Nrc bioproducts program

This page was last edited on 9 August , at Search taxa. Browse taxa. Online sources. National strategy for marine biotechnology There is no specific marine biotechnology strategy.

Other centres include: Bedford Institute of Oceanography, which carries out work on ecosystems and ocean behaviour to assist fisheries, aquaculture and ocean resource development [9].

Infrastructures These include: ArcticNet, a network of centres of excellence working on the impacts of climate change and modernisation in the Arctic North of Canada, including ecosystems, Inuit adaptation and industrial development [15]. All rights reserved. Introduction our previous efforts, and was mainly undertaken for improving the separating performance of the PDMS membrane for better process As an important intermediate for rubber synthesis, 2,3- efficiency.

For removing relatively larger organic species e. Recovery of 2,3-butanediol poses many chal- alcohols , zeolites with larger molecular sized pores are needed.

Therefore no single separating pro- 0. We recently proposed filled in PDMS membrane, could considerably improve the recov- an integrated process for dealing with this challenging separation ery of ethanol from the fermentation broth based on hydrophobic [3]. In this approach, 2,3-butanediol would first be recovered from interactions [12]. It is thus expected that the ZSM-5 zeolite filled the fermentation broth using 1-butanol as the extracting solvent.

The The focus of the present work is to evaluate the effects of ZSM- membrane showed preferential permeation for both water and 5 zeolite loading on membrane permeation and separation. The 1-butanol. The product 2,3-butanediol was finally enriched as a tradeoff between permeability and selectivity of the filled PDMS retentate in the feed stream.

The feasibility of this process had been membranes with various ZSM-5 loadings was investigated, and an demonstrated by a batch operation, where 2,3-butanediol with optimal ZSM-5 loading in the membrane was obtained.

Based on purity up to This work is a continuation of the available permeability data, a continuous operation was simu- lated, in which 2,3-butanediol was enriched from 5.

Shao, A. Pure water The pre-purified helium Pre-dried ZSM-5 powder was added to the prepared 10 wt. Results and discussion added varied from 20, 40, 80 to wt. A portion of 27 ml suspension was used for making each membrane coupon in a 3-dish The SEM images of cross-sections of three filled PDMS mem- 85 mm in diameter Teflon plate.

After pentane evaporation, the branes with different ZSM-5 loadings 20, 40, and 80 wt. It can be seen that with sonication treatment a uni- to perform crosslinking for 12 h. Membrane thickness can also be estimated using the mean solvent pentane used for the membrane preparation. As a result, the highly discrimina- of the approaches. Scanning electron microscopy characterization of the the agglomerates.

On the other hand, it also had been noticed that membranes good dispersion of the particles in a membrane matrix does not necessarily guarantee that the surface flow can exercise its highly Prepared membrane samples were immersed in liquid nitro- selective performance.

The dispersed particles need meanwhile to gen for 30 s, and cut with scissors into strips. Fortunately, Fig. Evaluation of the membrane performance by the surrounding PDMS phase, and it appears that the zeolite has a good interface compatibility with the hydrophobic PDMS material. During the pervaporation operation the down- changing loading of the filler in the membrane matrix as long as a stream pressure of the membrane was maintained at 2 mmHg good inter-phase compatibility can be ensured.

Hydrophobic nature of the ZSM-5 zeolite and transport ation reached a steady state. The small quantity of water can serve as a probe The ratio of permeabilities is equivalent to the ratio of transport molecule for testing the hydrophobicity of the ZSM-5 filled in the resistances of the membranes with and without filler. Theoret- PDMS membrane.

This char- approach unity, and this trend is shown in Fig. For the ZSM-5 filled PDMS membrane, this permeation order to the presence of the filler in the membrane, suggesting that the was changed as shown in Fig. The highest permeability of presence of ZSM-5 zeolite filler relatively improved the permeation the filled membranes 20, 40, and 80 wt. The hydrophobic nature of the filled ZSM-5 explains this less permeation resistance for the transport of both species, and change quite well.

In order to clearly demonstrate the effect of this probably result from the higher degree of membrane swelling fillers on the permeability of the three species, the permeability due to the outstanding capability of 1-butanol in plasticizing PDMS data corresponding to 43 wt.

And in this situation, both the permeating species plotted against the mass percentage of ZSM-5 in Fig. It can be seen that due to the hydrophobicity of structure when diffusing through the mixed matrix membrane.

ZSM-5, the filled membranes showed decreased permeabilities for Therefore, the membrane swelling should be minimized so that all the three species, including the relatively hydrophobic species, the filler particles can have better chance to influence the overall 1-butanol.

The ratio of permeabilities of the un-filled to a filled PDMS mem- brane is plotted against the mass percentage of ZSM-5 in the mixed 3. The effects of ZSM-5 loading on the membrane performance matrix membrane as shown in Fig.

According to Eq. This observation suggests that swelling occurred in the ZSM-5 loading in the PDMS membrane increases, implying that continuous phase PDMS of the filled membrane though it was the membrane swelling was suppressed with more filler incor- effectively lowered by the presence of filler, which as discussed porated into the PDMS matrix.

Firstly, the well-defined zeolite It is difficult to evaluate this part of contribution since the selec- structure is usually not susceptible to the presence of interacting tive surface flow through the zeolite pores [22—24] also played a molecules therefore essentially no swelling occurs to the zeolite part in enhanced membrane selectivity.

New trade agreements, rapidly advancing technologies and the emergence of developing countries are all contributing to today's business environment. Canada needs to keep pace. Part of my mandate is to help make Canadians more productive and competitive. We want our industries to continue to thrive and all Canadians to continue to enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world.

For this to happen, the government is committed to maintaining a fair, efficient and competitive marketplace — one that encourages investment, sets the stage for greater productivity, and facilitates innovation. We are relying on market forces to a greater extent, regulating only when it is absolutely necessary.

Our policies have helped turn research into new products and business processes. In addition, we are making efforts to increase awareness of sustainability practices among Canadian industry, emphasizing the social, environmental and economic benefits they bring. The Department and the Industry Portfolio have made progress on a wide range of issues this past year, most notably in the areas of telecommunications, science and practical research, manufacturing, small business, consumer protection, patents and copyrights, tourism and economic development.

The Industry Portfolio is composed of Industry Canada and 10 other agencies, Crown corporations and quasi-judicial bodies. These organizations collectively advance Canada's industrial, scientific and economic development, and help ensure that we remain competitive in the global marketplace.

We have accomplished much this year. Using Advantage Canada — the government's long-term economic plan — as our roadmap, we have made great strides toward many of our most important goals.

We will continue to focus on these goals to support the conditions for a strong economy — an environment that Canadians expect and deserve. NRC's primary business is:. NRC delivers on its strategic outcome by creating wealth, knowledge and social capital for Canadians. NRC's Strategic Outcome: An innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through research and development, technology commercialization and industry support.

Priority no. The social well-being of Canadians was also enhanced through NRC 's support of its clients' products, many of which fell within the federal government's key strategic areas of health, environment, energy and ICT.

NRC enhanced services in such areas as: facilitating multi-stakeholder collaborations; forging stronger links for technology based SME s to access publicly-funded research and sources of technology; and, supporting SME efforts to access foreign technology and form international alliances. For example, one project supported Tool-Tec Welding in developing an automated robotic multilayer Tungsten Inert Gas welding system.

This includes an information intelligence service that offers information synthesis, analysis and competitive technical services to institutes, clusters and NRC industrial technology advisors across Canada. The result was improved decision-making and outcomes in the areas of research focus and commercialization of that research more information.

NRC improved access to the results of Canadian federal government funded research by the Canadian innovation community and the public. NRC Research Press continued to innovate, implementing two new journal features: open access enablers such as author pay and delayed access; and article aggregations for specific NRC strategic research initiatives.

A client-journal web-based platform that provides enhanced e-publishing services was completed. The Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology and The Canadian Entomologist became the first two client journals to be published using this platform.

Commercialization Support, Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Management — NRC provided SME clients with customized value-added advice, information, referrals and financial assistance in approximately communities across the country. NRC 's Industry Technology Advisors ITA s worked with clients at all stages of the innovation-commercialization continuum, including: project development; access to technical assistance, financial, business, marketing or management advice; access to competitive technical information; patent searches; and access to local, regional, national or international linkages.

The ITA s also provided technical and business support, mentoring and referrals to government Institutes and industry programs and initiatives. This included working with clients and other organizations to facilitate the implementation of multi-sector, multi-partner initiatives that were relevant to SME s regionally and nationally.

A Central Business Support group was established to facilitate the flow of high-value technology from NRC while providing business-focused support to NRC executives, Institutes and programs. It championed the needs of industry and other clients to develop cohesive, consistent, business-friendly guidelines. It helped NRC manage its IP assets more strategically while facilitating horizontal business activities. The pilot was tested by NRC Aerospace together with three other key sectors.

Processes were put in place for identifying and managing key Aerospace accounts including the management of client feedback. The pilot was successful and work commenced to implement the system across NRC. The project focused on shortening the time to negotiate and approve NRC 's larger business agreements.

It featured a fast-track for processing the most urgent cases. This helped forge stronger links between corporate players in the contract approval process while improving service delivery. Feedback was positive. NRC learned that client satisfaction surveys are an important method of determining the effectiveness of service delivery models as well as the relevance of the content.

NRC has therefore begun to regularly schedule detailed client surveys, to formally keep abreast of feedback and ensure that client needs are met. The efficient functioning of the NRC governance structure ensures that NRC has, at all times, the tools necessary to make the best possible management decisions to pursue its value proposition: "To provide integrated science and technology solutions in areas of critical importance to Canada".

NRC completed plans for implementing the NRC Strategy that reflects changing internal and external factors, as well as the ongoing decisions and priorities of the federal government. These initiatives are focused on addressing the needs of key industrial sectors of the Canadian economy and enduring issues facing the nation including health and wellness, sustainable energy and the environment.

Integrated Solution to Planning, Risk and Performance Management — NRC implemented an integrated approach to planning, risk management and performance management that supports decision-making and enables strategy execution.

An integrated project team comprised of members from finance, human resources, information systems and corporate services accomplished the following:.

The new processes, performance measures and associated targets allow NRC to assess strategy implementation progress. Plans were made to further develop and refine the Business Intelligence information system and to train users across NRC in The results of this Audit Survey guided planning for the next year.

NRC began to integrate succession planning and management in the business planning process and to improve education efforts with Human Resources Professionals, senior managers and planners. For example, NRC collaborated with another government agency in the development of a Management program and it prepared to offer the training during using both e-learning and in-class training.

NRC conducted an extensive review of its recruitment programs, policies and practices by consulting with NRC management teams at all levels, human resources professionals and new hires. Communications — Through the development of NRC 's three-year communications outlook, it was determined that NRC required a more robust and strategic communications capability.

As such, the Communications and Corporate Relations Branch was created in A six-month communications transition plan that sets priorities for the Branch during the integration was developed and launched. These priorities included: stakeholder relations; rejuvenating NRC 's communications function; supporting and developing partnerships; implementing an NRC marketing strategy; supporting key NRC initiatives; and, making use of leading-edge communications approaches and technologies.

While some projects addressed urgent backlog maintenance and infrastructure renewal, several achieved energy reductions through electrical, mechanical, automation and building envelope replacement. The capital investment strategy was aligned with NRC 's priorities and, in order of importance, with health and safety, security, environment, energy efficiency and infrastructure renewal, respectively.

The Communications and Corporate Relations Branch was created as NRC realized that a strong, central communications capacity was needed if the organization was to be successful in taking a more concerted, strategic approach to communicating with its stakeholder communities. Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat www. Skip to content Skip to institutional links.

Contact Us. Archived Content Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. An innovative, knowledge based economy for Canada through research and development, technology commercialization and industry support. This is also the site of NRC 's public-private Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Gateway in Vancouver — a technology demonstration and exhibit centre showcasing Canada's fuel cell and hydrogen industry.

NRC collaborated with Canadian electric and hybrid vehicle developers and battery manufacturers on improving the energy density and safety of the lithium ion batteries needed to make these vehicles commercially successful.

This strengthens Canada's green auto sector and has led to increased Canadian employment in this field more information. Old ice is more hazardous than new ice and is responsible for an average of about 9 serious vessel collisions a year, with significant risk to life, great environmental risk and very high salvage and repair costs. NRC played a significant role leading to clean, low-energy enzymatic processes for hemp processing Naturally Advanced Technologies and pulp bleaching Iogen , which both had significant positive environmental and economic impact for Canada more information.

NRC worked with Alethia Biotherapeutics in Montreal to commercialize antibodies exhibiting promise for diagnosing and treating breast, ovarian and possibly other cancers. The company received CE mark of approval for its new interventional systems and began European marketing of new products for advanced neurovascular and cardiovascular interventions.

NRC developed a solubilisation technology together with Zymes to produce health beverages and foods. Currently, the company is using this technology to incorporate beneficial lipids into granola bars to be manufactured in Montreal. Zymes is also using the technology for "green" industrial chemistry applications. This year, NRC won an award for technology transfer from the Federal Partners in Technology Transfer for the transfer of its Factor technology to Nstein Technologies, a Canadian firm that provides digital solutions to the publishing industry.

Factor is text-mining software developed at NRC that leverages Nstein's text analytics technology for content management, business intelligence and enterprise search solutions.