Large Photo: Calgary Centre for Innovative Technology (photo courtesy <strong>of</strong> David Brown). Small Photo: RODOPOD. It’s not just a facility but a philosophy . . .
CCIT: Multi-disciplinary Research in Action University <strong>of</strong> Calgary Engineering p5 CCIT: Multi-disciplinary Research in Action <strong>The</strong> Calgary Centre for Innovative Technology, CCIT, is more than a new research facility. It is a culture and a philosophy for doing multi-disciplinary research within the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Engineering at the University <strong>of</strong> Calgary. Researchers from other faculties, universities, institutes, and industries combine their expertise to develop timely and innovative solutions, products, and technologies that improve the quality <strong>of</strong> life and global competitiveness <strong>of</strong> Alberta and Canada. Four research groups, each with world-renowned teams, occupy the 6,690-square-metre building and challenge the following issues facing Canada today: health and an aging population, environmental impact, resource development, deteriorating infrastructure, and next generation technologies. <strong>The</strong> Energy High Bay and Hydrocarbon Production Lab provide the necessary infrastructure for pilot plants, in-situ combustion and highpressure sour gas, and enhanced recovery research. <strong>The</strong> Structural High Bay will have the capability to test full-size structural elements used in the construction and petroleum industries. Biomechanics and biotechnology research focuses on risk assessment, intervention, prevention and treatment <strong>of</strong> osteoarthritis. Expertise and facilities for imaging research include specialized equipment for 3-D visualization, tomography and bioimaging. <strong>The</strong> ro<strong>of</strong> antenna range enhances the research capacity in satellite navigation. Wireless and radio frequency research resolves locationrelated issues. System-on-a-chip opens up entirely new possibilities. <strong>The</strong> co-location <strong>of</strong> the unique laboratories leads to cross-fertilization <strong>of</strong> ideas and outcomes that impact our global community. Improving Knee Injury Treatment Our longer, more active lifestyles are resulting in more sports injuries and a rising percentage <strong>of</strong> Canadians developing osteoarthritis. While doctors and scientists focus mainly on the biology <strong>of</strong> the joint, bioengineers excel in discerning the role that cells, tissues, ligaments, and cartilage play in maintaining the structural integrity <strong>of</strong> a joint. A common treatment <strong>of</strong> sports injuries involving the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is surgical reconstruction <strong>of</strong> the ligament using other tissue. Researchers are engineering a RODOPOD System that will accurately reproduce motion <strong>of</strong> a joint in six degrees <strong>of</strong> freedom during weight-bearing activities. <strong>The</strong> system will aid in evaluating the changes in joint loading that result from injury and subsequent surgical intervention. This research will provide a model to relate the effect <strong>of</strong> joint loads on the development <strong>of</strong> osteoarthritis and investigate the long-term implications <strong>of</strong> new surgical procedures. Collaboration with the Faculties <strong>of</strong> Kinesiology and Medicine will lead to improved treatment methods for knee injuries, ultimately reducing the effects <strong>of</strong> osteoarthritis following injury. Inside Reality <strong>The</strong> iCentre is a 3-D visualization cave that <strong>of</strong>fers researchers the opportunity to be “inside reality.” Three 8' x 8' screens are set at right angles to each other to create a cave. Using rear projection, the screens display computer-generated images. A fourth projector reflects the image from a ceiling-mounted mirror onto the floor. Inside Reality is the s<strong>of</strong>tware developed by Schlumberger that creates the 3-D images <strong>of</strong> oil and gas reservoirs. <strong>The</strong> researcher is able to stand within the cave to observe simulation time steps <strong>of</strong> a reservoir under production or use a computer mouse to fly through the reservoir seeking geological trends or optimizing well bore trajectories. This facility has far-reaching possibilities for many research groups with the addition <strong>of</strong> other visualization s<strong>of</strong>tware programs. <strong>The</strong> imaging done with the CT scanners can be viewed in 3-D. <strong>The</strong> Bioengineering group will be able to create 3-D images <strong>of</strong> joints and related stresses, and rotate the images to analyze them from various angles. Data from MRIs can be displayed in 3-D allowing doctors and engineers to proactively develop surgical procedures and devices. <strong>The</strong> Manufacturing group can also use CAD drawings to create 3-D images <strong>of</strong> the prototypes. <strong>The</strong> opportunities for collaborative research are endless. Seeing is truly believing.
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