$38M from NSERC supports engineering research projects

Fredericton, NB – The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has announced $38 million in funding for 78 scientific teams at universities across the country.

The announcement, made at the University of New Brunswick, profiled a project that is receiving funding of $306,200 over three years to develop new technology to develop cleaner and cheaper renewable fuel.

The university’s Dr. Ying Zheng, Canada Research chair in chemical processes and catalysis, and her team will work in collaboration with Queen’s University at Belfast, and Atlantic Hydrogen Inc. to build on previous catalyst discoveries that improve biofuel quality and yields, and reduce the refining process’s energy consumption. The project will allow small biorefineries to use the new technology as a cost-effective solution to produce the next generation of biofuels used in diesel and gasoline.

These funding is the result of NSERC’s 2014 Strategic Project Grants competition. Through the program, researchers work with companies on projects that will generate new knowledge and technology.

“The best research brings talented minds together to create the exciting ideas and advancements of tomorrow,” said Dr. B Mario Pinto, president, NSERC. “NSERC is proud to support these strategic projects that extend our knowledge and create new innovations that will define our future.”

The full list of recipients can be viewed here.