Durham College announced that it has been approved for up to $810,000 in additional research funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) under an extension of the Applied Research and Commercialization initiative. The funding will allow the college to further its relationship collaborations with local small- and medium-sized businesses and is a continuation of the up to $750,000 in initial funding it received in October 2011.

“On behalf of the Durham College Office of Research Services and Innovation (ORSI), I extend our sincere thanks to the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State, and FedDev Ontario for the ongoing confidence in and support of Durham College’s applied research agenda,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, director, ORSI, Durham College. “Through this additional funding, we will be able to further our current strategic research collaborations and continue the significant research Durham College is doing in the areas of health care, information technology (IT), business and the environment.”

A total of up to $15.75 million will be invested through the extension of the Applied Research and Commercialization initiative, which is designed to help bring new and innovative products to the marketplace faster.

“Our Government’s strong track record with this innovative program demonstrates how businesses can benefit from the research expertise available at post-secondary institutions and move innovative ideas to the marketplace faster,” said Minister Goodyear. “I’m pleased that many more businesses are getting the tools and resources they need to grow, to create jobs and to stay competitive in today’s economy.”

Durham College is proud to have research relationships in place with the following companies under the initiative:

1. Stouffville-based The Big Orange Co. Inc., a marine products company, is working with the School of Science & Engineering Technology (SET) to design, build and pilot a new product for the control of odours from waste holding tanks of recreational boats.
2. Pickering-based Bykart Software Ltd., a technology solutions provider for the health-care industry and creator of the Chemotherapy Appointment Reservation Manager (CHARM) currently deployed at Sunnybrook Hospital to simplify the booking of chemotherapy appointments, is working with the schools of Business, IT & Management (BITM) and Media, Art & Design (MAD) to design and develop a new enterprise-class health-care application framework.
3. Oshawa-based Crossroads Shopping Network Inc., which develops services to support the rapid and sustained growth of e-commerce in Canada, is working with BITM and MAD to develop and test a new IT infrastructure designed to improve the efficiency of package delivery services.
4. Oshawa-based EHC Global, a leading innovator in the design and sale of escalator handrails, safety brushes, urethane rollers and engineered polymer products, is working with SET to create a catalogue of 3-D computer-aided-design models of its offerings.
5. Ajax-based EPIC Performance Services (EPIC), which designs and develops innovative software applications that offer strategic corporate program and initiative management, is working with MAD to create and test smartphone and mobile device versions of its e-Strategic Program Management Suite.
6. Barrie-based HydroFlow Canada, the sole Canadian distributor of Hydropath electronic water conditioners, is working with SET to product test and pilot its commercial grade offerings at two community swimming pools.
7. Oshawa-based IfItsGotaMotor.com, an automotive-focused company, is working with BITM and MAD to develop a user-friendly, active-content automotive aftermarket portal that will allow consumers to connect with any business that caters to the automotive aftermarket across North America.
8. Toronto-based Innovolve Group Inc., which helps private and public sector organizations uncover fresh approaches for maximizing the value of investments in sustainability, is working with BITM and MAD to create a secure information management platform and communication channel between homebuilders and homeowners to make maintenance information easily accessible.
9. Pickering-based Miratec Inc., a manufacturer of customized moulded assemblies, cables and inverter solutions, is working with SET to further improve its designs.
10. Toronto-based PlayDream Ventures Inc., a social media start-up company, is working with BITM and MAD to create an online application supported by community tools, media and brand partners to help people turn ideas into action trough the energy of their social networks.
11. Castleton-based SunDial Industries, the developer of patented, automated window covering control systems for the residential and commercial markets, is working with SET on product testing, piloting and demonstrations.
12. Newcastle-based Sunspace Modular Enclosures Inc., a designer and manufacturer of sunrooms, patio roof covers, WeatherMaster windows, structural railings and aluminum, is working with BITM and MAD to integrate the various software systems.
13. Ajax-based The Environmental Factor Inc., an organic lawn and garden products manufacturer, is working with SET to improve the efficiency of application of lawn treatments.
14. Mississauga-based Tenova Goodfellow Inc., leaders of the off-gas based technology EFSOP used for the dynamic real-time optimization of the Electric Arc Furnace steelmaking process, is working with SET to develop 3-D AutoCAD designs for new advanced and cost-competitive sensors.

Since its launch in 2010, the Applied Research and Commercialization initiative has supported the collaboration of 24 colleges and universities across southern Ontario with more than 570 companies, helping to provide businesses with opportunities to increase productivity and efficiency and narrow the gap between research and commercialization via applied research, engineering design, technology development, product testing and certification.