The Media Room
Natural Resources Canada
2011/98
October 12, 2011
Government of Canada Signs Research Agreement with the University of Waterloo
HAMILTON — The Government of Canada today took another step in advancing metals and materials innovation by signing a collaborative research agreement (CRA) with the University of Waterloo. Collaborations under the agreement will focus on emerging technologies for the automotive, green energy and manufacturing technology sectors.
“Our Government is committed to building a competitive advantage for Canada based on excellence in science and technology,” said the Honourable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources. “This agreement will provide learning and research opportunities, support stronger innovation in advanced manufacturing and attract international partnerships for research that will ultimately create new jobs and boost Canada’s economy.”
Member of Parliament for Kitchener–Waterloo Peter Braid, who attended the signing ceremony on behalf of Minister Oliver, was joined by Dr. George Dixon, Vice-President of University Research, who attended on behalf of the University of Waterloo President Dr. Feridun Hamdullahpur.
“This collaborative agreement will enhance new materials research for light-weight vehicles and will make CANMET's facilities more accessible to Waterloo's researchers and graduate students in engineering and science," said Dr. Hamdullahpur. "For example, one project that involves the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology will benefit CANMET's work in thermoelectric materials, which directly convert waste heat to electricity. This project aims to capture some of the 60 percent of heat that is lost in manufacturing processes and during automotive combustion to produce useful electricity."
The collaboration will make use of the new, state-of-the-art CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory in Hamilton. The facility is the largest research centre in Canada devoted to metals and materials fabrication, pilot-scale processing and evaluation. The lab’s scientific and technical staff provide materials solutions for Canadian industry in the energy, transportation and metals-manufacturing sectors.FOR BROADCAST USE:
Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver announced the signing of a collaborative research agreement with the University of Waterloo today. The agreement will provide learning and research opportunities in advanced materials and manufacturing and will attract international research partnerships that will create new jobs and boost Canada’s economy
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