March 7, 2007

HAMILTON RECEIVES $15 MILLION FOR RESEARCH

Through the Research Excellence program of the Ontario Research Fund, the McGuinty government provides research institutions with funding to undertake major research projects, hire research teams and cover other operational costs. This first round of funding under the Research Excellence program will invest $15,569,922 to support research at McMaster University. The funding will be matched by 26 industry partners.

Initiative for Automotive Manufacturing Innovation (IAMI)

New generation of auto materials will give Ontario competitive edge

Lead institution: McMaster University
Lead researcher: Dr. David S. Wilkinson and Dr. Michael Worswick
Total project cost: $56,833,797
Provincial funding: $15,569,922

New light cars that give Ontario a globally competitive advantage in the auto manufacturing industry are the focus of a new university/industry research consortium, the Initiative for Automotive Manufacturing Innovation (IAMI). IAMI will research and develop new technologies that will produce lightweight, cost-competitive cars and secure Ontario’s future as a globally leading motor vehicle and parts manufacturer. A research consortium led by Dr. David S. Wilkinson of McMaster University and Dr. Michael Worswick of the University of Waterloo, and involving numerous researchers from both universities, IAMI research will focus on new or reformulated metal alloys, polymers and composites to meet the performance and cost requirements of the next generation vehicle advanced manufacturing processes. These light material and fabrication processes, including advanced casting, forming, machining and joining technologies will lead to novel lightweight vehicle components, resulting in vehicles with superior performance.

Major industry and other partners:
General Motors of Canada Ltd., Novelis, Sandvik Coromant Canada, Decoma, Mold-Masters, Canadian General Tower, Centerline, Compuplast, Dofasco, Dura, Ford, GE Advanced Materials, Huys, International Lead Zinc, Industrial Tooling Systems, Linamar, Long Manufacturing-Dana, Maxtech, Microbonds, MKElectron Co. Ltd, NRI Industries, Stelco, VMP Technologies Inc., Siemens, Unsecured Industrial for Growth, Orlick.

This announcement is part of a series of investments through the Ontario Research Fund’s Research Excellence program. Under the first round of investments, the government will provide $115 million to support research across the province.