TPC invests in key technologies

Industry Canada has announced four Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) investments approved in 2005. These include an investment with CAE Inc. of Montréal, Quebec, two investments with Messier-Dowty Inc. of Ajax, Ontario, and an investment with D-Wave Systems Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia.

TPC has invested in a research and development (R&D) project aimed at improving CAE Inc.'s design, development and production methods and product line, which includes strategic technologies for simulation, equipment, modelling and software. Part of a broader $630-million R&D project called Project Phoenix, this $189-million investment - which the company publicly announced on November 29, 2005 - will help introduce new technologies that will position the company and suppliers across Canada to take advantage of future opportunities for growth in simulation and training programs. This project also holds the potential for broader benefits in a number of areas that can be facilitated by simulation-based technology, including aviation safety and homeland security.

In addition, TPC has made a $9.5-million investment to support an R&D project in the emerging field of quantum information technology. This investment is part of a broader $31.7-million project being undertaken by D-Wave Systems Inc. to advance groundbreaking research in the development of three generations of a quantum co-processor that could pave the way to developing a superconducting quantum computer. Quantum computing is a strategic and emerging field that, if successful, could accelerate the pace of new discoveries in diverse applications - from biotechnology and nanotechnology to industrial chemistry and other information intensive science and engineering applications.

Finally, TPC has made two investments in aerospace and defence technology R&D projects being undertaken by Messier-Dowty Inc. The first investment of $9.9 million is part of a broader $46-million R&D project aimed at enhancing the company's capabilities for design, development and manufacturing of landing gear systems for the emerging advanced small and medium-sized aircraft platforms. The second investment of $6 million is part of a $17.1-million R&D project focussed on developing electronics systems technologies for aircraft engine controls and landing gear steering controls in the company's Peterborough facility. Both projects will help the company realize significant reductions in weight, design and development time and cost of these technologies.