New technology being developed at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus has been awarded an “Ignite” grant.
UBCO’s Dr. Jonathan Holzman, working with Canfor and ExcelSense Technologies, have developed self-cleaning camera technology that has the potential to save millions of dollars in the province’s forestry and mining sectors.
The technology also addresses safety concerns for cameras in high-risk locations.
The research is so groundbreaking that Holzman and ExcelSense CEO Nima Nabavi recently won one of three BC Innovation Council Ignite awards.
The awards are given out to research that demonstrates commercial and technical viability, and that will be market ready in less than three years. To win, applicants must be working in a group that includes at least one academic member and an industry partner conducting research projects that address a “significant demonstrated problem faced by industry.”
Through the second annual awards, a total of $873,475 was handed out amongst three B.C. research projects in the natural resources and applied sciences fields.
Also receiving million-dollar grants through the “ignite” program were Hydra Energy CEO Simon Pickup and Dr. Steven Rogak of UBC for their innovations in Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine technology, and Axine Water Technologies Director David Harvey and UVIC’s Dr. Frank Van Veggel for developing new electro-catalyst materials.
“Innovation is about extracting social and economic value from research,” said Amrik Virk, B.C.’s Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services. “These projects at the BCIC Ignite Awards have the opportunity to change the world, from right here in B.C.”
BCIC Ignite is funded by the Natural Resources and Applied Sciences (NRAS) Endowment Fund, which was established by the Province of British Columbia to enhance the quality of life for British Columbians by building strong environments in research and development, advanced training, technology transfer and commercialization.
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