Tech transfer focus of six awards at this year's FPTT conference

Six examples of successful technology transfer from the federal government were recognized at this year's Federal Partners in Technology Transfer (FPTT) conference, held June 18-20 near Aylmer PQ.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), the National Research Council's Industrial Research Assistance Program and Nova Agri Associates Ltd were chosen for a process extending the life of freshly harvested highbush blueberries from Nova Scotia.

AAFC was also honoured for its work with Research Management Systems Inc, the Canadian Cattlemen's Association and the Canadian Meat Council. The development of a computer software system to determine the grade and saleable lean yield of beef produced the Computer Vision System that generates accurate and value-based readings.

The Department of National Defence and PerkinElmer Optoelectronics Canada were chosen for their work on a High Angular Resolution Laser Irradiation Detector, used to protect against laser-guided weapons.

The NRC, Air Canada and MxiTechnologies Ltd were selected for a diagnostic system for aircraft maintenance crews.

Natural Resources Canada , the National Centre for Upgrading Technology and Advanced Engine Technology Ltd were recognized for a diesel ignition quality tester for measuring the ignition quality of various fuels.

The FPTT Innovator Award went to G Clarke Topp, an AAFC scientists who spent 25 years adapting and electromagnetic technology originally used to detect breaks in coaxial cables for developing a system for gauging water content in soil. The Time Domain Reflectometry-based device can be found in 38 countries around the world.

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