Dalhousie welcomed the Honourable Labi Kousoulis, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education, to campus at the end of February to announce a $1.9 million investment in two clean technology projects that involve researchers from the university.
The funding, which was provided by the Research Nova Scotia Trust, supports innovative research happening at Dal that ranges from additive manufacturing to carbon nanotubes that will be used in infrared sensitive energy converters and power textiles.
“We’re incredibly proud of our world-class researchers whose innovative work on clean technology has had a significant impact on our province, our country and the world,” says Josh Leon, dean of the Faculty of Engineering. “The investment being made by the Government of Nova Scotia and the Research Nova Scotia Trust means that they can continue contributing to building a bolder, brighter future for all of us”
Established in March 2017, the Research Nova Scotia Trust invests in research projects put forward by the province’s universities and the Nova Scotia Community College in the areas of ocean and science technology, aerospace and defence, clean technology, health and wellness, resource sectors and social innovation. This is the first step toward the creation of Research Nova Scotia and the Research Opportunities Fund. Any residual funds left in the trust will transfer to the Research Opportunities Fund once it is established.
“Nova Scotia is continuing to invest in world-class research happening right here in our province,” says the Honourable Labi Kousoulis, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education. “We are proud to support researchers who are developing new technologies and solving real-world business problems. Their work will help make our economy more diverse and globally competitive and create new opportunities for our young people.”
Highlights of successfully funded projects:
Canadian Additive Manufacturing Network (Can-AMN): A Network for Holistic Innovation in Additive Manufacturing
Paul Bishop, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering
The focal point of Dr. Bishop’s research program is the rapidly advancing area of additive manufacturing. Under his lead, Dalhousie-based researchers will engage in research emphasizing the development of innovative high strength light metal alloys based on aluminum and titanium, high durability metal/ceramic composite materials and functionally graded materials.
Each material system will be devised within a comprehensive research framework that addresses all stages of the additive manufacturing production cycle including in-house atomization of the raw powder feedstock, consolidation of the powders into engineered shapes/coatings, and advanced material characterization of the finished products.
This work builds directly on Dalhousie’s nationally unique portfolio of additive manufacturing expertise and is highly pertinent to existing and strategically targeted industrial partners.
For more information on Dr. Bishop’s research, visit the Particulate Material Research Group’s website.
Solution Sorted Carbon Nanotubes for Energy Conversion
Ghada Koleilat, Assistant Professor, Department of Process Engineering and Applied Science
Dr. Koleilat and her team are leading research on smart textiles and renewable energy. Their research aims to develop new and effective techniques in building wearable technologies.
The carbon nanotube technology they are using can be spray coated on any surface, printed, spin coated or deposited in a number of different ways to conform to any shape.
For more information on Dr. Koleilat’s research, visit the Koleilat Research Group’s website.