Networking and Partnerships
Partnerships Support 41 <strong>AUTO21</strong> Projects In the presence of its researchers, government and industry partners, <strong>AUTO21</strong> celebrated the funding of 33 new and eight continuing projects in June 2005. With a two-year commitment of $24.5 million in federal and industry funding, the projects officially began operation on April 1, 2005 following an earlier call for proposals. In addition to remarks from Mr. Norm Lockington, Chair of the <strong>AUTO21</strong> Board of Directors and Vice-President of Technology for Dofasco Inc., attendees heard from Flora Lo, an <strong>AUTO21</strong> graduate student researcher who shared the many benefits of being supported by the Network. Prior to her recent graduation, Ms. Lo contributed to the Chemical Hydrogen Storage Process Development project, led by Dr. Boyd Davis of Queen’s University. <strong>AUTO21</strong> Reaches Across the Globe for International Collaboration Furthering one of its key mandates from its establishment in 2001, <strong>AUTO21</strong> continues to help promote Canada as an excellent location to conduct automotive research and development. In the past year, <strong>AUTO21</strong> representatives have traveled to several other countries with Canadian organizations and government agencies to spread the word of the country’s research talent. Dr. Peter Frise, <strong>AUTO21</strong> Scientific Director joined missions organized by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development to Japan in April 2005 and Italy in September 2006. He also participated in an Industry Canada-led mission to the Baika conference in Germany where he presented information on Canada’s R&D capabilities. A similar presentation to the International Congress of the Automotive Industry in Mexico in July 2005 led to on-going discussions with the United States-Mexico Foundation for Science (FUMEC). At the invitation of the British Consulate General Toronto and the United Kingdom Department of Transport, Dr. Frise and Ms. Anne Cascadden, <strong>AUTO21</strong>’s Network Manager, attended the European Environment Friendly Vehicle Conference and visited several research communities in Britain to explore possible collaborations for future research. Leveraging Partnerships to Increase R&D Activities Partnerships helped leverage the available funding for several new projects during the 2005 call for proposals. The first partnership with the Ontario Centres of <strong>Excellence</strong> (OCE), through the Centre for Materials and Manufacturing, allowed additional support for five projects that launched April 1, 2005. OCE has pledged a total of $500,000 to co-fund the five <strong>AUTO21</strong> projects, which explore materials such as high strength steels and biofibres and enhancing manufacturing processes. Together, the two organizations share approximately 52 researchers at Ontario universities. A second partnership with Natural Resources Canada allowed <strong>AUTO21</strong> to support two additional projects focusing on clean diesel. In total, Natural Resources Canada has pledged $750,000 over two years to the Ultra-Clean Biodiesel Engines project, led by Dr. Nasser Ashgriz of the University of Toronto and to the Biodiesel Fuel for Sustainable Mobility project, led by Dr. Murray Thomson of the University of Toronto. Promoting <strong>AUTO21</strong> <strong>Research</strong> to Industry To gain visibility and exposure to the automotive sector, <strong>AUTO21</strong> actively participates in several trade shows and conferences. April 2005 started the year with an <strong>AUTO21</strong> delegation of more than 50 researchers, students and administrative staff attending the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress, an international conference that attracts over 35,000 attendees. Over 30 technical papers were presented on <strong>AUTO21</strong> research, and <strong>AUTO21</strong> research in the area of hydroforming high-strength steels was selected for an AEI Tech Award as one of the best new technologies at the Congress by the editors of Automotive Engineering International magazine. The Network’s annual SAE Networking Colloquium attracted nearly 90 attendees to mix, mingle and learn more about <strong>AUTO21</strong> research. The following month, <strong>AUTO21</strong> displayed its research capabilities to the Canadian auto parts community at the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association’s annual conference and exhibition. In October 2005, <strong>AUTO21</strong> was pleased to take part in the CMC Annual Symposium, an opportunity to promote the Network’s research in the areas of intelligent systems and sensors. Following a former tradition of participating in the Materials and Manufacturing Ontario exhibition, <strong>AUTO21</strong> exhibited at the first Ontario Centres of <strong>Excellence</strong> Discovery event in February 2006, where interest was high amongst materials, manufacturing and photonics researchers. In March 2006, <strong>AUTO21</strong> joined forces with the Networks of Centres of <strong>Excellence</strong> of Canada and the Canadian Water Network to promote the NCE program at the Globe 2006 conference, which focuses on sustainable development and safe cities issues. Advancing the Hydrogen Economy <strong>AUTO21</strong> participates in numerous other conferences and meetings throughout the year in all areas of research. <strong>AUTO21</strong>’s leading hydrogen research has led to relations with HySafe, a European Community-funded Network of <strong>Excellence</strong>, which aims to facilitate the safe introduction of hydrogen technologies and applications. The consortium consists of 25 partners from 12 countries. Dr. Luc Bauwens, a researcher from the University of Calgary contributing to the Hydrogen Safety and Infrastructure project is an active participant in the HySafe project, attending governing board meetings as well as taking part in a working group focusing on releases of hydrogen in (semi-) confined spaces. 11 <strong>AUTO21</strong> Annual Report 2005-2006