ARC in the News
With more than 600 staff working on an estimated 50 projects in 10 domain areas of study at any given time, there is never a lack of news within ARC facility locations. Check out the some of the recent stories and features listed below or check our News and Announcements section for more great updates.
Albertan technology puts straw waste residue to constructive use in China
A recent story about home-grown building material was featured as a "hidden gem" on Alberta Primetime on Access TV. Technology developed at the Alberta Research Council transforms a known agricultural waste product into part of the solution for problems such as sustainable resource management. Oriented Split Straw Board (OSSB) is a wood based product that is a substitute for plywood. Straw is produced on an annual basis so is more readily available and more readily available in many regions of the world where there is no wood supply. The technology has grown so much that it has developed beyond the borders of Canada. The first OSSB manufacturing plant has been built in China because that is where the great need is for building materials of all types. Albertans helping people halfway around the world with technology developed here.
Go to Alberta Primetime website to view the story
International group recognizes Alberta project that recovers coalbed methane, stores carbon dioxide
An Alberta project that uses carbon dioxide (CO2) to enhance coalbed methane extraction received an international award from the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF) October 13 in London, England.
The Alberta Enhanced Coalbed Methane Recovery Project, led by the Alberta Research Council, was completed in 2008. The project involved injecting CO2 into deep, unmineable coal beds, displacing the underground methane with CO2. The process reduces greenhouse gas emissions while also enabling greater recovery of coalbed methane.
Alberta Energy Minister Knight accepted the award on behalf of the Alberta Research Council at the awards event, which also recognized three other projects. The awards were part of a three-day conference hosted by the CSLF.
“This award recognizes that the Alberta Research Council is a global leader when it comes to contributing real solutions to address climate change,” said Knight. “Alberta is letting the world know that we’re committed to greener and responsible approaches to energy production.”
Greening up gas tanks and bank accounts
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - It is going to be easier for motorists to put green in their fuel tanks and farmers to put green in their bank accounts thanks to a project involving the Alberta Research Council.
ARC is part of a research group working to effectively grow canola to produce better quality biodiesel. Ottawa has just pledged one million dollars to the network, which is searching to identify the perfect biodiesel feedstock, a goal that will also help boost the Canadian economy and help farmers increase their production of sought-after Canadian canola. +read more
ARC's technology leaders honoured with awards
From polymers to sensors to oriented split straw board, top leaders and researchers in a variety of technology sectors at the Alberta Research Council have been awarded for their outstanding performance.
The Alberta Research Council 2009 Corporate Awards honoured 29 of its top achievers, selected from amongst 600 staff members at five ARC locations across Alberta.
The Deputy Minister of Alberta Advanced Education and Technology and ARC Board Chair, Annette Trimbee, and the ARC President & CEO, John McDougall, presented the recipients with their awards during a special gala September 15 at the Playbook Lounge, Northlands Spectrum Racetrack in Edmonton. +read more
Dr. Axel Meisen honoured for lifetime achievement
Dr. Axel Meisen, ARC's chair of foresight, has been awarded Canada's highest honour of merit for lifetime achievement. On July 1st, Dr. Meisen was one of 75 Canadians named by the Governor General to the Order of Canada.
Dr. Meisen was recognized for his work in the field of education, specifically ‘for his important contributions to the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador through his leadership of the Memorial University of Newfoundland.' Dr. Meisen served as president of Memorial University from September 1999 until December 2007, during which time Memorial saw a significant increase in enrolment coupled with unprecedented funding and enhanced research. He started with the Alberta Research Council in January 2008 in the newly-created position of chair of foresight. +read more
Getting Value From Every Fibre-Making the Most of Alberta's Lignocellulose Resource
The Alberta Research Council (ARC) collaborated with FPInnovations to prepare The Alberta Fibre Road Map, which is a comprehensive view of how Alberta can effectively manage use of its abundant fibre resources.
The Alberta Fibre Roadmap report presents a strong vision for the province's future bioeconomy - a future where 30 per cent of our energy supply could come from renewable agricultural and forestry resources.
The study helps to address one of the provincial government's key priorities - building a stronger Alberta- by identifying ways to diversify our economy, respond to competitive pressures in our renewable resource sectors, and add value to our renewable resources within our borders.
Quest PharmaTech and Alberta Research Council form strategic alliance to develop alternate method to manufacture raw material for SonoLight Technology based products
EDMONTON, ALBERTA - Quest PharmaTech Inc. ("Quest" or the "Company") announces that the Company has signed an agreement with the Alberta Research Council ("ARC") to develop fermentation based technology to manufacture Hypocrellin B, one of the essential ingredients for SonoLight Technology based products including SL017 and SL052. Currently, the Company is procuring Hypocrellin B from mushroom that grows on bamboo trees in China. While, the Company does not anticipate any concern in producing enough materials from natural sources to commercialize its products, Quest would like to control the manufacturing and scale up process as well as reduce the cost of the raw material.
Read Quest PharmaTech's news release
CSGA recognizes ARC for native seed commitment
The Alberta Branch of the Canadian Seed Growers' Association (CSGA) is pleased to recognize ARC's Environmental Technologies' native plant program for reaching 15 years of pedigreed seed production. The Association formally acknowledge all award recipients at its 78th Annual Meeting in Edmonton on January 22-24, 2007.
Visit the national CSGA website
Alberta Research Council participates in EQuilibrium project
Communication Need:
The Alberta Research Council is being named as a key stakeholder in Edmonton's contribution to CMHC's Equilibrium project.
Background:
The goal of CMHC's EQuilibrium initiative is to demonstrate a new approach to housing in Canada. It will support the building of sustainable, healthy houses that are also affordable and energy- and resource-efficient. CMHC invited teams across the country to submit proposals, and 12 have been selected for the final phase, which is to actually build their net zero housing design.
Edmonton's project is being coordinated by a team called the Riverdale Net Zero Energy Project. They aim to prove it is possible to build houses that foster a high quality of life while reducing environmental impact. They will be building a duplex in downtown Edmonton that will produce as much energy as it consumes through a combination of use of rigorous energy conservation, energy efficiency measures and the use of renewable energy sources. The materials used to build the home will include regionally-produced lumber and recycled newspaper.
Alberta Research Council will be providing modeling and simulation support to analyze the different design alternatives for the Riverdale project.