Innovation Anthology #138: Professor, Pediatrics, Cardiology and Immunology
The fight against the devastating impact of the mountain pine beetle continues with more funding from the federal government through Western Economic Diversification.
The current outbreak in British Columbia is the largest ever seen in Canada. About half of BC’s mature pine is expected to be dead by 2008, with an increase to 80 percent by 2013.
The toll will be much worse with the spread of the mountain pine beetle into the lodgepole pine forests of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Among the latest round of federal funding is money to support research by the University of Northern BC in collaboration with the Wood Pellet Association of Canada.
Wood pellets can be made from trees killed by the beetles. Scientists will compare the burning of wood pellets to natural gas in terms of cost, productivity and emissions.
Another project at the UNBC in Prince George will focus on identifying applications for terahertz radiation imaging technology.
This technology can be used to measure lumber for density, moisture content and defects. This will enable companies to make better use of the timber that does survive the beetle infestation.
FOR INNOVATION ANTHOLOGY I’M CHERYL CROUCHER
Guest
Lori West, MD, DPhil, FRCPC,
University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada,
Sponsor
Program Date: 2008-05-29