Federal Innovation Infrastructure - Automotive Sector

IMPORTANT

This document comprises selected information from organizations' internet websites. Its purpose is to highlight the major federal government R&D programs and the principal R&D organizations that may have relevance to the automotive industry. The organizations listed are either federal government organizations, were established with and/or receive federal government funding, and either directly or through project collaboration. From a federal perspective, the list of programs and organization is by no means exhaustive. Furthermore, with a few exceptions, it does not cover provincial programs, organizations and initiatives, or R&D programs through universities and community colleges.

The document attempts to maintain the accuracy of information on the website; however, the reader is cautioned that recently updated information on the website may not be reflected in this document. For this reason, the reader is encouraged to visit the respective website for the most accurate and most recent information on the program or organization.

R&D Programs and Incentives

Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI)
Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC)
Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Program
Industrial Research Chairs (IRC)
Canada Research Chairs
Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
Program of Energy Research and Development (PERD)
CANMET Energy Technology Centre (CETC)
Environmental Technology Advancement Directorate (ETAD)

Private and Public R&D Organizations

Automotive Network of Centres of Excellence (AUTO21)
PRECARN Associates Inc.
Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS)
National Research Council (NRC) Institutes

• Institute for Chemical Process and Environmental Technologies (ICPET)
• Industrial Materials Institute (IMI)
• Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Institute (IMTI)
• Centre for Surface Transportation Technology (CST)
• Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (CISTI)

Canadian Technology Network (CTN)
Canadian Lightweight Materials Research Initiative (CliMRI)
Centre for Automotive Materials and Manufacturing (CAMM)
Transportation Development Centre (TDC)
Materials Technology Laboratory (MTL)
Industrial Research and Development Institute (IRDI)
Canadian Innovation Centre (CIC)

Canada Foundation For Innovation (CFI)

Overview

The Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) is an independent corporation established by the Government of Canada in 1997. The Foundation's goal is to strengthen the capability of Canadian universities, colleges, research hospitals, and other not-for-profit institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development. By investing in research infrastructure projects, the CFI supports research excellence, and helps strengthen research training at institutions across Canada.

The CFI's programs are designed to:

• strengthen Canada's capacity for innovation;
• attract and retain highly skilled research personnel in Canada;
• strengthen research training of young Canadians for the knowledge economy;
• promote networking, collaboration among researchers and multidisciplinarity;
• ensure the optimal use of research infrastructure within and among Canadian institutions.

Investing together

The CFI is responsible for a budget of $3.15 billion. These funds are invested in partnership with the institutions and their funding partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors. On average, the CFI contributes 40% of total eligible project costs. Based on this formula, the total capital investment by the CFI, the institutions and their partners will exceed $7.0 billion by 2010.

Innovative programming

The CFI invests in projects through the following programs: 

• The Innovation Fund enables eligible institutions, either alone or in group, to strengthen their research infrastructure in priority areas as identified in their strategic research development plan. The fund promotes multidisciplinary and inter-institutional approaches, and enables Canadian researchers to tackle groundbreaking projects.
• The New Opportunities Fund provides infrastructure support to newly recruited academic staff. The fund helps universities attract world-class faculty members in areas that are essential to the institutions' research objectives.
• The Infrastructure Operating Fund contributes to the incremental operating and maintenance costs associated with the infrastructure projects funded by the CFI. Unlike other CFI programs, there are no requirements for matching funds.

In the global knowledge-based economy, Canada needs to play an active role in international research activities. To help meet this objective, the CFI has established two international funds, each with a $100 million budget: 

• The International Joint Ventures Fund enables the establishment in Canada of up to four high profile research infrastructure projects aimed at taking advantage of unique research opportunities with leading facilities in other countries.
• The International Access Fund helps Canadian institutions and researchers access major international collaborative programs and facilities in other countries.

In addition, the CFI provides infrastructure support to the Canada Research Chairs Program, which is establishing 2,000 world-class research positions at Canadian universities.

Selecting the best

Eligible Canadian universities, colleges, hospitals, and not-for-profit research organizations can apply for CFI support. Applications must meet the three CFI criteria: 

• quality of research and need for infrastructure;
• contribution to strengthening the capacity for innovation; and
• potential benefits of the research to Canada.

Support from the CFI is awarded following a thorough assessment process that involves researchers, research administrators, and research users from Canada and abroad. These volunteers are selected for their expertise and reputation in a wide range of fields and disciplines. Their role is to review the proposals and make funding recommendations to the CFI Board of Directors for decision.

Visit the website: www.innovation.ca

Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC)

Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) is a technology investment fund established to contribute to the achievement of Canada's objectives: increasing economic growth, creating jobs and wealth, and supporting sustainable development. TPC advances and supports government initiatives by investing strategically in research, development and innovation in order to encourage private sector investment, and so maintain and grow the technology base and technological capabilities of Canadian industry. TPC also encourages the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in all regions of Canada.

TPC supports research, development and innovation in :

• Environmental technologies
• Enabling technologies (advanced manufacturing and processing technologies, advanced materials processes and applications, applications of biotechnology, and applications of selected information technologies)
• Aerospace and Defence

Developing new technology is a high risk venture. TPC makes investments in projects that would not otherwise proceed within the desired scope, timing or location. All TPC projects undergo extensive evaluation to determine whether they meet the strategic objectives of the government, including technological and net economic benefits to Canada. TPC supports some of Canada's most dynamic companies so that they can continue to advance their technologies and accelerate the pace of innovation.

The key to success in the 21st century economy is to build a firm technological foundation that embraces better processes, more efficient systems, and greater innovation. TPC is all about moving Canada toward a strong future by investing today in tomorrow's technologies.

Eligible Recipients

Eligible recipients are firms, organizations or institutions established in Canada, which are prepared to conduct research, development and innovation activities in the eligible areas, and which can demonstrate their ability to achieve the stated objectives of the proposed project. Eligible recipients may be incorporated entities, partnerships, cooperatives, or any trustee or legal representative thereof, or groups or alliances of eligible recipients where a lead recipient has been identified. Agencies of the Crown (including Crown corporations, government institutes, government laboratories, etc.) and universities may be allowed as members of alliances, but not as lead recipients.

Eligible Areas

Eligible areas are Environmental Technologies, Enabling Technologies and the Aerospace and Defence Sector which are outlined below.

The Environmental Technologies component encourages and supports the development and application of innovative technologies that contribute to the achievement of sustainable development, or that have significant environmental benefits. It involves projects in priority environmental areas such as the development of sustainable alternatives (better conservation of energy, water and non-renewable resources), pollution prevention through the development of clean process technologies (including clean car technologies), pollution abatement (technologies that reduce waste or harmful emissions), and pollution remediation.

The Enabling Technologies component encourages and supports the development, application and diffusion of those critical technologies that will have major impact and benefits within and across industry sectors. It involves projects in advanced manufacturing and processing technologies, advanced materials processes and applications, applications of biotechnology and applications of selected information technologies.

The Aerospace and Defence component encourages and supports the development and application of those technologies essential for the development of these sectors. It involves projects that sustain and expand the technological capacity and capability of these sectors. Support is also available for defence conversion projects aimed at reducing the dependency of enterprises on military contracts.

Eligible Activities

The following activities are eligible for TPC funding: 

• Industrial research: planned search or critical investigation aimed at discovery of new knowledge, with the objective that such knowledge may be useful in developing new products, processes or services, or in bringing about a significant improvement to existing products, processes or services;
• Pre-competitive development: translation of industrial research findings into a plan, blueprint or design for new, modified or improved products, processes or services; conceptual formulation and design of products, processes or service alternatives; initial demonstration or pilot projects, and prototypes; and other related pre-production activities; and
• Studies: studies pertaining to potential industrial research or pre-competitive development projects and studies for related activities.

Eligible Costs

Eligible costs include labour, material and other costs which are directly attributable to the project. Overhead expenses such as, indirect labour, materials and supplies, and general and administrative expenses are also eligible. Specialized equipment for the project may be eligible as well. TPC does not support costs associated with land and buildings. If required, further details on eligible and ineligible costs are available from a TPC investment officer. No costs will be considered eligible if they are incurred prior to the date which TPC accepts and confirms that the Investment Proposal received from your company is complete.

Additional Eligibility Criteria

In certain cases, there may be eligibility criteria in addition to those on recipients, areas and activities identified above. It is suggested that you contact TPC, or check the TPC web site, to confirm whether there are additional eligibility criteria that apply to your company or proposed project.

Some of TPC's guiding principles include:

Fostering Research and Development (R&D): TPC promotes innovation by investing in R&D initiatives with private sector companies.

Responding to Need: All decisions by TPC to invest in R&D initiatives must reflect the need of companies for TPC contributions. Specifically, Investment Outlines and Proposals must demonstrate that TPC contributions are necessary to ensure that projects proceed within the desired scope, timing or location(s).

Sharing Risk and Reward: TPC's investment decisions take account of the degree and nature of the uncertainty and risk associated with proposed projects. TPC will share with its private sector partners in both the risks and rewards of projects, with the rewards to the government consisting of both financial returns and economic benefits to Canada.

Requiring Repayment: TPC investments are typically conditionally repayable. Repayment is not limited to the face amount of the contribution. Actual repayment terms are negotiated on a case-by-case basis, and are based on an assessment of the nature and risk of the project, need of the applicant and benefits to Canada.

Limiting the Amount of TPC Investment: TPC's sharing ratio will normally range between 25% and 30% of eligible costs of the project, except in exceptional cases where the sharing ratio may reach 50%. However, on average, the TPC sharing ratio will not exceed 33%.

Paying Based Upon Claims: TPC does not provide advance or fixed payments. Companies regularly submit claims substantiating the eligible expenses which have been incurred as projects progress. TPC validates the claims and issues payments reflecting its share of the incurred eligible costs. TPC targets to pay acceptable claims within 30 days.

Reinvesting Repayments: All repayments are reinvested into TPC to help grow the fund.

Project Assessment Criteria

Investment Outlines and Proposals are assessed in the context of their relevance to the objectives of TPC, namely the extent to which they demonstrate: 

• that the project contributes to the strategic objectives of the government, including technological and net economic benefits to Canada (increasing economic growth, creating jobs and wealth, and supporting sustainable development);
• that the project is technologically feasible, and that the applicant possesses, or can reasonably be expected to secure, the requisite technological and managerial capabilities and financial resources to achieve the stated objectives of the project;
• that a contribution under TPC is necessary to ensure that the project (either individually or as part of a portfolio of related activities of the applicant) proceeds with the desired scope, timing, or location; and
• that the contribution will be repaid.

TPC will be administered in accordance with Canada's international agreements. The granting of assistance to enterprises that export will not be precluded merely because they export. Contributions will not, however, be contingent, either in law or in fact, upon actual or anticipated export performance, and administering officials will not request or consider information concerning the extent to which applicant or recipient enterprises do or may export.

Visit the website: http://tpc.ic.gc.ca/en/index.html

Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) Program

The SR&ED program is a tax incentive initiative of the federal government designed to support and foster science and technology, particularly research and development (R&D) conducted by companies, in Canada. It represents the largest single source of government R&D funding to Canadian industries and is widely recognized as a very important program.

In the mid-to-late 1990s, nearly 12,000 Canadian companies claimed approximately $1.4 billion in investment tax credits (ITCs) each year through the SR&ED program. Small and medium -sized businesses generally represent about three-quarters of the total number of claims, and these participants receive approximately 30% of the ITCs under the program in any given year.

The Department of Finance Canada is responsible for the formulation of the tax policy relating to the SR&ED program. The CCRA is responsible for the administration of the SR&ED program. As a program of the CCRA, the SR&ED directorate's objective is to promote and deliver with consistency, certainty, and timeliness, to all SR&ED performers, the tax-based incentive designed to stimulate SR&ED work in Canada. For

more information about the structure of the SR&ED program, please refer to the Information Guide to the SR&ED Program or Appendix A.

SR&ED Claimants

Claimants under the SR&ED program can generally be categorized into two primary groups.

Refundable Claimants:

The SR&ED program delivers refundable investment tax credits to Canadian controlled private corporations (CCPCs). Corporations that are CCPCs throughout a tax year, with taxable income of $200,000 or less in the preceding tax year, qualify for a 35% ITC on the first $2,000,000 of SR&ED expenditures incurred in the year. The portion of this ITC related to current expenditures is fully refundable. The portion related to capital expenditures is partially refundable. ITC is earned at 20% on amounts above $2,000,000. The ITC earned at 20% is partially refundable. These claimants can also deduct 100% of current and capital expenditures incurred for SR&ED carried on in Canada, or defer claiming these expenditures to a future year. For these claimants, the CCRA's objective is to complete the reviews within 120 days of receiving a complete claim.

Non-refundable claimants:

The SR&ED program also provides a non-refundable investment tax credit for claimants who do not qualify for refundable tax credits. These claimants are usually larger corporations. These claimants can deduct 100% of current and capital expenditures incurred for SR&ED carried on in Canada or defer claiming these expenditures to a future year. Generally, qualified SR&ED expenditures will be eligible for an investment tax credit of 20%. The time frame for completing the reviews for non-refundable claims is within one year of receiving a complete claim.

Claims may be processed in advance of these time frame objectives if a full review is determined not to be required by SR&ED program staff.

Visit the website: www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/taxcredit/sred/menu-e.html

Industrial Research Chairs (IRC)

Industrial Research Chairs (IRCs) are intended to assist universities in building on existing strengths to achieve the critical mass required for a major research endeavour in science and engineering of interest to industry; and/or assist in the development of research efforts in fields that have not yet been developed in Canadian universities but for which there is an important industrial need.

Description

An IRC grant provides funding for infrastructure, equipment and general expenses, and the salary of a distinguished senior researcher as the Senior Chairholder. Salary and research funding for associated Junior Chair positions may also be provided.

Chairholders are appointed for a five-year period, renewable for another five years if progress is satisfactory and industrial support continues. Chairholders are expected to focus their activities on the conduct of research and the training of highly qualified personnel, and to carry a reduced administrative and teaching load. They are eligible to hold other NSERC grants during the term of an IRC.

IRCs are funded jointly by NSERC and industry. NSERC will normally contribute up to half the cost, with the sponsor(s) contributing the remainder in cash. NSERC may assume a larger share of the direct costs when a company makes a significant in-kind contribution in addition to the cash support. Provincial or federal government departments and agencies can also co-sponsor an IRC, but only industrial contributions are taken into account when NSERC determines its contribution level.

Strategic Relevance

The IRC proposal must be in an area of high priority for both the university and the industrial partner. The minimum university commitment to the establishment of an IRC includes tenured or tenure-track appointments for chairholders, adequate laboratory and office space for the research group, and additional permanent research positions when the proposed candidate for the Senior Chair is currently on staff at the host university. A university monetary commitment to research, infrastructure and equipment will strengthen the case for support. Similarly, the industrial sponsor must demonstrate a strong commitment to a field of research relevant to industrial activity that is important to the Canadian economy.

Selection Criteria

IRC applications are evaluated on the basis of the following criteria: 

• Excellence of the candidate: the international stature, research competence and track record, and experience of the proposed candidate(s);
• Quality of the proposal: the scientific merit, originality, technical feasibility, and industrial relevance of the proposed research;
• Appropriateness of the setting: the adequacy of the physical and financial resources to support the Chair and the potential to collaborate;
• Potential impact: the growth of a sustainable research activity that will generate results of scientific and industrial relevance;
• Incremental benefits to the university: the extent to which the Chair will enhance the university's research capacity, training, and industrial interactions;
• Industrial relevance and benefits: the relevance of the research and the benefits that will accrue to the sponsors and to the Canadian economy; and
• Training of highly qualified personnel: the opportunities for training of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research assistants and others (including company personnel) in areas relevant to the industrial needs.

Sponsoring Organizations

In addition to contributing one half the direct costs of a Chair, the industrial sponsor(s) must demonstrate a willingness and an ability to collaborate closely and to exploit results of the proposed research in Canada.

Industrial cash contributed toward an IRC is eligible regardless of when it was actually provided, as long as the money has not been spent prior to the application being submitted to NSERC. If the sponsors choose to contribute to an endowment as a means of supporting the Chair, the recognized industrial contribution will be the amount contributed to the Chair over the term of the award.

Note:  The Canada Customs and Revenue Agency will recognize cash contributions to NSERC Industrial Research Chairs as Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) expenditures under the Income Tax Act. For details, see Application Policy SR&ED 99-01, available from the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.

Visit the website: www.nserc.gc.ca/professors_e.asp?nav=profnav&lbi;=toc_c

Canada Research Chairs

"Improving Canada's knowledge infrastructure means supporting a new generation of leaders, attracting the best researchers, and encouraging our graduates to put their talents to work here at home. In the last two years, the Government has pursued an ambitious agenda to improve its support for advanced research in Canada. To build on this agenda, the Government will increase its support to the Granting Councils, enabling them to forge new partnerships with our universities to attract the best research minds in the world."

- Speech from the Throne to open the Second Session of the Thirty-Sixth Parliament of Canada

In its 2000 budget, the Government of Canada provided $900 million to support the establishment of 2,000 Canada Research Chairs in universities across the country by 2005. About 400 new Chairs will be named in each of the next five years. Recruitment will be from both inside and outside Canada.

The key objective of the Canada Research Chairs Program is to enable Canadian universities, together with their affiliated research institutes and hospitals, to achieve the highest levels of research excellence, to become world-class research centres in the global, knowledge-based economy.

The secondary objectives of the Canada Research Chairs Program are to: 

• strengthen research excellence in Canada and increase Canada's research capacity by attracting and retaining excellent researchers in Canadian universities;
• strengthen the training of highly qualified personnel through research;
• improve universities' capacity for generating and applying new knowledge;
• optimize the use of research resources through institutional strategic planning, and inter-institutional and inter-sectoral collaboration.

The Canada Research Chairs Program initiative is part of an overall $4.1 billion investment by Canada's federal government to promote leading-edge research and innovation in universities, research hospitals and the private sector; develop new environmental technologies and improve environmental practices; and strengthen federal, provincial, and municipal infrastructure.

Chairs will be created in the natural sciences, engineering, health sciences, social sciences and humanities. The Program's emphasis is on investment in basic and applied research at Canada's universities.

There will be two types of Chair: 

• seven-year renewable Chairs targeted at experienced researchers who are acknowledged by their peers as world leaders in their own fields;
• five-year chairs, renewable once, targeted at researchers who are acknowledged by their peers as having the potential to lead in their fields.

Appointment of the Chairs is based on nominations from Canadian universities. It takes place following thorough assessment by members of the Program's College of Reviewers and (where necessary) Interdisciplinary Adjudication Committee. Both the College and the Adjudication Committee are composed of many of the world's leading experts in disciplines being funded through the Chairs Program.

The Canada Research Chairs Program is governed by a Steering Committee comprising the presidents of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), as well as the deputy minister of Industry Canada.

The Chairs Secretariat is housed within SSHRC.

Visit the website: www.chairs.gc.ca

Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)

The Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) is a service of Canada's National Research Council (NRC). For more than 50 years, IRAP has helped Canadian create and adopt innovative technologies that yield new products, create high quality jobs, and make industry more competitive.

Mandate

IRAP's mandate is to stimulate wealth creation for Canada through technological innovation. Its mission is to stimulate innovation in Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). IRAP wants to increase the innovation capabilities of Canadian SMEs, and to do so, is committed to: 

• provide excellent knowledge-based innovation assistance services to SMEs.
• provide access to relevant resources to support client innovation activities.

Eligibility

IRAP is designed to help Canadian SMEs meet the technological challenges they face in delivering new products, processes or services. IRAP's goal is to enhance a company's innovation capacity and turn good ideas into profitable business lines as quickly as possible. Each year, IRAP helps 12,000 SMEs grow and prosper. IRAP can help any enterprises that: 

• is incorporated and profit-oriented
• has fewer than 500 employees
• desires to improve its innovation capability

Access to expertise

IRAP is delivered by a nation-wide network of more than 260 Industrial Technology Advisors (ITAs). Their expertise covers all industrial sectors and they can help access the needed resources for a company to carry out its research and development (R&D) activities. They can:

• define technical needs
• identify technical opportunities
• reduce the risk of technology development
• obtain technical or business information
• identify, hire and develop technical personnel
• access or acquire technology and expertise from Canadian or foreign sources
• access financial assistance programs

Networks

IRAP uses a vast network of expertise, in Canada and abroad, that includes the NRC, Canadian government departments, provincial research organizations, universities, colleges, industry associations, and private labs. ITAs use this network to provide Canadian SMEs with easy access to the full range of innovation resources and expertise available within Canada's innovation system.

Visit the website: http://irap-pari.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/

Program of Energy Research and Development (PERD)

What It Is

The Program of Energy Research and Development (PERD) is a federal, interdepartmental program operated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). PERD funds research and development designed to ensure a sustainable energy future for Canada in the best interests of both our economy and our environment. It directly supports 40 per cent of all non-nuclear energy R&D conducted in Canada by the federal and provincial governments, and is concerned with all aspects of energy supply and use, with the exception of nuclear energy.

The Office of Energy Research and Development (OERD) provides PERD funds directly to partner departments and agencies, which then team up with the following agents:

• federal laboratories
• the private sector (industry, research institutes, companies, consortia and alliances, individuals)
• associations
• other funding agencies such as the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), and Technology Early Action Measures (TEAM)
• universities
• provincial and municipal governments and research organizations
• international organizations

R&D Strategies

Although PERD covers a broad spectrum of activities in the field of energy R&D, it is mainly focussed on six strategies, specifically chosen to address the Government of Canada's energy priorities: 

Strategy 1: Diversifying Canada's Oil and Gas

• offshore and northern oil and gas
• oilsands and heavy oil
• environmental and safety issues (flares, pipeline integrity, and groundwater and soil remediation)

Strategy 2: Cleaner Transportation for the Future

• improved urban air quality including reduced emissions and greenhouse gas production
• transportation fuels from renewable energy sources
• improved vehicle and transportation system efficiency
• fuel cells, electric and hybrid vehicle components

Strategy 3: Energy-efficient Buildings and Communities

• building research and development
• waste recovery and utilization
• integration of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies
• improvements in sustainable development of communities
• district heating and cooling

Strategy 4: Energy-efficient Industry

• innovative products, processes or systems for improved energy efficiency by industry
• heat management
• process integration
• primary agricultural production
• fisheries
• forestry
• mining and metals
• agricultural and forestry biomass

Strategy 5: Canada's Electricity Infrastructure

• alternative electric power generation to reduce environmental impacts of Canada's electricity infrastructure
• efficient conversion of renewable and non-renewable energy to electricity
• CO2 capture and storage

Strategy 6: Climate Change

• support for Canadian energy sector's response to impacts of climate change
• enhanced natural uptake of greenhouse gas

Visit the website: http://www2.nrcan.gc.ca/es/oerd/

CANMET Energy Technology Centre (CETC)

The CANMET Energy Technology Centre (CETC) is one of Canada's premier organizations in the field of energy, science and technology. As a key research arm of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) and as part of NRCan's Energy Sector, CETC works with private and other public sector partners to develop and deploy leading-edge energy products and processes for virtually all sectors of the Canadian economy. CETC has world-class laboratory facilities and employs some 180 people.

CETC develops a wide range of environmental energy technologies, including:

• renewable energy, including solar, wind, small hydro and bioenergy;
• energy-efficient technologies for industry, communities and buildings;
• alternative transportation fuels, including natural gas, propane, ethanol, methanol, hydrogen and electric and hybrid vehicles;
• district heating and cooling and integrated energy systems;
• advanced low-emission combustion technologies;
• processing and environmental catalysis for fuels production and hydrocarbon conversion; and
• energy-efficient metallurgical fuel products and technologies.

CETC offers to its clients and partners flexible business arrangements, including fee-for-service, cost-sharing and under certain circumstances, financial assistance. As a governmental organization, CETC's objectives are to secure environmental, economic and social benefits while fostering the wise use of conventional energy and the increased use of renewable energy and alternative fuels. As a contractor to its clients and partners, CETC's goal is to help them meet their own business objectives.

The CANMET Energy Technology Centre (CETC) operates the following ten (10) programs from its headquarters at the Bells Corners Research Complex in Nepean, Ontario and from its administrative offices in Ottawa, Ontario:

• Advanced Combustion Technologies
• Buildings
• Characterization Laboratory
• Community Energy Systems
• Energy Technologies for High Temperature Processes
• Federal Industrial Boiler Program
• Industry Energy Research and Development (IERD)
• Processing and Environmental Catalysis
• Renewable Energy Technologies Program
• Transportation Energy Technologies

Funding Programs

CETC provides leadership in its energy-related technology areas through its repayable and cost-shared contract funding programs. For fiscal year 2001/2002, funding to support industrial initiatives is valued at approximately eleven million dollars ($11,000,000), provided in part by Natural ResourceCanada's Program on Energy R&D (PERD).

CETC's five (5) contract funding programs are:

• Buildings Energy Technologies Program
• Emerging Technologies Program
• Industry Energy & Research Development Program
• Renewable Energy Technologies Program, and
• Transportation Energy Technologies Program

Visit the website:  www.nrcan.gc.ca/es/etb/cetc/cetchome.htm

Environmental Technology Advancement Directorate (ETAD)

As part of Environment Canada (EC), a science-and technology-based department focused on respecting, protecting and conserving the environment, the Environmental Technology Advancement Directorate (ETAD) provides: 

• specialized and applied science and technology services to support environmental programs and regulatory functions
• knowledge and assessment of technology options for environmental protection (EP)
• S&T expertise to build capacity in Canada and internationally in EC priority areas

ETAD partners, at home and abroad, with the private sector, other government departments, the provinces , territories, municipalities, academia, and associations. The Directorate continuously strives to engage the public and private sectors in developing, transferring and implementing solutions for EP.

Emissions Research and Measurement Division

The Emissions Research and Measurement Division undertakes programs, in collaboration with industry, to support the evaluation and development of new technologies and fuels that could reduce emissions and conserve energy in vehicles, aircraft, ships, furnaces, etc. Vehicle emissions testing is conducted for the federal government's regulatory compliance audit program for new vehicles, engines and equipment offered for sale in Canada. The Division is also involved in programs to measure priority and toxic pollutants from stationary sources; the development, use and publication of reference methods in support of emissions regulations and guidelines for stationary sources; and the assessment of pollution control technologies.

Visit the website:  http://www.ec.gc.ca/etad/

Automotive Network of Centres of Excellence (AUTO21)

AUTO21 is a newly founded Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE) which recently received a 4-year grant of over $23 million, which, when combined with the industrial and institutional contributions of over $9.4 million (for the first two years of the program) will help Canada to be among the leaders in research and development in our largest industry and biggest provider of export earnings.

AUTO21's Mission

"To create and foster a network of world class Canadian scientists, researchers and engineers, who will make unique contributions to the development of the automobile of the 21st century, its systems and its impact on the health and on societal and environmental issues."

AUTO21's Vision

"Through this network of centres of excellence Canada will strengthen its global competitive position, as well as create the environment, the highly qualified people and skilled workforce and the jobs that will ensure that Canada is among the leaders in the automotive industry."

The AUTO21 Program

AUTO21 brings together over 200 researchers from 27 universities across Canada organized into 6 research themes ranging from health and social sciences topics to materials, manufacturing, fuels and emissions, design processes to intelligent systems. There are 28 research projects each with a Project Leader who coordinates the work of at least 3 other researchers from at least 3 institutions in at least 2 provinces.

Projects

Health Safety and Injury Prevention

• Crash Investigations - Outcomes for Vehicle Design
• Vehicle Safety for Vulnerable Populations
• Industrial Health & Safety in the Auto Industry
• Safety Restraint of Children During Collisions

Societal Issues

• Public Policy and the Automobile in Canada
• Labour & Work in the Auto Industry
• Anti-Social Behaviour & the Automobile
• Business/Economic Analysis of Canada's Auto Industry

Materials & Manufacturing

• Magnesium Casting Processes
• Foam Processes for Automotive Parts
• Polymer Composites
• Sheet & Tube Forming
• New Generation Steels
• Advanced Manufacturing, Assembly and Inspection
• Advanced Casting of Light Materials
• Machinability
• Welding & Joining
• Tools, Dies & Molds
• Thermal Coatings

Powertrains Fuels and Emissions

• Combustion Systems for Alternative Fuels
• Lean Burn Combustion for Reducing Emissions
• Reformer Technology for Fuel Cells
• Hydrogen Safety and Infrastructure

Design Processes

• Best Practices in Design Process
• Integration of Design & Process Planning

Intelligent Systems and Sensors

• Collaborative Driving System
• Construction of Integ. Navig. Information Infrastructure
• Interior Noise Environment of Future Automobiles

In addition to the research program, AUTO21 has developed a strategy for training highly qualified personnel from the very broad range of disciplines needed by the automotive sector. This strategy includes an intensive seminar series to give our students a good overview of the industry as well as expert knowledge in their own field. Coupled with AUTO21's comprehensive communications and project management strategy, Canada's auto industry will benefit strongly by investing in the NCE program.

The role of industry in AUTO21

There are two types of company participation in NCE's: technology providers and technology receptors and they each have a key role to play in the projects. The provider is usually a parts or component manufacturer while the receptor would be an integrator or OEM company that sells directly to an end-user or a retail customer. Over 90 companies of both types have provided more than $9.4 million of support for AUTO21. It is important to note that industry will help to steer the research projects directly (as well as providing the leadership of the Network itself through the Board of Directors). The benefits derived from the research as well as new supply of the highly qualified personnel and their expert knowledge, will provide a lasting return on the investments in the NCE program.

Visit the website: www.auto21.ca/home_e.html

PRECARN Associates Inc.

The PRECARN Research Program consists of industry-led collaborative research projects in the broad area of Intelligent Systems. The major objective of the program is to support mission-oriented, industrially-relevant, pre-competitive and pre-commercial collaborative research and development, having applications within the operations of the participating organizations, or that will result in the development of new or enhanced products, processes or services for sale in Canada and around the world. All project proposals are expected to include clearly identified commercial goals and commercialisation strategies.

"Intelligent Systems" technologies have application across all sectors of the Canadian economy. Sensing systems, artificial intelligence and expert systems, to robotics and automation, the human-machine interfaces, or "Intelligent Systems" applied to improve human performance, safety, productivity or competitiveness in traditional sectors such as mining, forestry, agriculture and manufacturing. Intelligent Systems can also be applied to new, emerging issues in areas such as: space and aerospace; e-commerce; medical and health care technologies; environment and sustainable development, and information technology. The quintessential principle of a PRECARN project, regardless of "sector", is that it be designed to provide an intelligent system's solution to a real business or technical issue.

PRECARN projects are collaborative in nature and, by definition, will involve a number of team members. Participants in a project will include a combination of industrial firms (research companies, technology developers and suppliers, and user companies), Research Organizations, Universities and Subcontractors. Projects must include at least two PRECARN Members and a university.

Institute For Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS)

The Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IRIS) is a federally funded Network of Centres of Excellence that brings together top Canadian researchers who collaborate on projects that focus on the essential elements of an intelligent system - the ability to perceive, reason and act. IRIS is, by far, the largest, the most complex and the most productive of the fifteen currently funded Networks of Centres of Excellence. IRIS is managed by PRECARN Associates and together these two organizations have successfully harnessed Canada's capacity for Intelligent Systems innovation.

The IRIS mission is to promote high-quality collaborative applied research in intelligent systems which is of strategic importance to Canadian industry and to strengthen the R&D interaction between universities and industry, thereby improving the competitiveness of Canadian firms.

Phase 1 of IRIS (1990 to 1994) saw the building of capability and infrastructure and the beginnings of real networking. Research results were at a more basic level, and proved to very solid, forming an excellent foundation for the applications to come in Phase 2. Phase 1 comprised 24 research projects, involving over 130 researchers at 18 universities, in three areas of enquiry: computational perception, knowledge-based systems, and intelligent robotics. In addition to the $23.8 million of NCE support, Phase 1 attracted $1 million in industry funding.

Phase 2 (1994 to 1998) consolidated the "network", established solid linkages, and brought about the beginnings of the integration of research results into industry inspired applications, and the development of prototypes. In Phase 2, IRIS researchers have successfully applied intelligent systems technologies to an array of applications: heavy forestry and mining equipment, geographical information systems, financial forecasting, medical diagnosis, and advanced manufacturing technologies. Phase 2 comprised 29 research projects, involving 138 researchers at 21 universities, in five research themes: intelligent computation, human-machine interfaces, machine sensing, advanced medical devices, and integrated systems in dynamic environments. The four year

program received $20.5 million in NCE support and an additional $6.3 million in Canadian industry contributions.

Phase 3 (1998 to 2002) is poised to capitalize on achievement of the previous two phases. The 9 Lead projects respond to needs identified in four key sectors of the Canadian economy: natural resources, healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology. The 10 Support projects feed the results of their more basic research in modelling & virtual reality and intelligent decision support into the Lead projects. Phase 3 of IRIS brings together over 90 researchers from 21 Canadian universities in a $29.4 million program. Canadian industry has shown great confidence in the capabilities of the IRIS research network contributing $11.9 million, in addition to $17.5 million granted by NCE.

Visit the website: http://www.precarn.ca/

National Research Council (NRC) Institutes

Institute for Chemical Process and Environmental Technology (ICPET)

Based in Ottawa, Canada, the Institute for Chemical Process and Environmental Technology (ICPET) is part of Canada's National Research Council.

ICPET develops chemical process technology useful to clients in Canada's manufacturing industries. The Institute offers manufacturers the research expertise and innovative technology they need to improve the commercial viability of their products and the efficiency of their processes and operations.

ICPET focuses on the chemical aspects of materials processing. By combining complementary skills from NRC's Manufacturing Technologies Group, ICPET works with Canadian industry in the areas of process efficiency, materials manufacturing, materials performance, and environmental technology issues related to manufacturing and processing.

From a business perspective, ICPET helps industrial clients access innovative chemical process technologies more effectively. Some of the manufacturing sectors that benefit from this expertise are:

• Primary metals processing
• Plastics and rubber (polymeric materials)
• Petroleum refining
• Process and environmental equipment and systems suppliers
• Food and beverage processing
• Specialty chemical products
• Pharmaceuticals and medical products
• Electrical and electronic products and processes

From a research perspective, ICPET's expertise includes materials chemistry, process technology, and computer modelling. With an expert staff of more than 70 chemical scientists, engineers and technologists, many recognized as leaders in their respective fields, we will work with your company to develop or investigate the best technology for your needs.

Industrial Materials Institute (IMI)

The Industrial Materials Institute (IMI), a division of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is located in Boucherville on the south shore of Montreal.

The mission of IMI is to promote the growth and competitiveness of Canadian industry, through research and development activities related to materials processing technologies.

The Institute is responsible for R&D projects dealing with the development of computer

simulation models and experimental techniques for validation and process optimization, the development and perfecting of processing technologies involving metals, polymers, ceramics and their composites, and the development and utilization of process control systems like optical and ultrasonic sensors.

The Institute works in close cooperation with the industry, universities and government through the creation of special interest groups, consortia and joint research projects.

Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Institute (IMTI)

As one of the National Research Council's manufacturing institutes, IMTI conducts research in the engineering sciences, with an overall orientation towards integrated manufacturing technologies.

Working in collaboration with industry, university and government partners, IMTI:

• carries out strategic and commercially-relevant research in systems simulation and control and in production technologies;
• pursues the development and application of virtual manufacturing and precision and freeform fabrication in support of manufacturing objectives;
• works with regional leaders in the development of innovation systems and clusters.

IMTI's expertise is divided into two major complementary areas: 

• Systems Simulation and Control Research;
• Production Technology Research.

Manufacturers constantly seek to increase the productivity, versatility and flexibility of their manufacturing processes. The use of new materials that are difficult or impossible to manufacture using conventional processes, can also confer competitive advantage. Also, as lasers are highly controllable devices they lend themselves well to be incorporated into manufacturing systems. This creates an opportunity for Canada to develop new manufacturing processes, machines and systems that incorporate lasers and rapid tooling processes.

Drawing on these capabilities, IMTI can assemble multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists with the expertise to serve the needs and objectives of its clients and collaborators.

The Institute is located on the Research Park of the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.

Centre for Surface Transportation Technology (CSTT)

The Centre for Surface Transportation Technology offers its clients unique solutions and support with engineering expertise and facilities to improve their competitiveness and performance.

Expertise includes dynamic and structural computer modelling and analysis, field and laboratory testing, development and prototyping support, and problem characterization and solution, as well as environmental simulation and analysis.

Services: 

• For railways and equipment manufacturers, CSTT will engineer, analyse, and test the dynamic and structural performances of cars, locomotives, and intermodal containers, their body structures, their suspension and running gear components, and their trucks.
• For road vehicle manufacturers and fleet owners, CSTT will engineer, analyse, and test the performance and durability of commercial trucks, intermodal equipment, and military vehicles, including their controllability and stability, their dynamic interactions with roads, and their structural durability.
• CSTT also tests and consults in improving the performance of vehicles and their components under severe climatic conditions (-45°C to +55°C).
• For railways, light rail transit, and subway systems, CSTT analyses and optimizes systems for traction, lubrication, and wear reduction to dramatically prolong rail and wheel life.

The Centre works on a fully-commercial basis and responds first and foremost to client needs.

The Centre can also be an entry point to an extensive range of other NRC services and technologies, from aerodynamics to advanced manufacturing techniques, to machinery monitoring, to intelligent vision systems.

Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (CISTI)

CISTI, the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information, is one of the world's major sources for information in all areas of science, technology, engineering and medicine. Whether you need an article from a journal, an in-depth literature search, or a referral to an expert, CISTI can provide the information you need. Easy-to-use electronic information tools that enable clients to stay on top of new developments in their field are also available.

CISTI's headquarters in Ottawa houses one of the world's most comprehensive collections of publications in science, technology and medicine. NRC Research Press is CISTI's publishing arm, with 14 international journals of research plus several books and conference proceedings.

Visit the website: www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/main_e.html

Canadian Technology Network (CTN)

The Network

The Canadian Technology Network (an initiative of the National Research Council of Canada) links federal and provincial government labs and agencies, universities, community colleges, industry associations, technology centres and economic development agencies. Together these organizations provide innovative Canadian companies with quick and personal access to expertise, advice and information about how to meet technology and related business challenges.

CTN Mission and Objectives

Mission: to provide integrated, accessible pathways to information and services relevant to small- and mediums-sized enterprises using technology.

Objectives: to better link existing providers of industrial support services, existing networks, and sources of information and expertise to enhance the capacity of current networks by finding organizations to deliver services and expertise to complement those already available to provide better access to international sources of expertise

How CTN Works

The Canadian Technology Network can give you access to a wide range of technology and related business assistance through a cross-country network of organizations and advisors. Each advisor is employed by an organization known for its technology or related business competence. These advisors are linked together to optimize the identification and referral to delivery of the right advice or expertise to meet interactive business needs.

CTN Advisory Members

A CTN Advisory Member is the first point of contact for CTN clients. Each Advisory Member provides a Network Advisor who is prepared to work with you to identify your needs and help find solutions to technology and related business challenges. The Network Advisor acts as a pathfinder, defining needs and identifying potential sources of assistance both from the network of CTN Affiliate Members and elsewhere.

CTN Affiliate Members

A CTN Affiliate Member is an organization which offers services in specific areas of expertise in technology and related business services. As appropriate, Affiliate Members may negotiate a fee for their services directly with their client.

Visit the website: www.nrc.ca/ctn

Canadian Lightweight Materials Research Initiative (CLiMRI)

Objective

By means of a federal government / industry partnership, CLiMRI will develop technologies to increase the value-added use of Canada's mineral and petroleum resources through the introduction of light-weight and/or high-strength materials to achieve vehicle weight reduction in transportation applications. This will allow Canadian companies to keep pace with competitors abroad, and participate in a world-wide thrust for improved vehicle efficiency to reduce gaseous emissions. The intense global effort now underway represents an opportunity for Canada to realize economic and environmental benefits from innovative technologies in primary material production, parts manufacturing and vehicle design and assembly. A particular strength of the initiative is its ability to stimulate working partnerships along the entire production chain, thereby greatly improving the chance of successful technology transfer, building on strengths in primary production, design and manufacturing. There is a need for early action because of large investments in lightweight materials technologies by competitor nations, which are leading to technological advances abroad and threaten to undermine the health of the Canadian industry. The initiative will also address consumer interests in the safety and environmental friendliness of vehicles. Strong private sector support for CLiMRI has already been obtained from the key industrial players in Canada and also from other federal Departments, notably Industry Canada and Transport Canada.

Targeted Innovations

Advanced alloy and structural design, materials recyclability, elimination of GHG emission in primary metal production, computer simulation technologies for improved predictive capability, advanced metal forming technologies, joining technologies for dissimilar materials, corrosion inhibition strategies, innovative casting techniques, integrated systems design, etc. These innovations are intended to reduce the cost penalty and increase the engineering performance of lightweight and high-strength materials in vehicle applications.

Sponsoring agencies

Private sector (primary industries, parts manufacturers and vehicle assemblers), other government agencies (NSERC, IRAP, PERD), federal laboratories (NRCan- MTL, NRC-IMI, NRC-Innovation Centre)

Visit the website: http://climri.nrcan.gc.ca

Centre for Automotive Materials and Manufacturing (CAMM)

What CAMM Is

The Centre for Automotive Materials and Manufacturing (CAMM) is Ontario's multi-university and industry partnership dedicated to providing new knowledge and skills to enhance the competitiveness of the automotive sector through advanced research, development, and education.

Building on the best available skills of the individual institutions, CAMM will bring the strengths of its university and industry partners together to solve significant problems in automotive materials and manufacturing and to educate highly qualified personnel for the automotive sector.

Initial core funding of CAMM came from Alcan Inc., Queen's University, and the Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund (ORDCF). McMaster University has joined the partnership and over 20 automotive sector companies are participating in CAMM research projects.

CAMM's facilities are comprised of 50,000 square feet of laboratory and classroom space.

Strategic Intent

CAMM will be a world-class research, development, and education enterprise that is

widely respected in North America and that brings economic benefit to Ontario by: 

• being a principal source of emerging technology in select areas of automotive materials and manufacturing
• focussing its research program toward collaborative projects with automotive companies and their parts suppliers
• coordinating and harmonizing activities with respect to automotive initiatives funded by the ORDCF
• educating and preparing highly qualified people for professional employment in the automotive sector
• contributing to policy development for the automotive sector

Industry Participation

There are over 20 automotive sector companies participating in CAMM research projects. Furthermore, CAMM is governed by an independent Board of Directors, comprised of the following representatives from industry, university, and research organizations: 

• Dr. Grant Allan, Former CEO, Materials and Manufacturing Ontario
• Dr. Richard Daugherty, Lab Director, Alcan International Limited
• Dr. Gian Frontini, President, SSE (Amherst) Limited
• Dr. Thomas Harris, Dean, Faculty of Applied Science, Queen's University
• Dr. Bruce Hutchinson, Associate VP (Research), Queen's University
• Dr. Andrew Sherman, Technical Specialist, Ford Research Laboratory
• Dr. Mamdouh Shoukri, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, McMaster University
• Dr. Kathleen Taylor, Director, Materials and Processes Laboratory, General Motors
• Dr. Ronald Zelonka, Vice President, Technology and New Business, DuPont Canada

There is also an Industry Research Advisory Committee made up of representatives from 3M Canada, Alcan International, CLiMRI, Dofasco, DuPont Canada, Magna International, and MakAuto

CAMM Program Areas

• Economics and competitiveness of manufacturing systems
• Automotive sheet
• Joining quality
• Rapid prototyping and tooling
• Automotive plastics and composites
• Automotive magnesium

Visit the Website: http://camm.queensu.ca

Transportation Development Centre (TDC)

The Transportation Development Centre is Transport Canada's research arm, responsible for managing an R&D program aimed at supporting the department's objectives of safety and security while contributing to broader national concerns such as economic competitiveness, accessibility, energy efficiency, and protection of the environment.

The Montreal-based centre is one component of the department's Research and Development organization, under the Safety and Security Group. The other, based in Ottawa, is responsible for coordination of interdepartmental programs, international liaison, and strategic planning.

TDC is headed by an Executive Director and staffed by a multidisciplinary team of engineers, ergonomists, and transportation planners and analysts. A research library and a publications division provide information and communication services.

TDC's research staff plan and manage projects involving all transportation modes and different stages of the innovation cycle - from concept definition to demonstration and deployment. Projects are contracted out to a variety of organizations across Canada - manufacturers, operators, research groups, universities, and consultants.

Working closely with contractors, TDC staff manage the technical aspects of each project, control finances, and evaluate progress. They also ensure that the end products of the program - technical data and research reports, equipment designs, laboratory hardware, computer software, nd prototype transportation systems - find application in the Canadian transportation network.

Research and Development Programs

TDC's research program ensures a sustained commitment to meeting Canada's evolving transportation requirements through technological innovation. Developed on the basis of priorities established by the departmental R&D Management Board, the program addresses policy issues, regulation and safety, technology development, operations, and technology transfer, in support of strategic planning and decision-making in the department, the federal government, and the Canadian transportation sector.

A number of research projects are co-funded by TDC's research partners in other federal departments, other levels of government, and the private sector.

TDC also has partnerships with research groups in other countries such as the United States, Mexico, Japan, France, and Finland, participating in cooperative ventures of international importance through memoranda of understanding, intergovernmental agreements, and scientific exchanges.

Road Transportation Research and Development Program

The Road R&D program is designed to meet the following goals: 

• to undertake R&D that either provides direct input into policy decisions or strengthens TDC's position as policy advisors
• to support the development of regulations and standards, particularly in the area of heavy vehicle safety
• to promote the design and deployment of heavy freight vehicles that are safer, more productive and efficient, and less damaging to the highway infrastructure
• to promote the design and deployment of buses that are safer, more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, and more productive and comfortable
• to investigate and evaluate ITS applications that promise to increase the safety and productivity of road transportation
• to assess the potential benefits of electric vehicle technologies in terms of safety, efficiency, and environmental effects
• to investigate the use of alternative fuels
• to undertake R&D aimed at improving productivity and competitiveness
• to investigate emerging technologies and to take advantage of national and international R&D developments

There are active and completed projects in the following areas: 

• Policy Support
• Heavy Vehicles
• Bus Technology
• Electric Vehicle Technology Development Program
• Intelligent Transportation Systems
• Regulation and Standards: Heavy Vehicle Safety
• Regulation and Standards: Alternative Fuels
• Fleet and Traffic Management
• Road Safety Management
• Cooperative National Programs

Visit the website: www.tc.gc.ca/tdc/tdc/profile.htm

Materials Technology Laboratory (MTL)

The Canada Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology (CANMET) performs and sponsors applied R& D.

The Materials Technology Laboratory (MTL) is one of five major laboratories that form CANMET, a major research and technology arm of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).

Located in Ottawa, MTL is the largest research centre in Canada dedicated to metals and materials fabrication, processing and evaluation. A technical staff of almost 100 scientists and technicians, working in 6,000 square metres of well-equipped laboratories, is engaged in a research and development program designed to provide technology solutions for Canadian industry. MTL is also the national agency for the certification of personnel for nondestructive testing. An Engineering and Technical Services unit provides CANMET divisions with the support needed to carry out projects.

Mission and Mandate

MTL develops and deploys technologies to improve all aspects of producing and using value-added products from metals and minerals. MTL is responsible for providing sound technical input to codes and regulations to ensure public safety. Sustainable development, as it applies to reduced demand for materials and energy, is key to all MTL's research and development programs. MTL, recognizing that job creation and economic growth will occur through the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, strives to ensure the competitiveness of these industries by advising them on how to improve their products and processes.

MTL has five research and development programs:

Sustainable Casting: MTL's Sustainable Casting Program is committed to increasing the competitiveness of Canada's foundry industry - comprising some 340 small- to medium-sized enterprises - and to improve its environmental performance. Facilities include a wide range of melting and heat treatment furnaces, moulding machines, and testing equipment. In addition, MTL can conduct on-site technical and energy audits, helping to fine tune such operations as melting, moulding, and quality control while cutting costs through reduction of energy requirements.

Efficient Metal Production: The Energy Efficient Metal Production Program provides research and consulting services to industry in all aspects of steel processing and product development. MTL has unique capabilities to study new continuous casting processes. It can perform physical and mathematical modelling and help reduce the variability of metal properties. It has the capacity to develop hot rolling and cooling schedules for both flat and long products and to assess the formability of sheet products, including galvannealed steel. The program operates in close partnership with industry and universities and has become increasingly responsive to the sector's needs in a competitive market.

Infrastructure Reliability: The Infrastructure Reliability program provides research and consulting services to industry, with emphasis on pipelines, pressure vessels and power generation equipment.

Advanced Materials Technologies: The Advanced Materials Technologies program conducts research into new materials and processes. Such innovative materials and processes are critical to the competitiveness of Canada's industry and vital to respond to new environmental requirements and concerns. The program provides research and consulting services to industry in a wide variety of applications.

• selection and development of advanced materials
• relationship between processing and microstructural properties
• materials/processing behaviour simulation
• prototype development for industrial clients

Advanced Concrete: The Advanced Concrete program emphasizes environmentally-responsible practices such as resource and energy conservation and the utilization of mineral and metallurgical by-products. It also examines factors governing durability.

Visit the website: www.nrcan.gc.ca/mms/canmet-mtb/mtl/index.htm

Industrial Research and Development Institute (IRDI)

The Industrial Research and Development Institute (IRDI) is an independent research and development facility founded in 1992, to provide engineering services and R&D support to the North American material shaping sector.

Independent R&D institutes have made significant contributions to innovation in Japan and Europe. The R&D requirements of North American manufacturers, on the other hand, often have been supplied by universities. But increasingly, universities have been unable to provide practical solutions in a commercial time frame.

Recognizing that most manufacturers could not afford to run their own labs or hire expensive full-time expertise, the concept of IRDI was created. An independent R&D facility that North American manufacturers could access on a contract, as-needed basis.

In 1995, with financial assistance from industry and government, a 55,000 sq. ft. facility, featuring state-of-the-art labs and an industrial-scale shop floor, opened its doors in Midland, Ontario, just 90 minutes north of Toronto.

IRDI began with three technology groups: Metal Stamping, Plastics, and Machining. Since then, two more specialty areas have been added--Tribology (the science of friction, lubrication and wear), and Hydroforming (the use of water at high pressures to shape metal). They are an FMA-certified Education Centre, sharing expertise through a series of comprehensive workshops and seminars.

IRDI has gained respect not only for their expertise and their collaborative, multidisciplinary approach. Clients value the ability to move from challenge to solution to production all under one roof at industry speed.

industrial-scale shop floor all under one roof

• a research agenda driven by your needs
• world-class R&D available on an as-needed, contract basis
• the flexibility of custom research and/or a wide range of defined services at fixed prices
• a commitment to working in partnership with your own in-house expertise, extending your capacity to innovate
• client support through training programs and other cost-effective measures
• research scaled to fit your budget

Visit the website: www.irdi.com

Canadian Innovation Centre (CIC)

The Canadian Innovation Centre (CIC) is Canada's leading organization dedicated to assisting inventors and innovative companies. Our range of services includes invention evaluation, technology due diligence, market research, and education programs.

Beginning with the establishment of the University of Waterloo's Inventor's Assistance Program in 1976, and in conjunction with increasing recognition of the value of supporting Canadian innovation and entrepreneurship, the CIC was founded in 1981 as an independent, not-for-profit corporation. Since then, we have assisted over 70,000 Canadian inventors and entrepreneurs and have evaluated over 13,000 new product ideas. The Innovation Centre continues to provide an expanding range of programs to assist innovators across Canada and around the world.

The Canadian Innovation Centre is located just North of the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario.

Visit the website: www.innovationcentre.ca