Laurentian University and Cambrian College have formalized an agreement that facilitates the creation of collaborative partnerships and enables faculty, students, and staff at both institutions to pursue large-scale research projects –sharing professional expertise, facilities, equipment, and administrative services in order to boost innovation, productivity, and results.
The aim is to harness the resources and expertise of the two institutions, in order to:
- Enhance the educational experience for student researchers;
- Attract and develop top quality professionals;
- Increase fundamental and applied research capacity and income;
- Strengthen Sudbury’s culture of innovation through post-secondary collaboration.
The memorandum of understanding provides guidelines for new research partnerships to be developed.
At a media conference on March 8, 2017, Laurentian University President Dominic Giroux; Vice President of Research Dr. Rui Wang; Cambrian College President Bill Best; and Vice President International, Applied Research and Business Development, Sonia Del Missier, along with guests and members of the media, got a look at one initiative already underway under the auspices of the memorandum of understanding.
The collaborative project is led by Dr. Dean Millar, professor of Energy in Mining at Laurentian’s Bharti School of Engineering, and Energy Director of Laurentian’s MIRARCO. Dr. Millar is investigating how a unique hydraulic air compressor (HAC) system may be developed to clean and cool the air in ultra-deep mining environments, where air temperatures may reach upwards of 40 degrees Celsius. Laurentian researchers are collaborating with Cambrian College faculty and students to conduct trials on the “BabyHAC”, a pilot scale unit installed at Cambrian’s Glencore Centre for Innovation. In the meantime construction of the much larger Dynamic Earth HAC is underway. Faculty and students in Cambrian’s metalworking shops are fabricating a key part of the Dynamic Earth HAC: a 21st-century version of an air-water mixing head last used in the Peterborough Lift Lock HAC in 1967 which was designed by Graduate Students working within Laurentian’s MIRARCO.
This Laurentian-Cambrian collaboration is one part of a long-term, large-scale research project with multiple partners, including industry and government, funded by the Ultra Deep Mine Network, the Independent Electricity System Operator, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation and Electrale Innovation Ltd.
About Cambrian College
Cambrian College is the largest college in northern Ontario, offering more than 80 full-time programs across diverse fields of study. The College provides hands-on learning opportunities, flexible study options, and hundreds of agreements that enable graduates to build their credentials at the university level, or across disciplines. Through accredited programs, strong industry connections, and comprehensive support services, students are well-prepared for dynamic careers. Employers who hire college graduates have ranked Cambrian’s grads as the best in Ontario, and 85 percent of Cambrian grads find work within their field within six months. To learn more about everything Cambrian has to offer, visit cambriancollege.ca.
Applied Research at Cambrian College
Cambrian College is a hub of applied research activity in northern Ontario, employing 48 student researchers in 2014-15. The College is ranked third in Canada among mid-sized colleges for the number of students employed in research activity, and sixth overall. It is the only college in Northern Ontario to be among Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges, as determined by Research Infosource. Cambrian’s research activities are concentrated within its applied research arm, Cambrian Innovates.
About Laurentian University
Laurentian University offers an outstanding university experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education. Laurentian University, situated on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe peoples of Atikameksheng First Nation, prepares students as agents of change and empowers them to create innovative responses to local and global challenges. Laurentian’s students benefit from small class sizes and exceptional post-graduation employment rates. With nine Canada Research Chairs and nineteen research centres, Laurentian is a recognized leader in its specialized areas of research strength, which include mining innovation and exploration, stressed watershed systems, particle astrophysics and rural and northern children’s health. Laurentian University has secured over $100 million in research income in the past five years.