News Release
For Release
July 5, 2007
Vancouver, British Columbia — Canadians will benefit
from improved product safety and pre-manufacturing product innovation
thanks to an investment by Canada’s New Government for a new Advanced
Prototyping Hub at the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s
(BCIT).
Through Western Economic Diversification Canada, Canada’s New Government
is investing $996,300 in BCIT toward the purchase of equipment to establish
a new advanced prototype hub and improve the Institute’s technology
commercialization capacity. The equipment will also be used to develop
“total solutions” to safety and product development issues
in a variety of product sectors.
“Through investments in science and technology, Canada’s
New Government is delivering on its commitment to give Canadians an advantage
to succeed,” said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the
Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental
Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. “Enabling
Canadians to turn their ideas into a reality will give us a competitive
edge in the global economy. “
“Our investments represent a partnership between researchers and
Canada’s New Government,” said the Honourable Maxime Bernier,
Minister of Industry. “A partnership aimed at commercializing research
into innovative technologies that improve the quality of life for all
Canadians.”
"This support enables BCIT to take its existing prototyping capability
to the next level,” said Dr. Jim Reichert, BCIT’s Vice-President
of Research and International. “The development of enhanced prototyping
capabilities within the Advanced Prototyping Hub will increase our capacity
to provide effective problem solving and product development support to
businesses and industries wishing to access BCIT’s applied research
expertise."
As a key part of BCIT’s plan to establish a Centre of Applied Research
and Advanced studies, the new Advanced Prototyping Hub consists of two
platforms that will enhance BCIT’s ability to characterize and test
the efficacy of new products in areas such as biotechnology, non-timber
forestry products and the growing field of natural health products.
The bio-products safety assessment platform will include liquid and gas
chromatography equipment, a DNA microarray scanner, and a laboratory information
management system.
The integrated design/machine platform will include a lathe, miling machine
and associated computer design and simulation software. Work done through
this platform will support industry research in information technology,
health technology, engineering technology, renewable energy and manufacturing
processes.
This investment builds on BCIT’s more than fifteen years of work
in applied research and technology commercialization, and will allow researchers
to develop prototypes for their private industry clients.
Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government
of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations
and communities to stimulate and encourage diversification of the western
economy, as well as to represent the interests of the West in national
decision-making.
For additional information, contact:
Karl Yeh
Communications Advisor
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel: (604) 666-4714
Allison Markin
Communications Manager
BCIT
Tel: (604) 432-8773
Web site: www.bcit.ca
WD Toll-Free Number:
1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at
www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
