Media Release - For Immediate Release

October 31, 2011

Saint Mary's University Professor Granted Funding for Cleaner Future

Dr. Jason Clyburne recently received funding from the Nova Scotia government as part of a $2.63 million investment in research infrastructure.

A Saint Mary’s University Chemistry Professor has received financial support from the Nova Scotia government that will help in his efforts to clean up the environment.

Dr. Jason Clyburne has been awarded $106,000 dollars as part of a $2.63 million Provincial investment for research infrastructure through the Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Trust.

The funding will help put leading-edge research labs and equipment in place to support world-class research, and enable Nova Scotia universities to attract and retain the brightest researchers and students at a time of intense global competition. 

Dr. Clyburne is currently developing technologies to remove harmful CO2 from industrial gas emissions, such as burning coal.  The new funding will go towards a $266,000 project to support state-of-the-art equipment. Dr. Clyburne and his students will measure the cost savings associated with wasted energy of current carbon capture systems.

“The new calorimeter equipment will allow Saint Mary’s students to be on the forefront of clean technology.It will train leading-edge researchers by enabling them to work in real green chemistry.  It’s the nuts and bolts of the new green economy” explains Dr. Clyburne.

Other beneficiaries of the recent funding include Cape Breton University, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, and St. F.X. University.

Lois Levine, Executive Director of Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Trust (NSRIT), emphasizes the significance of the Province’s funding. “It’s a great investment that can bring economic, health, education and social benefits.  NSRIT funding enables state-of-the-art research capacity to innovate and develop new products for today and tomorrow’s solutions. Students, and in fact all Nova Scotians, can reap positive outcomes for cutting-edge training, good jobs, and improved quality of living.”

NSRIT matches funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). Along with other partner contributions, including Genome Canada, this recent 2.63M investment represents a total value to the Province of Nova Scotia of $11M, through significant leveraging opportunities. It is predicted that upwards of 300 highly qualified people will be involved in these 17 research infrastructure projects over the next five years. 

The Nova Scotia Research and Innovation Trust (NSRIT) supports research infrastructure in Nova Scotia by matching national funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). NSRIT benefits researchers in areas such as Health and Life Sciences, Ocean Technology, Clean Technology, and Information and Communications Technology.  Since 2001, the Province of Nova Scotia - through NSRIT - has awarded over $60 million to more than 330 projects at Nova Scotia research beneficiary institutions, dramatically leveraging opportunities for innovation and direct economic benefits to the people of Nova Scotia and beyond.

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For More Information:

Steve Proctor
External Affairs
Saint Mary's University
(902) 420.5513
E-mail: steve.proctor@smu.ca
www.smu.ca

This page last modified Monday, 31-Oct-2011 11:50:29 ADT