In a recent announcement, Dr. Alireza Bayat and Dr. Yaman Boluk were named as two of this season's recipients of funding from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and its Leaders Opportunity Fund grant program.

The University of Alberta has seven professors receiving support through this latest round of grants, three of which (Bayat, Boluk, and oilsands molecular engineering expert Dr. Thomas Thundat) hail from the Faculty of Engineering; the funding provides more than three million dollars in research funding to the U of A for a wide variety of applications.

Bayat received more than $250 000 to support his research into non-traditional materials (such as recycled tires, bottom ash and Styrofoam) to improve the performance of pavement in colder regions.  He plans to implement a test road (unique to Western Canada), connected to Edmonton's Anthony Henday "ring road". This test road will use more than 220 sensors to examine the application of such non-traditional materials for embankment fill and/or pavement insulation materials.  With several municipal and industry partners involved, Bayat's test road, combined with his laboratory research, could lead to major improvements not only in the re-use of materials, but in the quality and durability of the roads we drive – even in our unique climate.  

Boluk, on the other hand, will use the $100 000 to establish a research facility for nanocellulose processing and application.  His research promotes a return to the use of cellulose, which, at least in the use of preparing polymers and plastics, had been overtaken by synthetic polymers from petrochemicals.  The advantages of cellulose – it is biodegradable, carbon neutral, durable, highly renewable, non-toxic, and made from wood and plant fibres – remain a factor at the "nano" level, due to its unique crystalline structure.  Nanocrystalline cellulose's applications range from UV filters and advanced building products to drug delivery and biocomposites for bone, teeth and tissue repair; from antibacterial coatings to additives for paint, pigments and cosmetics; and from packaging materials to quantum dot semiconductors.

At the announcement on January 24, Renee Elio (Associate Vice President, Research) commended the depth and breadth of expertise among the awardees.  "The diversity of excellence and impact of the CFI funding recipients' projects speaks to the incredible talent we have here at the University of Alberta."

Elio believes that these programs – investments, as she says – help to highlight the U of A as a mecca for research.  "The very best new faculty members, post-doctoral fellows and graduate students from around the world chose places to study and to work where they can have the biggest impacts in their fields.  Investments in research infrastructure, such as those announced today, will ensure that more of these talented individuals decide to make their mark here in Canada.  Facilities and infrastructure funded by the CFI are cricital for institutions that aspire to be among the best places in the world to do research."