Innovation Anthology #140: Advisor
The North American forest products industry is facing the worst crisis of its history.
The key to survival lies in embracing a new cellulose-based economy, one utilizing nanotechnology platforms.
That’s the message from Dr. Ian de la Roche, president and CEO of the new forest products institute called FP Innovations.
He was in Edmonton recently as a panelist at the Alberta Ingenuity forum on Nanotechnology and the Forest Industry.
Dr. de la Roche says nanotechnology will catapult trees and the cellulose they produce into markets we can only begin to imagine.
DR. IAN DE LA ROCHE: One that really is important to us is nano-crystaline cellulose. In its smallness it has incredible properties, and very versatile. So you can be seeing applications, for instance, bone replacements, membranes for fuel cells, kidney dialysis, heart valve replacements. skin grafts. applications as agents to reduce flammability and to increase durability of wood products siding exterior flooring. The list goes on.
According to Dr. Ian de la Roche, nanotechnology will help the emerging cellulose based economy significantly reduce our environmental footprint.
Thanks today to Alberta Ingenuity
FOR INNOVATION ANTHOLOGY
I’M CHERYL CROUCHER
Guest
Mike Kelly,
Alberta WaterSMART, Calgary, Alberta, Canada,
Sponsor
Alberta Ingenuity
Established in 2000, the Alberta Ingenuity Fund supports science and engineering research of the highest calibre, to create a prosperous future for the province of Alberta. It draws funding from a $1 billion endowment established in 2000 and managed by the Government of Alberta to build the capacity for innovation, especially in areas with long lasting social and economic impact.
Among its many programs, Alberta Ingenuity supports graduate students and university researchers, industrial research and commercialization partnerships, and has established several Centres and Institutes.
In January 2010, under the new Alberta Innovation Framework, Alberta Ingenuity was restructured and absorbed in the new agency Alberta Innovates Technology Solutions.
Program Date: 2008-06-05