CanNor: $175,000
Yukon Research Centre-Cold Climate Innovation $181,073
The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) is investing $175,000 for Cold Climate Innovation (part of the Yukon Research Centre at Yukon College) to advance four innovative cold climate projects to the commercialization stage. These projects have been selected because they address unique northern challenges faced by Yukon businesses. If successful, these four projects could help stimulate economic development, create export opportunities for Yukon products and contribute valuable information to the scientific community.
Dual Frequency Ice Penetrating Radar
This project is to develop a dual frequency radar system to measure ice thickness to support research on glaciers. If successful, this project could lower the cost of conducting research. By using two frequencies, the number of expensive helicopter flights required for research surveys could be reduced by half. It could also lead to the development of a globally-exported product.
Drilling Hot Water Supply Pump
This project is to develop a safer, less expensive and more reliable hot water pump system for mining exploration operations, including winter diamond drilling. The pumps currently in use are unreliable and may explode if operated improperly. This product could have export potential and provide an alternative pumping system that is more cost effective and safer to operate.
Waste Plastic to Oil
This project will determine the technical and economic feasibility of converting plastic waste in Yukon into usable fuel oil. If results are positive, this system could generate revenue from the sale of oil produced by plastic waste, reduce the amount of plastic entering landfills and could significantly reduce the cost of shipping material to recycling operations outside the territory.
Plant Based Inks Project
This project will determine whether extract from a plant could be a cost-effective replacement to current synthetic ink additives. Preliminary research has indicated there is potential for iryl to be extracted from plant material and used to replace expensive synthetic polymer additives. Laboratory testing will be undertaken to verify the potential of this technology. The plants can be grown and harvested locally, and the production of this unique ink could be processed in a lab in the Yukon and sold internationally.
Yukon Research Centre - Cold Climate Innovation (YRC-CCI)
The YRC-CCI is part of Yukon College. Cold Climate Innovation is the arm of the Yukon Research Centre that focuses on commercialization of Yukon-based research, by Economic Development, Yukon Government. Other arms of the YRC include the Northern Climate Exchange, Technology Innovation, Biodiversity Monitoring, Resources and Sustainable Development in the Arctic, and Science Adventures.
CanNor Programs
This investment is made possible through CanNor's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) initiative, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity building in all three territories.
SINED is one of several economic development initiatives within CanNor. CanNor is responsible for coordinating and delivering Canada's economic development across the North, and for related policy development, research and advocacy.
