14 March 2011
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Atlantic Canada will continue to grow as a leader in innovation, thanks to new investments that will help researchers and entrepreneurs move their cutting-edge research and development (R&D) from the lab to the marketplace. The announcement was made by Senator Fabian Manning, on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, while touring research facilities at Memorial University.
“Supporting science and technology is key to Canada’s future economic growth,” said Senator Manning. “Our Government is committed to helping businesses and universities create and maintain research jobs and attract and retain world-leading research talent, which will lead to discoveries that improve our productivity, competitiveness and overall quality of life.”
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Canada is investing over $14 million in six new research projects through the Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF). These investments are part of more than $61 million being invested in Atlantic Canada in 26 innovative R&D projects.
“Our Government recognizes that innovation is vital to a dynamic modern economy,” added Minister Ashfield. “The AIF helps move the region’s cutting-edge R&D into the marketplace, boosts business productivity and bottom lines, increases exports, and creates good-paying jobs and overall economic growth. It’s about good science, smart business and a great investment in the future of Atlantic Canada. That is why this government under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper made the Atlantic Innovation Fund permanent with ongoing, fixed annual funding.”
“The Atlantic Innovation Fund has been invaluable in moving research out of the laboratory and into the marketplace,” said Bob Youden, a partner with Savarin Consulting, and First Vice-Chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. “The AIF is helping our businesses, including small and medium enterprises, to become more competitive and productive. By applying innovative ideas and approaches in developing new products, processes and services, businesses in Canada – and Atlantic Canada – will continue to grow their revenues and create skilled, well paying jobs.”
The AIF plays an important role in enhancing Atlantic Canada’s ability to carry out leading-edge R&D and in bringing new knowledge, jobs and business opportunities to the region. The fund has been an important catalyst for many Atlantic Canadian businesses, universities and research institutions, creating close to 760 partnerships to help commercialize innovative ideas, products and services.
The six recipients selected for AIF funding in Newfoundland and Labrador include: FONEMED, Compusult and four projects through the Memorial University of Newfoundland (one at the Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI) at the Fisheries and Marine Institute, two in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, and one in the Faculty of Medicine). The projects include research and development activities to improve efficiencies and product quality in crab meat processing, the development of virtual environments to train workers in the offshore petroleum and shipping industries, and further research into the genes that cause Sudden Cardiac Death.
All projects are approved following a rigorous and independent merit-review process by the AIF Advisory Board, composed of experts from across Atlantic Canada with knowledge of R&D, and business and economic policy.
For a complete list of AIF-funded projects, visit www.acoa- apeca.gc.ca.
The deadline for eligible proponents to submit letters of intent and project proposals for the AIF’s next funding round in 2012 was also announced. Eligible proponents – which include private sector businesses, universities, colleges and other research organizations – are required to submit a mandatory letter of intent by May 4, 2011, followed by a complete project proposal by August 17, 2011. Detailed information is available on ACOA’s website: www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
A $14.6 million investment, through the Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF), will support six Newfoundland and Labrador- based research and development (R&D) projects. The projects include support for research to improve efficiencies and product quality in crab meat processing, the development of virtual environments to train workers in the offshore petroleum and shipping industries, and further research into the genes that cause Sudden Cardiac Death.
Senator Fabian Manning said investments in innovation and R&D will help fuel Canada’s future economic growth, thereby creating jobs, increasing business productivity and competitiveness, and improving the overall quality of life of Atlantic Canadians.
In total, 26 R&D projects in Atlantic Canada will receive more than $61 million in AIF funding this year. The AIF is helping Atlantic Canadian researchers and entrepreneurs carry out leading-edge R&D, bringing new knowledge, jobs and business opportunities to the region.
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Photographs from the news conference and details on all new AIF projects, including the selected Newfoundland and Labrador-based projects, are available on ACOA’s website at: www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca.
BACKGROUNDER
Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF)
•The Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) was launched in 2001 and is directed to raise the levels of R&D and innovation in Atlantic Canada.
•In Budget 2010, the Government of Canada provided permanent and on-going funding to the AIF.
•Since 2001, including this current round, the AIF has committed close to $709 million in assistance to 279 highly innovative R&D projects across Atlantic Canada, valued at over $1.5 billion.
•Under the current round of funding, 26 projects throughout Atlantic Canada will receive more than $61 million in AIF funding.
•As a result of AIF and private sector investments, R&D spending in Atlantic Canada rose by an annual average of 7.5 per cent between 2002 and 2007, exceeding the national increase of 4.4 per cent.
•Every AIF dollar invested has leveraged $1.15 in funding from other public and private-sector sources, for a total of more than $813 million.
•Between 2002 and 2011, the AIF supported the creation of close to 760 partnerships and collaborations between businesses, universities and other research organizations for technology development and commercialization.
•The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has stated that the AIF is a proven catalyst for encouraging partnerships among business and the research community.
•Between 2002 and 2007, the AIF enabled the creation of more than 1,250 full-time jobs for highly skilled innovators, researchers and scientists, as well as training opportunities for nearly 1,000 students in research organizations.
•Between 2002 and 2011, more than 250 technologies, products, processes and services developed through the AIF were successfully commercialized, resulting in just under $250 million in incremental sales.
2011 AIF Projects – Newfoundland and Labrador
Memorial University of Newfoundland, Faculty of Medicine (St. John’s) Project: Genetic Test for Sudden Cardiac Death
Through this project, Memorial’s Faculty of Medicine will lead an international team of leading cardiologists and cardiology research groups in the United Kingdom and Canada to extend its research and to discover and validate more genes and genetic mutations linked to Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD). Three years ago, researchers at Memorial discovered a gene linked to SCD. This research, which made front-page news across Canada, has resulted in saving over 100 lives and counting through the Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD). Initially believed to be unique to the Newfoundland population, collaboration with international heart research institutes is uncovering new evidence of the gene and lethal mutations in other populations. This project, with total estimated costs of $5 million, will receive approximately $3 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund.
Contact information: Dr. Terry-Lynn Young Associate Professor of Genetics Faculty of Medicine Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s, NL (709) 777-6100 www.med.mun.ca/medicine/home.aspx www.mshri.on.ca/colorectalcancer/default.asp
Memorial University of Newfoundland, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences (St. John’s)
Project: Virtual Environments for Knowledge Mobilization
Through this AIF project, the team will further refine and develop simulator technologies and collaborative virtual environments that train workers in the offshore petroleum and shipping industries to improve safety of life at sea. It will investigate linkages between learning and the level of presence produced by simulation and virtual environments. Also, in collaboration with Virtual Marine Technologies (VMT), it will advance existing emergency response training simulation prototypes to commercially ready production systems. The project, with total estimated costs of $4 million, will receive approximately $2.6 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a three-year period.
Contact Information: Dr. Brian Veitch Associate Dean (Research) Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s, NL (709) 864-8970 www.engr.mun.ca/home www.vmtechnology.ca
FONEMED (St. John’s)
Project: Chronic Disease Management System
FONEMED operates the province of Newfoundland and Labrador’s HealthLine and serves numerous international corporate clients with health information technology and services. The company is developing a number of integrated products, including chronic disease management, remote monitoring, care transition, health coaching and post- discharge follow-up care. The technology development will be the clinical protocols, the ability to access via the Internet and write to electronic medical records, the links to remote monitoring tools such as blood pressure monitors and blood glucose readings, as well as the information technology necessary to establish the scheduling systems and the telephone systems. FONEMED is designing this system to help keep users healthy and not require as many doctor, hospital or emergency room visits. This project, with total estimated costs of $3.9 million, will receive approximately $2.4 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund.
Contact Information: Charlene Slaney Vice-President, Clinical and Client Services FoneMed St. John’s, NL (709) 726-4567, ext 2112 www.fonemed.com
Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI) (St. John’s)
Project: Automated mechanical system for the extraction of post-processed crab meat
CCFI, a non-profit corporation owned by Memorial University of Newfoundland, will undertake research to improve efficiencies and product quality in crab meat processing. Pilot-scale, high-pressure processing (HPP) will be undertaken at the Marine Institute’s Seafood Development Centre. Research will be undertaken to develop technology for automated meat extraction after crab are treated using the HPP system. Use of the HPP process will not only facilitie meat extractiom but will also produce higher- quality, higher-value products with the additional benefit of having spoilage organisms killed during the process. The project, with total estimated costs of $3.2 million, will receive approximately $2.3 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund.
Contact information: Robert Verge Managing Director Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation St. John’s, NL (709)778-0542 www.ccfi.ca
Memorial University of Newfoundland, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences (St. John’s)
Project: Intelligent Sensor Platforms for Remotely Piloted Vehicles
This project will support the development of intelligent sensor systems to support autonomous decision- making/operation of unmanned vehicles. These sensor systems are also applicable to ground robots and unmanned underwater and ocean surface vehicles. They will meet the needs of industries operating in marine, harsh or remote environments, as well as those engaged in surveillance and security applications. The project will focus on the development of intelligent cameras and laser scanning systems that satisfy the real-world constraints associated with deployment on an autonomous or remotely piloted vehicle. The objective is to achieve high reliability, low power consumption, and real-time performance through the integrating of image sensing, acquisition, and processing within a single robust enclosure. The project, with total estimated costs of $3.6 million, will receive approximately $2.2 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund.
Contact information: Dr. Nicholas Krouglicof Associate Professor Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s, NL (709) 737-3745 www.engr.mun.ca/home www.engr.mun.ca/~bachmayer/Homepage/Welcome.html
Compusult Limited (Mount Pearl)
Project: GeoPad – Situational Awareness Tool
Compusult Ltd., an information technology consulting firm, will develop software called GeoPAD – a Situational Awareness (SA) tool for creating, modifying and managing geospatial portfolios to support analysis and critical decision-making in managing coordinated responses to natural and environmental disasters (e.g. earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes). The software also has applications in the defence and homeland security sectors. GeoPAD will be based on extensions and additions to Compusult’s highly successful geospatial portal software, Web Enterprise Suite (WES). This project, with total estimated costs of $3.2 million, will receive approximately $2.1 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund.
Contact information: Paul Mitten Vice-President Compusult Ltd. Mount Pearl, NL (709) 745-7914 www.compusult.net
Backgrounder
Automated system for extraction of crab meat Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation
The Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (CCFI) is a non-profit corporation owned by Memorial University of Newfoundland with its head office in St. John's. Through the Centre, the Atlantic Canadian fishing, fish processing, and aquaculture industries have addressed problems and opportunities with the help of hundreds of scientists, engineers and technologists working at Memorial, the Marine Institute and other universities and technical institutions throughout Atlantic Canada. Through this AIF project, CCFI with its collaborators will undertake research to improve efficiencies and product quality in processing crab meat. Pilot-scale, high-pressure processing (HPP) will be undertaken at the Marine Institute. Research will be undertaken to develop technology for automated meat extraction after crab are treated using the HPP system. Use of the HPP process will not only facilitate meat extraction but will also produce higher-quality, higher- value products with the additional benefit of having spoilage organisms killed during the process. Despite significant advances in knowledge-based sectors that have benefited primarily urban regions, rural Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy remains predominantly primary resource-focused. The fishery still remains the economic mainstay of many rural communities. The highly valued snow crab factors prominently in the Newfoundland and Labrador fishery’s future. This project, with a total estimated cost of $3.2 million, will receive approximately $2.3 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund.
Contact Information:
Robert Verge Managing Director Canadian Centre for Fisheries Innovation (709)778-0542
Backgrounder
GeoPad – Situational Awareness Tool Compusult
Compusult Limited, located in Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador, is an information technology consulting firm which provides software and computer consulting services to defence and aerospace, government, business, as well as the technical and scientific sectors. Compusult has existing software, Web Enterprise Suite (WES), which is used for the management, collection, analysis and distribution of geospatial information. This AIF project involves new software called GeoPAD. GeoPAD is a Situational Awareness (SA) tool for creating, modifying and managing geospatial portfolios to support analysis and critical decision-making in managing coordinated responses to natural and environmental disasters (e.g. earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes). The software also has applications in the defence and homeland security sectors. GeoPAD will be based on extensions and additions to Compusult’s highly successful WES software. The US Department of Defense (DoD) is a key customer of Compusult. Over the past 10 years, Compusult has work extensively with the DoD and has an established reputation. Compusult is working to expand its customer base and its existing products to non-military markets in Latin America, Europe, and Japan. The GeoPAD software will give the company a competitive advantage as they move into non- military markets. Compusult has been in operation for over 26 years, has a management team with a solid track record in research and development and have commercialized new technologies in the field of geomatics. This project, with a total estimated cost of $3.2 million, will receive approximately $2.1 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund. Contact information: Paul Mitten Vice-President Compusult Ltd. Mount Pearl, NL (709) 745-7914
Backgrounder
Chronic Disease Management System FONEMED
FONEMED operates the province of Newfoundland and Labrador’s HealthLine and serves numerous international corporate clients with health information technology and services. The company is developing a number of integrated products, including chronic disease management, remote monitoring, care transition, health coaching and post- discharge follow-up care. The company has approximately 180 clients across North America representing over 2,300 client groups and has installed its technology around the globe. Currently, this is primarily a “dial a nurse” service with the objective of dealing with health issues so that individuals do not require a visit to an emergency department. The FONEMED call centre is located in St. Anthony and the staff nurses are located throughout the province but primarily in Corner Brook and Stephenville. The information technology support for all North American operations is located in St John’s. Through this AIF project, FONEMED will develop an integrated suite of value-added products and services for current and new clients. Through these services a FONEMED staff nurse will help manage a client’s chronic disease through regular direct contact either by telephone or Internet. The technology development will be the disease management protocols, the ability to seamlessly access via the Internet and write to electronic medical records, the links to remote patient monitoring tools such as blood pressure monitors and blood glucose readings, as well as the information technology necessary to establish built-in scheduling systems and the other clinical enhancements. There is a growing market for Chronic Disease Management. For many company, state and provincial health plans, the greatest health insurance expense is for chronic disease management. This system will be designed to help keep our population healthy and not require as many doctor, hospital or emergency room visits. This project, with a total estimated cost of $3.9 million, will receive approximately $2.4 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund. Contact Information: Charlene Slaney Vice-President, Clinical and Client Services St. John’s, NL (709) 726-4567, ext 2112
Backgrounder
Genetic Testing for Sudden Cardiac Death Memorial University of Newfoundland
Three years ago, a multidisciplinary team of researchers at Memorial University’s Faculty of Medicine discovered a gene linked to Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD). This research, which made front-page news across Canada, has resulted in saving over 100 lives (and counting) through treatment with the Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD). This locally discovered gene was initially believed to be unique to the Newfoundland population; however recent, collaboration with heart research institutes around the world is uncovering new evidence of the gene and potentially lethal mutations in other populations – a much larger “super family” genetic connection to SCD is thus building upon the Newfoundland gene discovery. Through this AIF project, Memorial will lead an international team of leading cardiologists and cardiology research groups (in the UK and Canada) to extend this research and to discover and validate more genes that cause SCD. The combination of international collaboration, existing evidence, significant improvements in computing technology and more affordable genetic tests in the marketplace, will strengthen the probability of success of this project. The key driver for international researchers is the real opportunity to make a difference and save many thousands of lives, particularly younger people (under 40 years) who unknowingly carry a gene linked to SCD. This research is endorsed by the leading patient support group in Canada, the Sudden Adult Death Society (SADS) the support of whom is welcomed by the researchers, members of which have lost young family members to genes causing SCD. This project, with a total estimated cost of $5 million, will receive approximately $3 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund. Contact information: Dr. Terry-Lynn Young Associate Professor of Genetics Faculty of Medicine Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s, NL (709) 777-6100
Backgrounder
Intelligent Sensor Platforms for Remotely Piloted Vehicles Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland, located in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, is Atlantic Canada’s largest university. Memorial’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, established in the early 1970s, offers programs in civil, computer, electrical, and mechanical engineering. The Faculty has the only ocean and naval architectural engineering degree program in Canada.
This AIF project will support the development of intelligent sensor systems to support autonomous decision- making/operation of unmanned vehicles. The focus is unmanned aerial vehicles but the sensor systems are also applicable to ground robots and unmanned underwater and ocean surface vehicles. The systems will meet the needs of industries which require monitoring in marine, harsh or remote environments, as well as those engaged in surveillance and security applications.
The project will focus on the development of intelligent sensor systems including cameras and laser scanners that satisfy the real-world constraints associated with deployment on an autonomous or remotely piloted vehicle. The objective is to achieve high reliability, low power consumption and real-time performance through integrating image sensing, acquisition, and processing within a single robust enclosure. For detecting targets in large unconstrained environments, a two-tiered approach is planned whereby an omni-directional camera actively directs a high resolution image sensor or laser scanner towards potential areas of interest. This “active vision” system will employ a novel linear actuator that offers unprecedented speed and accuracy in a small package. A parallel research effort will focus on the development of an underwater 3D vision system that provides high dimensional accuracy for underwater inspection or marine structures and biological observation.
This project, with a total estimated cost of $3.6 million, will receive approximately $2.2 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund. Contact information: Dr. Nicholas Krouglicof Associate Professor Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John’s, NL (709) 737-3745
Backgrounder
Virtual Environments for Knowledge Mobilization Memorial University of Newfoundland
Memorial University of Newfoundland, located in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, is Atlantic Canada’s largest university. Memorial’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, established in the early 1970s, offers programs in civil, computer, electrical, and mechanical engineering. The Faculty has the only ocean and naval architectural engineering degree program in Canada.
Memorial is establishing itself as an international leader in marine simulation technology and human factors research focused on offshore safety training. The principle co- investigators, Dr. Scott MacKinnon and Dr. Brian Veitch, have a strong track record of productive R&D cooperation with industry. They will lead an experienced multi- disciplinary R&D team based at Memorial and including the Marine Institute, Defense Research and Development Canada and the National Research Council of Canada.
This AIF project will build on the AIF Round IV “Small Craft Simulation Project”, which saw the successful development of the SurvivalQuest and MarineQuest simulators. Through this AIF project, the team will further refine and develop simulator technologies and collaborative virtual environments that train workers in the offshore petroleum and shipping industries to improve safety of life at sea.
It will investigate linkages between learning and the level of presence produced by simulation and virtual environments. Also, in collaboration with Virtual Marine Technologies (VMT), it will advance existing emergency response training simulation prototypes to commercially- ready production systems. CAE Professional Services Inc. will provide access to its vast international network and help VMT define and direct the commercialization strategy.
This project, with total estimated costs of $4 million, will receive approximately $2.6 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a three-year period.
Contact Information: Dr. Brian Veitch Associate Dean (Research) Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John's, NL 709-864-8970
Erin Filliter
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Keith Ashfield
613-995-2960
Doug Burgess
Director, Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency St. John’s, NL
709-772-2935
Doug.Burgess@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
