Putting new tools in the hands of leading Canadian scientists

More than $107,000 for instream tidal energy research at Acadia University

WOLFVILLE, NS, Oct. 12, 2017 /CNW/ - With the right kind of investment, scientists will be able to develop ground-breaking projects that lead to astounding results—for example, reusing composite materials to build and repair equipment in the aerospace industry, detecting and studying dark matter, and working toward the next breakthrough in non-invasive brain surgery to treat diseases such as Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis. ‎

That's why the Government of Canada, through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), is investing new research infrastructure funds in the Acadia University's Tidal Energy Institute. The President of the Treasury Board, Scott Brison, on behalf of the Minister of Science, Kirsty Duncan, announced an investment of $107,452 through the CFI's Innovation Fund to support research infrastructure at the university.

The funding will support environmental monitoring, modelling and forecasting infrastructure for instream tidal energy in the Bay of Fundy. This project at Acadia University will add to scientific knowledge regarding tidal currents, a promising source of renewable energy. Canada has in the Bay of Fundy one of the world's richest tidal resources and a world-leading test site for large grid-connected instream tidal turbines.

The funding for Acadia University was part of more than $554 million announced by Honourable Kirsty  Duncan today. The funding will support 117 new infrastructure projects at 61 universities, colleges and research hospitals across Canada.

This investment will help put the right tools in the hands of the country's scientists so they can make discoveries, innovate and train their students for the jobs of tomorrow. By doing so, scientists are contributing to building a bolder, brighter future for all Canadians—one that includes a strong and healthy middle class.

Quotes

"Our government understands that scientists need to have the best labs and tools if they're going to make discoveries that will pave the way to a brighter future for all people. That's why today's funding announcement is so important; it gives scientists and their students the opportunity to further their research in areas where Canada has a competitive advantage. The discoveries, innovations and skills developed in these new, state-of-the-art labs will go a long way in improving our lives, our economy and our future prosperity."
– The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science

"Helping fund instream tidal energy research is an investment in our country's prosperous future. By putting the tools into the right hands and encouraging creative minds to excel, we will become recognized as a global leader in environmental, medical and social research, and benefit from cutting-edge, sustainable research and discoveries."
– The Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board

"The Innovation Fund encourages institutions and their researchers to think big and strive to be global leaders by conducting world-class research. This funding pushes researchers to aim higher in their pursuits by collaborating across disciplines, institutions and sectors. With this support, institutions can build on their current research strengths and set their sights on accelerating research that will create social, health, environmental and economic benefits for all Canadians."
‒ Dr. Roseann O'Reilly-Runte, President and CEO, Canada Foundation for Innovation

"I want to congratulate Dr. Karsten on his continued leadership in tidal energy research. The extreme tides in the Bay of Fundy have been the subject of scientific research at Acadia for more than 100 years, and through Dr. Karsten's work, we're making significant breakthroughs. The funding announced today will be of enormous benefit to furthering this research and will be particularly beneficial to the growing number of students and young researchers interested in alternative energy production."
– Dr. Peter Ricketts, President and Vice-Chancellor, Acadia University

"This CFI infrastructure funding is transformative for our research team. It will enable Acadia, with our partners at Dalhousie and the University of New Brunswick, to create the world's first observation and prediction system for both the physical and biological environment at a tidal energy site. The associated research will provide the scientific evidence needed to determine the scale of a tidal energy industry that is economically feasible and environmentally acceptable."
– Dr. Richard Karsten, Acadia University Tidal Energy Institute

Quick facts

• The Innovation Fund supports initiatives that allow universities, colleges and research hospitals as well as students at these institutions to build on existing areas of expertise such as artificial intelligence, quantum science, brain health and renewable energy.
• The investment of more than $554 million announced by Minister Duncan today includes $127,098,512 awarded under the CFI's Infrastructure Operating Fund, which assists institutions with the operating and maintenance costs associated with their new research infrastructure.

Related products

A full list of the funded projects and stories about the facilities are available online at Innovation.ca. For updates, follow us on Twitter @InnovationCA, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for videos about the CFI and its many transformative research projects.

Associated links
Acadia University's Tidal Energy Institute

Read stories on more projects being supported through the Innovation Fund competition
Innovation Fund
The CFI Research Facilities Navigator: an online directory of labs that are open for business

Follow Minister Duncan on social media:
Twitter: @ScienceMin
Instagram: sciencemin

Follow CFI on social media:
Twitter: @InnovationCA

About the Canada Foundation for Innovation

For more than 20 years, the CFI has been giving researchers the tools they need to think big and innovate. And a robust innovation system translates into jobs and new enterprises, better health, cleaner environments and, ultimately, vibrant communities. By investing in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment in Canada's universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions, the CFI also helps to attract and retain the world's top talent, to train the next generation of researchers and to support world-class research that strengthens the economy and improves the quality of life for all Canadians.

SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2017/12/c2227.html