Technology, Industry, and the Environment

Cluster 2: Technology, Industry, and the Environment

1. Enabling Technologies and their Basic Foundations
2. Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology
3. Energy, Environment, and Bioproducts

1. Enabling Technologies and their Basic Foundations

Many of the most transformative incremental and breakthrough advances shaping society today are the result of research and development done in the area of enabling technologies and their foundational precursors, mathematics and computational methods. Concordia has significant strengths in information and communication technologies including wireless communications and networks, information technology (IT) security, and computational interactive media, and bioinorganic and computational chemistry. The application of new tools for measurement and modelling, as well as the storage and retrieval of information, is pivotal to most areas of human activity, including science and technology, business, health, and the environment. Developments in these areas are at the heart of many of the technology-based approaches to building sustainable systems today.

Mathematics, computational methods and fundamental science

Mathematics and numerical calculations are used to produce a variety of outputs such as theories, formulae, data sets, plots, charts, and images that help us to understand numerous areas of scientific inquiry. The university is also home to the most comprehensive academic mass spectrometry platform that enables interdisciplinary health and energy-related research in Canada. Concordia researchers play a key role in pure and applied mathematics, chemistry, physics, computer science, measurement, and modelling on the Quebec research landscape.

Information and communication technologies

Telecommunications research at Concordia is focused on digital and wireless telecommunications, wireless access networks, and fiber-optic and satellite broadband communications. There is a recognized strength in the areas of intelligent control systems, very large scale integrated systems, hardware verification, pattern recognition, game development, and bioinformatics. Areas of research intensification include computer security, signal processing, speech signal processing, artificial intelligence, natural language processing, semantic web applications, interactive media, and identification technologies.

2. Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology

Concordia offers world-class research programs in advanced materials, nanotechnology, manufacturing, and transportation. Extensive partner-driven research is conducted in the areas of materials and composites, polymers, coatings, the electronic and optical properties of nano/micro-electro-mechanical systems (NEMS/MEMS), thermo-fluid and computational fluid dynamics, and laser metrics – particularly as they apply to the aerospace industry and vehicle engineering. New sectoral applications are now emerging to include pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food processing, and environmental technologies.

Composites, Transportation and Manufacturing Systems

Concordia is recognized as a leader in the research areas of advanced composite materials for a wide variety of industrial applications which includes aerospace and automotive industries. The Concordia researchers in this area are internationally established leaders with unique expertise in the manufacturing of new composite materials with applications in engineering structures. Research activities in this area are largely driven by the Concordia Centre for Composites. Concordia has also an established critical mass in research concerning all aspects of road and off-road transportation systems, including intelligent vehicles and vehicular ergodynamics in its Concordia Centre for Advanced Vehicle Engineering. Quality and lean manufacturing engineering are also being developed in close collaboration with the aerospace industry.

Nano/Microtechnology

Our researchers are pursuing cutting edge research to develop new nano/microfabrication methods, laser metrics, quantum materials, and micron and nanometer scale sensors and electronic devices. Concordia researchers have combined their collective expertise in MEMS know-how and have forged a unique niche in micro and nano integration. Our approach is an application-driven engineering one where nano- sized materials are manipulated at the micro-system level. We are developing breakthrough nanocoating techniques and conducting advanced research on nanocomposites for applications in structures. We are actively working on bio-MEMS and microfluidics, and our investigations have potential applications in drug delivery. The use of microfluidics is among the greatest technological opportunities of today and promises to revolutionize drug delivery, and genetics and proteomics research.

3. Energy, Environment, and Bioproducts

The global imperative to meet the challenges of environmental destabilization begins with a recognition that human well-being depends on the environment and adopting sustainable systems. Concordia’s strengths in this area have been developed through a multi-pronged approach to research areas related to energy, environment, bioproducts, and sustainable design. This includes understanding how to adapt to climate change; the development of alternative, renewable, and sustainable sources of energy; energy- efficient buildings and construction technology; and, bioproduct development.

Energy and environment

Concordia researchers are conducting fundamental research in order to understand the ecological complexities of the earth’s ecosystems and the effects of human activity on biodiversity and ecosystem services. The focus of the University’s environmental work includes research into climate stabilization as well as impact assessments of soil and groundwater contamination, remediation, and waste disposal. Energy research involves the development of energy generation, storage, and transmission capability with minimum environmental impact. Concordia is rapidly building critical mass in the area of renewable energy and has taken the lead on solar energy research.

Sustainable buildings and infrastructure

Concordia has a long and rich history in the area of residential and commercial building environmentsandinfrastructure.

As a result of three decades of innovative and dedicated research, largely driven by the Centre for Building Studies, Concordia engineering faculty have built a unique hub for research expertise in construction and infrastructure engineering and management, building envelope performance, materials, structures, system services automation, air quality and thermal comfort, and energy systems in buildings. Over the past few years, research has evolved to focus on minimizing the environmental impact of buildings over their life span and the establishment of the Solar Buildings Research Network. The goal of this country-wide network is the development of solar-optimized building as an integrated advanced technological system that approaches net-zero energy consumption while being cost effective and comfortable. Our leadership in this area has made it possible for Concordia to quickly become a leading force in developing energy efficient buildings that are healthier, safer, more comfortable, and more responsive to the needs of their inhabitants and users.

Bioproducts

Through the Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics, Concordia has established a highly innovative research program as well as numerous industry-based partnerships in the area of bioproduct research and development. Fundamental and applied research on model organisms and micro-organisms of economic relevance has resulted in the development of new bio-based products and processes for a wide range of potential industrial applications. Research on renewable resources such as biofuels and bioproduct development are emerging areas of expertise. Innovative work on enzymes and micro- organisms has contributed to the development of more sustainable products and industrial processes. Chemical-free bleaching for wood pulp, biological factories for degradation, clean-burning methods, as well as the production of cheaper fuels are just a few examples of the kind of innovative bioproduct research and development work being conducted at Concordia.