New Brunswick's BioSciences CommunityCompaniesResearch OrganizationsDevelopment OrganizationsTechnology transfer, allied industry and scientific associations Other Canadian BioSciences Associations and Commercialization Agencies Over $10 Million awarded by NSERC in UNB-led Strategic Networks in Aquaculture and Wood Products/Building Materials
February 15, 2010Fredericton, NB - Dr. Thierry Chopin from the University of New Brunswick in Saint John and Dr. Ying-Hei Chui from UNB Fredericton are two of only 11 Canadian researchers who will be leading Strategic Research Networks recently awarded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
The objective of the Strategic Network Grants is to increase research and training in targeted areas that could strongly enhance Canada's economy, society and/or environment within the next ten years. The grants, totaling $56 million over five years, from NSERC will support 11 research networks focused on areas of social and economic importance. The networks will create new market opportunities for various sectors, including manufacturing and forestry.
Dr. Chopin is the scientific director of the NSERC Canadian Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture Network (CIMTAN), which was awarded $5 million over the next five years. Aquaculture production, which already supplies over 47 per cent of the seafood consumed worldwide, has increased rapidly over the last few decades, making it the fastest growing global food production sector. However, there are concerns regarding environmental, economic and social impacts associated with aquaculture. Dr. Chopin has led the development of an innovative solution for the environmental sustainability, economic stability and societal acceptability of aquaculture called integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA). This technology combines the cultivation of fed species (e.g. finfish) with inorganic extractive species (e.g. seaweeds) and organic extractive species (e.g. suspension- and deposit feeders, like mussels) for a balanced ecosystem management approach. Canada is at the forefront of the research and development of this concept. CIMTAN is a network of 26 scientists from eight universities, six Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) laboratories, one provincial laboratory and three industrial partners, spread over six provinces. With $5 million from NSERC, $1.1 million from DFO and significant cash and in-kind contributions from all CIMTAN members, it is a $9.6 million budget over five years. This will enable this common sense concept to advance towards commercialization, while providing interdisciplinary training to 114 highly qualified personnel.
Dr. Chui is the scientific director of the NSERC Strategic Network in Innovative Wood Products and Building Systems, called NEWBuildS, which was awarded $5.3 million over five years. This new network will work closely with FPInnovations, the national research arm of the forest products industry to increase the use of wood in mid-rise and non-residential buildings in Canada and other markets. The research network, will create advanced technologies and technical tools that accelerate further developments in wood products and construction industries. NEWBuildS will investigate the use of traditional light wood frame methods in mid-rise construction, as well as heavier systems built with engineered wood products and innovative approaches that combine wood with other materials to create hybrid systems. Relative to other materials, wood products have many advantages for mid-rise urban construction. These include reduced construction time; lighter weight, which minimizes cost on foundation; and being a 'green' carbon-neutral, low production energy option. Around 40 Canadian researchers with expertise in architectural, structural, fire, serviceability, acoustic, and durability aspects of building design and performance will conduct leading research to provide solutions that meet the needs of society, sustain key industries and train high level experts of tomorrow.
For more information on this announcement please visit the following:
http://www.unb.ca/news/view.cgi?id=1856
http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Media-Media/NewsRelease-CommuniqueDePresse_eng.asp?ID=173
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/959270
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