Did You Know?

… the same technology used to save trees, can save lives? It may soon be possible to geographically locate 911 emergency calls made from a cell phone anywhere on the globe.

… Alberta surgeons are improving the quality of life for patients needing facial reconstruction due to cancer, birth defects or injuries? Based in Edmonton at the Misericordia Hospital, iRSM (Institute for Reconstructive Sciences in Medicine) of the Caritas Health Group is internationally recognized for reconstructions and natural looking prostheses.

… that plastics, lubricants, cosmetics and fuels can all be made from canola seeds? Dr. Suresh Narine at the University of Alberta is helping the province's value-added agriculture industry grow through research that uses canola as the basis for edible and industrial products. http://www.lipid.afns.ualberta.ca/

… that Heptovir, a leading Hepatitis B treatment, was developed at the University of Alberta, by Dr. Lorne Tyrrell and Dr. Morris Robbins? Heptovir has been licensed for sale in more than 120 countries since 1998.

… Alberta innovation took a weed and created a product that's become a multi-billion dollar industry? Aspen, the most abundant hardwood species in Alberta, is used to make oriented strand board (OSB), a material used extensively in wood frame construction.

… Alberta is the home of an internationally celebrated scientist who has added a new dimension to Darwin's theory of evolution? iCORE chair Dr. Stuart Kauffman chose Alberta to continue research on genetic regulatory networks; he's tracing gene and cell 'evolution' to find new ways to treat cancer.

… plastic can be made from oilseeds? Researchers at the University of Alberta are turning canola and flax oil into environmentally friendly plastic products. Alberta farms could benefit from this technology because of the international demand for plastics.

… a robot is helping to find a cure for arthritis? The robot simulator is helping bioengineers at the University of Calgary determine why injured joints often develop arthritis, and how to improve the healing process.

… a wafer that tastes a like a graham cracker can detect diabetes? Developed by Alberta biotech company Ceapro Inc., the wafers provide an accurate, sensitive and consistent way to help identify the onset of adult diabetes.

… a tropical fish may help fight cancer and diabetes? Research at the University of Calgary on blood vessels in zebra fish could one day help people suffering from both diseases.

… that a world-leading supplier of soft gelatin capsules is in Olds, Alberta? Banner, Pharmacaps is just one of many biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies discovering business is better in Alberta.

… that researchers at the University of Alberta are part of an international team working to discover the sequence of the bovine genome? The project will provide a better understanding of how genes work and this new knowledge can then be applied to human health and well-being.

… that the world-class research going on in Alberta's post-secondary institutions often leads to the creation of profitable companies? Research at the University of Calgary has led to SemBioSys Genetics Inc., an Alberta company that has developed technology to produce and purify therapeutic proteins in safflower oil seeds.

… that computer models allow scientists to step into a virtual, 3D human body? The University of Calgary is designated as a Sun Centre of Excellence for Visual Genomics, and the 3D cave is a powerful life science research tool, the first of its kind.

… that the University of Alberta has made a breakthrough in the treatment of diabetes? The "Edmonton Protocol" is an islet cell treatment system and a potential cure for diabetes.

… farmers use lime to increase crop yields? The Alberta Research Council is involved in a research project that will make good use of the lime-based waste from pulp mills.

… Alberta's revolutionary procedure, neuroArm, is a world first? A surgical team at the Foothills Medical Centre has successfully performed groundbreaking neurosurgery with a robot developed by a team at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary.

… an Alberta researcher has won one of the most prestigious medical science awards? Dr. Samuel Weiss, director of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine has earned a Gairdner International Award, one of the world's most prestigious medical science awards. Historically, one in four Gairdner awardees has gone on to win a Nobel Prize.

… Albert has the capability international pharmaceutical companies are looking for? Pfizer has chosen Edmonton-based QSV Biologics as a manufacturing partner for a complex biothenology product among a strong field of contending companies.

… Alberta may soon use CO₂ to enhance production from mature conventional oil basins or permanently store the CO₂ in deep saline aquifers? This would reduce CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere and reduce the advancement of global warming. Several field pilots are underway to test the underground storage and/or use of carbon dioxide from large industrial plants.

… corrosion costs oil and gas producers hundreds of millions of dollars each year? A breakthrough composite ceramic coating technology, invented and developed by the Alberta Research Council, protects metal against corrosion and erosion, saving billions of dollars in material loss and equipment damage worldwide.

… Canada is ranked second in the world in terms of proven oil reserves? The majority of these oil reserves are found in northern Alberta's oil sands. Underlying an area more than three times the size of Switzerland, Alberta is committed to long-term development of this secure and reliable supply of energy in an environmentally responsible manner. http://oilsands.alberta.ca/index.cfm

… Syncrude is the world's largest producer of crude oil from oil sands, which is the largest single source of oil in Canada? Through its research and development, Syncrude has significantly contributed to the development of the oil sands industry.

… the town of Okotoks, in collaboration with other partners, has developed a 52-home subdivision that uses solar energy? The project collects solar energy in the summer for use in the winter.

… Alberta has Canada's only 200 kW commercially operated high-voltage fuel cell? Located within NAIT, this self-contained energy system generates both electricity and heat.

… manure is being turned into usable energy in Alberta? A new pilot plant at an Alberta feedlot is transforming manure into renewable energy and fertilizers, while reducing greenhouse gases.

… University of Alberta researchers have discovered a new way to generate electricity? By pushing little streams of water through tiny channels, they have discovered the first new way of generating electricity in over a hundred years.

… a team of Albertans is bringing light to developing nations? Researchers at the University of Calgary have created an environmentally-friendly lamp that can light up a small village using less energy than a regular 100-watt light bulb. http://www.lightuptheworld.org/

… Alberta is home to a new satellite centre that is unique in North America? The Alberta Terrestrial Imaging Centre is the primary receiving and distribution station for SPOT satellite images that can provide better information about the land below. Areas as diverse as emergency response, energy pipeline monitoring and watershed research benefit from this technology.

… the world's first interactive whiteboard was developed in Alberta by SMART Technologies Inc.? The SMART Board™ interactive whiteboard is a touch-sensitive display that connects to a computer and digital projector so you can control your computer image directly from the display.

… an Albertan invented JAVA, the programming language for advanced computer and communications technology? James Gosling, grew up in the Calgary area and is a graduate of the University of Calgary.

… technology once considered science fiction is now a reality right here in Alberta? iCORE chair Dr. Pierre Boulanger is improving virtual reality technology that allows individuals around the world to communicate like they are in the same laboratory. These Collaborative Virtual Environments are formed by linking multimedia facilities through high-speed networks.

… Alberta is home to an annual Lego™ robotics competition? The FIRST Lego League Alberta engages children in hands-on robotics design and holds a year-end high-energy, sports-like tournament.

… that an Edmonton company creates internationally recognized video games? BioWare, a division of Electronic Arts, has developed many popular video games including the best-selling PC and Xbox 360™ video game, Mass Effect. http://www.bioware.com/

… Alberta is home to a one-of-a-kind, high-speed broadband network? The Alberta SuperNet links libraries, schools, hospitals and provincial government offices in 422 communities across Alberta.

… Chinook, the first computer program to win a human world championship in any game (checkers), was created in Alberta? iCORE researcher Dr. Jonathan Schaeffer and his team designed Chinook and are currently investigating new "intelligent" behaviour technologies for the computer games industry.

… western Canada is home to one of the world's largest computer grids? West Grid links computers in eight learning institutions across Alberta and B.C. so its processing power can act as one massive computer, helping researchers solve scientific problems.

… that you can learn about robots in Edmonton? The Autonomous Robotic Vehicle Project at the University of Alberta visits elementary, junior high and senior high schools to introduce students to robotics.

… Dr. Robert Burrell at the University of Alberta developed what is believed to be one of the world's first commercial medical applications of nanotechnology? Bandages coated with silver nano particles have anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties that help to speed healing, and have saved the lives and limbs of patients around the world.

… Canada's National Institute for Nanotechnology, located in Edmonton, is the country's quietest research space? The laboratory space has ultra-low vibration, minimal acoustical noise and electro-magnetic interference, creating the highly stable environment necessary when using specialized instruments.

… Alberta is home to one of the world's most technologically advanced research facilities? The National Institute for Nanotechnology located at the University of Alberta focuses on finding ways to engineer molecules that are 50,000 times smaller than a human hair.

… that people are calling nanotechnology the new oil and Alberta is the frontier once again? The National Institute for Nanotechnology and other centres like the U of A's NanoFabrication Facility , U of C's Advanced Micro and Nanosystems Integration Facility, Alberta Centre for Advanced MNT Products, and the MicroSystem Technology Research Initiative help local innovators develop new technologies.

… that nanotechnology is the science of building materials and machines 1/10,000 the size of a human hair? The University of Alberta is home to the National Institute for Nanotechnology.

… scientists can build machines and materials one atom at a time? Nanotechnology experts at the University of Alberta are thinking big, but working with the small to advance research in biotechnology and health, energy, engineering, computer science, and manufacturing.

… Alberta has been twinned with the Chinese province of Heilongjiang for more than two decades? This relationship has proved valuable for many municipalities and sectors within Alberta.

… you can find science in a crate? Through Alberta Advanced Education and Technology support, the Alberta Science Foundation provides teachers, librarians and community groups with hands-on science activities on a wide range of topics through its Science-in-a-Crate program.

… an Alberta researcher was the subject of a question on the TV show, "Who Wants to be a Millionaire"? The question asked about the computer that became the first world champion in checkers that Jonathan Schaeffer and his team programmed at the Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Machine Learning.

… world-class mathematical research is occurring in Banff? The Banff International Research Station for Mathematical Innovation and Discovery brings mathematical scientists together in a creative environment to exchange ideas, knowledge, and methods.

… Alberta has a link to the Maritimes? Engineers who graduated from the University of Calgary were part of the team that planned and designed Confederation Bridge. The bridge links New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island and is currently the longest bridge in the world to cross ice-covered salt water.

… that University of Alberta scientists employ high school students as research assistants? The WISEST Summer Research Program offers grade 11 students hands-on research experience in science.

… that the monitor consumes over half the energy used by your computer? If your computer runs all the time, the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board suggests turning the monitor off when you're finished using it to save energy.

… high school students are spending their summers doing medical research? The HYRS program of the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research gives grade 11 students across the province a hands-on experience of health research with researchers at the Universities of Alberta, Calgary and Lethbridge.

… women science students and scientists around Alberta are helping girls aged 11 to 18 discover careers in science? SCIberMENTOR helps expand the knowledge of careers, opportunities and benefits that exist for women in science and engineering fields.

… you can dissect a squid or construct a pinball machine at camp? Summer science camps run by the Universities of Alberta and Calgary give kids hands-on experience, take home projects and tours that explore the fields of science, engineering and technology.

… that the Government of Alberta helped create the Alberta Venture Channel? It's not television, but a series of ongoing initiatives connecting Alberta-based high-tech companies with specialized mentoring, investment dollars, international business contacts and expanded markets.

… the University of Alberta's centrally supported learning management system delivers over 2800 courses to over 30,000 students each academic year? On average, every student at the University of Alberta, enrolls in 2.5 online courses as a complement to their face-to-face courses or as full online courses.

… CyberaNet is one of the fastest Internet system in the world? Departments at the Universities of Calgary, Alberta, Lethbridge and Manitoba use CyberaNet to work on common projects.

… The University of Alberta in Edmonton is one of the top 100 research universities in the world? Serving some 37,000 students with more than 11,000 faculty and staff, the university attracts more than $480 million in external research funding. It offers close to 400 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in 18 faculties.