Quite a few universities have automotive analysis centres, similar to McMaster Automotive Research Centre (MARC), situated at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., and based in 2011 with federal funding.
Canadian universities, particularly their engineering colleges, are well-regarded globally, Kingston mentioned.
“That can be a reason to put activity in Canada.”
McMaster has obtained $50 million in public funding over the previous 10 to 12 years to arrange MARC, mentioned Saeid Habibi, professor of mechanical engineering on the college.
“You’re at the inception of a major change in industry,” he mentioned. “We’re moving toward electric vehicles; they’re going to happen. And if you don’t entrench the technology right now here in Canada, you’re not going to be able to copete” with different auto-producing jurisdictions.
Engineering professor Narayan Kar runs the Centre for Hybrid Automotive Research and Green Energy on the University of Windsor Campus. To obtain federal funding, he mentioned, tasks should embody an business associate. Kar counts Ford, elements maker Magna International, D&V Electronics and BorgWarner among the many lab’s long-standing stakeholders.
In 2021, for instance, Kar obtained a $1.8 million grant for a three-year mission to develop cheaper, extra highly effective and strong electrical motors and drive programs. The mission includes Magna and GaN Systems, an Ottawa semiconductor agency. Magna and the National Science Engineering Research Council (NSERC) contributed greater than $1 million in money, whereas the businesses made in-kind contributions value greater than $700,000.
“We produce knowledge, and we use that knowledge to help industry develop better products,” mentioned Kar.
Andréa Daigle, spokesperson for Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, mentioned Ottawa invested greater than $7.6 million between 2017 and 2022 in university-level EV analysis, together with for sensible chargers and grid communications.
“Canada’s science and research sectors are well-positioned to meet the demands of the 21st Century, especially in the electric vehicle industry, with a highly educated work force, world-class research institutions and abundant sources of clean energy,” Daigle mentioned.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
While primary analysis is completed at campus services, a lot work now focuses on creating and refining particular merchandise for business shoppers. Universities have needed to shift their method to analysis, mentioned Bill Van Heyst, dean of engineering on the University of Windsor.
“We tend to put things more in line of a business proposal now rather than ‘come do research, and we’ll solve the world’s problems.’ People don’t buy that anymore; they need to see a return on their investment.”
The identical goes for a governmental establishment. The National Research Council (NRC) does commissioned work for automakers and suppliers whereas additionally conducting primary analysis.
The latter consists of analyzing next-generation batteries — providing increased capability and solid-state design — that may not turn out to be business for a few years.
“These are the technologies of the future,” mentioned Asmae Mokrini, the NRC’s senior analysis officer for automotive and floor transportation.
Small- and midsize enterprises can faucet into product-development assist via the NRC’s Industrial Research Assistance Program.
RESEARCH FOR TOMORROW
Industry can also be in search of cleaner strategies of battery manufacturing and higher recycling strategies, mentioned Mokrini. They embody restoration of lithium, cobalt and manganese. Expected progress within the EV market will produce elevated volumes of spent batteries.
Industry members at a current convention on EV growth that Mokrini attended mentioned authorities should streamline allowing and approvals if Canada is to stay aggressive. It’s not a problem at NRC, she mentioned.
“For sure, it’s a large organization; and for sure, there are a lot of processes, but from the R&D processes,” it’s not as troublesome as it’s for producers in search of to arrange a plant.
— With information from Grace Macaluso of Automotive News Canada
Source: canada.autonews.com