CLS joins network of composite materials researchers

Vancouver, BC – An agreement recently signed by the Canadian Light Source (CLS) and the Composites Research Network (CRN) has the goal of shining synchrotron light on questions facing the composites industry.

The CRN is an initiative of the University of British Columbia (UBC) in collaboration with academia and industry partners, which supports the composites industry in Western Canada and beyond. It was launched in January 2012 with a $9.8 million in funding from Western Economic Diversification Canada.

Clustered into geographical nodes, the network’s lead participants include UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, the University of Victoria, the Composites Innovation Centre in Winnipeg, and now the CLS in Saskatoon.

“We’re very excited about the research opportunities that will come from this agreement,” says Jeffrey Cutler, CLS director of industrial science. “Our scientists are doing leading science in applying synchrotron techniques to the composite materials’ sector. We look forward to partnering our capabilities with CRN’s expertise and experience, to benefit Canadian industry.”

The only synchrotron in Canada, the CLS will add special research capabilities and knowledge to the network, and will help to make available materials and knowledge for the development of next generation composite materials for the aerospace, manufacturing, automotive, agriculture, and recreational vehicles sectors.  With an initial emphasis on the stress in composite structures caused by the manufacturing process, the CLS will bring unique insight into improving composite structure mechanical properties.

“We are delighted to partner with the CLS. They will add a key element to our network, not only with state-of-the-art synchrotron technology, but also by helping us to build new connections with researchers from a variety of institutions and industry in Saskatchewan,” says Anoush Poursartip, director of CRN. “This collaboration will be of enormous benefit, not only to us, but to the entire composites sector.”