Volume 2, Issue 1, 1996/1997
Table of Contents

Special News Feature

Just in Time!
Applied Research and Development
in Canada's Colleges and Technical Institutes

Thirty years after the founding of the college/technical institute system, the governments which created us have run out of money and our institutions find themselves searching for ways to increase revenue. In College Canada, we've been exploring the new ways in which our institutions have been operating ­ as market-driven institutions. Many colleges and institutes have adapted to the changing reality almost as quickly as the world they serve has changed. Driven by their mandate to serve the learning needs of the communities in which they are located, it was inevitable that they would move closer and closer not only to serving the private sector but to behaving like private sector businesses.

What could be more natural than this? With an aggregate of over 25,000 full-time and 150,000 part-time employees, and a capital equipment inventory in excess of $20 billion, the assets of the college sector represent the largest concentration of equipment and relevant expertise available to support the application of technology and product development in Canada.

But another major shift is equally profound. Today, the involvement of our institutions in applied "product related" research is such that, at least in some fields, the overlap between the colleges and the industry for which they are preparing students is almost complete. Take, for example, the non-traditional setup being negotiated between St. Clair College, the University of Windsor and Chrysler of Canada Ltd. Students in St. Clair's Mechanical Engineering Technology program study for three years at the College to obtain their diploma and then transfer to the University where they study for only two years to obtain their degree. Not only do the students come away with both a diploma and degree, but they have generally been groomed to be employed by the automotive manufacturer.

The clear leaders in applied research are Quebec's cegeps. Almost unknown in much of Canada are their College Centres for Technology Transfer, an integral part of 11 cégeps answering not only the new product development needs of the sectors they serve but also the unique training needs that emerge from the new technologies. Since 1978, these centres have quietly grown and today they are a model for the rest of Canada to look at. Each centre is different with specialties such as food technology (Saint-Hyacinthe), metallurgy (Trois-Rivières), microtechnology (Sherbrooke), composite materials (Saint-Jérôme) and automation (Jonquière). Other centres exist in design, fisheries and computer assisted design/manufacturing.

Of course, the rest of Canada has not been asleep. As colleges are responding increasingly to the demands of the marketplace, the income associated with applied research is drawing them inexorably into the marketplace. Industry after industry is forming alliances with colleges and technical institutes which range from assistance in product development to software design in multimedia, to national and international staff training.

It can, however, be difficult for outsiders to get the real story. Unlike most of our other "public" activities, product development often means our institutions are working on projects which are top secret. However, in institution after institution, it is clear that applied research, especially at the product development stage and in the application of new technologies in the workplace, is changing the roles of colleges and technical institutes in the communities they serve.

Imagine the excitement that applied research generates for both students and faculty. Learning is not an abstraction but is as "real time" as the world the graduate will be working in the future.

"Just in time" has become an integral part of the philosophy of modern manufacturing and as the need for product change accelerates, "just in time" application of research into products and processes is becoming a part of every industry's survival package. As our colleges and institutes react to funding reductions from government and the need to contribute to community economic success, applying research in new product design and new processes has become part of the new institutional mandate.

BCIT's Technology Centre

Since its inception in 1989, BCIT's Technology Centre has focused on supporting economic development in British Columbia through applied research, technology transfer, and enterprise development. Its mission is to link B.C.'s industry with the people and ideas at the Institute, along with the vast range of facilities and equipment from its approximately 200 technical programs. The expertise of the Technology Centre has been developed in three areas:

Ginseng Packing Project: Chai-Na-Ta Corporation

Ginseng has become an important agricultural commodity in British Columbia. It is estimated that the 1998 ginseng crop will be worth more than $60 million, placing it at the same economic level as the B.C. tree fruit industry.

Ginseng is well known for its medicinal qualities and ability to act as a restorative agent. Research has proven that ginseng stimulates both physical and mental activity and can counteract the effects of severe or prolonged stress. As a result, demand for the product has increased dramatically.

Owing to the short shelf life of fresh ginseng, the product has traditionally been dried. However, fresh ginseng is known to be higher in nutrients and flavor. Recognizing an opportunity, Chai-Na-Ta Corporation, a B.C.-based company and world leader in the cultivation of ginseng root, began investigating the shelf life of ginseng in 1994 with the help of BCIT's Technology Centre.The study has focused on developing various types of packaging material and packaging gases, in search of the best method of preserving fresh ginseng. The most recent studies are investigating the control of microorganisms to ensure product safety.

Computer Training Simulator: BC Hydro

BC Hydro trains linemen and electricians on the necessary theory and practice of transmission line maintenance. Until 1994, instructors used a large physical model to demonstrate problem scenarios to trainees. Due to the size and cost of physically maintaining the model, there is only one site and its use is limited to one group of trainees at a time.

Powertech Labs, a subsidiary of BC Hydro, approached the ARCS Lab in 1994 with the idea of developing a computer training simulator to replace the physical model. The ARCS Lab developed simulation software and multimedia animation to demonstrate various scenarios in residential transmission line maintenance and the initial prototype became one of four components of a much broader system. This year, the project became a joint effort between ARCS Lab and Media Studio to facilitate the development of animated simulations for commercial, industrial and lighting scenarios.

The project team is using "C" software for the calculation engine which drives the simulation, and Macromedia Director as the authoring tool for the multimedia animation.

The benefits to such a system include use of the demonstration software by unlimited groups at one time. Much easier and cheaper to maintain, the system has the ability to simulate a vast range of scenarios from all areas of transmission line maintenance.

ARCS Lab and Media Studio have almost completed the second component of the system and have begun work on the third. The fourth and final component is expected to be fully developed by the end of 1996.

Cégep de Trois-Rivières and the pulp and paper industry

The "Centre spécialisé en pâtes et papiers" at Cégep de Trois-Rivières contributes to the economic development of the pulp and paper industry through technology transfer and the training of human resources. The Centre pursues its mission by making available its skills and resources to the industry in four areas: applied research, training, technical assistance and diffusion of information.

One innovation recently developed at the Centre is Lamela pulp, a high-yield process which uses cornstalk and wheat straw as a substitute for wood in the pulping process. Developed and patented at the Centre, Lamela pulp is a high yield process which not only utilizes the simplicity of conventional pulping equipment but is also environmentally-friendly ­ it uses no sulfur or chlorine and produces no effluent, since its waste can be sold as a postassium and organic-rich fertilizer. In fact, Lamela pulp is considered a recycled fiber as its raw materials are actually farm refuse.

Lamela pulp is suitable for different end-applications (e.g. tissue and fine papers) when mixed in proportions to suit the end-product specifications. The quality of the pulp rivals that such as hardwood kraft or even deinked pulp. Its production costs are very competitive due to low energy requirements, the simplicity of the process and the relatively low investment costs.

Cégep de la Gaspésie et des îles and the fisheries industry

The "Centre spécialisé des pêches" (CSP) located at Cégep de la Gaspésie et des îles is responsible for fisheries training at the college and secondary level in Quebec. It is also an applied research and technology transfer centre for resource exploitation and for the processing and marketing of fish, aquaculture and environmental products.

In the product development area, the CSP has been involved in a variety of products, including a cod brandade (salt cod puree) developed in cooperation with local promoters Lelièvre, Lelièvre and Lemoignan. Hoping to diversify their existing market (salt and dried fish), the promoters invited the CSP to develop cod brandade from the scraps of salt cod left over after processing.

The product development process included preparing a variety of brandades, organizing a tasting session and identifying appropriate preservation and heat treatment methods. Team members also conducted chemical tests to assess the product's nutritional value, as well as bacteriological studies to determine shelf-life. After perfecting the product, the CSP designed a label and transferred pilot activities to the actual manufacturing plant where Lelièvre, Lelièvre and Lemoignan are undertaking small scale production of the cod brandade.

Composite materials expertise at Cégep de Saint-Jérôme

Cégep de Saint-Jérôme's "Centre des matériaux composites" strives to be Canada's foremost centre in the development of products, methods, technological transfer and specialized training related to composite materials. The Centre has, to date, been involved in more than 300 projects, including the restoration of the Henry F. Hall Building at Concordia University in Montreal.

Like thousands of highrise buildings built over the past 50 years, architects of the Henry F. Hall Building used precast concrete panels on the building's facade. With many of these panels now severely damaged and in need of urgent restoration, direct panel replacement proved to be too expensive, while the lower cost of cheaper rehabilitation meant poor durability and demanding maintenance.

These circumstances opened up new opportunities for technical innovation from the Centre. Its team retrofitted the building's 1,500 concrete panel window projections with lightweight fiberglass composite cladding. This type of restoration prevents and contains further concrete degradation while restoring the original architectural value of this building which is considered a significant example of 1950s architectural style.

Vanier innovates in the field of CAD/CAM

Vanier College's CAD/CAM Institute in Montreal helps businesses develop new production methods by designing tools for their specific needs, by disseminating information on the new technologies which are available and by transferring this knowledge to professionals.

The applied research section of the Institute works mainly with businesses in the building engineering, architecture and municipal engineering fields, such as the company Les appareils de jeu TECHNO Inc., a small business which builds modular play units for outdoor parks. For this client, the CAD/CAM Institute has designed a user-friendly software that will enable TECHNO professionals to design their new models in 3-D while generating a list of required materials, as well as virtual animation in 3-D.

This software enables TECHNO sales reps to present electronic 3-D mock-ups based on their clients' requirements at the very first meeting. In addition, it provides TECHNO with a significant competitive advantage by reducing design errors as well as the time elapsed between the date of a given order and the completion of the project.

The Northern Centre for Advance Technology Inc. at Cambrian College

NORCAT is a non-profit, non-share corporation dedicated to assisting companies and entrepreneurs in the mining and mineral sector and the Northern Ontario construction sector to compete in the global marketplace with high quality products, processes and specialized training programs.

NORCAT is presently involved in more than 20 prototypes and over a dozen specialized training programs, including some that are interactive CD-ROM productions. NORCAT and its partners are active in eight countries and expanding into many others.

The PROTOTYPE DEVELOPMENT CENTRE is dedicated to the application and transfer of new and developing research into industry with a special focus on mining, energy and forestry sectors. Its mandate is to assist industry in the development of new products.

NORCAT can provide various levels of expertise: from conceptual design through specification and fabrication to prototype testing and beta modifications.

NORCAT's COMPUTER AIDED TECHNOLOGY CENTRE was created to develop and implement new and emerging computer based manufacturing, engineering and design technologies. Through this Centre, clients can access expertise, hardware and software to assist them in the development of a product or service without the need for high, up-front capital or personnel costs.

The majority of the Centre's clients are small- to medium-sized companies that would not normally have the expertise or funding to support the purchase of hardware or software required to develop new techniques, applications or firmware products.

At the ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DIFFUSION CENTRE, NORCAT designs and delivers customized technical training packages to private industry. Courses and training packages are developed in close affiliation with the client to ensure that subject material is specific to the client's application and plant environment. It eliminates wasteful generic training and allows students to focus on actual case studies which may be encountered in the normal performance of their duties. NORCAT can assist a client with the design and development of an operational training lab to facilitate technican training on site.

The Composting Technology Centre at Olds College

As one of Canada's leading centres in the implementation of effective waste handling and management techniques, Olds College's Composting Technology Centre in Alberta is an educational, research and demonstration facility offering alternatives to restore and reclaim land used for agriculture, forestry or industrial projects.

The Centre's researchers, in collaboration with the Alberta Environmental Centre, have recently undertaken a project to evaluate the effectiveness of compost as a carrier for the biocontrol agent "Bacillus." According to Project Manager Tom Clark, "Tests are being done to determine whether compost colonized with a special biocontrol agent during the curing phase will aid disease suppressive properties that control specific disease in canola. If the use of compost for disease control is successful, this will provide an added benefit to this superlative organic waste product."

There are many benefits to organic waste management. Compost, for example, is a unique organic additive capable of strengthening the soil to promote healthier plant growth. Since the waste stream in Alberta is comprised of over 70 per cent organic materials, composting as an alternative to landfills is an effective alternative to traditional waste handling practices.

The Composting Technology Centre is also collaborating with Chevron Canada Resources on a joint research project regarding the reclamation of remediated soils from flare pits. The Chevron project will attempt to design an amendment type and application rate of compost necessary to rejuvenate contaminated gas and oilfield stockpile soils around flare pits.

According to Tom Clark, the Centre and Chevron will "try to devise a system that produces soils capable of sustaining a similar abundance of vegetation as off-lease site subsoils. Seed germination and seedling development testing will also be completed based on specific control parameters and amendment specifications determined by Chevron Canada Resources."

Remediation is required where economic production has been carried out in a non-sustainable manner and is prevalent in industries such as forestry, mining, and oil and gas. Part of the mission of the Centre is to work with these sectors to determine how the use of compost can best be applied to each application.

Conestoga faculty develop prize-winning computer courseware

Private School allows teachers to create and distribute their own machine-intelligent computer courseware. Employing page templates which let the teacher-developer concentrate on the content, rather than the layout and user-navigation elements, the program is relatively user-friendly. The package can be used on any computer equipped with Windows.

The Nelsons are optimistic that Private School can reduce the time needed in producing computer-aided instruction (CAI) material for busy faculty members. While the current ratio of development time is about 200 hours for each hour of study time, the Nelsons believe that Private School will efficiently reduce that time to approximately that needed to prepare quality handout notes.

Teachers will also have the capacity to incorporate into their finished work text (complete with hypertext and keywords), clip art, scanned images, event video and sound clips from their own resource materials. Because of the template structure, no programming is involved. The teacher-developer can also create a test bank for the evaluation of students. As well, a program called "PS Author" automatically generates a table of contents, an index and a glossary.

Students using the software read the database with the PS Reader program, using a mouse to point and click. The student not only works with the material, the program also works with the student: as the student views the material, the program's built-in intelligence monitors the way the student learns best. It then offers study advice and adjusts the presentation of further material to match successful learning patterns.

Although Brad Nelson came up with the idea of educational software that "would get to know the student" about eight years ago, it wasn't until Nancy began her Master of Science in Teaching degree that they were able to research, develop and test the intelligence module of the prototype they had developed. It is that aspect of the package which really sets the program apart from other products.

Transformer research at SAIT helps both industry and the environment

High voltage transformers are one of the most expensive assets of a utility company. The electrical insulating oils used as a liquid dielectric in high voltage transformers constitute a valuable non-renewable resource which must be maintained at a high level of purity to effectively prevent failure of the expensive electrical equipment. Most insulating oils for high voltage transformers is produced from naphthenic (non-waxy) crude oils, much of which is imported from Venezuela.

Under the influence of electrical stress and contact with oxygen in the atmosphere, transformer insulating oils deteriorate. Instead of replacing this large volume of oil each time its dielectric properties deteriorate, it is possible to protect the oil against oxidation and to recycle and purify the oil so that it can continue to properly ensure the insulation of very high voltage transformers.

Over the past seven years, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) has been working in partnership with a small research and development company, INSOIL Canada Ltd., to develop and commercialize technologies which will not only accomplish this recycling but are also environmentally friendly.

Since both naturally occurring and synthetically produced absorbents used to regenerate insulating oils can be reactivated many times, this avoids the disposal of large quantities of contaminated absorbent. Disposal has become extremely costly since landfill options are almost impossible and incineration is dauntingly expensive. On reactivation of these absorbents, a small volume of by-product considered a toxic waste is produced ­ however, this by-product can be used as a feedstock for the chemical industry or as a supplementary fuel source.

On campus at SAIT, an industrial scale pilot project related to the nitrogen blanketing system applied to two 5MVA sister transformers is being tested. The nitrogen blanketing technology arrests the oxidation decay of the oil-paper insulation by preventing access of air to the gas space of the conservator. This procedure can extend the life expectancy of power transformers by as much as 50 percent and eliminate the use of anti-oxidant inhibitors. A small oil regeneration/reactivation prototype is also currently under construction on campus.

In addition to recycling deteriorated transformer oil and the nitrogen blanketing system, SAIT has been helping INSOIL with the development of a new testing procedure. This test simulates the in-situ transformer environment by subjecting the oil to high electrical stress. The products resulting from the ionization test allows for the determination of the "actual" stability of the insulating oil. It also allows for the quantitative monitoring of the purification process. This test method is currently being reviewed for adoption by the ASTM Committee on Electrical Insulating Oils, and will provide a means of warning of an impending transformer failure.

Another aspect of the environmentally friendly nature of these technologies is the improved safety of high voltage transformers through improved preventative maintenance. Major power outages can have a significant negative impact on our environment in many ways by causing uncontrolled releases into our ecosystem.

This technology development has been significantly supported by the National Research Council, the Canadian Electrical Association and several other volunteer groups.