| Sep 03, 2008 |
Canada announces investment in nanotechnology coatings for next generation fighter jets
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(Nanowerk News) The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry, today announced federal government support for the research and development (R&D) of next-generation nanotechnology-based coatings for the multinational Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program.
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"Prime Minister Harper and the government recognize the world-class ability of our aerospace and defence industries to conduct innovative R&D," said Minister Prentice. "Our partnership with Integran Technologies Inc. demonstrates our commitment to science and technology, and to helping Canadian companies remain on the leading edge of such a competitive industry."
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Based in Toronto, Ontario, this project will expand Integran's technological capabilities in composite tooling. The project aims to develop a hard metal coating called Nanovate NV™ (Nanovar) to apply to aerospace tools to improve tool lifespan and durability, and to achieve cost savings. The Government of Canada is contributing a $4.6-million repayable investment to the project.
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"As a research-based company, Integran is committed to staying at the forefront of nanostructured material technologies," said Dr. Gino Palumbo, President and CEO of Integran. "Our partnership with the federal government and the JSF program will help us sustain our position as a leading international player within the growing nanotechnology sector."
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Integran will also collaborate with University of Toronto graduate students on this innovative nanotechnology R&D project, supporting knowledge transfer in the region.
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"Participating in this project will allow our young innovators to gain hands-on professional experience with one of Canada's most exciting and innovative companies, and together they will become conveyers of advanced knowledge and technology to Canada's aerospace industry," said Doug Perovic, professor and Chairman of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Toronto.
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This investment is being made through the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI), which supports strategic industrial research and pre-competitive development projects in the aerospace, defence, space and security industries. SADI is managed by the Industrial Technologies Office, a special operating agency of Industry Canada, whose mandate is to advance leading-edge R&D by Canadian industries.
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The Government of Canada's participation in the JSF program makes it eligible to benefit from preferential conditions and advantages reserved for JSF partners; however, this participation does not commit it to purchase the aircraft.
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