NRC Annual Report 2001-2002

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N R C – F R O M D I S C O V E R Y T O I N N O V A T I O N...20Environmentally friendly,efficient insulationResearchers at the NRC Industrial Materials Institute(NRC-IMI) have helped RTICA Corporationbring a new thermal and acoustical insulation tomarket. The new insulation is made of 100 percentrecycled plastic, has a 25 percent better thermalinsulating efficiency than conventional fibreglassand cellulose insulation, and poses no health riskto installers or users. RTICA Corporation has spunoff a new company to commercialize this NRCtechnology.Prototypes for mine designResearchers at the NRC Integrated ManufacturingTechnologies Institute (NRC-IMTI) have developeda design and manufacturing process for constructingprototypes and models of mine design andtheir operational components. This is a brand newapplication for rapid prototyping that opens thedoor for many other potential applications inmining and natural resources exploration.Advances across-the-board infuel cells R&DNRC’s National Fuel Cells Program combinesstrengths and expertise from across its institutesand centres in 12 R&D initiatives targeted to helpthe development of this emerging industry inCanada. Working in partnership with industry,universities and public organizations in Canadaand abroad, the program integrates R&D efforts inmaterials, engineering, fuels and fuel processing,prototyping, systems testing and evaluation, andsystems technology evaluation. In 2001-2002, NRCmade advances on a number of key fronts in fuelcells R&D:• The fabrication and production of new cathodematerials that offer possibilities for higher performancematerials for both the fuel cell and batteriesindustries• Developments in oxide and bi-metallic alloycoatings for electrodes for organic acid and directmethanol oxidation that promise improved removalof organic pollutants and direct methanol fuel cells• Development of a first-generation micro fuel cell aspart of NRC’s Micro Fuel Cells Program – a collaborationof NRC institutes, Simon Fraser Universityand its newest partner, the Micro-NanotechnologyResearch Centre of Tsinghua University, China• Development of an analog multiplexer and differentialamplifier technique that can scan every cellvoltage of a fuel cell stack – a breakthrough thatallows fuel cell performance monitoring andimproved fuel cell safety• Development of a novel, multi-stage, nonmechanicalhydrogen compressor that can replacetraditional mechanical gas compressors, leading toreduced costs and more economical fuel cells• Invention of a new modelling and simulation toolfor the design and development of fuel cell-basedhybrid power systems – a development with wideapplication for fuel cell developers and utilitycompanies• Research into the potential use of farm wastes suchas pig manure, as a biomass-based source of fuelfor fuel cells.
Value for CanadaTaking technology to marketVC a pl ua ec i t yCanada must becomemore innovative if we areto continue to build on oureconomic and socialfoundation…We need tofind ways to create knowledgeand bring it tomarket more quickly…The Honourable Allan RockMINISTER OF INDUSTRYResearch creates new ideas andadvances the frontiers of knowledge.To put this knowledge to work, it mustbe transformed into new technologies,new products and new servicesfor the global marketplace.Research turns money into knowledge…innovation turns knowledge into money.NRC promotes innovation and createsvalue for Canada in many ways. It notonly enhances Canada’s R&D performance,it also develops and uses thecornerstones of wealth creation – newtechnologies and technology-basedenterprises, technology transfermechanisms, and knowledge transferand dissemination systems. NRCstrengthens Canada’s innovationsystem, works to attract foreign directinvestment in technology-based firms,21S C I E N C E A T W O R K F O R C A N A D A
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NRC Annual Report 2001-2002

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