Red River College is giving Manitoba electric vehicle (EV) owners a boost with its recently installed and operational Level 3 (30KW DC) quick charging station, the first of its kind in the province and one of about two dozen across Canada.
Drivers of Level 3 compliant EVs, including Nissan Leafs, Mitsubishi i-MiEVs, and Teslas, can now drop by the College’s Notre Dame Campus to charge up while contributing to research on the charger’s performance in Manitoba’s climate.
“With the installation of this new charger, we continue to play a leading role in Manitoba’s green transportation future,” said David Rew, RRC interim president and CEO. “This rapid charging station is another key element in our Mobility from Green Energy Initiative and a logical next step in our vehicle technology research program.”
Level 3 stations can charge an EV to at least an 80 percent charge in 15 to 30 minutes; this is compared to a 220/240V Level 2 charger, which can take 4 to 6 hours to get to full charge, or an 110/120V Level 1 charger (like those found around your house), which can take about 24 hours.
“There are currently no other rapid charging stations of this level in a climate as diverse as Winnipeg’s,” said Ray Hoemsen, director of Applied Research & Commercialization at Red River College. “The effect on both the Lithium ion battery and vehicle performance when utilizing rapid charging in extreme winter weather is still unknown.”
The new charging station will be handy for compliant EV owners – especially those traveling from out of town – who need a quick boost to make it to their next destination.
“EV owners who live more than an hour’s drive from Winnipeg will now be able to use their EVs to commute to the city,” said Robert Elms, president of the Manitoba Electric Vehicle Association. “This is a major step forward in the establishment of EV charging infrastructure in Manitoba.”
Red River College is sharing the charging station with whoever is able to use it, so long as they register and agree to participate in its study when called upon.
Funding for the charger was provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada; it will be used as part of the College’s ongoing EV research, testing, and demonstration projects at its Electric Vehicle Technology & Education Centre (EVTEC).
See related Media coverage:

• Winnipeg Free Press
• The Metro
• The Winnipeg Sun
• CJOB
• ChrisD

This is article is the last of a series of four that were published in the College Applied Research Series by Ray Hoemsen, Director, Applied Research & Commercialization, Red River College.

• faculty release time and/or salary top-up;
• student salary or research grant (direct to student);
• student placement salary support (direct to employer);
• provision of materials, supplies, equipment and facility access; and
• enabling technology diffusion and transfer, including travel to conferences and workshops.

In this regard, the lessons learned (over the last decade) at Red River College include:

• flexible intellectual property policy incents industry engagement;
• students and instructors are integral and essential components in responding to community needs;
• supportive government policies and programs have helped to build college applied research capacity, but there are limited supports for non-degree college student engagement (other than the Tri-Council’s College and Community Innovation Program);
  employ students (at market rates) to work on industry applied research projects;
• use internal and external grants to engage students, as well as capstone projects and competitions;
• partner with other academic institutions; and hire students in the applied research office (i.e. “walk the talk”).

In closing, at CAURA’s Got Talent! (June 2014), the panel on student engagement in applied research in the colleges and polytechnics identified key outcomes as “increased skill acquisition and development; the ability to apply learning to real world contexts; and increased employability (and employment)”
 
(1): Applied Research at Colleges and Institutes 2012-13. Colleges and Institutes Canada. http://www.collegesinstitutes.ca/what-wedo/ appliedresearch-2/scan-2012-13/ downloaded September 11, 2014.
(2): Polytechnics Canada Applied Research Metrics 2013/14.July 1, 2014
(3) Eligible costs under the Tri-Council’s College and Community Innovation Program, administered by NSERC.

Researchers are invited to join Innovate Manitoba’s experienced pitch coaching team to learn the art and science of the research sales pitch.

Manitoba’s academic researchers are producing world-class innovations and discoveries, but their ideas are often lost in translation when it comes to pitching to potential business partners.

This is resulting in missed opportunities, not only for the individual researchers, but also for Manitoba’s communities and the economy.

Researcher Pitch Coaching: Enrich your Pitch! is an interactive and focused event designed to transform attendees’ research pitch skills and techniques. This workshop will provide those who attend with everything they need to know about delivering a successful pitch to potential business partners.

“You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can’t get them across, your ideas won’t get you anywhere.”
– Lee Iacocca

LEARN MORE OR REGISTER

Evolve Your Business Thinking!

Event Registration and More Information Available at drivingsmeinnovation.com	Do you want to accelerate your growth? Are you facing tough technology and resource decisions? Looking to create culture of innovation in your company? Join us at Manitoba’s first innovation conference focused on small- to medium-sized businesses. This conference & workshop will show you how your company can increase efficiency, reduce risk and embrace innovation. Together, we will explore how to keep abreast of new technologies, grow and expand new products or services, reach new markets and enhance business productivity. Learn how to engage your customers and employees in success, fund your ideas, and grow to be an innovation leader in Manitoba.
Conference and Workshop Presented by:

The new, $15-million Community and College Social Innovation Fund offered by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) was presented in an info session at Red River College.
View the session here: http://blogs.rrc.ca/etv/information-sessions-and-resources/
 

More info:

The deadline for applications is March 2, 2015.
Proposals to the Community and College Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) are expected to:

• foster social innovation by connecting the talent, facilities and capabilities of Canada’s colleges and polytechnics with the research needs of local community organizations; and
• facilitate the development of collaborative social innovation research that brings together researchers, students and partners to address research challenges pertaining to social innovation.

Applicants can propose partnerships that build on existing collaborations or are new collaborations or innovative models. All partnerships should promote research, connection and professional training. Applicants are encouraged to explore multi-sector partnership approaches with partner organizations from the private, public and/or not-for-profit sectors.
For more information, please contact Jose Delos Reyes at jdelosreyes@RRC.CA

In recognition of the role of research in enhancing the quality of life of older adults and people with chronic or terminal illnesses, Riverview Health Centre is once again sponsoring a research competition.

Guidelines:

Total funding of up to $15,000 is available to support projects that deal with significant issues facing the elderly, chronically ill, terminally ill, or those requiring rehabilitation.
More than one project may be funded in this competition.
All studies must be conducted at Riverview Health Centre.

Eligibility

To promote collaboration between the clinical practice and academic communities, project teams must consist of at least one university-based researcher and one Riverview Health Centre staff member. Interdisciplinary projects are encouraged. Please note that graduate student research projects are eligible for this funding

Grant Specifications

The Riverview Health Centre Research Grant is an operating grant designed to defray the normal direct costs of research not including conference travel expenses or investigators’ salaries.
Download Application Form
Paper copies of the packages are available from Ms. Lisa Johnson, Administrative Assistant, Research Services, Riverview Health Centre, at 478-6249.
The application deadline is February 20, 2015
Grant applications will be reviewed by a Research Review Committee co-ordinated through Riverview Health Centre. The committee will include both university-based Research Affiliates and appointed Riverview Health Centre staff members.
Assessment criteria include: a) Scientific Merit (clarity of research questions/objectives; appropriateness of methods; generalizability and validity of research methodology utilized; experience and skills of the investigative team) and; b) Potential Contribution (significance of the research for the Riverview Health Centre population; extent and appropriateness of the communication/dissemination plans). The Scientific Review Committee will make recommendations regarding the projects and amount of funding to the President, Riverview Health Centre. Unsuccessful applicants may request written feedback from the Scientific Review Committee regarding their proposal.
All proposals submitted for funding must have the written approval of an ethics committee of a Manitoba University as well as Access Approval by the Riverview Health Centre Research Committee prior to the release of funds. In addition, any major change in the study protocol or budget during the project must be approved before the grantee undertakes the change.
The research grant(s) will be administered through the Finance Department of Riverview Health Centre. Before funds are released, successful applicants will be required to sign a contract of acceptance indicating other sources of funding applied for or received.
The starting date for successful grants is March 31, 2015. Projects should not exceed 12 to 18 months in duration, although extensions to the funding will be considered if a written request is provided to the committee three months prior to the original deadline. At the end of the grant period, the grantee must submit a copy of the project report to the Manager, Research, including an Executive Summary for distribution to the public and/or health care community.
It is expected that grant holders will acknowledge the assistance of Riverview Health Centre in all presentations and publications arising from the funded project and will provide a presentation at Riverview Health Centre on their findings within six months after the completion of the project. It is also expected that a copy of any publication that results from the research supported by this competition will be forwarded to the Manager of Research at Riverview Health Centre.
If you have any questions please contact John Bond, Manager of Research, by phone at 478-6215 or by email at jbond@rhc.mb.ca.

You are invited to attend an information session on the new, $15-million Community and College Social Innovation Fund offered by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The deadline for applications is March 2, 2015.
Proposals to the Community and College Social Innovation Fund (CCSIF) are expected to:

• foster social innovation by connecting the talent, facilities and capabilities of Canada’s colleges and polytechnics with the research needs of local community organizations; and
• facilitate the development of collaborative social innovation research that brings together researchers, students and partners to address research challenges pertaining to social innovation.

Applicants can propose partnerships that build on existing collaborations or are new collaborations or innovative models. All partnerships should promote research, connection and professional training. Applicants are encouraged to explore multisector partnership approaches with partner organizations from the private, public and/or not-for-profit sectors.
If you are interested in applying for CCSIF funding and want to know more about the program, please email Lyndsay Ross (ldross@rrc.ca) to register.
 
IN-PERSON: Seats are limited so register early.  
Date: January 19, 2015
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Location: e-TV Studio B – Red River College – 2055 Notre Dame Ave.
 
LIVE STREAMING:
Follow this link: http://blogs.rrc.ca/etv/streaming/
Click on the ‘Next Live Stream’ image to play. No username or password is required. The stream will go live shortly before the presentation begins.
During the live presentation, you are encouraged to ask questions or add comments. To do so, please click on the “word bubble” icon found on the bottom right of the player. Please include your name, email address (if you require a follow-up response), and a subject heading.
Note: You can also use the “word bubble” to report any technical issues.

WINNIPEG, MB – Red River College showcases its latest applied research in food innovation at the Paterson GlobalFoods Institute, this time incorporating bean flours and purees into healthy familiar dishes.
The showcase, entitled ‘Plating Pulses’ is the product of a research partnership between the College and the Manitoba Pulse Growers Association Inc. (MPGA), a not-for-profit organization representing 3,000 Manitoba farmers of edible pulses such as soybeans, dry beans and peas.

Kyle Friesen, president of MPGA, delivers his remarks.

“We are thrilled with the work the College has been doing to develop nutritional and delicious recipes that demonstrate to consumers how locally produced pulses can be incorporated into their everyday diets,” said Kyle Friesen, MPGA president.
Research has shown that only a half-cup of beans per day can reduce bad cholesterol, help manage hunger, and provide a sustainable source of protein.
“That is why we partnered with College,” said Friesen. “We know about the amazing health benefits of pulses, but we wanted to create more awareness among consumers and the Manitoba food industry by modifying traditional dishes that feature pulses, without affecting the taste or texture of the food.”
The dishes showcased include perogies made from bean flour dough, chicken potpie with a bean flour crust, and crème brulée with half the fat cut using navy bean puree.

Thai Banana Squash and Navy Bean Soup with a gluten-free bean cracker getting served up to showcase guests.

“This showcase is an excellent example of the role that our culinary institute plays in supporting the growth of Manitoba’s food producers,” said Ray Hoemsen, director, Applied Research and Commercialization, Red River College.  “Along with training the culinary innovators of tomorrow, RRC provides a wealth of applied research resources for local businesses, including recipe development, test marketing, and demonstrations.”
Red River College’s Paterson GlobalFoods Institute opened in 2013 and was supported with funding from the Paterson Foundation and Western Economic Diversification Canada to fill an innovation gap for food product development and service in Manitoba.
“Our Government is pleased to support the applied research being conducted at Red River College through the Paterson GlobalFoods Institute. The partnership between RRC and the Manitoba Pulse Growers Association demonstrates how locally grown produce and grains can be transformed into healthy and delicious foods,” said the Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.
Winnipeg is becoming a true leader in culinary excellence, with the recent opening of Red River College’s Paterson GlobalFoods Institute. World-class instruction, cutting-­edge technology and partnerships with key industry players prepare RRC students to become the next generation of influencers in the fields of culinary arts, professional baking and patisserie and hospitality and tourism management.

This applied research presentation by Said Hassan, instructor and CARD-funded researcher delves into the work he has done to assist a local health product manufacturer with product modification and development.
Said presents his work on modifying and developing formulation of a liquid health product in a non-technical, easy to understand presentation. In the context of this work, he highligts some opportunities and challenges in conducting industrial applied research with external industry partners. This session is of interest to individuals in the areas of Biochemistry, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical QA-QC, Allied Health Sciences and other health related RRC programs such as nursing.
Check out his presentation!
Want to attend presentations like this in person? Interested in delivering a presentation yourself? Have any content suggestions? Please contact:
Claudius Soodeen | csoodeen@rrc.ca | 204.632.2147