Dielectric Communications has received a $2.2 million grant from the Maine Technology Asset Fund (MATF) to develop a wireless communications laboratory at the University of Maine.

"The establishment of a new state-of-the-art laboratory at the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department will allow University researchers and Dielectric engineers to work toward the creation of the next generation of wireless communications devices and networks," said Dr. Mohamad T. Musavi, chair and professor of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University.

Dielectric and the University of Maine will work together to develop capabilities for environmental testing, high-power RF and microwave circuit design, and wireless networking and communication system design.

One project mentioned in the Dielectric news release concerned the development of "enhanced design, testing and fabrication of complex wireless systems with 10 times the coverage provided by existing technology."

Dielectric said that the technology would allow a substantial reduction in the number of cell towers needed for wireless coverage and significant energy savings.

The Maine Wireless Communication Laboratory is expected to begin operations by the end of 2009.