AUTO21 announces latest automotive research funding
By Design Engineering staff
General Automotive R&D transportation univeristyThe research network's two-year, $10 million investment will fund 20 new automotive research projects.
AUTO21, Canada’s national automotive research network, announced a $10 million investment in Canadian automotive R&D. The two-year investment—a combination of AUTO21 and industry partner funding, will provide funding for 20 new projects, in addition to the 32 current research projects in the network’s portfolio.
“These projects represent the highest scientific excellence and the strongest commercialization opportunities,” said Dr. Peter Frise, AUTO21 CEO and scientific director. “More importantly, the projects are providing unique training opportunities for graduate students at universities across Canada.”
Research sponsored includes Dr. Carl Blais’ work on powder metallurgy for high-performance powertrain components at Université Laval; McMaster University Dr. Bartosz Protas’ work on optimizing hybrid and electric vehicle batteries and second generation biofuels research conducted by University of Toronto’s Dr. Murray Thompson.
“While the auto sector faces challenging times, it is important for Canada to continue to develop innovative technologies for when the market returns,” said Dr. John Mann, chair of the AUTO21 board of directors. “Some of the best and brightest minds in automotive research are in Canada, and it is through this brainpower that the nation will find success in the global market.”
AUTO21, a network composed of 220 researchers at 45 universities across the country, supports research projects in six key areas: health, safety and injury prevention; societal issues; materials and manufacturing; design processes; powertrains, fuels and emissions; and intelligent systems and sensors. AUTO21 is supported by the Government of Canada through a Networks of Centres of Excellence program. Its administrative centre is hosted by the University of Windsor.
www.auto21.ca
