UMaine include: large-scale additive manufacturing (such as bio-based 3D printed home), lightweight composite bridges, 'Bridge-in-a-Backpack TM' composite arches, commercialization of mass timber, production of cellulose nanomaterials, elimination of PFAS, and much more.
LCA may demonstrate environmental benefits from these technologies relative to the current systems, but will also identify opportunities for improvement to further reduce impacts. His research will also continue to use EEIO and MFA to explore themes of circular economy, sustainable production and consumption, and decoupling environmental impact from societal well-being. See publications here.
Students interested in working with Prof. Miller should recognize that this is not 'typical' engineering research, and should have a desire to learn how to quantify sustainability metrics and develop systems thinking. Pursuing a degree with Prof. Miller under the Ecology and Environmental Sciences program is a possibility for students without engineering backgrounds.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Prof. Miller enjoys playing board games, escape rooms, kayaking, LGBTQ softball teams, snowboarding, and biking.
Thank you for your time and your interest!
reed.miller@maine.edu
reed.miller@maine.edu