2012 Alberta Innovates Calendar

Alberta Innovates is focused on solving the world's biggest problems with the best in research and innovation. Meet some of the researchers who are helping us find these solutions, and discover the great locations in Alberta that inspire their research in the pages of the free 2012 Alberta Innovates Calendar. Order your print copy while supplies last, offer good only in Canada. Please allow four to six weeks for delivery. Please email your request for a free calendar to: calendar@albertainnovates.ca

2012 Alberta Innovates Calendar, January

The Icefields Parkway in the Canadian Rockies is known worldwide for its spectacular glaciers and amazing rock formations, and as a geologist, Syrie Crouch appreciates both immensely. Crouch has over 20 years of experience working as a geologist around the world. As sequestration manager of Shell Canada's Quest Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Project, she now calls Alberta home.

Novice skiers in good hands in Alberta

Our awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains attract some of the best and worst skiers in the world. Luckily for the latter, our province's superior healthcare system draws top health care researchers, practitioners and innovators from around the globe.

Where to find Canada’s National Institute of Nanotechnology? Alberta, naturally

Alberta is home to some of Canada's most significant nanotechnology assets, including the National Institute for Nanotechnolgy. Alberta is also a destination for the world when it comes to nanotechnology research, product development and commercialization. Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures oversees all of nano activities in Alberta, making it easier for local and international stakeholders to access Alberta's growing web of nanotechnology resources.

Where energy is boundless

Alberta was blessed with the third largest known resource of oil in the world. But it's what we've done with those resources that has made us a global leader in oil sands and heavy oil innovation. We are at the forefront of technologies such as gasification, upgrading, carbon capture and storage, water use, tiling management and alternative energy.

How our $131 million facility can help you turn waste into fuel

For the first time ever, researchers looking to test processes to convert garbage into valuable biofuels and biochemicals can do so in a fully operating pilot plant. No need to build their own $131 million facility first- they can simply access the Biofuel plant available through Alberta Innovates.

Alberta has networked all the services and resources for small business

The Alberta Regional Innovation Network System is a new, integrated province-wide system. It ensures small and medium-sized enterprises and innovators have access to vital services and resources to help them succeed.

Thwarting the diabolic plans of Mountain Pine Beetles

Some Canadian mills are shutting down due to inferior fiber associated with mountain pine-beetle killed wood. However, one newsprint mill in Alberta is not only surviving the pine beetle's effects - in fact, production has been boosted to record highs. Alberta Newsprint Company has been able to continue producing top-quality newsprint despite being forced to use inferior wood chips from wood killed by mountain pine beetles. This unique situation has been possible thanks to a discovery made by Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures. The corporation developed a detection and response system for inferior, beetle-killed wood. The discovery not only boosted production despite the setback, but it helped save many jobs. Alberta Newsprint Company is Whitecourt, Alberta's main employer.

Fuel that withstands cold! Really

Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures is an integral part of ensuring the fuel supplies for both ground use and aviation are suitable for the extreme cold. The corporation provides testing services and remediation services within remote communities or any fuel found to be insufficient, thus protecting the lives and safe travel of northern residents.

Life in Canada's north depends on diesel to heat and power homes and buildings, and run vehicles. Northern life also depends on aviation fuel to fly in supplies. Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures fuels and lubricants are an integral part of ensuring the fuel supplies for both ground use and aviation are suitable for the extreme cold. Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures not only provides testing services, but also remediation services, within remote communities if necessary, for any fuel found to be insufficient, thus protecting the lives and safe travel of northern residents.

The Calgary Stroke Program at the University of Calgary

The Calgary Stroke Program at the University of Calgary is a leading centre of stroke diagnosis and care. Leading research at the Calgary Stroke Program is supported by Alberta Innovates Health Solutions.

Grants contribute to teamwork

We encourage our interdisciplinary and multi-institutional teams to collaborate as they work towards addressing important research questions. We do this by setting up Interdisciplinary Team Grants.

Alberta is one of the best destinations for research and commerce in the growing field of geomatics

Alberta is one of the best destinations for research and commerce in the growing field of geomatics. We help translate geomatics research into a growth industry by supporting Tecterra, the research and development Centre that brings together researchers and companies.

Alberta Innovates has lots of cool stuff

Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures helps organizations develop their technologies faster and smarter by providing unique resources, incuding the following: 100,000m2 of lab and pilot scale facilities; industrial research and product development; technology assessment, technology development and demonstration; technology commercialization; testing and analysis.

Alberta Innovates made of four distinct expert organizations

Alberta Innovates - the system researchers around the world agree is unique - serves as an umbrella banner for four distinct, expert organizations devoted to bio, energy and environment, health, and technology sectors. All actions of Alberta Innovates are guided by The Alberta Research and Innovation Authority, an international advisory board.

How meaningful support propels your research career

Alberta's equity in research has created a wealth of highly qualified knowledge leaders who can take Alberta forward into the knowledge-driven economy. The Alberta Innovates Academy offers a broad range of support to researchers at all stages of their careers, from graduate students to the world's top researchers.

International partners have streamlined access to Alberta Innovates

Our partners have streamlined access through one point of contact that brings all resources to the table through one agreement and one system. That's because we take a "problem-focused" approach that brings together experts from other provinces and multiple universities all under one memorandum of understanding (MOU).

As an example of this streamlined system, we have just signed one with Johnson & Johnson that covers exploring many collaborative opportunities in health research and innovation. Our partners don't need to worry about boundaries between experts. We have not seen other innovation jurisdictions cover so many relationships and opportunities with one simplified MOU.

Alberta is one of the best destinations for research on the role carbohydrates play in health

Alberta is one of the best destinations for research on the role carbohydrates play in health. We operate the Centre for Carbohydrate Science, which drives some of the most novel and hopeful pathways for disease prevention treatment today.

The Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute

The Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute is the largest project of its kind ever attempted in Canada. The institute is an important, proactive risk management tool providing early detection about biodiversity change. Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures is a key partner in the institute.

Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures provides a suite of post–secondary and industry investment programs

Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures provides a suite of post-secondary and industry investment programs. The funding helps to cultivate the development of world-class research teams in Alberta. Our funding helps companies accelerate their growth. We also act as an information and connection resource in specialized areas.

The Canadian Centre for Behavioural Research at the University of Lethbridge

The Canadian Centre for Behavioural Research at the University of Lethbridge is a world-class research facility for behavioural neuroscience research in Canada. Research focuses on normal brain processes and recovery from brain disorders, disease, and injury. Research at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Research is funded by Alberta Innovates Health Solutions.

Making Connections Conference 2012

What are funders looking for in terms of measuring impact and value in health research? Learn more at the Making Connections Conference June 17-19, 2012.