March 28, 2014 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Western Economic Diversification Canada
University of Saskatchewan (U of S) researchers will develop and test nanostructured coatings to increase the durability of hard-to-reach industrial and medical components with the help from a federal investment of announced today by Brad Trost, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Humboldt, on behalf of the Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.
The $183,946 investment from Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) will help Canada Research Chair in Nanoengineering Coating Technologies and Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Qiaoqin Yang, and her team purchase specially-made equipment that will apply the coatings to the surfaces of the components for testing and demonstration. Four industry-specific coating prototypes will be tested, for projects such as solar energy systems, artificial joints, and mining and oil sands equipment. The coatings will be comprised of new, extremely durable advanced materials.
The new coating application equipment and process will also be tested as a prototype for commercialization. If successful, its use will boost the university’s capacity for future nanomaterials research.
Rhonda Shymko
A/Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Telephone: 306-975-6980
Email: rhonda.shymko@wd-deo.gc.ca
Jennifer Thoma
Media Relations Specialist
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Telephone: 306-966-1851
Email: jennifer.thoma@usask.ca
WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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