|
TRLabs, a research company that started out as an Alberta
Government initiative, has grown to see partnerships internationally
and interprovincially. Two recent announcements underline
that commitment.
Alberta Innovation and Science Minister Victor Doerksen has
announced a research and development partnership between Mobile
Forum in Finland and TRLabs. Mobile Forum includes wireless
heavyweight Nokia.
"The network of the future will move with strength into
the wireless frontier, and our research and development program
is expanding to capitalize on this increasingly strategic
economic sector," says Roger Pederson, P.Eng., TRLabs
president and CEO. "With this new partnership we are
generating an infusion of new perspectives that will accelerate
our research program and create enhanced economic development
benefits for western Canada in the form of new technologies,
employment and skills training."
In addition to the Mobile Forum partnership, a new five-year
arrangement between Manitoba Hydro and TRLabs has been announced.
"Manitoba Hydro has a significant investment in its fibre
optic network, and substantial expertise in network operations
and availability that can contribute to our innovation capability,"
says Mr. Pederson.
TRLabs has moved its Winnipeg facility into a new 6,000-sq.-ft.
home, the first building to be constructed in Smartpark. Smartpark
is a 100-acre technology park designed to cultivate research
and development through successful university and industry
interaction.
The address of the new TRLabs building is Innovation Drive
and Research Road. "Where research meets innovation,"
Mr. Pederson says. "Now that's the spirit."
TRLabs wants to attract major industry partners, and the recent
Edmonton appointment of Dave Morley, P.Eng., as business development
director is designed to do just that. A former research engineer
at TRLabs, Mr. Morley is renowned for his technological innovation
work, which has led to several commercial licenses and patent
filings. He also has progressive knowledge in the ICT sector.
Mr. Morley has a master's degree in engineering and an MBA
from the University of Alberta.
Engineer Heads Waste Centre Implementation
Dr. Jerry Leonard, P.Eng., professor of bioresource engineering
at the University of Alberta, has been appointed implementation
manager for the Edmonton Waste Management Centre of Excellence.
Over the next three years Dr. Leonard will develop the centre's
research capability and profile.
"I can envision this centre as a hive of activity, with
graduate students and researchers from around the world working
on exciting waste management projects," he says. Incorporating
the centre as a non-profit organization is first on Dr. Leonard's
list. Then with researchers he will pursue funding opportunities
for in-kind support from private companies, governments and
agencies.
ATCO Wins Egypt Contract
Hitachi Ltd. has awarded ATCO Noise Management the contract
to design and supply silenced turbine combustion air systems
for use at Egypt's first liquefied natural gas terminal. The
turbines will supply electricity to the Damietta LNG complex
at the mouth of the Nile. "Our quality of work on Hitachi's
Queen Elizabeth Power Station project in Saskatoon convinced
the company that we can deliver timely and guaranteed results,
not just to North America, but worldwide," says Boris
Rassin, ATCO Noise Management president.
|
