Professor Torstein Utigard receives federal government grant to further sustainable materials processing research with industry
Photo: Torstein A. Utigard, Professor & Gerald R. Heffernan Chair in Materials Processing
January 24, 2011
Professor Torstein A. Utigard is one of seven researchers in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering at the University of Toronto to receive a total of $1.08M from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Strategic Project Grants (SPG) program in this new round of investments by the federal government. The program’s primary goal is to increase research and training in targeted areas that could strongly enhance Canada’s economy, society and/or environment in the next 10 years. The program aims to encourage collaboration among academic researchers and industry and government partners.
Through this new round of investment, the federal government will invest $55 million through the SPG program in support of more than 120 research teams at Canadian universities.
Specifically, Dr. Utigard will be receiving $260,000 from NSERC SPG for his collaborative research with Vale Inco Limited and Xstrata Nickel in selective sulfation roasting of nickel concentrate to minimize off-gas pollution.
“Supporting science and research is critical to Canada’s future economic growth,” said Gary Goodyear, minister of state (science and technology). “This investment will bring together teams of some of the world’s top researchers to work with industry on promising new projects that will help strengthen our economy, create jobs and bring other benefits for our communities.”
The grants support early-stage project research led by at least one researcher and a supporting organization. “In receiving these grants, our faculty members demonstrate our broad impact and our strength in engineering research,” said Cristina Amon, Dean, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. “We are proud that so many of our professors will receive NSERC funding to support research that will advance engineering knowledge and lead to discoveries benefiting Canadians.”