| While doing excellent research is a key component
of the NCE program, commercializing that research so that industries
can benefit and the country's economy is energized is just
as important. Transferring knowledge and technology from academia
to the private and public sectors helps solve problems, improve
efficiency and reduce waste. It makes Canada stronger domestically
and more competitive globally.
The individual networks achieve this goal through hard work and
good instincts. In the field of manufacturing, AUTO21 research created
a revolutionary engine-building process that, according to reports
published in the spring of 2004, constitutes a major advancement
for the automotive industry. Using a process developed by researchers
at the University of Windsor, automakers can cut costs and produce
more efficient engines by replacing steel sleeves in aluminum engines
with specially hardened aluminum inserts.
"The knowledge that we're creating is getting patented, which
means it will get into plants and be used and exported around the
world," said Dr. Peter Frise, AUTO21's Program Leader
and CEO.
Researchers at Intelligent Sensing for Innovative Structures (ISIS)
designed a steel-free bridge deck, a technology that can reduce
corrosion and maintenance costs – especially for northern
climates in which outdoor structures are damaged by snow and ice.
"This truly shows the effectiveness of ISIS, not just in research
and development for Canada, but also for rapid deployment globally."
said Dr. Vistap Karbhari of the University of California at
San Diego, referring to the successful construction of the first
steel-free bridge deck in the United States by the Iowa Department
of Transportation. "This should provide a clear example for
other centres worldwide for technology transfer."
Knowledge transfer can mean money in the till for Canada's retail
industry. GEOIDE funding has helped create a national database of
the retail economy – a comprehensive listing of every store
in the country – that is updated monthly with a particular
focus on key retailers who control the economy. There is also a
database of all the "power centres" across the country.
Information is disseminated to industry by Rogers Media, a GEOIDE
partner.
Meanwhile, the Stem Cell Network (SCN) is organizing now to capitalize
on the economic benefits of future stem cell therapies. The SCN
brokered an agreement among top scientists, universities and hospitals
to collectively manage intellectual property and create a globally
competitive stem cell company. The company will give researchers
the critical mass needed to get products to market in the future.
These are but four examples of how the networks are achieving the
goal of improving the economy, making life better and positioning
Canada for greater prosperity in the future.
| "It's very rewarding as a
researcher to see technology from a university being
taken up by the private sector. I can't imagine that
this technology would have been commercialized without
the NCE. Their flexibility and goal-oriented approach
really helps facilitate these types of partnerships
with the private sector."
Dr. Douglas Thomson
Electrical and Civil Engineering Department
University of Manitoba |
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