THE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROCESS
WORKSHOP
Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre
Sault Ste. Marie
January 14, 2009
Ray Hoemsen, P. Eng.
Director, Applied Research & Commercialization
Red River College
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Objectives
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Access to new technologies in academic labs
Access to resources (facilities, programs,
services)
Sustainable infrastructure and opportunities
presented by research clusters
College focus
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Commercialization versus Diffusion
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95% of the world’s innovations are developed outside of
Canada, and available to be adapted and adopted by
Canadian organizations
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Red River College & AR&C
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MB’s 2nd largest post-secondary institution
Comprehensive college - ~110 programs
Serve 11,500 FT & 19,500 PT learners annually
$131 Million annual budget (08/09)
1,100 employees
~600 faculty (not including CD+E)
AR&C infrastructure established
AR&C activities growing steadily
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RRC: Applied Research Framework
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CFI and Federal Indirect Costs Program eligible
NSERC = Tri-Council acceptance
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Intellectual Property Policy
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Good Animal Practise (GAP) Certificate – teaching focus
Research Ethics Board
Learner and Instructor focus
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Mandatory disclosure, institutional ownership, equitable sharing of
returns
Canada Council on Animal Care
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SSHRC and CIHR eligibility also
Involvement AND Benefit
Community Relevance
Applied Research & Commercialization (AR&C) is lead unit
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Applied Research at RRC *
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’03-04 FY - ~$50,000
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SSARF
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NSERC LAMP
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’05-’06 FY - ~$300,000
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’06-’07 FY - $650,000
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’04-’05 FY - ~$150,000
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’07-’08 FY - $400,000
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HHICE
MCI Prototype (EPA ’07)
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MTS Allstream
WD – HETC ($2.4 M)
’08-’09 FY - $300,000 (YTD)
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700,000
Manitoba Hydro
H2FC Bus
MB STEM EDI - PHEV
NRC-IRAP SI Cluster
600,000
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
2003/04
2004/05
2005/06
2006/07
2007/08
2008/09
*Does not include WD support for AR&C establishment, nor pre-existing relationships (such as the Lawson Foundation)
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Access to Academic Technology
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RD&C in Colleges
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150 colleges in 900 communities @ various stages
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CFI–eligible = 64 (ACCC members) - $26M to 29 colleges
NSERC–eligible = 35 (plus ~15 are “W.I.P.”) - $3M to 8 colleges
IP Policy – usually institution-owned
Characteristics
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Want to add value – not necessarily new IP
Faculty-led, student-performed (often)
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Faculty release is a challenge/hurdle
Industry linkages and community relevance
Benefit to faculty, students and community
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE, DELIVERING RESULTS
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Technology DIFFUSION vs Commercialization
“University” metrics ≠ “College metrics
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College Role in RD&C
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ACCC: College IP Survey
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(2007 – 54 respondents)
Generally, disclosure is mandatory (except in Quebec)
Usually, IP developed by individuals employed by the College
belongs to the College unless an IP agreement is negotiated
between the funders, and/or partners or faculty/staff
 For Quebec CTTs (35), 90% of IP ownership belongs to the
industry partner
Only 4 institutions indicated IP Policy tied to collective
bargaining
Revenue sharing varies depending on contributing parties,
ranging from 50/50 to 75/25 in favor of the individual or
negotiable
In student projects, informed consent, etc., require the
development of protocols
Important to seek assistance from peers/mechanisms such as
local/regional networks
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College Expectations
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Opportunity to add value
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Faculty participation & support
Student participation & support
Partner relationship – more than contract R&D
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Meaningful engagement
Prototyping, testing, certification, etc.
Access to appropriate information
Ability to use results for research & education
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While respecting proprietary and confidential data
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Role of the ARO/TLO/TTO
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“Match-maker”, facilitator, negotiator
Experienced in the academic-industry interface
Access
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HQP
Ideas
Specialized capabilities and resources
Network
Resources
Familiar with IP and IP-issues
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Clear ownership and global costs are a challenge
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Enhancing Technology Access
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Staff exchange (even short term)
Intern cross-training and mentoring
Joint development projects
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“capstone” project ideas
adapting local technology for off-shore
Leverage existing relationships (PEOPLE)
Access institutional networks
Link with research parks and incubators
Discuss potential opportunities early
Find a common need which can be addressed
collaboratively for mutual benefit and GET
STARTED!
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Outputs
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Faculty engagement (5 to 10%)
Student engagement
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Patents, ©, , trade secrets, etc.
Knowledge/Technology diffusion and transfer
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Projects
Co-op, work and intern placements
Employment (post-graduate)
“Traditional” IP
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The first patent?
Prototypes, certifications, demonstrations, reports, HQP
Partnerships (= agreements)
New or improved products, processes & technologies
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Motor Coach Industries: 2007 USA EPA
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Evolved from NSERC LAMP pilot project
Engine/transmission system design/integration
to meet 2007 US EPA emissions requirements
Six months from idea to prototype (including
legal approvals – from US parent)
Five students, three instructors
ONLY three months to actually do the work
Met/exceeded all test requirements of all prototypes
“The nature of the outcome is a new model that sells.”
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from an interview with Jim MacDonald, Director of Engineering at MCI by
Marcel D. Mongeon, Mongeon Consulting Inc.
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Access to Resources
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Colleges: a Distributed Resource
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Over 150 colleges, polytechnics and institutes
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Colleges train and retrain the workforce
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Presence in over 1,000 Canadian communities
Capital inventory of over $25 billion
Over 60,000 full-time & 150,000 part-time employees
1.5 million full- and part-time learners
Linked to industrial and technical drivers of the
economy
Colleges: Applying Knowledge, Delivering Results
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….. a vibrant range of activities contributing significantly to
innovation and local and regional economic development
….per NSERC
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Colleges: a Local Resource
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Specialized facilities and expertise
Highly Qualified Personnel
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Faculty
Students
Staff
Customized training and services
Colleges and government agencies can play a
significant role in assisting industry
Colleges are in various stages of development
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NSERC Program Access Opportunities
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College and Community Innovation Program
Intellectual Property Mobilization Program
Idea to Innovation
As a co-applicant with university professors
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Research Partnership Programs
Collaborative Health Research Projects
Special Research Opportunity Grants
As an Adjunct Professor
Leverage
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Participation in collaborative projects
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Colleges and NSERC Programs
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Idea to Innovation (I2I)
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Phase 1 – Proof-of-Concept
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Phase II – Technology Enhancement
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Advance promising scientific results or technologies to attract
early stage investment and/or build the IP
Provide scientific or engineering evidence establishing the
technical feasibility and market definition of the technology,
process or product working with early stage investor or company
College & Community Innovation Program
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Increase college capacity to support local innovation
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Colleges working with businesses and industries
Students trained in innovation activities
Local companies adopting new technologies, launching new and
improved products and processes
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SR&ED: Canada’s $4B Innovation Program
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Incentive is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency
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Technological advancement
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Technological uncertainty
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Risk must exist, failure is acceptable (the ultimate risk)
Can be experimental in nature
Technical content
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Incremental (relative) to the firm
New knowledge/IP – patents, industrial designs, copyrights, trade secrets
Material evaluation
Product or process development
Have a hypothesis or plan – not trial-and-error
Highly qualified personnel (including students) – education and/or experience
Contemporaneous documentation
“Shop Floor” SR&ED is OK
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SR&ED Indicators
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Projects with NRC-IRAP support
3rd party projects, eg. with academic institutions
Patents and other intellectual property
Technical log and laboratory notebooks
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Test request system
High scrap rates
Recurring manufacturing or customer problems,
issues and service requests
New product or process
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Watch “LEAN” initiatives
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Research-Technology-Commercialization
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Applied Research: www.KnowledgeNet.ca
Canadian Technology: http://ctn-rct.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/
Commercialization Network: www.acctcanada.ca
Colleges: www.accc.ca
Federal Labs: http://www.fptt-pftt.gc.ca/
I-CAN (Innoventures Canada): http://www.i-can.ca/membership.htm
Industry Assistance: http://irap-pari.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/
Manitoba Research Infrastructure:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/ctt/invest/busfacts/r_d/index.html
NRC Institutes: http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/institutes/index_e.html
NSERC Awards: www.nserc.gc.ca/programs/result/database.htm
Research and Technology: www.flintbox.ca
Research Tax Incentives: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/taxcredit/sred/
Universities: www.aucc.ca
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ATEC: Advanced Transportation & Energy
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Chapter Five of 2007 Federal Budget: “The College and Community Innovation Program
(CCIP) is a pilot project administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research
Council of Canada that supports research collaborations between firms and colleges. To
date, the program has supported six such collaborations. For example, the program
enabled a joint project between Manitoba’s Red River College and a leading motor coach
manufacturer to integrate a modified heavy-duty diesel engine into an existing vehicle in
order to meet reduced emission requirements.” (http://www.budget.gc.ca/2007/bp/bpc5de.html#innovation
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Sustainable Infrastructure & Opportunities
presented by Research Clusters
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Red River College: at a Glance
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MB’s 2nd largest post-secondary institution
Comprehensive college with ~110 programs
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Serve 11,000 FT and 19,500 PT learners annually
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Multiple campuses across Winnipeg/Manitoba
53% female (not including apprenticeship, of full-time learners)
1,100 employees (full-time equivalent)
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~600 faculty (without Continuing + Distance Education)
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$131 Million annual budget (08/09)
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CARSI is Manitoba’s first dedicated college
research facility
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applied research and technology development
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CARSI Facility Overview
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Objective is to conduct innovative and improved applied
research that leads to the development of innovative and
emerging sustainable infrastructure technologies in
construction materials systems
Applied research themes
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Advanced Composite Materials
Asphalt Concrete Systems
Building Envelope Systems
Large Light-Frame Wooden Structures
10,000 sf dedicated facility - $2M capital investment
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CFI and MRIF contributions of ~$550,000 each
Homenko Builders – major industrial partner
RRC Schools of Construction and Engineering Technologies and
Transportation, Aviation and Manufacturing
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CARSI and Manitoba Hydro
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DownTown Office Project (DTOP)
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Curtain Wall Prototype and Demonstration
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Utilize removable wall section of the Centre for Applied Research in
Sustainable Infrastructure (CARSI)
Curtain wall testing
“Living Lab” (mock-up office module)
Applied Research & Technology Development
http://www.hydro.mb.ca/projects/downtown
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CARSI and Manitoba Hydro
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Installation of double curtain wall system (with operable windows) to evaluate
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Installation/testing of raised computer/HVAC floor
Evaluation of furniture system and materials in conditions which simulate
orientation/ effects of natural light
Acoustic testing
Determined
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Thermal performance and potential problems
Light efficacy and quality (both natural and artificial light)
Thermal properties
Air infiltration characteristics
Air pressure build-up and bracing to secure operable windows
Optimum spacing of T-5 lighting
Fan coil installation methodology
Demonstrated dimensions and interior characteristics of a full-size office bay
“When you enter into an R&D project a multitude of other benefits arise.
The CARSI DTOP mock up has been invaluable in making a number of multimillion dollar decisions.” – Tom Akerstream, Manitoba Hydro
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CFI: CARSI Results & Impact
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Greater opportunities for faculty, staff and students
Supports the polytechnic model of education
Projects with SMEs and regional organizations, eg.
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NRC-IRAP Member Contribution Agreement
Relationships (new or enhanced) with Academic Institutions
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City of Winnipeg (recycled rubber for asphalt walkway demonstration)
Manitoba Hydro (DownTown Office Project)
Misipawistik Cree Nation (sustainable greenhouse)
NorthAir Technology (basement/crawl space moisture removal)
SMT Research (Letter of Agreement, moisture sensors)
ACC, BCIT, SAIT Polytechnic, NAIT, SIAST, UM, UW, Kobe University, etc.
Catalyst for growth in applied research
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Neubrex (of Japan) Neubrescope instrument (for non-destructive structural testing in
civil infrastructure and aerospace) applications
Manitoba Bio-Products Strategy (development and involvement)
ISIS Canada (structural health monitoring and civionics)
Advanced Transportation & Energy Centre
NSERC Community and College Innovation Proposal ($3.85M)
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SI Cluster: NRC-IRAP Network Member
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Initial approach after CARSI Grand Opening (200+ attended)
Support, enhance and expand the sustainable infrastructure
cluster, particularly in Manitoba
Build capacity to enhance CARSI programs and services
Benefit technology-based SMEs in the sustainable
infrastructure sector through SME involvement in the research,
development, commercialization and application of sustainable
infrastructure, especially in the construction and related heavy
equipment and transportation sectors
A network capable of generating new opportunities and
identifying, incorporating and/or developing new materials,
technologies, techniques, products and processes
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NRC Institute for Research in Construction & Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure Research
Canadian Construction Materials Centre (Ottawa)
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SI Cluster: Objectives
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Support, enhance and expand the sustainable
infrastructure cluster, particularly in Manitoba
Build capacity within the Centre for Applied Research
in Sustainable Infrastructure (CARSI) to enhance its
programs and services
Benefit technology-based SMEs in the sustainable
infrastructure sector
Assist in meeting a key requirement of the Canada
Foundation for Innovation (CFI) that 90% of CARSI
be dedicated and used for research and related
activities
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SI Cluster: Expected Outcomes
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SME involvement in the research,
development, commercialization and
application of sustainable infrastructure,
especially in the construction and related
heavy equipment and transportation sectors
A network capable of generating new
opportunities and identifying, incorporating
and/or developing new materials, technologies,
techniques, products and processes
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SI Cluster: Metrics & Measures
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New contacts and relationships/networks
New business opportunities
Introductions of new and/or improved materials,
technologies, techniques, products and processes
Relevant applied research projects carried out by
CARSI
RRC instructor and student involvement in CARSIrelated applied research projects
Jobs created or retained
Expansion of sales and exports
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SI Cluster: Community Survey
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100 Manitoba-based organizations in the Sustainable
Infrastructure Sector contacted (July/August
2008), 30 responded
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Building Envelope Technology and Materials
Service Life Extension
Green Buildings and Energy Efficiency – Net Zero
Confirmation of direction for CARSI
Results integrated into NSERC CCI and CFI LEF and
NIF proposals
Now focussing on contact with municipalities
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SI Cluster: R&T Development
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NSERC College and Community Innovation Program
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32 Letters of Intent received, 14 invited to submit proposals
8 proposals each to be awarded $2.3M (over five years)
Sustainable Infrastructure Technology Research Group
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Theme Areas
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$3.85M total value
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$1.05M from industry and $0.5M from RRC
CFI Leading Edge Fund – CARSI - $1,902,995
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Building Performance/Structural Health Monitoring
Green Building/Net or Near-Zero Building Research
Expanded capability, will enhance CCI activity
CFI New Initiatives Fund – ATEC - $6,095,165
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Complementary to CARSI- sustainable transportation
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SI Cluster: Community Interaction Model
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CI Cluster: Applied Research Projects
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Completed/In Progress
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MB Hydro: Downtown Office Project curtain wall evaluation and living lab
Neubrex: NBX-6040 research demonstration
NorthAir Tech: crawlspace humidity removal system capacity testing
SMT Research:
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environmental testing of sensors
fabrication/calibration of moisture sensors for use with ISIS on Canadian heritage
buildings
Potential/In Discussion
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Misipawistik Cree Nation: sustainable greenhouse design & operator training
Province of Manitoba: VANOC Manitoba Pavilion prototype
SAIT (with BCIT): green building (residential) research
Solar Solutions: heat recovery system validation
University of Winnipeg Centre for Transportation Studies: PHEV V2G testing
Vector Construction/ISIS Canada: post-tension beam testing
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NorthAir Tech Testing
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Crawlspace moisture removal system development
Experimental model trialed in basement of Building
AR&C provided input to business planning process
AR&C observed off-site testing, led by Unies
Consulting Engineers, in NorthAIr Tech’s premises
CARSI environmental chambers used to evaluate
capacity
CARSI used by NorthAir Tech for client
demonstrations
Now prototyping basement floor system
NRC-IRAP support for NorthAir Tech
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Sustainable Greenhouse
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Misipawistik Cree Nation in Grand Rapids
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Vegetable greenhouse with operating parameters adjusted to
meet local climatic conditions
Pilot project to promote employment
Northern Healthy Food Initiative
Community-based Red River College’s role
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for Northern Climates
Greenhouse operator training
Evaluate climatic data and materials suitable for building
construction
Partnership potential
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Greenhouse design and materials
Operating experience in similar conditions
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Where the Rubber Meets the Road
Bishop Grandin Boulevard Demonstration Project by City of Winnipeg
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Neubrescope NBX-6040
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Only commercially available cm-order Brillouin distributed strain
and temperature sensing system using optical fibre for
Structural Health Monitoring
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Applications
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Piping , pipelines, and pressure vessels
Civil infrastructure such as dams, bridges and buildings
Aerospace – CFRP deformation detection and quality control
Possible projects
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High measurement accuracy and high spatial resolution
Accurate, reliable measurements over long distances (20 km)
Vector Construction – post-tension beams
ISIS Canada – hydro dam or bridge deck monitoring
www.neubrex.com
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SI Cluster Accomplishments
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(selected)
Established Resource Centre (within RRC Library & CARSI)
Raised awareness and received positive feedback (survey of 100)
Sustainable Infrastructure Cluster initiation (“pay-as-you-go” for now)
City of Winnipeg recycled rubber asphalt pavement demonstration
following CARSI workshop with ON and AB speakers
Invited NSERC CCI proposal ($3.85M) – strong local support, including
$1.05M industry & $0.5M RRC contributions
Acquisition (one year loan) of Neubrescope NBX-6040 and 1.5 day
training seminar for potential users in the community
BCIT, NRC-IRC, SAIT Polytechnic & SIAST – interested in collaboration
Prairie Cleantech Consortium for COPENMIND
SME projects (Neubrex, NorthAir Tech, SMT Research)
ISIS Canada SHM Network opportunity
Invitation to speak at CFI Board’s Community Dinner (2008 11 17)
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SI Cluster: CFI/MRIF, NRC-IRAP & NSERC
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CFI/MRIF: provides CARSI research infrastructure
NRC-IRAP: supports cluster development, CARSI the cornerstone
NSERC : will help to build capacity
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Thank You!
Ray Hoemsen, M.Sc., P. Eng.
Director, Applied Research & Commercialization
Red River College
(204) 632-2523
RHoemsen@rrc.mb.ca
www.rrc.mb.ca/appliedresearch
AR&Cinfo@rrc.mb.ca
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE, DELIVERING RESULTS
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