Government of Canada Supports Innovation in Southern Ontario

WATERLOO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Aug. 9, 2011) - Businesses in manufacturing, technology, and life sciences will have an opportunity to bring new products to market, expand and create new jobs thanks to a new partnership with the University of Waterloo. Today, Member of Parliament, Peter Braid, on behalf of the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, joined Feridun Hamdullahpur, President, University of Waterloo, to celebrate the signing of agreements between the University and small- and medium-sized businesses.

"These agreements allow the University of Waterloo to work with businesses on exciting new research, and to get these results to the marketplace faster," said MP Braid. "Through the Applied Research and Commercialization Initiative, the Government of Canada is supporting the families, businesses and communities of southern Ontario."

Last year, under the Applied Research and Commercialization Initiative, the University of Waterloo was approved for up to $750,000 from FedDev Ontario to partner with small- and medium-sized businesses on activities such as applied research, engineering design, technology development, product testing, and certification. The support provided will create new economic opportunities, help businesses in southern Ontario grow, and enable them to become even more innovative and competitive.

"Local businesses, the small- and medium-sized enterprises, contribute greatly to the Waterloo Region's economy, and indeed, are the foundation of Canada's economy," said Feridun Hamdullahpur, President, University of Waterloo. "This funding will assist us in our research and development partnerships, which are aimed at improving the performances of these highly innovative companies."

For more information on the Applied Research and Commercialization Initiative and approved University of Waterloo partners, please refer to the backgrounder.

FedDev Ontario was created as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan to support businesses and communities in southern Ontario. Now in its second year of operation, the Agency has launched a number of initiatives to create a Southern Ontario Advantage and place the region in a strong position to compete in the global economy. These initiatives are designed to support businesses and other organizations through partnerships and investments in skills and training; innovation; research and development; and increased productivity. To learn more, please visit www.feddevontario.gc.ca or call 1-866-593-5505.

Backgrounder

Applied Research and Commercialization Initiative – University of Waterloo

The Applied Research and Commercialization Initiative is designed to bridge the gap between research and commercialization between Ontario's post-secondary academic institutions and small- and medium-sized enterprises.

The University of Waterloo is pleased to be collaborating with the following companies.

Ag Energy Co-op./Deep Blue NRG Inc. (Guelph)

Ag Energy Co-operative Ltd. is Canada's largest farm energy co-op and offers natural gas and electricity to their farm membership. Deep Blue NRG Inc. provides energy optimization and technology development and design services to the manufacturing, industrial, commercial and residential sectors. Collaboration with the University of Waterloo will focus on the development of novel gasification processes for converting agricultural biomass to syngas.

AGFA Healthcare Inc. Canada (Waterloo)

AGFA is a leading provider of medical informatics solutions providing systems and services to improve efficiency and productivity while promoting advances in patient safety, medical outcomes and quality. This project will enable access to University of Waterloo expertise in digital information systems.

Avenir Medical Inc. (Waterloo)

Avenir Medical is on the cusp of revolutionizing the way hip replacement surgery is performed around the world. PelvAssist™ is a novel, low-cost, relative positioning technology that can drastically improve the quality of surgical outcomes. The Waterloo Autonomous Vehicle Laboratory (WAVELab) will be used to test the technology.

CedarLane (Burlington)

Cedarlane specializes in providing high-quality research and diagnostic reagents to the life sciences community. Manufactured products include neuronal cell lines, monoclonal antibodies, cell separation media for tissue typing and immunocolumns. In collaboration with the University of Waterloo, new products for use in fish aquaculture will be developed for the global marketplace.

Clearpath Robotics (Waterloo)

Clearpath Robotics specializes in the design and manufacture of robust and reliable unmanned vehicle system solutions for research and development applications. Clearpath Robotics has extensive expertise in vehicle modeling and multivehicle control, providing systems with built-in expandability, and without unnecessary complexity and cost. The University of Waterloo will provide Clearpath Robotics access to its Waterloo Autonomous Vehicle Laboratory (WAVELab) and access to a research group with tremendous expertise in developing estimation, control and mapping algorithms for autonomous vehicles. Results from this new project will inform development of new vehicle control methods, which may lead to new commercial opportunities.

Icynene (Mississauga)

Icynene develops and markets innovative spray foam insulation and is a recognized leader in sustainable building practices providing green alternatives for construction. Icynene insulation is a water-blown, spray-in-place, expanding foam which is healthier, quieter and more energy efficient than traditional insulating materials. Results of this project with the University of Waterloo will immediately be applied to the development of advanced fire retardant foam insulations and enable the commercialization of new products.

Integran Technologies Inc. (Toronto)

Integran is a world leader in advanced metallurgical nano-technologies, providing a broad international base of customers with advanced process & product design solutions through R&D, material sales, contract manufacturing and technology licensing. Application of Integran's advanced nano-metal cladding technology to composite hockey sticks may reduce damage and breakage, by protecting the outer composite fibers. Robotic expertise at the University of Waterloo will be utilized to test Integran's Nanovate™ coating on composite hockey sticks.

Microbonds (Markham)

Microbonds is a pioneer and leader in the research, development and application of insulated bonding wire technology for semiconductor packaging and microchip industries. Effective joining and coating at low processing temperatures with a lower cost and environmentally friendly strategy has become a critical technical prerequisite for manufacturing. Knowledge gained in working with the University of Waterloo in this area is expected to lead to commercialization of techniques developed.

Natrix Separations Inc. (Burlington)

Natrix Separations is a leading supplier of high performance, single use and multi-cycle disposable chromatography products to the life science, pharma, nutraceutical, beverage and water markets. This project with the University of Waterloo provides access to expertise in new membrane based chemical separation techniques, and will enable company growth through new product and innovative products.

NewMan Media Inc. (Rockcliffe)

NewMan Media Inc. is member of a consortium of filmmakers, producers and developers with a vision to bring digital media storytelling to Canada's cultural sector. In partnering with the University of Waterloo, NewMan Media is looking to create mobile applications for traditional theatre productions.

Oakville Stamping & Bending Ltd. (Oakville)

Oakville Stamping & Bending manufactures, assembles, and distributes metal and plastic plumbing waste fittings to the wholesale and retail markets in Canada and the US. Through this project, the University of Waterloo will develop a flexible part handling system that will enhance the competitiveness of Oakville Stamping & Bending through increased production.

Polefab Inc. (Newmarket)

Polefab Inc. manufactures section steel poles providing economical solutions having the unique qualities of durability, safety and versatility for street lights, traffic signals and highway signs applications. University of Waterloo design and crash expertise will be utilized to enhance the crash characteristics of sectional poles through mechanical design and use of energy absorbing materials within the pole. The outcome, improved crash safety, will provide a market advantage for Polefab, and further establish them as a leader in their field.

Sober Steering Sensors Inc. (Waterloo)

Sober Steering's breakthrough advances in transdermal technology are the first step in developing a market ready product to replace breathalyzer systems with a steering-wheel based interlock system to prevent drunk driving through the interaction of the driver's hands with steering wheel based sensors. This project with the University of Waterloo will overcome the shortcomings of existing competitive products through the development of an unobtrusive, accurate, low cost system.

Teledyne Dalsa Inc. (Waterloo)

Teledyne DALSA has led the evolution of digital imaging for over a quarter century and has earned its reputation as a global leader in high performance imaging and semiconductors. A designer and manufacture of image sensors, cameras, and vision systems, Teledyne Dalsa will collaborate with the University of Waterloo on the application of new imaging technologies for use within CCD sensors/cameras.

Thesis Chemistry Inc. (Cambridge)

Thesis Chemistry delivers the chemistry and innovation to help advance small molecules from concept to commercialization by offering a broad range of manufacturing capacities, chemistry services and products in support of drug development and manufacturing needs. This opportunity to collaborate with the University of Waterloo will help develop effective bio-refinement processes for green chemicals.

Tyco Electronics Canada ULC. (Guelph)

Tyco Electronics is a leader in the automotive lighting industry producing light pipes and lamps used to conduct illumination from Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) on Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) to ambient lighting within cars. Tyco Electronics Canada provides engineering and development functions for its product lines sold around the world. University of Waterloo expertise in analysis, design, simulation and system integration will be accessed through this project, and will develop new PCB assembly systems providing Tyco new capacity, increased revenue and market leadership.