$16.7M supports research projects in Nova Scotia

Halifax, NS – In Nova Scotia, a total of seven R&D projects, representing both private and public sector research, are receiving $16.7 million in funding from the federal government. The funding is part of a larger allotment of $61.1 million in funding for 29 projects across Atlantic Canada being announced by the Atlantic Innovation Fund.

The seven projects selected for AIF funding in Nova Scotia include:

Genome Atlantic (Halifax) Project: Developing Camelina as the next Canadian Oilseed Genome Atlantic, in collaboration with researchers and scientific leaders from Canada and around the world, will develop Camelina oilseed into a viable, cost-efficient, feed supplement for the aquaculture industry. The research also has the potential of providing a new source of Omega- 3s for the cosmetic and nutraceutical market, and a green fuel for jets and other engines. This project, with total estimated costs of $6.2 million, will receive approximately $2.8 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a four- year period.

Origin BioMed (Halifax) Project: The Development of Novel Treatments for Neuropathic Pain With this project, Origin BioMed will develop new treatments for neuropathic pain caused by such conditions as diabetes, shingles, chemotherapy treatments, and HIV infection. The project’s objective is to create a package of new drugs using an oil extract for these ailments. This project, with total estimated costs of $5.8 million, will receive approximately $3 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a three-year period.

Nova Scotia Agricultural College (Truro) Project: Smart Christmas Trees and Technologies Initiative The Nova Scotia Agricultural College (NSAC) is a lead member of the Atlantic Canada Christmas Tree Research and Development Consortium that has developed the SMART Christmas Trees and Technologies Initiative. With the project, NSAC will focus on research into the prevention of needle loss in balsam fir Christmas trees and will attempt to discover the technology needed to prevent needle loss, contributing to the sustainability of the region’s $72 million Christmas tree industry. This project, with total estimated costs of $5 million, will receive approximately $2.4 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a five- year period.

Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited (Dartmouth) Project: Algae to Biofuels Ocean Nutrition will seek to develop a cost-effective and integrated biofuel production system using a microorganism which has a high concentration of oil. The project goal is the production and sale of algal-oil feed stock, and biofuels, providing an alternative source of clean energy. This project, with total estimated costs of $4.9 million, will receive approximately $3 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a three-year period.

IWK Health Centre (Halifax) Project: Development of a Translational Imaging Centre in Halifax The IWK Health Centre has established the Laboratory for Clinical Magnetoencephalography (MEG) in partnership with Elekta Neoromag and the National Research Council’s Institute for Biodiagnostics. The MEG is a non-invasive procedure that uses sensors to detect and record electrical activity in the brain. With the project, the IWK will seek to develop commercial products for use in biodiagnostics. This project, with total estimated costs of $3.1 million, will receive approximately $1.8 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a five-year period.

Dalhousie University (Halifax) Project: Developing Innovative Brain Repair Services and Technologies The Brain Repair Centre at Dalhousie University conducts R&D dedicated to the repair of incurable brain disorders such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s, as well as serious mental illness, stroke and spinal cord injuries. With this project, the Centre will conduct research into cognitive impairment and develop computer-based rehabilitation techniques to help mitigate those impairments. This project, with total estimated costs of $2.7 million, will receive approximately $1.8 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a five-year period.

Composites Atlantic Limited (Lunenburg) Project: Development and Industrialization of New Generation of Advanced Composite Struts Composites Atlantic will conduct R&D to combine two existing technologies to create a cost-efficient hollow core, all-composite strut for the airline industry. The new strut will provide weight savings of 40 per cent and offer customers a higher quality product. This project, with total estimated costs of $2.6 million, will receive approximately $1.9 million from the Atlantic Innovation Fund over a two-year period.