Ottawa, Ontario, - The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) announced the licensing of air quality modeling technology from its Institute for Chemical Process and Environmental Technology to Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin Inc. (RWDI), of Guelph, Ontario. The licensing agreement creates private sector expertise in using advanced and innovative air quality modeling tools for environmental applications, a capability that does not currently exist in Canada.
By licensing both know-how and photochemical modeling capabilities to RWDI, NRC expects that the applications for such technology can achieve broad benefits for cities in Canada and beyond. The agreement is in effect to 2001.
Brenda Chamberlain, MP for Guelph-Wellington, who represented Minister of Industry John Manley at the signing ceremony, said: "It takes creativity, ingenuity and a great deal of perseverance to develop a good idea into a winning product. The air quality modeling technology is an excellent example of how research is transferred and ultimately benefits a Canadian company."
RWDI will use the modeling software licensed from NRC to correlate and model amounts of emissions and meteorological data needed to determine the chemical and physical interactions that produce urban smog. As well as providing ongoing technical expertise and support to RWDI, NRC will continue to work with the company and others, to advance and integrate aerosol chemistry research into the airshed modeling package.
"This alliance is a valuable teaming of public and private sector expertise, allowing leading edge airshed modeling to be developed and expanded in Canada and to be taken to potential clients throughout the world," noted Dr. Anton Davies (Principal), speaking on behalf of RWDI. Air quality, especially in rapid urban growth areas, is a significant health and economic issue. RWDI is confident that this "winning product" will lead to further development and expansion of the company's airshed modeling capabilities for their Canadian and international clients.
According to Dr. Arthur Carty, NRC's President, "A collaborative relationship, such as the one between NRC and RWDI is what bridges the innovation gap - accelerating the delivery of new technology and approaches to meet global environmental challenges."
Atmospheric pollutants, particularly nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons produced by such sources as gasoline-powered vehicles, undergo complex chemical reactions and transformations in the atmosphere, eventually creating "ground level" ozone or smog. Regional topography and meteorology also influence ozone formation. Photochemical modeling is an advanced technique combining air emissions data with topography and meteorology to produce a unique, three-dimensional animated model of the chemical reactions leading to ozone.
As well, photochemical modeling can be used to forecast the positive effects of reductions in emission levels on ozone formation. The modeling system can test various "scenarios" to predict the effect on air quality caused by introducing pollution control measures. Examples of control measures include replacing gasoline-powered vehicles with those fueled by natural gas or expanding an urban rapid transit system. This unique capability will enable environmental consultants, regulators, urban planners and emissions control engineers to develop more effective emission reduction strategies for the future.
RWDI is a Canadian engineering firm specializing in environmental studies. The company provides consulting services to government organizations, industry and design firms throughout North America and internationally.
As Canada's foremost R&D agency, NRC is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy through science and technology.
For more information, please contact:
Bryan Hayter
Business Development Coordinator
RWDI, Guelph, ON
519-823-1311
tbh@rwdi.com
Deborah Zaks
ICPET Communications
NRC, Ottawa, ON
613-993-3692
debi.zaks@nrc.ca