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U of C fuel cells researcher Viola Birss, the Network’s co-scientific director. / Photo: Ken BendiktsenThe University of Calgary is the hub of a new national research network focused on advancing ‘made-in-Canada’ solid oxide fuel cells for use in power generation.
Scientists, industry representatives, government officials and guests will gather at the U of C today to launch the federally supported NSERC Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Canada (SOFCC) Strategic Research Network.
“The collaboration of over 60 Network university researchers with scientists in government and industry will greatly accelerate the commercialization of solid oxide fuel cell technology and ensure Canada’s leadership in the development of this highly efficient and clean technology,” says U of C fuel cells researcher Viola Birss, the Network’s co-scientific director.
“The Network also provides outstanding student training opportunities in areas related to clean energy, fuel chemistry, catalysis, and material science,” Birss says.
The NSERC SOFCC Network includes 21 research groups from universities and government, partnered with Canadian industries.
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is contributing $5 million over five years to the NSERC SOFCC Network. The funding is part of a total $35 million over five years that NSERC announced in March for seven strategic research networks.
“NSERC’s Strategic Networks are increasing research capacity in areas where Canada already has an international reputation for excellence,” says NSERC President Suzanne Fortier. “NSERC is pleased to support them as they apply the strength of our academic research to the task of building long-term prosperity and innovation for our country.”
The Network brings together fuel cell researchers from the Universities of Calgary, Alberta, Toronto, Waterloo, Sherbrooke, Queen’s University, McMaster University, the Alberta Research Council and the National Research Council.
“The University of Calgary is committed to innovation and to finding solutions society’s biggest energy and environmental challenges,” says U of C President Harvey Weingarten. “Providing the hub for this national network continues our long-standing and demonstrated excellence in multidisciplinary research, education and collaboration.”
University Technologies International (UTI), the technology transfer, commercialization and incubation centre for the University of Calgary, has been selected as the organization to support the commercialization activities on behalf of the Network.
For more information about the NSERC SOFCC Network, visit www.sofccanada.com.
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
A fuel cell is an energy-convertor technology that produces electricity directly from the electrochemical oxidation of fuel, without burning the fuel. A solid oxide fuel cell is so named because of the solid ceramic material at the centre of the device.
The NSERC SOFCC Network is developing advanced solid oxide fuel cells that would be highly efficient, operate cleanly on existing hydrocarbon fuels (natural gas, propane and diesel) and emerging fuels (such as biofuels)), and help Canada reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
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September 15, 2009