March 16, 2012
The following is being distributed at the request of the Research & Development Corporation:
Research & Development Corporation
Supports Researchers at College of the North Atlantic
Two research projects at College of the North Atlantic (CNA) are receiving a $239,500 investment through the Research & Development Corporation (RDC) that will expand Newfoundland and Labrador's research capacity in manufacturing and fabrication.
“This investment is critical to advancing College of the North Atlantic’s research expertise and infrastructure,” said the Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister Responsible for the Research & Development Corporation. “RDC’s programming is playing a pivotal role in supporting researchers and the work they do within Newfoundland and Labrador’s public college system, as well as helping the college drive innovation and foster its research growth.”
The research project at the Burin campus will study and review the durability and strength of plastics used in the construction of products such as the inflatable structures produced by Grand Bank-based Dynamic Air Shelters.
“The research and work being undertaken at College of the North Atlantic, particularly at the Burin Campus, demonstrates the true innovative nature of what is taking place in rural communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,” said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education and MHA for Burin-Placentia West. “Today’s investment not only provides researchers in Burin with a tremendous opportunity to collaborate with industry partners such as Dynamic Air Shelters, but the advances made as a result of this research will benefit any industry that needs to work in extreme climates.”
“Today’s announcement not only supports the enhancement of R&D in Newfoundland and Labrador, but also builds upon our existing expertise,” said Glenn Janes, Chief Executive Officer of RDC. “RDC's ability to play a key role in bringing our province's academic institutions together with industry will only continue to enhance Newfoundland and Labrador's international reputation as a growing research centre.”
“This innovation activity is consistent with our mission to enhance the economic prosperity of the province,” said Ann Marie Vaughan, President of CNA. “Whenever colleges and industry can access the best resources available, jobs are created and communities benefit from increased economic activity.”
One of the researchers receiving funding today is James Manning, a welding engineering technician instructor at the college’s Burin Campus. RDC’s investment of $140,000 has helped Mr. Manning leverage an additional $170,000 from other sources, including the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Dynamic Air Shelters and College of the North Atlantic.
“This funding has enabled us to proceed with our research,” said Mr. Manning. “We are looking at adapting traditional non-destructive testing methods for use on heat sealed and RF welded plastics. This research will not only benefit our partner company, Dynamic Air Shelters, but other manufacturers using non-metal materials for fabrication. Other benefits of this funding include exposure of students to research methodology, improved infrastructure for the campus and locally available testing services for local businesses and industry.”
Details of the projects receiving funding are contained in the
backgrounder of this release, while further details of RDC’s academic
programs are available online at
www.researchnl.com
.
RDC is a provincial Crown corporation responsible for improving
Newfoundland and Labrador’s R&D performance. RDC works with R&D stakeholders
including business, academia and government agencies and departments. In
Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For
Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Government allocated more than $19
million to make strategic research and development related investments in
people, strategic opportunities and infrastructure. For more information
about RDC, go to www.researchnl.com
.
- 30 -
Photo: From left to right: Cyril Organ, College of the North Atlantic, Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education and MHA for Burin-Placentia West, Honourable Darin King, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and MHA for Grand Bank, Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister Responsible for the Research & Development Corporation, and James Manning, College of the North Atlantic, Don Belanger, Research and Development Corporation, and Steve Warren, College of the North Atlantic.
Media contacts:
| Scott Barfoot Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 690-6290 scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca |
Janice Brushett Executive Assistant to the Honourable Clyde Jackman MHA for Burin - Placentia West 709-891-5607 janicebrushett@gov.nl.ca |
| Jeff Green Manager, Marketing & Communications Research & Development Corporation 709-758-0973, 691-8892 jeffsgreen@researchnl.com |
Roger Hulan Communications Specialist College of the North Atlantic 709-643-7938 Roger.Hulan@cna.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Research Projects Supported through RDC’s Academic Programs
LeverageR&D
LeverageR&D attracts public funding for academic-led research and
development (R&D) in areas relevant to both industry and the Newfoundland
and Labrador economy.
Quality Assurance Testing of Heat Sealed and RF Welded Plastics,
$140,000 from RDC
James Manning, College of the North Atlantic, Burin Campus
College of the North Atlantic, with the support of Dynamic Air Shelters
Limited, will investigate the application of non-destructive testing methods
to materials used in manufacturing inflatable shelters. This project seeks
to develop new and non-destructive quality assurance methods and techniques
for components which have been created using radio frequency welding, hot
air welding, sewn and/or a combination of these methods. Funding from RDC
leverages $140,000 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, $25,000
from Dynamic Air Shelters, and $5,000 from College of the North Atlantic.
IgniteR&D
IgniteR&D attracts highly-qualified academic researchers and builds new R&D
capacity in areas relevant to both industry and the Newfoundland and
Labrador economy.
Applied Research in Graphic Arts for Advanced Rapid Prototyping and
Product Fabrication, $99,500 from RDC
Raymond Fennelly, Graphic Arts, College of the North Atlantic, Prince Philip
Drive Campus
The Graphic Arts Program and Office of Applied Research of College of the
North Atlantic plan to improve their capabilities in the area of advanced
manufacturing by acquiring new rapid prototyping and fabrication equipment
to assist industry and provide greater research support within the province.
The college will be augmenting its now popular 3D printing and rapid
prototyping capabilities with a cutting edge printer capable of producing
parts with greater detail faster and more cost effectively than ever before.
A laser cutting system is also being acquired which will allow for larger
flat components to be produced and used in prototypes for local industry at
a minimum of cost.
2012 03 16 10:15 a.m.