Mainers go to Gulf with helpful tools, run into obstacles
16.06.10
They haven't gotten very far.
The two toil for Orono Spectral Solutions Inc., a University of Maine spinoff that develops products that cop and identify chemical and biological targets with optical spectroscopic techniques.
They have developed a way to swiftly pinpoint minute amounts of oil in water, one that is cheaper and faster than methods now required by the U.S. Environmental Refuge Agency.
They came here offering to test for oil in the Gulf of Mexico. Despite encouragement from U.S. Sen. Susan Collins ' organization and from EPA officials in the field, Smith said it looks like it will be a long process to get the consequence into the hands of people who could use it right now.
"At a time when people here are in need of more and timely knowledge, which is what we have to offer, this is disappointing, working toward maddening," said Smith, who was a star athlete at UMaine.
Smith said he isn't even asking for any folding money.
Smith and Schwarz aren't the only Mainers who are peddling their technology and know-how in the region this week.
Source: Press Herald