Canada Foundation for Innovation funds research in hydrogen production, carbon capture technology, and disease control

News Release Release Date: September 1, 2011 12:00 p.m.

University of Regina research into hydrogen production, carbon capture, and disease control has received more than $196,000 in funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

"CFI was established to provide state-of-the-art infrastructure to enable researchers to tackle important research questions. University of Regina researchers and their students will use the new equipment to develop novel technologies and strategies in the areas of sustainable development and human development," said Dr. Dennis Fitzpatrick, vice-president of research, University of Regina. "This exciting and important research will contribute to our economic and physical well-being."

Converting waste into valuable energy: Dr. Hussameldin Ibrahim, assistant professor of process systems engineering, received more than $40,000 for his work converting glycerol from a low value by-product of bio-diesel production to hydrogen, a valuable energy product. The rapid growth of bio-diesel production in Canada has caused an increase in the amount of glycerol, creating a costly waste disposal problem. Ibrahim's research aims to develop a solution for converting the waste glycerol into valuable hydrogen and improve the economics of bio-diesel production, while helping Canada reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Optimizing carbon capture technology: Dr. Raphael Idem, associate dean of the Faculty of Research and Graduate Studies and professor of engineering, received $60,000 for his research on carbon capture. Through this funding, Idem's research will help to advance carbon capture technology in order to ensure stable carbon capture operations and optimize and deploy newly developed and highly efficient carbon capture technology. The research outcomes will provide new carbon capture technology and operating techniques that will ensure optimal operation during greenhouse gas emissions mitigation.

Preventing infectious disease: Dr. John Stavrinides, assistant professor in the Department of Biology, received $96,074 for research he is conducting into disease control. Understanding the strategies pathogens use to infect their hosts, and identifying the specific genes involved in disease is essential for predicting, controlling, and even preventing emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. The results of this research will help to develop better management strategies for addressing emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

The funding for these projects falls under the Leaders Opportunity Fund of CFI.

"CFI investments provide vital infrastructure in communities across the country and create opportunities for leveraging the work being undertaken by our enterprising researchers," said Dr. Gilles G. Patry, CFI president and CEO. "Cutting-edge research facilities are magnets that attract the best talent from around the world, allowing them to work with business and train a new generation of Canadian researchers and innovators."

Created by the Government of Canada in 1997, the Canada Foundation for Innovation strives to build our nation's capacity to undertake world-class research and technology development to benefit Canadians through investments in state-of-the-art facilities and equipment in universities, colleges, research hospitals and non-profit research institutions.