Media Releases

(Halifax, NS) – Dalhousie University was pleased to welcome The Honourable Labi Kousoulis, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education, to campus today to announce a $1.9 million investment in two clean technology projects that involve world-class researchers from Dalhousie University.

The funding, which is part of the Research Nova Scotia Trust, will support innovative research happening at Dalhousie that ranges from additive manufacturing to carbon nanotubes that will be used in infrared sensitive energy converters and power textiles.

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.

Highlights of successfully funded projects:

Canadian Additive Manufacturing Network (Can-AMN): A Network for Holistic Innovation in Additive Manufacturing
Dr. Paul Bishop, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering

The focal point of Dr. Bishop’s research programme is the execution of world-class research into 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.

Solution Sorted Carbon Nanotubes for Energy Conversion
Dr.Ghada Koleilat, Assistant Professor, Department of Process Engineering and Applied Science

Dr. Koleilat and her team will be developing new and innovative techniques for the fabrication of purely semi conductive carbon nanotubes. These nanotubes will be used in infrared sensitive energy converters and wearable technologies. This will be the first time that semiconductor carbon nanotubes will be the primary unit responsible for energy absorption and conversion.

Quotes:

“Nova Scotia is continuing to invest in world-class research happening right here in our province. 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.”
‒ The Honourable Labi Kousoulis, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education

“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. 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”
‒ Dr. Joshua Leon, Dean, Dalhousie University Faculty of Engineering

“We are immensely grateful for Research Nova Scotia Trust's support aimed at building a new experimental laboratory on the sexton campus of Dalhousie University. These funds will help us establish ourselves, Dalhousie University and Nova Scotia as leaders in the field of nanomaterials for energy applications."
‒ Dr. Ghada Koleilat, Assistant Professor, Dalhousie University Faculty of Engineering


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Media Contact:

Michele Charlton
Communications Advisor, Research
Dalhousie University
Tel: (902) 494-4148
Cell: (902) 222-2817
Email: michele.charlton@dal.ca