[news 2007 - 2008]

Three Queen’s spinoffs share $8.5 million in clean technology development funding

Aug. 8, 2008

For immediate release

KINGSTON ON -- Three Canadian spinoff companies generated by Queen’s University research have been awarded $8.5 million in federal funding to advance clean technologies to market.

The funding of the energy-saving technologies in the water testing, wastewater treatment and transportation sectors is provided by Sustainable Development Technology Canada.

All three companies are based on technologies discovered by Queen’s University researchers and licensed by PARTEQ Innovations, the technology transfer office of Queen’s. Funded projects are as follows:

Integran Technologies Inc. of Toronto and Pittsburgh, PA, with consortium partner I.E. du Pont and consortium leader Morph Technologies Inc., received $5.6 million for the development and testing of MetaFuse™, a lightweight nanometal polymer replacement for numerous vehicle components. Offering weight reductions of up to 47 percent, the new material has the potential to reduce vehicle emissions and improve fuel efficiency. The three-year project aims to identify, develop and demonstrate at least two successful commercial applications for the new material before beginning full scale production.

Integran, formerly Nanometals Inc., is based on nanocrystalline materials research by Dr. Uwe Erb, formerly of Queen’s University and now at the University of Toronto.

Pathogen Detection Systems, Inc. of Kingston, Ont., with consortium partners Hydromantis Inc. of Burlington, Ont., Queen’s University and University of Toronto, received approval for $2.4 million for refinement, validation and testing of its rapid, automated bacteria detection technology for water systems. The three-year funding will enable PDS to integrate its high-speed microbiological water monitoring technology with sophisticated water treatment optimization software developed by co-applicant Hydromantis, and then pilot the system on selected municipal water systems. The project is expected to reduce energy consumption, decrease toxic water treatment by-products and enhance public health.

The patented PDS system, which provides laboratory-grade testing for E.coli and other coliform bacteria with improved speed, reliability and productivity over current methods, is based on a novel optical sensory technology developed by Dr. Stephen Brown and a team of Queen’s University and industry researchers.

Pressure Pipe Inspection Company Ltd. of Mississauga, Ont., received approval for $500,000 to develop and demonstrate an enhanced version of their licensed “Sahara” water pipe leak detection technology in municipal water systems in Calgary, Halifax and Toronto. Implementation of the enhanced leak detection system is expected to reduce losses of potable water, decrease chemical disinfection discharges, and lower greenhouse gas emissions resulting from pumping energy to replace lost water.

PPIC was established in 1997 to commercialize a non-destructive electromagnetic inspection technique for concrete pipe developed by Professor David Atherton of Queen’s University.

The three projects were among 19 clean technologies to share in $57 million in new funding from SDTC for the development and demonstration of projects that benefit both the environment and the economy.

About SDTC:
SDTC is an arm’s-length foundation which has received $1.05 billion from the Government of Canada as part of its commitment to create a healthy environment and a high quality of life for all Canadians.

SDTC operates two funds aimed at the development and demonstration of innovative technological solutions. The $550 million SD Tech Fund™ supports projects that address climate change, air quality, clean water, and clean soil. The $500 million NextGen Biofuels Fund™ supports the establishment of first-of-kind large demonstration-scale facilities for the production of next-generation renewable fuels.

SDTC operates as a not-for-profit corporation and has been working with the public and private sector including industry, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), the financial community and all levels of government to achieve this mandate.

About PARTEQ Innovations:
PARTEQ Innovations is the not-for-profit technology transfer arm of Queen’s University. PARTEQ works with institutional researchers and the business and venture capital communities to bring early stage technologies to market. Since 1987 PARTEQ has been instrumental in the establishment of more than 40 companies developing a variety of products, from potential drugs for Alzheimer’s, cancer and heart disease to automated bacteria detection for water systems, solar-powered appliances, and advanced materials used in the plastics, automotive, aerospace and household appliance industries.

Contact:
John Molloy
President & CEO
PARTEQ Innovations
P: 613. 533. 2342
E: jmolloy@parteqinnovations.com