Minister of State Holder Highlights Support for Eight Science and Engineering Researchers and Students at the Universite de Moncton

MONCTON, NEW BRUNSWICK--(Marketwired - July 29, 2014) - Industry Canada

The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), today highlighted the funding that scientists, engineers and students at the Université de Moncton received through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Nearly $790,000 will go to eight researchers and trainees at the Université de Moncton, including Dr. Pandurang Ashrit, who is receiving $205,000 to study and develop new thin films for windows that reflect infrared light to keep you cool in summer but still allow sunlight to shine through. He and his team are also exploring ways to apply thin films to the outside of satellites to protect interior electronics from overheating.

When facing the sun, satellites can get as hot as 150ºC, requiring complex cooling systems that take up a lot of precious space and add much weight. Dr. Ashrit's thin film has the potential to reflect heat from the sun, make satellites lighter and free up a significant amount of space for other uses.

Quick facts

• On June 26, 2014, Minister of State Holder announced a significant federal investment to support scientists, engineers, post-doctoral fellows and students at universities in Canada as they drive innovation, and ultimately economic prosperity, across the country. Of the total investment, $4.2 million will support researchers at universities in the province of New Brunswick.

• The awards highlighted today at the Université de Moncton are part of the 2014 competition results for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's Discovery Grants, Discovery Accelerator Supplements, Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships, Postgraduate Scholarships and Postdoctoral Fellowships.

• The NSERC Discovery Grants Program is an integral component of the government's efforts to develop, attract and retain the world's most talented researchers at Canadian universities. The program funds discovery research in a multitude of scientific and engineering disciplines, which builds a broad base of research capacity across the country.

Quotes

"By supporting over 3,500 researchers and students in Canada, our government is strengthening Canada's leadership in discovery research around the world. In so doing, we are developing, attracting and retaining the world's most talented researchers who carry out the scientific research that creates jobs and prosperity and improves the quality of life of Canadians."

- The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology)

"The NSERC Discovery Grants Program is one of Canada's largest sources of funding for basic research. Our government's investment in the Université de Moncton will help develop the next generation of researchers, the highly skilled workforce required for a prosperous economy in Moncton and New Brunswick."

- Robert Goguen, Member of Parliament for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice

"Our support for researchers and students through Discovery Grants and scholarships is laying the foundation for Canada's future prosperity and continued quality of life. The highly competitive funding for discovery research raises the bar for science and engineering excellence in Canada and unleashes the creative potential of our researchers. Building on this dynamic research environment, NSERC's scholarships and fellowships are attracting and cultivating new talent with the skills necessary for the growth of our knowledge-based economy."

- Janet Walden, Chief Operating Officer, NSERC

"Over the past several years, our university has improved and increased its research productivity. The success of our researchers under the NSERC Discovery Grants Program serves to underscore the excellence of their research activities, and it also helps to reinforce the goals outlined in our strategic plan."

- Raymond Théberge, President and Vice-Chancellor, Université de Moncton

Associated links

• Université de Moncton

• Dr. Pandurang Ashrit

• Discovery Grants

• Scholarships and fellowships

• List of recipients

• World of Discoveries page on NSERC site

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