Articles by author: Brock University

• Brock recognized for successful partnerships with industry

  Wednesday, August 31, 2016 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: R00180 – 26 August 2016

  Two Brock University research programs are being lauded by the Council of Ontario University’s Research Matters campaign for their success in partnering with industry.

  Research Matters, a program that promotes Ontario’s most innovative university research, has identified 50 ‘game-changing’ research partnerships across the province. Brock was named twice, for its VineAlert program as well as for its collaboration with Niagara company Norgen Biotek.

  VineAlert measures the cold hardiness of grapevines and warns grape growers when they need to turn on frost-fighting wind machines or take other protective measures against impending extreme weather conditions.

  The program is a collaboration between researchers Debbie Inglis and Jim Willwerth at Brock’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) and Ontario Grape and Wine Research Inc.

  An economic impact study of the program has shown that VineAlert has helped the Ontario grape and wine industry avoid up to $13.8 million in lost sales from a single severe cold weather event, as well as $11.7 million in lost sales while damaged vines recover in subsequent years, and $29.1 million in vine renewal and replacement costs.

  “Our cold hardiness research program would not be possible or successful without strong industry partnerships,” Willwerth said. “VineAlert is a great example of how strong partnerships can advance research and innovation while simultaneously overcoming challenges and improving the economics and sustainability of an industry.”

  The other Brock program recognized by Research Matters highlights the work of biologist Yousef Haj-Ahmad and the Thorold-based biotechnology firm Norgen Biotek Corporation.

  Norgen Biotek produces tools and kits that preserve human blood, urine, saliva and other samples without the need for refrigeration. Health care workers can isolate DNA, RNA or proteins from these samples to diagnose many diseases such as Hepatitis B, HIV, chlamydia, cancers and genetic diseases.
   
  Preserving the specimens using Norgen’s kits makes it easier to store samples and ship them for testing.

  Haj-Ahmad says he is excited to have Norgen Biotek included within Research Matters’ campaign.

  “Research definitely matters: innovation and competitiveness must be supported by research,” Haj-Ahmad said.

  “Without research, you just simply lose the advantage. So research is critical, a very important investment of Canadian tax dollars in research and development. University research is what makes a difference between a developed and an underdeveloped country.”

  See the Research Matters profiles for these programs here:
  VineAlert: http://yourontarioresearch.ca/game-changer/vinealert/
  Norgen Biotech: http://yourontarioresearch.ca/game-changer/diagnostics-made-easier/

  For more information:
  * Kaitlyn Little, Marketing and Communications Officer, Brock University, klittle@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x4471

  * Cathy Majtenyi, Research Communications/Media Relations Specialist, cmajtenyi@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5789 or 905-321-0566
   
  – 30 –

  Categories: Media releases

• Brock University chemist and chemical company create new ‘green’ metal coating

  Wednesday, August 31, 2016 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: R00177 – 24 August 2016

  A Brock University chemist and a Burlington chemical company have patented a green coating system that protects metals against corrosion.

  Organic chemistry instructor Paul Zelisko and Vanchem Performance Chemicals created technology they named Greencoat, which uses silicon rather than heavy metals to bind coatings to both metal surfaces and paint.

  “It’s a water-based system that, for all intents and purposes, has reactive sand in it,” says Zelisko. “If the material happens to get flushed out or it leaks, you’re effectively releasing sand and water into the environment.”

  Unlike conventional methods, Zelisko and Vanchem’s system involves a two-step process. First, a base layer is applied to the metal. Water mixed with silica, which is basically sand, is sprayed onto the metal, creating a chemical bond with the metal. This cleans the metal but also deposits silica onto the surface.

  This coating not only protects the metal, but acts as a primer for the second layer, which is designed to bond well to paint.

  The second layer contains polysilicates, the basis of which is silicon, “the second-most abundant element in the Earth’s crust,” says a company report. Silicates can be modified to stick to both metals and paints.

  When the industry wants to determine whether or not a coating product is effective, the treated metal sheets are put into salt-spray chambers, where a fine mist of salt water is continually sprayed onto the metal until it starts to show signs of corrosion.

  The industry standard is around 1,000 hours, says Zelisko.
  “Our coatings ranged anywhere from 1,800 to 3,000 hours, in some cases almost three times as good as what the industry requires.”

  “The industry has switched over to greener technologies; they want to get rid of the heavy metals,” says Ian McLeod, vice president of Vanchem Performance Chemicals.

  “Large corporations and companies want to be environmental stewards. They want to be able to say, ‘look at what we’re doing, we’ve replaced the old zinc phosphate technology with a new silane-based technology that doesn’t have any environmental impacts.’”

  The Ontario Centres of Excellence supported the research partnership through its OCE Collaborative Research Program.

  “This innovation is on track to demonstrate some real economic benefits for Ontario and is a great example of what can happen when academia and industry work together, said Gillian Sheldon, OCE’s business development manager. “Ontario Centres of Excellence has a long history of supporting the automotive sector, and we are pleased to collaborate on this innovative cleantech solution."

  The team received the patent for Greencoat silane-based pretreatment on Aug. 2 in the U.S., with Canadian and European patents pending.

  For more details, see story in The Brock News.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

  * Cathy Majtenyi, Research Communications/Media Relations Specialist, cmajtenyi@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5789 or 905-321-0566

  * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

  – 30 –
   

  Categories: Media releases