To demonstrate the impact that applied research projects make on all Manitobans, we present RPI’s 20 Stories for 20 Years. A compilation showcasing successful partnerships from the past and the present, with a constant focus on the future.

Established in 2004, Research Partnerships & Innovation (RPI) leads the applied research  enterprise at RRC Polytech. RPI is a gateway for industry and community to access the vast base of knowledge, capabilities, facilities and networks that reside at Red River College Polytechnic — a Canadian leader in applied research (AR) and commercialization.

RPI also proactively identifies practical AR opportunities that can provide mutual benefit to both the College and potential partners of all sizes with a focus on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Through our Office of Applied Research Services (OARS), RPI oversees the administration of all research activities across the College.

Along with granting a variety of credentials and delivering skilled trades programming, AR is one of three pillars that define a polytechnic. It connects all areas of the College, it differentiates us from other post-secondaries in Manitoba, and our unique approach to align Research with Indigenous Strategy and Business Development positions us as a leader on the global stage.  

In its two decades of existence, our AR operation has reached an impressive scale through hard work, relationship building and a focused effort to lead innovation in Manitoba. Through our wide array of leading-edge facilities, expertise and technology, we can essentially support any industry, business or community, at any stage. We are eager to strengthen our leadership position in the innovation ecosystem and collaborate on AR projects that drive progress across our province and beyond.

RPI’s areas of specialization include: 

• Advanced Manufacturing and Mechatronics 
• Cleantech with focus on EV and building efficiency 
• Health, nutrition and social sciences with focus on culinary research and food innovation 
• Early childhood development research 
• Enabling adoption of digital technologies including AI and automation  

Through collaborative AR projects, we help transform the dreams and ideas of our partners into reality while providing students with invaluable experience through work-integrated learning. Our award-winning work is often admired as the gold standard, and has driven Manitoba forward economically, environmentally, socially and culturally – positioning the province for success in a globally competitive environment.

RRC Polytech has been demonstrating what is possible in Manitoba for 20 years. We want to thank our generous funders and supporters, and of course, all of our partners for trusting us to help achieve their goals by developing new products and processes that drive growth for everyone. We look forward to building on those relationships, as together, we’ll create a prosperous, sustainable and inclusive future for all.

In acknowledgement of our 20^th anniversary, we wanted to showcase some of the successes we’ve shared with our partners, past and present. Each week we’ll release a new installment of this online series entitled RPI’s 20 Stories for 20 Years. We’ll provide recaps of previous posts and include updates on related accomplishments achieved since the original publish dates. We’ll also explain what our talented teams learned along the way to make us better at what we do and how the project made a positive impact on RRC Polytech.

With thousands of projects to choose from, we’re confident these stories will highlight our strengths and capabilities, show the depth and breadth of the work we do, and spark interest in pursuing an AR collaboration with us.

Please enjoy these stories and reach out to rpi@rrc.ca so that your innovation can be featured at RPI’s 25^th Anniversary!

Dr. Jolen Galaugher

Executive Director, Research Partnerships & Innovation, RRC Polytech

To demonstrate the impact that applied research projects make on all Manitobans, we present RPI’s 20 Stories for 20 Years. A compilation showcasing successful partnerships from the past and the present, with a constant focus on the future.

Parents share a universal desire to have their children grow up to be happy, healthy, and productive. RRC Polytech is helping the early childhood education system that supports parents and their children to greatly increase their likelihood of success by building on its local and international leadership role in knowledge mobilization and bringing the world’s best science to policy and practice.

A forerunner of all applied research at the College, Early Childhood Development Research (ECDR) has been impacting the work of early childhood educators (ECEs), both across Canada and on a global scale for decades through the development, promotion, and adoption of the Science of Early Child Development (SECD) initiative. SECD is based on the increased understanding that early brain development in children (including before birth) is influenced by the environment and experiences that surround them and sets the foundation for lifelong health, learning, and wellness.

“This is some of the most important work that anyone can be doing – elevating and strengthening the lives of children from their earliest years for their future and ours,” said Dr. Rob Santos, Chair of Early Childhood Development Research at RRC Polytech. “From early childhood educators working on the floor with kids and their families at early learning centres; to ECE instructors; to working in policy; our team brings together an incredible breadth and depth of experience and expertise. We’re proud to collaborate with partners who make positive impacts on families and communities here in Manitoba and across the world.”

And that includes working for over a decade now with Dr. Joseph Sparling of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Melbourne, to develop and deliver training for his evidence-based Abecedarian Approach to early childhood education that is proven to improve lifelong developmental, learning, health, and social outcomes for children, especially in families and communities with the greatest needs.

The Abecedarian Approach is comprised of four main components: Language Priority, Conversational Reading, Interaction Games, and Enriched Caregiving.

Emphasizing language skills as the core of early learning, the approach promotes reading and communication along with high-quality adult-child interaction for stronger cognitive, social, and emotional development in children.

“Over 50 years of longitudinal research around the world shows children who participated in the Abecedarian Approach are more likely to complete high school, complete post-secondary education, have a job, healthier lifestyles, and better mental health. It also leads to better heart health and less metabolic syndrome as adults. They’re also less likely to be involved in criminal activity and more likely to be socially inclusive, treating others with greater fairness and equity,” said Santos. “Even more amazingly, Abecedarian leads to bigger, better brain structure as adults that can be seen in MRI scans. The first-ever scientific demonstration that enriching early childhood experience produces long-term improvements in brain development.”

The Abecedarian Approach was first piloted in Canada at the Lord Selkirk Park Child Care Centre in Winnipeg in 2012, which hosts many First Nations, Métis, and newcomer children. Its success included a significant advance in confirming that Abecedarian was both culturally welcomed and effective for these important groups.

After years of lobbying and writing proposals, Morrow Early Learning and Child Development (MELCD) received funding for full implementation in 2023 as part of an Abecedarian expansion initiative across Manitoba. And while the organization already utilized many Abecedarian strategies, Executive Director, Bonnie Ash describes the results as a dream come true.

“This program needs to be in every preschool – it’s being done in countries all over the world because it works. We found that aggressive behavior was down because kids had more attention. They learn through play. They’re having fun and learning what they need to move them on to the next step in life, which is to prepare them to succeed in school,” explained Ash. “When you walk into a room and you observe these children within even two weeks, there is such a noticeable difference in their language, how they communicate, even with each other, so we know it works.”

In partnership with Dr. Sparling and Kimberly Meunier of the Abecedarian Education Foundation, RRC Polytech is proud to have the Canadian rights to Abecedarian training and supports its industry and community partners with ongoing interaction – to not only document results for further study, but to connect with those on the front lines to enhance program delivery.

“We have a strong relationship, and I think RRC Polytech has done a fabulous job,” added Ash. “Each team member has a particular specialty and works directly with our ECEs to provide appropriate training and support. They also make themselves available to enhance training during our dedicated professional development days.”

With the intention of always attempting to meet the needs of families, MELCD continues to build trusting relationships with its clients. Responding to a need in the community many years ago, MELCD experimented by opening the first unofficial, daytime, parent-child support centre in Manitoba. This program currently operates only after hours/evenings to ensure that support is available to families who work or attend school.

“By listening, surveying, and observing family interactions we are able to share the program’s benefits across the community we serve and ultimately promote the power of education for everyone,” said Ash.

“When families and the people serving their young children see the immediate and ripple effects in terms of the child’s outcomes, it’s hard not to be inspired,” said Santos. “We found that there were inspirational effects on the parents themselves in terms of their own learning and drive to pursue their own training opportunities.”

To demonstrate the impact that applied research projects make on all Manitobans, we present RPI’s 20 Stories for 20 Years. A compilation showcasing successful partnerships from the past and the present, with a constant focus on the future.

Maximizing on the fertile grounds of expertise provided by the applied research network at Manitoba’s only polytechnic, a seedling of an idea has grown into a bountiful harvest of success for a small but ambitious group of local agricultural entrepreneurs.      

Dedicated to finding a sustainable option to bring fresh and nutritious produce to anyone, anywhere, Les Verts Living partnered with RRC Polytech to help develop a prototype of its innovative soil-free and pesticide-free hydroponic growing system that is now on the market.

What sets the Les Verts Terrace™ Pro apart is its impressive production capacity, exceptional quality produce, ease of use, and significant savings opportunities. The professional-grade equipment and nutrient regimes surpass the freshness and nutritional value of other indoor systems and what is typically found in grocery stores and promises a significant return on investment through reduced food waste and produce expenses.

“RRC Polytech helped us convert our vision of sustainable produce into a reality, and today our soil-free, pesticide-free and stress-free Les Verts Terrace™ Pro system empowers anyone anywhere to grow fresh, quality greens for their family, friends and local communities year-round with minimal effort and no prior growing experience,” said Andrew Vickerson, CEO of Les Verts Living.

In an era of constantly changing market demands, RRC Polytech offers its industry and community partners quick and affordable access to a vast array of technology, facilities and expertise that accelerates their ability to adapt and thrive. The College’s Research Partnerships & Innovation (RPI) enterprise can approach complex problems from multiple angles using a unique combination of experience and resources to expedite results.

The Les Verts project featured an internal collaboration between the Technology Access Centre for Aerospace and Manufacturing (TACAM), Prairie Research Kitchen (PRK), and Building Efficiency Technology Access Centre (BETAC).  

“Through our technology, facilities and expertise, the College is uniquely positioned to bring these types of project ideas to life for our industry partners while training the workforce of tomorrow,” said Fred Meier, President and CEO of RRC Polytech, at the product launch celebration. “This project demonstrates the power of partnership and the value of applied research in propelling our province’s economy forward.” 

The relationship began over seven years ago when locally based entrepreneurs from Les Verts approached PRK to confirm chefs’ interest in the product and then were referred to TACAM for help with the electrical and mechanical components of their original design. The TACAM team worked with Les Verts staff to refine the unit’s unique combination of necessary pumps, motors, fans and lights while addressing tank orientation for optimum watering and drainage. Eventually they even created a control panel/interface to integrate all the systems together. BETAC was also consulted to analyze any humidity level changes caused by the system.

Now, the easy-to-use product is on the market encouraging even the greenest of gardeners to grow an abundance of the freshest, top-quality living produce available while saving money on their food expenses – and the partnership continues to evolve with PRK’s research team studying further development options through a follow-up project using a Les Verts Terrace™ Pro unit shared with the Paterson Globalfoods Institute (PGI).   

“We are thrilled to continue this partnership and offer students and researchers an opportunity to further explore indoor hydroponic gardening by providing Manitoba’s up-and-coming culinary minds with the highest quality produce to create their next showstopping dishes,” said Vickerson.

PRK is proud to build on the College’s reputation as a proven leader in innovation. A knowledgeable guide eager to collaborate with Canadian food producers, processors, manufacturers and culinary-based businesses at any stage – from start-up to established brand – to quickly and affordably navigate company-specific challenges, as demonstrated in their work with Les Verts.

“Rising food costs have increased the demand for locally grown, sustainable produce so offering chefs of all levels the ability to grow their own greens and herbs year-round has enormous appeal,” said Mavis McRae, Director of the Prairie Research Kitchen. “We’re excited to test the benefits of the Les Verts Terrace™ Pro unit in a restaurant setting and continue studying how we can optimize this technology while working with our partners to develop future products for commercial and home growers.”

To demonstrate the impact that applied research projects make on all Manitobans, we present RPI’s 20 Stories for 20 Years. A compilation showcasing successful partnerships from the past and the present, with a constant focus on the future.

Technology, innovation, and global connectivity drive success in the aerospace industry. Magellan Aerospace Winnipeg’s long-standing partnership with RRC Polytech reinforces that all three factors are often fuelled by the building and nurturing of local relationships. The innovative leaders in their respective fields have been teaming up for over twenty years now and both partners are soaring to new heights as a result of their mutually beneficial collaborations.

Generating almost a billion dollars in revenue in 2024, Magellan Aerospace Limited engineers and manufactures complex components and assemblies for aerospace markets around the world, including advanced products for defence and space markets, as well as complementary specialty products.

Manitoba’s only polytechnic, the province’s largest institute of applied learning and research, offers unparallelled access to specialized facilities and expertise through its Technology Access Centre for Aerospace and Manufacturing (TACAM).

Together, their applied research projects explore new products and processes with the potential to advance the company’s capabilities on the world stage and build on the College’s reputation as a Canadian research leader while helping to train the workforce of tomorrow.

“By working with Magellan to develop leading-edge technology, we’re not only helping to address their current challenges but also strengthening our capabilities and expanding our capacity to support future research initiatives and industry-driven projects,” said Dr. Gbenga Asala, Research Professional, RRC Polytech. “With experts on both teams regularly working across each other’s facilities and collaborating toward shared goals, knowledge transfer is a massive advantage that can benefit future projects and potentially develop into subsequent applications that support other partners.”

Their latest three-year advanced composite manufacturing project, led by Dr. Asala, is scheduled for completion in the fall. The project aims to integrate automated lay-up and novel forming technologies into Magellan’s F-35 Lightning II fighter jets. Automating a manual process will create time and workforce efficiency, improve precision and allow real-time inspections for quality control, while establishing RRC Polytech as a hub for access to these technologies and related training.

“This project is a prime example of a collaboration between academia, industry, research organizations and funders that is helping Manitoba and Canada build an ecosystem that supports long-term innovation and economic growth,” said Dr. Asala. “Because our students are gaining hands-on experience through direct participation in the project, we’re also helping to develop the next generation of highly qualified personnel (HQP) in advanced manufacturing.”

Magellan Aerospace Limited is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, however the Winnipeg facility remains its largest operation with over 700 employees, many of them graduates of RRC Polytech, including General Manager, Ron Drepaul.

“The College gave me my start and instilled values I carry with me to this day – collaboration, hard work, and a willingness to learn,” said Drepaul, RRC Polytech’s 2024 recipient of the Distinguished Graduate Award, one of its highest honours.

“I look at RRC Polytech graduates as a pipeline of fresh talent with the skills and dedication we need for the future of aerospace in Manitoba. And it’s not just technology. We need all kinds of professionals. Business Administration is essential for us. We employ accountants, buyers, contract administrators, and program managers.”

Magellan also invests in RRC Polytech students through work-integrated learning opportunities, awards and bursaries, and mentorship to ensure graduates gain the experience and skillsets required to join their team and continue strengthening their competitive position in the global aerospace market.

“The sky is the limit for RRC Polytech graduates,” he shared. “With the right skills and a drive to keep learning, today’s students can help shape the future of aerospace – and we’re counting on them to do just that.”

To demonstrate the impact that applied research projects make on all Manitobans, we present RPI’s 20 Stories for 20 Years. A compilation showcasing successful partnerships from the past and the present, with a constant focus on the future.

When the prototype was unveiled in 2012, Manitoba’s premier called the All-Electric Bus “the future of public transport.” He was right: the All-Electric Bus (e-bus) was one of Manitoba’s most impactful advanced-vehicle innovation projects.

This project began in 2010, when the Province of Manitoba signed an MOU with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) to develop and demonstrate electric buses. Five partners assembled to make it happen: the Government of Manitoba, Manitoba Hydro, MHI, New Flyer Industries (New Flyer) and RRC Polytech. The total value of the project was $3 million, with contributions of $1 million each from the Government of Manitoba, Manitoba Hydro and MHI. 

Beyond investing in the e-bus and charging system development, the Province of Manitoba also contributed to the creation of an electric vehicle (EV) technology and education centre at RRC Polytech which was the foundation for the current Vehicle Technology & Energy Centre. VTEC continues to evolve and support EV technology innovation through applied research and training.

“RRC has played a key role alongside NFI and other companies in establishing Manitoba as a leader in heavy equipment and vehicle manufacturing, especially within the zero-emission space,” said Thomas Small, Director of New Product Development at New Flyer. 

“The goal was to bring industry and academia together to demonstrate battery technology and application, including charging. In this project, the partnership was ideal as RRC Polytech became the conduit for the partners to accomplish these goals.”

The prototype bus was built using New Flyer’s advanced Xcelsior glider platform. It then went to VTEC to develop the charging infrastructure, compare different types of batteries and perform the data performance analysis. The final step, a limited-run operational demonstration, was a success. 

It was finally time to start trying to take the e-bus, public.

The City of Winnipeg and the provincial government formed a joint task force on transit electrification with representatives from Manitoba Hydro, New Flyer and RRC Polytech. 

“RRC Polytech was part of the Joint Task Force on Transit Electrification, which assessed the economics and the greenhouse gas emission profiles for electric transit buses relative to diesel buses,” said Jojo Delos Reyes, Program Manager, Research Partnerships & Innovation (RPI). 

“One key component of integrating e-buses into the current fleet is providing training. This is where we saw an opportunity to approach Winnipeg Transit about supplemental training courses.”

New Flyer provides an intensive e-bus course to transit maintenance technicians across North America. While this training is immersive, the VTEC team saw a need for reskilling and upskilling transit mechanics and technicians in preparation for the New Flyer course. 

So VTEC worked with Winnipeg Transit to develop the Electric Bus Technology program, which focuses on battery safety and electrical fundamentals. 

“We have delivered this program several times, and we are known for it, specifically thanks to the training aids developed by VTEC in partnership with the industry,” said Delos Reyes.

NFI still regularly works with RRC Polytech to develop and validate its e-bus offerings.

“With the availability of the MotiveLab™, NFI is able to test a number of designs locally rather than move the vehicle and personnel to other test facilities. We also see RRC Polytech as a resource for a sounding board for various design issues we may come across,” said Small.

“As for battery technology, we have many suppliers that we leverage, however, the initial project experience gave us a good foundation in understanding the nuances of the technology from battery chemistry, controls, charging, etc.”

Speaking of batteries, the e-bus project also gave RRC Polytech access to the battery technology that would later be used in the 2021 EV Tundra Buggy project. 

“The EV Tundra Buggy would not have been possible without the batteries from New Flyer,” said Delos Reyes. “Mainly because of the high cost of buying new batteries compared to using free, and safe-to-use repurposed batteries.” 

Currently, the staff and students at VTEC are leading the Electric School Bus Conversion project in partnership with Noble Northern (the company that supported the Tundra Buggy conversion).

“RRC Polytech has been leading the way in EV technology for a number of years and we’re proud to work with our partners to expand the technology to different types of vehicles,” said Delos Reyes. “Reducing emissions and sourcing renewable energies for fuel is one of the ways we are hoping to make a positive impact on our environment and create a sustainable future.”

The RRC Polytech-led College-University Lab to Market Network for Entrepreneurship and Research Commercialization has launched its first program – Technology Readiness Level Up (TRL^)!

The new TRL^ Program offers training in commercialization and innovation, helping students and researchers take their work to market. The goal of the program is to provide a new understanding and mindset shift regarding the ‘how-to’ of product development, scale up, and advancing technology readiness level toward commercialization.

The program is built for students, recent graduates and postdocs at Canadian institutions (Colleges and Universities) who have a research-based venture or an idea for a research-based venture and/or are interested in advancing the technology readiness of their invention, technology, product or service in any field. This program will help them better assess and navigate product development and the path towards commercialization.

It provides experiential placement in College and Polytechnic applied research environments, including Technology Access Centres (TACs) and les centres collégiaux de transfert detechnologies (CCTTs).

The TRL^ Program is now accepting Expressions of Interest from qualified applicants who want to participate in its Fall 2025 cohort.

Successful applicants will be awarded a $10,000 stipend over the Fall semester funded in part through applications to the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship program. The TRL^ program will help applicants to navigate this process at every step of the way.

Click here for more information and to access the EOI

The first round of EOIs for this first cohort will be accepted up until May 9, 2025. For questions about this program or to request more information, please contact TRL@rrc.ca

Join our team and play a vital role in shaping the future of innovation!

RRC Polytech is seeking a dynamic Program Manager to lead the Manitoba regional hub of its collaborative College-University Lab to Market initiative.

This strategic and leadership position is an exciting opportunity to work closely with other post-secondary institutions and a national network of peers and local innovators to support entrepreneurship training and research commercialization across Canada. The $24.1 million federally funded initiative is led by RRC Polytech’s Research Partnerships & Innovation enterprise and comprised of eight regional and three Indigenous hubs.

Key responsibilities include:

• administrative leadership
• program development
• financial and metrics reporting
• engaging the entrepreneurial community
• contributing to national strategies while ensuring program excellence locally
• collaborating with eight regional hubs and three Indigenous entrepreneurship hubs to drive impactful results

Similar positions at regional hubs across the country are being posted to the links below. Postings at the Indigenous hubs will be announced soon, as the network continues to take shape.

If you’re passionate about innovation, leadership, and community-building, this role is your chance to contribute meaningfully to Canada’s entrepreneurial landscape.

Apply today:

BC Hub – BCIT

AB Hub North – NAIT

AB Hub South – SAIT

SK Hub – Saskatchewan Polytechnic

MB Hub – RRC Polytech

ON Hub – Humber Polytechnic

QC Hub – Cégep de Thetford

ATL Hub – NSCC 

A new polytechnic network created last month to provide industry partners with better access to applied research expertise and facilities is already digging into how it can support the mining and minerals sector across the prairies.

Designed to drive economic growth and diversification through collaboration, the Prairie Polytechnic Innovation Network Accelerating Commercialization for Local Ecosystems or P2INACLE launched its first pilot initiative in Saskatoon in mid-March.

A team from RRC Polytech joined peers from across Western Canada at P2INACLE’S lead institution, Saskatchewan Polytechnic to meet with the International Minerals Innovation Institute (IMII) for some great discussion about the challenges that mining firms are facing and idea generation for ways to address them.

In May, P2INACLE researchers will join a larger group of mining and minerals industry professionals at IMII’s IDEATE 2025 event to connect and explore specific applied research projects that can solve problems for partners in the mining industry.

“This initiative will address key industry challenges and harness the collective expertise of polytechnics and industry partners across the Prairies, driving both economic growth and technological advancements,” said Al Shpyth, Executive Director of IMII, in last month’s PrairiesCan funding announcement. “We look forward to the impactful solutions that will arise from this collaborative effort.”

Although mining is the focus of its first initiative, P2INACLE aims to be a catalyst for wide-spread regional prosperity by providing streamlined access to resources for all industries, including small and medium-sized enterprises as well as larger businesses. By leveraging the expertise and facilities of each polytechnic, P2INACLE offers tailored solutions for commercialization and diversification, fostering innovation and knowledge exchange. Areas of expertise also include clean technologies, digital technologies, value-added agriculture and natural resources.

Manitoba-based partners and businesses are invited to reach out to RRC Polytech’s Research, Partnerships & Innovation (RPI) department to learn more about P2INACLE and how they can connect with the College’s expertise.

rpi@rrc.ca

To demonstrate the impact that applied research projects make on all Manitobans, we present RPI’s 20 Stories for 20 Years. A compilation showcasing successful partnerships from the past and the present, with a constant focus on the future.

Driven by the need for an agricultural safety training tool, a collaboration between RRC Polytech, the University of Manitoba and Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) produced a unique vehicle to help predict, teach and demonstrate tractor roll overs.

The Mini Roll Over Training Tractor (Mini ROTT) was publicly demonstrated at the UM’s Glenlea Research Station in the summer of 2020. Approximately the size of an average lawn tractor but with the appearance of a traditional tractor, the radio-controlled Mini ROTT will be used for teaching and demonstration of roll overs and activities that will enhance students’ and farmers’ understanding of farm safety practices.

“Keystone Agricultural Producers is proud to be a part of the roll over training tractor (ROTT) project through our Manitoba Farm Safety Program. This innovative tool will promote the need for safety awareness and training across our sector to reduce the risk of serious injury in the operation of tractors and large equipment on farms across the province,” said the late and legendary Bill Campbell, then President, KAP.

“The partnership we have forged with the University of Manitoba and Red River College (Polytechnic) shows the importance of our industry to this province and showcases some of the brightest minds and ingenuity we have here in Manitoba.”

The project was initiated by the UM’s Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences to supplement hands-on safety workshops developed for diploma students and farmers.  The UM teamed up with KAP’s Manitoba Farm Safety Program (now known as FarmSafe Manitoba) staff to explore the concept of a remote-controlled tractor as an interactive training tool for teaching roll over prevention strategies.

UM and KAP then engaged with RRC Polytech’s Technology Access Centre for Aerospace & Manufacturing (TACAM) and Vehicle Technology & Energy Centre (VTEC) to complete the fabrication process. The research staff at TACAM designed and built the tractor, with support from the VTEC team on the electronics and systems control components.

“Working with Keystone Agricultural Producers and the University of Manitoba on the roll over training tractor (ROTT) is the perfect demonstration of the value of applied research: providing tangible solutions to real-world problems,” said Fred Meier, President & CEO, RRC Polytech.

“The ROTT highlights the skill and expertise of our TACAM and VTEC teams. We’re proud to play a role in farm safety awareness and supporting the agriculture industry in Manitoba.”

Funding for the project came from a variety of sources, including the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences Endowment Fund, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada through RRC Polytech’s TACAM and VTEC-Innovation Enhancement grants, and Keystone Agricultural Producers.

RRC Polytech, FarmSafe Manitoba and UM staff continue to collaborate on expanded tractor training and developing programs aimed at creating a safer agri-food industry. In fact, the Mini ROTT is currently back in the Smart Factory at NDC as the TACAM team makes some necessary upgrades. It will then return to the Glenlea Research Station where it can be utilized for farm safety training for post-secondary students and Manitoba farmers.

To demonstrate the impact that applied research projects make on all Manitobans, we present RPI’s 20 Stories for 20 Years. A compilation showcasing successful partnerships from the past and the present, with a constant focus on the future.

RRC Polytech’s Building Efficiency Technology Access Centre (BETAC) has been researching air tightness and methods of testing it since a 2012 pilot project, which means the partners who turn to BETAC for air tightness testing engage some of the province’s leading expertise in the field.

In the fall of 2021, BETAC completed an air tightness test at Gordon Bell High School, whose building features walls and mechanical systems that are more than 50 years old. The results provided insights into cost-effective measures for reducing energy usage at Gordon Bell, prior to its renovation.

Chris Buzunis, the Province of Manitoba’s Senior Energy Engineer and project manager for the Gordon Bell retrofit, says BETAC’s pre- and post-renovation air tightness testing has proven valuable on many projects like this.

“It helps identify problem areas to address at the start of a project and has also been a fantastic quality control tool when construction is complete. We have identified many deficiencies that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.”

BETAC offers a variety of non-destructive tests that target specific building sizes and challenges. The process usually starts with a walkthrough to assess door locations, HVAC intake and exhaust grills, power supply, and whether the building can be isolated.

During the test itself, powerful fans pressurize and depressurize the building, while equipment measures how much air is moved into or out of the building and tracks the corresponding pressure difference across the building enclosure. 

The results of the envelop test speak to the general durability of the building, and the continuity and performance of the air barrier. A second set of tests, conducted with all intentional openings left open, measures the energy performance of the building more directly. At this stage, testers may deploy smoke pencils and infrared thermography cameras to identify specific air leakage pathways.

All together, these tests can take anywhere from several hours to three days, depending on the size and complexity of the building. The results deliver quantifiable data that can help owners of existing buildings locate problem areas and determine the costs and benefits of a retrofit. For new buildings, a final air tightness test can complement air leakage testing performed throughout construction.

“Collaboration and coordination are critical to the success of all projects in the construction sector regardless of size and scope, so BETAC is proud to play any role required to support our partners in reaching their goals of delivering the highest quality results on time and on budget,” said Dr. Alireza Kaboorani, Director of RRC Polytech’s Building Efficiency Technology Access Centre.

Demand for tests like these will only increase as more cities and governments incorporate air tightness and energy efficiency into their building codes and green mandates. In addition to air leak testing, BETAC has committed to ongoing public outreach efforts to share the findings of its research. The results of BETAC’s work continue to inform the Province of Manitoba’s Green Building Policy and low carbon initiatives.