Construction Research Centre Officially Opened at Algonquin College
Posted on Friday, January 30th, 2015
Centre, established through research grants and industry contributions, will enhance learning opportunities for students and provide access to cutting edge equipment to industry though joint research projects.
(Photo L-R: José Aguilera, local entrepreneur; Alex Yang, Construction Research Centre Project Manager; Cheryl Jensen, President, Algonquin College; Pierre Normand, Vice-President, External Relations and Communications, Canada Foundation for Innovation; Jared Potvin, Algonquin College student; Dr. Riccardo brun del Re, Acting Director, Applied Research & Innovation, Algonquin College)
They say if you build it, they will come. In the case of Algonquin College’s Construction Research Centre, the hope is this new centre will attract clients for the College’s Office of Applied Research & Innovation while also providing students and graduates with access to cutting edge equipment.
“Applied research is an important part of what makes Algonquin College a polytechnic learning institution,” says Cheryl Jensen, President, Algonquin College. “This new research centre will enhance the hands-on learning opportunities for many of our students and deepens our ties with local industry. We are pleased to open this new centre and we thank our funding partners for their support of our students’ learning.”
“Our recently announced Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy reaffirms our commitment to support world-class research infrastructure to enhance our country’s research and innovation capacity,” says Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology). “Through the Canada Foundation for Innovation, our government is proud to partner with Algonquin College to support the use of 3-D printers and simulation tools, along with advanced data analytics, to address challenges facing Canada’s construction industry in order to create jobs, growth and opportunity for Canadians.”
This centre was established through funding from Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Ontario Research Fund (ORF), and contributions from private industry – all told, the support totals $3.15 million of equipment and infrastructure to enhance Algonquin College’s capabilities to conduct research in the area of construction in both Ottawa and Perth, Ontario.
The Construction Research Centre facility itself contains approximately $2.8 million worth of cutting edge research equipment and software to support applied research – projects which connect students, faculty, and industry clients to solve everyday challenges. The equipment and software will largely be used by students in construction and media and design programs.
The equipment includes a professional 3D laser scanner used to create 3D digital models of structures; a HoloStation, an immersive environment to visualize 3D models using 3D glasses and a hand-held remote; a sophisticated 3D printer that can produce parts with a high degree of accuracy; powerful infra-red cameras that can take video of thermal images and measure traffic flows to buildings; and a lab outfitted with powerful Mac and PC workstation computers.