April 24 , 2007

ONTARIO RESEARCH FUND – RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

Through the Research Infrastructure program of the Ontario Research Fund, the McGuinty government helps researchers obtain the tools they need to stay on the forefront of innovation, including lab space, equipment and computer software. This round of funding under the Research Infrastructure program will provide $8,663,001 to support three projects at the University of Guelph. The funding will leverage investments from 14 industry and other partners.

Projects

An Innovative Neutron Detector Array for Nuclear Physics Experiments

Pursuing answers to the basic questions of science

Lead researcher: Dr. Paul Garrett
Total project cost: $1,792,415
Provincial funding: $665,914

Cutting-edge technologies are enabling Ontario scientists to search for new answers to basic scientific questions about the structure of nuclei, the origin of elements in the universe and the stability of matter. Using an innovative new array of neutron detectors – the most advanced in the world – Dr. Paul Garrett and researchers at the University of Guelph will conduct research at the frontiers of nuclear physics. This research will lead to new innovations in the electronics industry as well as train highly skilled professionals in nuclear physics.

Major industry and other partners: Saint Gobain, Burle Industries, Instrumentation Services Group Université de Montréal, TriUniversity Meson Physics Facility (TRIUMF)

Enhancement of Infrastructure for Bio-electrochemical and Soft Materials Research

New biomaterials research facility strengthens traditional industries

Lead researcher: Dr. Jacek Lipkowski
Total project cost: $6,992,603
Provincial funding: $2,797,041

Traditional Ontario industries such as agriculture and forestry are being rapidly transformed by new technologies and global competition. New research facilities at the University of Guelph’s Centre for Food and Soft Materials Science will enable Dr. Jacek Lipkowski and other leading Ontario scientists to conduct collaborative biomaterials research among physicists, chemists, biologists and experts from other fields. Their work will strengthen the competitive advantages of Ontario’s dairy, nutraceutical and pulp and paper industries and, as a result, the economic health of the communities they support.

Major industry and other partners: Philips, Thermo Instruments, Bruker Biospin, Systems for Research, Systems Research Corporation.

The Brockhouse X-Ray Diffraction and Scattering Sector at the Canadian Light Source

Fast-tracking the development of advanced materials

Lead researcher: Dr. Stefan Kycia
Total project cost: $27,837,504
Provincial funding: $5,200,046

Fifty years ago, a better understanding of the properties of silicon led to the rapid development of transistors. In the quest for identifying equally transformative materials, Dr. Stefan Kycia is leading a research team at the University of Guelph to create the new Brockhouse X-Ray Diffraction and Scattering Sector as part of a national program of new materials discovery. Scientists in seven provinces are collaboratively studying how the properties of materials change when they are stressed by extremes of pressure or temperature. Their goal is to dramatically expand our understanding of the structure of materials, one of the cornerstones of science. Their research could lead to transformative breakthroughs in drugs, emulsions, batteries, petroleum products and quantum materials.

Major industry and other partners: Provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec.

Ontario Research Fund

Through the Ontario Research Fund, the McGuinty government is investing $527 million over five years. The fund is a key part of the government’s plan to promote scientific excellence by supporting research that can be developed into innovative goods and services that will boost Ontario’s economy. The Ontario Research Fund also helps researchers move new ideas from Ontario’s labs to the global marketplace.

The Ontario Research Fund is designed to provide one window for research funding. Proposals for funding are evaluated through a competitive, peer-review process.

Through the Research Infrastructure program, the province matches the funding commitment made by the Canada Foundation for Innovation. Project funding is shared among the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (up to 40 per cent), the province (up to 40 per cent), and the research institutions and industry partners (at least 20 per cent).

For more information about the Ontario Research Fund, please visit www.ontario.ca/innovation.