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(Wolfville,
NS) - Acadia University today announced that six
early-stage commercialization projects will proceed under an
innovative partnership agreement recently signed with the Province
of Nova Scotia’s Office of Economic Development.
The Acadia University
Proof of Concept Fund is co-sponsored by Acadia through its NSERC
(Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada)
Intellectual Property Management grant and the Nova Scotia Office of
Economic Development. The Fund is designed to promote the
development of concept-level prototypes that may provide commercial
or socio-economic benefits to the province of Nova Scotia through
awards of up to $10,000 each. These six projects are part of a
program announced today by the Honourable Ernie Fage, Minister of
Economic Development.
The six Acadia
researchers who will receive a total of approximately $58,000 are:
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Paul Arnold
(Engineering) will examine recycling efficiency;
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Scott Follows
(Business) and Heather Stephens (Education) will look at developing
an innovative new educational product;
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Jonathon Fowles and
Gordon Sleivert (Kinesiology) will develop a device to enhance
athletic performance in certain sports;
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Danny Silver and André
Trudel (Computer Science) will look at intelligent software for
business applications;
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Conor Vibert
(Business), Dave Sheehan and Christian Taylor (Acadia Institute for
Teaching and Technology) will develop an educational product; and
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Peter Williams and
Mike Robertson (Physics) will examine the development of a device
for use in biology and physics labs.
The general project
descriptions arise from the commercially sensitive nature of the
work being performed.
“Acadia is pleased to have been part of the pilot project that has
led to a broader investment in research by the Province," said Dr.
Gail Dinter-Gottlieb, President and Vice-Chancellor of Acadia. “Our
researchers are excited about the new opportunities that will arise
from this funding and the additional interest that will be created
in research ventures with commercial potential.”
Applications for
funding were sought in the spring of 2005 from Acadia-based
researchers. Fourteen projects were assessed on a competitive basis,
with decisions for funding based on the commitment of the individual
researchers, potential for new partnerships and the commercial
potential of the idea. The six winning submissions expect to have
their work completed within one year.
Acadia University, in
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, has long been recognized as one of Canada’s
premier undergraduate institutions. With its nationally and
internationally recognized research initiatives, small class sizes
and technology-rich teaching and learning environment, Acadia offers
students an experience that includes academic achievement combined
with personal growth and development. For more information about
Acadia, visit our website at
www.acadiau.ca.
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