Defining Applied Research
Our Goals, Objectives, and Opportunities
May 9, 2012
Speaker Bio
Rob Spewak
• B.Sc. (Agricultural Engineering), University of Manitoba
• M.Sc. (Agricultural & Bioresource Engineering, University of
Saskatchewan)
• Work experience - engineering consulting, technical sales
• Westlink - Technology commercialization internship program
• RRC’s first “Research Manager” – 2007 onward
Agenda
• Applied Research & Commercialization (AR&C)
• Who are we? What do we do? Why are we here?
• Defining applied research
• Overview of applied research at colleges
•
Benefits to staff/students, industry partners
• AR&C – our main activities, and development of an “applied
research module”
Who we are: the AR&C office
• Created in 2004
• Facilitates applied research activities at RRC
• Serves as contact point for industry, granting agencies and
councils
Who we are: the AR&C office
Our activities
• Assists in development of applied research proposals
• Identify and form partnerships with industry
• Seeks and administers external funding
• Administers internal research funding program
• CARD – College Applied Research Development Fund (formerly RIF)
Who we are: the AR&C office
Staff
Management and administration
•
•
•
•
•
Ray Hoemsen (Director)
Rob Spewak (Research Manager)
Aman Hussein (NSERC Research Manager)
Danielle Puddicombe (Research Office Manager)
Lyndsay Ross (Administrative Assistant – currently on mat leave)
Technical
• Ken Klassen (CARSI Research Professional)
• Jose Delos Reyes (Research Coordinator)
• Serge Broeska (SITRG Mechanical Engineering Technologist)
• TBD (SITRG Civil Engineering Technologist)
Who we are: the AR&C office
Staff
Technology Transfer & Communications
• Brent Wennekes (Technology Transfer & Communications Manager)
• Adam Campbell (Communications Officer)
What is Applied Research?
What is a good definition of Applied Research?
• Wikipedia – “involves the practical application of science”; “deals with
solving practical problems”; and “resides in the messy real world”
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's ELSI in Science:
• “Applied research is designed to solve practical problems of the
modern world, rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's
sake. One might say that the goal of the applied scientist is
to improve the human condition ”.
• http://www.lbl.gov/Education/ELSI/research-main.html
What is Applied Research?
What is a good definition of Applied Research?
• Wisegeek.com:
• Applied research is: “any fact gathering project that is conducted with
an eye to acquiring and applying knowledge that will address a specific
problem or meet a specific need”
• All definitions focus on the solving of specific/practical problems
What is Applied Research?
Applied Research (Colleges) vs. Basic Research (Universities)
• Problem solving (Focusing on the HOW not the WHY)
• Shorter-term projects
• Applying knowledge and testing to previous research
•
Basic research lays the foundation for applied research
• Focus on work of students and instructors
•
Engage on a project basis
•
Incorporate into co-op work terms or
projects for coursework
College-based applied research
Applied vs. basic research
 Intellectual property
- few to no patents
- commercial rights routinely assigned to industry partner
- research and education rights retained by RRC
What is Applied Research?
The line is blurring
• Perhaps good question to ask: “How long will it be before some practical
application results from the research ?“
•
The longer the timeline, the more likely it is BASIC research
What is Applied Research?
An example…
• Basic university research may
involve the discovery of a new
rubber compound formulation
for use in automobile tires that
is thought to improve durability
and performance in all seasons
• Applied college research may
involve driving automobiles
outfitted with tires of the new
rubber formulation and
evaluating the durability and
performance – i.e. measuring
tread wear, stopping distance
on ice
What is Applied Research?
Another example…
• Basic university research may
involve the discovery of
compounds in flaxseed that
have disease-prevention
properties
• Applied college research may
involve taking the flaxseed or
its compounds and
incorporating into a palatable
food item(s)
What is Applied Research?
What defines a “researcher”? Who can do applied research?
• “Someone who studies (something) thoroughly so as to present findings
in a detailed, accurate manner”
• In an applied research context - Do we all deal with practical “real
world” problems everyday? Absolutely!
• Not limited to persons with advanced degrees
• Is it for everyone? Not necessarily…
What is Applied Research?
The applied research process
• AR&C assists through the entire process
• Association of Canadian Community Colleges has developed an applied
research workflow
• AR&C developing its own “how to” module (to be discussed at end)
What is Applied Research?
What is Applied Research?
What is Applied Research?
What is Applied Research?
Why are colleges doing it?
• Strong relationships between colleges & industry/community
•
•
•
•
•
College graduates play a critical role in incremental innovation
Increased federal government investment
More opportunities for staff and students
Increased awareness of capabilities
Future trends: population growth, energy usage, pollution – shift from
focus on new product creation to finding solutions for using the planet’s
resources in a sustainable manner
What is Applied Research?
Roles of universities and colleges in the research process
What is Applied Research?
Fast facts - Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC)
•
Over 100 colleges and institutes across Canada are engaged in applied
research
•
4,444 companies partnered with colleges for applied research projects,
4,380 for industry research and 64 for social innovation research
•
447 areas of research specialization and 305 specialized research centres
and labs support innovation in all sectors of the economy
What is Applied Research?
Fast facts - Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC)
•
13,585 students engaged in applied research in 2010-11, up by 63 percent
from 2009-10
•
1,606 faculty and staff, including industrial experts and technicians, engaged
in research, up by 34 percent from 2009-10
•
Private sector investment in Canada’s colleges increased by 13 percent in
the last year to $50.3 million
What is Applied Research?
RRC’s Mandate
• Applied research is a key element in RRC’s mandate
• Integrated with educational and training activities
• Major areas: Sustainable infrastructure technology, bio-sciences,
manufacturing design technology, among others
http://www.rrc.mb.ca/files/File/researchplan/other/FINALRRCInstitutionalR
esearchMay004.pdf
What is Applied Research?
RRC’s Mission
“The College’s applied research mission is to assume a leading role in the
application of knowledge through directed applied research in specific areas
of expertise, to enhance the connectivity between College expertise and
the needs of industry, and to create an institutional climate of support for
applied research. By adding applied research projects to the curriculum, the
college will educate the next generation of applied researchers, equipping
them to assume leadership roles in their respective fields.”
http://www.rrc.mb.ca/files/File/researchplan/other/FINALRRCInstitutionalR
esearchMay004.pdf
What is Applied Research?
Benefits to students
• Exposure to solving ‘real world’ industry challenges
• Gain critical skills in proposal development, conducting applied research
and report writing
• Chance to impress potential future employers
What is Applied Research?
Benefits to instructors
• Exposure to industry concerns and trends
• Use of research results to update/modify courses
• Access to new equipment
• Professional development
What is Applied Research?
Benefits to industry
• Supports innovation
• Accelerates adoption of new technologies
• Enhances productivity and efficiency
• Increases industry competitiveness
• Supports community economic development
• “Test drive” potential future employees
What is Applied Research?
What makes a good applied research project?
• Reflection of the College’s values and themes
• Fits in main research areas
• Maximizes the building of research capacity
• Addresses workforce needs/private sector partnerships
Our resources
SITRG
• Sustainable Infrastructure Technology Research Group
• Improving the energy performance of new and existing buildings
• Funded by a $2.3-million grant from the Natural Sciences and
Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
• Funding supports faculty release time, students, and fees for external
consultants/experts among others
Our resources
NRC-IRAP
• National Research Council Canada Industrial Research Assistance
Program
• Network member since March 2008
• Goals of funding:
•
Benefit technology-based SMEs in the sustainable infrastructure sector
•
Establish/enhance College relationship with public research facilities
•
Support capacity within CARSI
Our resources
NRC-IRAP
• Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program (DTAPP)
• Developing and implementing digital technology awareness and
advisory services to Manitoba SMEs to increase their productivity.
• Key Components:
•
Digital Technology Strategy Development
•
Events
•
Digital Technology Advisory Support Service (DTASS)
•
Industry Outreach and Linkage Facilitation
• NRC-IRAP funding: $100,000
Our facilities
Centre for Applied Research in Sustainable Infrastructure (CARSI)
• 10,000 sq.ft. facility opened in 2007
• Environmental control chambers
• Removable exterior wall section
• Structural dynamic test system
• Strong floor for testing of large structural members
Our facilities
• In development…
• EVTEC – Electric Vehicle Technology and Education Centre
•
Support electric vehicle innovation in/by Manitoba’s transportation sector
•
Enhance electric vehicle education at RRC and in the region
•
Increase public awareness of electric vehicle technology
• ATEC – Advanced Transportation and Energy Centre
•
To support innovation in the transportation industry
•
To introduce new vehicle technologies through applied research
•
to train the next generation of skilled workers to ensure the successful
commercialization of new innovations
Our facilities
• CATT – Centre for Aerospace Technology and Training
•
Array of cutting-edge laser systems
•
Vapour phase crack-cleaning equipment
•
Aerospace hot section coating equipment
•
Digital non-destructive inspection system
•
On-site materials lab
• CNDI – Centre for Non-Destructive Inspection
•
Distributed network of technologies, facilities and expertise in nondestructive inspection of components and assemblies
•
Defect visualization using ultrasonic imaging and x-ray radiography
•
Distributed network of workstations
Our work
RRC – Applied Research Project Examples
• Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) study
• Conversion of 10 Toyota Prius vehicles to PHEVs
Our work
RRC – Applied Research Project Examples
• Concentrated solar power project with Manitoba Hydro
• Parabolic solar trough – evaluate performance in cold climate
Our work
RRC – Applied Research Project Examples
• Air leakage testing of large buildings
• Data plentiful for residential buildings, but not for large
commercial/industrial buildings
Our work
CARD (formerly Research Innovation Fund) Projects
• College Applied Research Development Fund
• Supports internal, short-term research projects (Since 2005)
• Wide variety of projects have been funded (Over $300,000 in total)
• High efficiency furnace evaluation to early childhood development
• 2012 deadline: May 31, 2012
• More info: http://www.rrc.mb.ca/index.php?pid=7614
Our work
High efficiency furnace evaluation
Our work
And…the “crappy” side of research….
• Effects of eco-friendly water-saving devices
on drainage/venting systems
• For more information:
• http://xnet.rrc.mb.ca/rcharney
What is Applied Research?
Applied research module
• AR&C developing “how to” or researcher guides for both staff &
students, including a webinar
• Reference guide for the entire applied research process, from proposal
development to final report and technology transfer activities
Your feedback is important!
• What are your main questions/unknowns?
• What are the critical pieces that need to
be in the researcher guide?
• Expertise survey
Our work
More information
Rob Spewak, M.Sc., E.I.T.
Research Manager
Applied Research & Commercialization
632-2537
rspewak@rrc.ca
blogs.rrc.ca/ar
Twitter.com/RRCResearch
Our work