Defining Applied Research Our Goals, Objectives, and Opportunities May 9, 2012

Defining Applied ResearchOur Goals, Objectives, and Opportunities

May 9, 2012

Speaker Bio

Rob Spewak

• B.Sc. (Agricultural Engineering), University of Manitoba

• M.Sc. (Agricultural & Bioresource Engineering, University of Saskatchewan)

• Work experience - engineering consulting, technical sales

• Westlink - Technology commercialization internship program

• RRC’s first “Research Manager” – 2007 onward

Agenda

• Applied Research & Commercialization (AR&C)• Who are we? What do we do? Why are we here?

• Defining applied research

• Overview of applied research at colleges• Benefits to staff/students, industry partners

• AR&C – our main activities, and development of an “applied research module”

Who we are: the AR&C office

• Created in 2004

• Facilitates applied research activities at RRC

• Serves as contact point for industry, granting agencies and councils


Our activities• Assists in development of applied research proposals • Identify and form partnerships with industry • Seeks and administers external funding • Administers internal research funding program

• CARD – College Applied Research Development Fund (formerly RIF)


Staff

Management and administration• Ray Hoemsen (Director)• Rob Spewak (Research Manager)• Aman Hussein (NSERC Research Manager)• Danielle Puddicombe (Research Office Manager)• Lyndsay Ross (Administrative Assistant – currently on mat leave)

Technical• Ken Klassen (CARSI Research Professional)• Jose Delos Reyes (Research Coordinator)• Serge Broeska (SITRG Mechanical Engineering Technologist) • TBD (SITRG Civil Engineering Technologist)


Staff

Technology Transfer & Communications• Brent Wennekes (Technology Transfer & Communications Manager)• Adam Campbell (Communications Officer)

What is Applied Research?

What is a good definition of Applied Research?• Wikipedia – “involves the practical application of science”; “deals with

solving practical problems”; and “resides in the messy real world”• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's ELSI in Science:

• “Applied research is designed to solve practical problems of the modern world, rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge's sake. One might say that the goal of the applied scientist is to improve the human condition ”.

• http://www.lbl.gov/Education/ELSI/research-main.html

http://www.lbl.gov/Education/ELSI/what-is-elsi.html

http://www.lbl.gov/Education/ELSI/what-is-elsi.html

http://www.lbl.gov/Education/ELSI/research-main.html


What is a good definition of Applied Research?• Wisegeek.com:• Applied research is: “any fact gathering project that is conducted with

an eye to acquiring and applying knowledge that will address a specific problem or meet a specific need”

• All definitions focus on the solving of specific/practical problems


Applied Research (Colleges) vs. Basic Research (Universities)• Problem solving (Focusing on the HOW not the WHY)• Shorter-term projects• Applying knowledge and testing to previous research

• Basic research lays the foundation for applied research

• Focus on work of students and instructors• Engage on a project basis• Incorporate into co-op work terms or

projects for coursework

College-based applied research

Applied vs. basic research Intellectual property

- few to no patents- commercial rights routinely assigned to industry partner - research and education rights retained by RRC


The line is blurring

• Perhaps good question to ask: “How long will it be before some practical application results from the research ?“• The longer the timeline, the more likely it is BASIC research


• Basic university research may involve the discovery of a new rubber compound formulation for use in automobile tires that is thought to improve durability and performance in all seasons

• Applied college research may involve driving automobiles outfitted with tires of the new rubber formulation and evaluating the durability and performance – i.e. measuring tread wear, stopping distance on ice

An example…


• Basic university research may involve the discovery of compounds in flaxseed that have disease-prevention properties

• Applied college research may involve taking the flaxseed or its compounds and incorporating into a palatable food item(s)

Another example…


What defines a “researcher”? Who can do applied research?

• “Someone who studies (something) thoroughly so as to present findings in a detailed, accurate manner”

• In an applied research context - Do we all deal with practical “real world” problems everyday? Absolutely!

• Not limited to persons with advanced degrees• Is it for everyone? Not necessarily…


The applied research process• AR&C assists through the entire process• Association of Canadian Community Colleges has developed an applied

research workflow• AR&C developing its own “how to” module (to be discussed at end)





Why are colleges doing it?

• Strong relationships between colleges & industry/community• College graduates play a critical role in incremental innovation

• Increased federal government investment• More opportunities for staff and students• Increased awareness of capabilities• Future trends: population growth, energy usage, pollution – shift from

focus on new product creation to finding solutions for using the planet’s resources in a sustainable manner


Roles of universities and colleges in the research process


Fast facts - Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC)• Over 100 colleges and institutes across Canada are engaged in applied

research

• 4,444 companies partnered with colleges for applied research projects, 4,380 for industry research and 64 for social innovation research

• 447 areas of research specialization and 305 specialized research centres and labs support innovation in all sectors of the economy


Fast facts - Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC)• 13,585 students engaged in applied research in 2010-11, up by 63 percent

from 2009-10

• 1,606 faculty and staff, including industrial experts and technicians, engaged in research, up by 34 percent from 2009-10

• Private sector investment in Canada’s colleges increased by 13 percent in the last year to $50.3 million


RRC’s Mandate• Applied research is a key element in RRC’s mandate• Integrated with educational and training activities• Major areas: Sustainable infrastructure technology, bio-sciences,

manufacturing design technology, among others

http://www.rrc.mb.ca/files/File/researchplan/other/FINALRRCInstitutionalResearchMay004.pdf







RRC’s Mission“The College’s applied research mission is to assume a leading role in the application of knowledge through directed applied research in specific areas of expertise, to enhance the connectivity between College expertise and the needs of industry, and to create an institutional climate of support for applied research. By adding applied research projects to the curriculum, the college will educate the next generation of applied researchers, equipping them to assume leadership roles in their respective fields.”








Benefits to students• Exposure to solving ‘real world’ industry challenges• Gain critical skills in proposal development, conducting applied research

and report writing• Chance to impress potential future employers


Benefits to instructors• Exposure to industry concerns and trends• Use of research results to update/modify courses• Access to new equipment• Professional development


Benefits to industry• Supports innovation • Accelerates adoption of new technologies• Enhances productivity and efficiency • Increases industry competitiveness • Supports community economic development• “Test drive” potential future employees


What makes a good applied research project?• Reflection of the College’s values and themes• Fits in main research areas• Maximizes the building of research capacity• Addresses workforce needs/private sector partnerships

Our resources

SITRG• Sustainable Infrastructure Technology Research Group• Improving the energy performance of new and existing buildings• Funded by a $2.3-million grant from the Natural Sciences and

Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)• Funding supports faculty release time, students, and fees for external

consultants/experts among others

Our resources

NRC-IRAP• National Research Council Canada Industrial Research Assistance

Program• Network member since March 2008• Goals of funding:

• Benefit technology-based SMEs in the sustainable infrastructure sector• Establish/enhance College relationship with public research facilities• Support capacity within CARSI

Our resources

NRC-IRAP• Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program (DTAPP)• Developing and implementing digital technology awareness and

advisory services to Manitoba SMEs to increase their productivity.• Key Components:

• Digital Technology Strategy Development• Events• Digital Technology Advisory Support Service (DTASS)• Industry Outreach and Linkage Facilitation

• NRC-IRAP funding: $100,000

Our facilities

Centre for Applied Research in Sustainable Infrastructure (CARSI)• 10,000 sq.ft. facility opened in 2007• Environmental control chambers• Removable exterior wall section• Structural dynamic test system• Strong floor for testing of large structural members

Our facilities

• In development…• EVTEC – Electric Vehicle Technology and Education Centre

• Support electric vehicle innovation in/by Manitoba’s transportation sector• Enhance electric vehicle education at RRC and in the region• Increase public awareness of electric vehicle technology

• ATEC – Advanced Transportation and Energy Centre• To support innovation in the transportation industry• To introduce new vehicle technologies through applied research• to train the next generation of skilled workers to ensure the successful

commercialization of new innovations

Our facilities

• CATT – Centre for Aerospace Technology and Training• Array of cutting-edge laser systems• Vapour phase crack-cleaning equipment• Aerospace hot section coating equipment• Digital non-destructive inspection system• On-site materials lab

• CNDI – Centre for Non-Destructive Inspection• Distributed network of technologies, facilities and expertise in non-

destructive inspection of components and assemblies• Defect visualization using ultrasonic imaging and x-ray radiography• Distributed network of workstations

Our work

RRC – Applied Research Project Examples• Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) study• Conversion of 10 Toyota Prius vehicles to PHEVs

Our work

RRC – Applied Research Project Examples• Concentrated solar power project with Manitoba Hydro• Parabolic solar trough – evaluate performance in cold climate

Our work

RRC – Applied Research Project Examples

• Air leakage testing of large buildings• Data plentiful for residential buildings, but not for large commercial/industrial buildings

Our work

CARD (formerly Research Innovation Fund) Projects• College Applied Research Development Fund• Supports internal, short-term research projects (Since 2005)• Wide variety of projects have been funded (Over $300,000 in total)• High efficiency furnace evaluation to early childhood development• 2012 deadline: May 31, 2012• More info: http://www.rrc.mb.ca/index.php?pid=7614

http://www.rrc.mb.ca/index.php?pid=7614





Our work

High efficiency furnace evaluation

Our work

And…the “crappy” side of research….

• Effects of eco-friendly water-saving devices on drainage/venting systems

• For more information:• http://xnet.rrc.mb.ca/rcharney

http://xnet.rrc.mb.ca/rcharney


Applied research module• AR&C developing “how to” or researcher guides for both staff &

students, including a webinar• Reference guide for the entire applied research process, from proposal

development to final report and technology transfer activities

Your feedback is important!• What are your main questions/unknowns?• What are the critical pieces that need to be in the researcher guide?• Expertise survey

Our work

More informationRob Spewak, M.Sc., E.I.T.Research ManagerApplied Research & [email protected]

blogs.rrc.ca/arTwitter.com/RRCResearch

mailto:[email protected]

Our work

Documents

Defining Applied Research Our Goals, Objectives, and Opportunities May 9, 2012