THE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROCESS
WORKSHOP
Sault Ste. Marie Innovation CentreSault Ste. MarieJanuary 14, 2009
Ray Hoemsen, P. Eng.Director, Applied Research & Commercialization
Red River College
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Objectives
Access to new technologies in academic labs Access to resources (facilities, programs,
services) Sustainable infrastructure and opportunities
presented by research clusters College focus Commercialization versus Diffusion
95% of the world’s innovations are developed outside of Canada, and available to be adapted and adopted by Canadian organizations
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Red River College & AR&C
MB’s 2nd largest post-secondary institution Comprehensive college - ~110 programs Serve 11,500 FT & 19,500 PT learners
annually $131 Million annual budget (08/09) 1,100 employees ~600 faculty (not including CD+E) AR&C infrastructure established AR&C activities growing steadily
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RRC: Applied Research Framework
CFI and Federal Indirect Costs Program eligible NSERC = Tri-Council acceptance
SSHRC and CIHR eligibility also Intellectual Property Policy
Mandatory disclosure, institutional ownership, equitable sharing of returns
Canada Council on Animal Care Good Animal Practise (GAP) Certificate – teaching focus
Research Ethics Board Learner and Instructor focus
Involvement AND Benefit Community Relevance Applied Research & Commercialization (AR&C) is lead unit
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Applied Research at RRC *
’03-04 FY - ~$50,000 SSARF
’04-’05 FY - ~$150,000 NSERC LAMP
’05-’06 FY - ~$300,000 HHICE MCI Prototype (EPA ’07)
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’06-’07 FY - $650,000 Manitoba Hydro H2FC Bus
’07-’08 FY - $400,000 MTS Allstream WD – HETC ($2.4 M)
’08-’09 FY - $300,000 (YTD) MB STEM EDI - PHEV NRC-IRAP SI Cluster
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
500,000
600,000
700,000
2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09
*Does not include WD support for AR&C establishment, nor pre-existing relationships (such as the Lawson Foundation)
Access to Academic Technology
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RD&C in Colleges
150 colleges in 900 communities @ various stages CFI–eligible = 64 (ACCC members) - $26M to 29 colleges NSERC–eligible = 35 (plus ~15 are “W.I.P.”) - $3M to 8 colleges IP Policy – usually institution-owned
Characteristics Want to add value – not necessarily new IP Faculty-led, student-performed (often)
Faculty release is a challenge/hurdle Industry linkages and community relevance
Benefit to faculty, students and community APPLYING KNOWLEDGE, DELIVERING RESULTS
Technology DIFFUSION vs Commercialization “University” metrics ≠ “College metrics
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College Role in RD&C
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ACCC: College IP Survey (2007 – 54 respondents)
Generally, disclosure is mandatory (except in Quebec) Usually, IP developed by individuals employed by the College
belongs to the College unless an IP agreement is negotiated between the funders, and/or partners or faculty/staff For Quebec CTTs (35), 90% of IP ownership belongs to the
industry partner Only 4 institutions indicated IP Policy tied to collective
bargaining Revenue sharing varies depending on contributing parties,
ranging from 50/50 to 75/25 in favor of the individual or negotiable
In student projects, informed consent, etc., require the development of protocols
Important to seek assistance from peers/mechanisms such as local/regional networks
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College Expectations
Opportunity to add value Meaningful engagement Prototyping, testing, certification, etc.
Faculty participation & support Student participation & support Partner relationship – more than contract
R&D Access to appropriate information
Ability to use results for research & education While respecting proprietary and confidential data
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Role of the ARO/TLO/TTO
“Match-maker”, facilitator, negotiator Experienced in the academic-industry interface Access
HQP Ideas Specialized capabilities and resources Network Resources
Familiar with IP and IP-issues Clear ownership and global costs are a challenge
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Enhancing Technology Access
Staff exchange (even short term) Intern cross-training and mentoring Joint development projects
“capstone” project ideas adapting local technology for off-shore
Leverage existing relationships (PEOPLE) Access institutional networks Link with research parks and incubators Discuss potential opportunities early Find a common need which can be
addressed collaboratively for mutual benefit and GET STARTED!
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Outputs
Faculty engagement (5 to 10%) Student engagement
Projects Co-op, work and intern placements Employment (post-graduate)
“Traditional” IP Patents, ©, , trade secrets, etc.
Knowledge/Technology diffusion and transfer Prototypes, certifications, demonstrations, reports, HQP Partnerships (= agreements)
New or improved products, processes & technologies
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The first patent?
Motor Coach Industries: 2007 USA EPA
Evolved from NSERC LAMP pilot project Engine/transmission system design/integration to meet 2007 US EPA emissions requirements Six months from idea to prototype (including legal approvals – from US parent) Five students, three instructors ONLY three months to actually do the work Met/exceeded all test requirements of all prototypes “The nature of the outcome is a new model that
sells.” from an interview with Jim MacDonald, Director of Engineering at MCI by
Marcel D. Mongeon, Mongeon Consulting Inc.
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Access to Resources
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Colleges: a Distributed Resource
Over 150 colleges, polytechnics and institutes Presence in over 1,000 Canadian communities Capital inventory of over $25 billion Over 60,000 full-time & 150,000 part-time employees
Colleges train and retrain the workforce 1.5 million full- and part-time learners
Linked to industrial and technical drivers of the economy
Colleges: Applying Knowledge, Delivering Results ….. a vibrant range of activities contributing
significantly to innovation and local and regional economic development ….per NSERC
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Colleges: a Local Resource
Specialized facilities and expertise Highly Qualified Personnel
Faculty Students Staff
Customized training and services Colleges and government agencies can play a
significant role in assisting industry Colleges are in various stages of development
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NSERC Program Access Opportunities
College and Community Innovation Program Intellectual Property Mobilization Program Idea to Innovation As a co-applicant with university professors
Research Partnership Programs Collaborative Health Research Projects Special Research Opportunity Grants
As an Adjunct Professor Leverage
Participation in collaborative projects
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Colleges and NSERC Programs
Idea to Innovation (I2I) Phase 1 – Proof-of-Concept
Advance promising scientific results or technologies to attract early stage investment and/or build the IP
Phase II – Technology Enhancement Provide scientific or engineering evidence establishing the
technical feasibility and market definition of the technology, process or product working with early stage investor or company
College & Community Innovation Program Increase college capacity to support local innovation
Colleges working with businesses and industries Students trained in innovation activities Local companies adopting new technologies, launching
new and improved products and processes
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SR&ED: Canada’s $4B Innovation Program
Incentive is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency Technological advancement
Incremental (relative) to the firm New knowledge/IP – patents, industrial designs, copyrights, trade secrets Material evaluation Product or process development
Technological uncertainty Risk must exist, failure is acceptable (the ultimate risk) Can be experimental in nature
Technical content Have a hypothesis or plan – not trial-and-error Highly qualified personnel (including students) – education and/or
experience Contemporaneous documentation
“Shop Floor” SR&ED is OK
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SR&ED Indicators
Projects with NRC-IRAP support 3rd party projects, eg. with academic institutions Patents and other intellectual property Technical log and laboratory notebooks
Test request system High scrap rates Recurring manufacturing or customer problems,
issues and service requests New product or process
Watch “LEAN” initiatives
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Research-Technology-Commercialization
Applied Research: www.KnowledgeNet.ca Canadian Technology: http://ctn-rct.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/ Commercialization Network: www.acctcanada.ca Colleges: www.accc.ca Federal Labs: http://www.fptt-pftt.gc.ca/ I-CAN (Innoventures Canada): http://www.i-can.ca/membership.htm Industry Assistance: http://irap-pari.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/ Manitoba Research Infrastructure:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/ctt/invest/busfacts/r_d/index.html NRC Institutes: http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/institutes/index_e.html NSERC Awards: www.nserc.gc.ca/programs/result/database.htm Research and Technology: www.flintbox.ca Research Tax Incentives: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/taxcredit/sred/ Universities: www.aucc.ca
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ATEC: Advanced Transportation & Energy
Chapter Five of 2007 Federal Budget: “The College and Community Innovation Program (CCIP) is a pilot project administered by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada that supports research collaborations between firms and colleges. To date, the program has supported six such collaborations. For example, the program enabled a joint project between Manitoba’s Red River College and a leading motor coach manufacturer to integrate a modified heavy-duty diesel engine into an existing vehicle in order to meet reduced emission requirements.” (http://www.budget.gc.ca/2007/bp/bpc5de.html#innovation
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Sustainable Infrastructure & Opportunities presented by Research Clusters
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Red River College: at a Glance
MB’s 2nd largest post-secondary institution Comprehensive college with ~110 programs
Multiple campuses across Winnipeg/Manitoba Serve 11,000 FT and 19,500 PT learners annually
53% female (not including apprenticeship, of full-time learners)
1,100 employees (full-time equivalent) ~600 faculty (without Continuing + Distance Education)
$131 Million annual budget (08/09) CARSI is Manitoba’s first dedicated college
research facility applied research and technology development
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CARSI Facility Overview
Objective is to conduct innovative and improved applied research that leads to the development of innovative and emerging sustainable infrastructure technologies in construction materials systems
Applied research themes Advanced Composite Materials Asphalt Concrete Systems Building Envelope Systems Large Light-Frame Wooden Structures
10,000 sf dedicated facility - $2M capital investment CFI and MRIF contributions of ~$550,000 each Homenko Builders – major industrial partner RRC Schools of Construction and Engineering Technologies
and Transportation, Aviation and Manufacturing
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CARSI and Manitoba Hydro
DownTown Office Project (DTOP) Curtain Wall Prototype and Demonstration
Utilize removable wall section of the Centre for Applied Research in Sustainable Infrastructure (CARSI)
Curtain wall testing “Living Lab” (mock-up office module)
Applied Research & Technology Development http://www.hydro.mb.ca/projects/downtown
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CARSI and Manitoba Hydro
Installation of double curtain wall system (with operable windows) to evaluate Thermal performance and potential problems Light efficacy and quality (both natural and artificial light)
Installation/testing of raised computer/HVAC floor Evaluation of furniture system and materials in conditions which simulate
orientation/ effects of natural light Acoustic testing Determined
Thermal properties Air infiltration characteristics Air pressure build-up and bracing to secure operable windows Optimum spacing of T-5 lighting Fan coil installation methodology
Demonstrated dimensions and interior characteristics of a full-size office bay “When you enter into an R&D project a multitude of other benefits
arise. The CARSI DTOP mock up has been invaluable in making a number of multi-million dollar decisions.” – Tom Akerstream, Manitoba Hydro
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CFI: CARSI Results & Impact
Greater opportunities for faculty, staff and students Supports the polytechnic model of education Projects with SMEs and regional organizations, eg.
City of Winnipeg (recycled rubber for asphalt walkway demonstration) Manitoba Hydro (DownTown Office Project) Misipawistik Cree Nation (sustainable greenhouse) NorthAir Technology (basement/crawl space moisture removal) SMT Research (Letter of Agreement, moisture sensors)
NRC-IRAP Member Contribution Agreement Relationships (new or enhanced) with Academic Institutions
ACC, BCIT, SAIT Polytechnic, NAIT, SIAST, UM, UW, Kobe University, etc. Catalyst for growth in applied research
Neubrex (of Japan) Neubrescope instrument (for non-destructive structural testing in civil infrastructure and aerospace) applications
Manitoba Bio-Products Strategy (development and involvement) ISIS Canada (structural health monitoring and civionics) Advanced Transportation & Energy Centre NSERC Community and College Innovation Proposal ($3.85M)
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SI Cluster: NRC-IRAP Network Member
Initial approach after CARSI Grand Opening (200+ attended) Support, enhance and expand the sustainable
infrastructure cluster, particularly in Manitoba Build capacity to enhance CARSI programs and services Benefit technology-based SMEs in the sustainable
infrastructure sector through SME involvement in the research, development, commercialization and application of sustainable infrastructure, especially in the construction and related heavy equipment and transportation sectors
A network capable of generating new opportunities and identifying, incorporating and/or developing new materials, technologies, techniques, products and processes NRC Institute for Research in Construction & Centre for Sustainable Infrastructure Research Canadian Construction Materials Centre (Ottawa)
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SI Cluster: Objectives
Support, enhance and expand the sustainable infrastructure cluster, particularly in Manitoba
Build capacity within the Centre for Applied Research in Sustainable Infrastructure (CARSI) to enhance its programs and services
Benefit technology-based SMEs in the sustainable infrastructure sector
Assist in meeting a key requirement of the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) that 90% of CARSI be dedicated and used for research and related activities
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SI Cluster: Expected Outcomes
SME involvement in the research, development, commercialization and application of sustainable infrastructure, especially in the construction and related heavy equipment and transportation sectors
A network capable of generating new opportunities and identifying, incorporating and/or developing new materials, technologies, techniques, products and processes
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SI Cluster: Metrics & Measures
New contacts and relationships/networks New business opportunities Introductions of new and/or improved materials,
technologies, techniques, products and processes Relevant applied research projects carried out by
CARSI RRC instructor and student involvement in CARSI-
related applied research projects Jobs created or retained Expansion of sales and exports
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SI Cluster: Community Survey
100 Manitoba-based organizations in the Sustainable Infrastructure Sector contacted (July/August 2008), 30 responded
Building Envelope Technology and Materials Service Life Extension Green Buildings and Energy Efficiency – Net Zero
Confirmation of direction for CARSI Results integrated into NSERC CCI and CFI LEF
and NIF proposals Now focussing on contact with municipalities
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SI Cluster: R&T Development
NSERC College and Community Innovation Program 32 Letters of Intent received, 14 invited to submit
proposals 8 proposals each to be awarded $2.3M (over five years) Sustainable Infrastructure Technology Research Group
Theme Areas Building Performance/Structural Health Monitoring Green Building/Net or Near-Zero Building Research
$3.85M total value $1.05M from industry and $0.5M from RRC
CFI Leading Edge Fund – CARSI - $1,902,995 Expanded capability, will enhance CCI activity CFI New Initiatives Fund – ATEC - $6,095,165 Complementary to CARSI- sustainable transportation
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SI Cluster: Community Interaction Model
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CI Cluster: Applied Research Projects
Completed/In Progress MB Hydro: Downtown Office Project curtain wall evaluation and living lab Neubrex: NBX-6040 research demonstration NorthAir Tech: crawlspace humidity removal system capacity testing SMT Research:
environmental testing of sensors fabrication/calibration of moisture sensors for use with ISIS on Canadian heritage
buildings
Potential/In Discussion Misipawistik Cree Nation: sustainable greenhouse design & operator
training Province of Manitoba: VANOC Manitoba Pavilion prototype SAIT (with BCIT): green building (residential) research Solar Solutions: heat recovery system validation University of Winnipeg Centre for Transportation Studies: PHEV V2G testing Vector Construction/ISIS Canada: post-tension beam testing
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NorthAir Tech Testing
Crawlspace moisture removal system development Experimental model trialed in basement of Building AR&C provided input to business planning process AR&C observed off-site testing, led by Unies Consulting
Engineers, in NorthAIr Tech’s premises CARSI environmental chambers used to evaluate
capacity CARSI used by NorthAir Tech for client demonstrations Now prototyping basement floor system NRC-IRAP support for NorthAir Tech
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Sustainable Greenhouse for Northern Climates
Misipawistik Cree Nation in Grand Rapids Vegetable greenhouse with operating parameters
adjusted to meet local climatic conditions Pilot project to promote employment Northern Healthy Food Initiative
Community-based Red River College’s role Greenhouse operator training Evaluate climatic data and materials suitable for building
construction Partnership potential
Greenhouse design and materials Operating experience in similar conditions
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Where the Rubber Meets the RoadBishop Grandin Boulevard Demonstration Project by City of Winnipeg
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Neubrescope NBX-6040
Only commercially available cm-order Brillouin distributed strain and temperature sensing system using optical fibre for Structural Health Monitoring High measurement accuracy and high spatial resolution Accurate, reliable measurements over long distances (20 km)
Applications Piping , pipelines, and pressure vessels Civil infrastructure such as dams, bridges and buildings Aerospace – CFRP deformation detection and quality control
Possible projects Vector Construction – post-tension beams ISIS Canada – hydro dam or bridge deck monitoring
www.neubrex.com
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SI Cluster Accomplishments (selected)
Established Resource Centre (within RRC Library & CARSI) Raised awareness and received positive feedback (survey of 100) Sustainable Infrastructure Cluster initiation (“pay-as-you-go” for now) City of Winnipeg recycled rubber asphalt pavement demonstration
following CARSI workshop with ON and AB speakers Invited NSERC CCI proposal ($3.85M) – strong local support, including
$1.05M industry & $0.5M RRC contributions Acquisition (one year loan) of Neubrescope NBX-6040 and 1.5 day
training seminar for potential users in the community BCIT, NRC-IRC, SAIT Polytechnic & SIAST – interested in collaboration Prairie Cleantech Consortium for COPENMIND SME projects (Neubrex, NorthAir Tech, SMT Research) ISIS Canada SHM Network opportunity Invitation to speak at CFI Board’s Community Dinner (2008 11 17)
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SI Cluster: CFI/MRIF, NRC-IRAP & NSERC
CFI/MRIF: provides CARSI research infrastructure NRC-IRAP: supports cluster development, CARSI the
cornerstone NSERC : will help to build capacity
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Thank You!
Ray Hoemsen, M.Sc., P. Eng.Director, Applied Research & Commercialization
Red River College
(204) [email protected]
www.rrc.mb.ca/appliedresearch
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE, DELIVERING RESULTS
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