Four Research Chairs at McMaster University to Get More Than $2.8 Million From NSERC

Hamilton, Ontario, May 12, 2004 – Beth Phinney, Member of Parliament for Hamilton Mountain, on behalf of the Honourable Lucienne Robillard, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, celebrated today an investment of over $2.8 million in four Industrial Research Chairs at McMaster University’s Faculty of Engineering.

“Each of these Chairs has attracted a substantial private sector involvement and financial commitment. The Government of Canada applauds its partners for their foresight in supporting these important initiatives,” said Minister Robillard. “Through their creativity and excellent research, they are helping Canada build the knowledge base needed for a 21^st century economy.”

“The federal government is pleased to support initiatives that will create opportunities for McMaster students and so clearly translate knowledge into commercial and social benefits for Canada,” said Ms. Phinney.

The four Industrial Research Chairs celebrated at the event are:

• The NSERC/UNENE Industrial Research Chair in Nuclear Safety Analysis, led by chairholder Dr. John Luxat, which will further fundamental understanding in technical areas of nuclear safety and will develop advanced applied technology in nuclear safety analysis (NSERC award of $1,000,000 over five years);
• The NSERC/RIM/CITO/McMaster Industrial Research Chair in Pico-Cellular Wireless Internet Access Networks, led by chairholder Dr. Terry Todd, which studies and develops techniques for wireless Internet access systems by means of very small or pico-cellular networks (NSERC award of $600,000 over five years);
• The NSERC/Dalsa/McMaster Industrial Research Chair in Digital Cinema, led by chairholder Dr. Xiaolin Wu, which addresses the challenges of digital imaging so that it can be regularly used by motion picture studios as a replacement medium for traditional film technology (NSERC award of $500,000 over five years);
• The NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems, led by chairholder Dr. Tony Petric, which conducts research on fuel cells to respond to the global demand for cleaner and more efficient uses of energy (NSERC award of $775,000 over five years).

“These researchers and their partners are developing innovative research and training programs that will help position Canada as a major player in international R&D,” said Janet Walden, NSERC’s Vice-President, Research Partnerships Programs, who represented NSERC President, Dr. Tom Brzustowski at the event.

McMaster President, Peter George said, “McMaster’s Faculty of Engineering has earned its reputation as one of the country's most innovative faculties largely on the strength of its research community. Our Faculty of Engineering has one of the highest research funding incomes per capita in the country. The creation of these chairs will help maintain its research leadership and advance its stature in the research community.”

“This investment from government and private industry is invaluable to the Faculty of Engineering. This funding helps with our efforts to recruit and retain the most talented researchers,” said Dean Mo Elbestawi. “It has given us an edge to compete at the global level, thereby increasing our research capacity substantially.”

Science and Engineering Research Canada (also known by its legal name “Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada” as well as the acronym NSERC) is a key federal agency investing in people, discovery, and innovation. It supports both basic university research through research grants, and project research through partnerships among postsecondary institutions, government and the private sector, as well as the advanced training of highly qualified people.

For more information:

Arnet Sheppard
NSERC Newsbureau
Tel.: (613) 995-5997
E-mail: arnet.sheppard@nserc.ca

Daniel Grenier
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Lucienne Robillard, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
Tel.: (613) 995-9001

NSERC industrial partners:

• Fuel Cell Technologies Ltd.
• Research in Motion (RIM)
• Communications and Information Technology Ontario (CITO)
• DALSA Corporation
• Christie Digital Systems
• University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering (UNENE)