Research and Innovation : In The News

The Toronto Star interviews James R. Graham, world-renowned astronomer and the new director University of Toronto's Dunlap Institute. Now entering its third year the Dunlap Institute is a research and public outreach program hosted by UofT's School of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Graham, who has worked for the past 18 years at the University of California, Berkley, is coming to Dunlap to spearhead the institute's role in what could be the most important astronomical initiatives of the decade, the $800 million Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT) project. The (TMT), expected to be fully operational in 2018, is to be the largest telescope ever built. An excerpt from the interview:

"You made your name as an astronomer through discoveries made with adaptive optics. What are they?"

"Adaptive optics is a system for a telescope on the ground that first measures how the Earth's atmosphere distorts images � think of viewing a distant scene through the hot air rising from asphalt on a sunny day � and then corrects these distortions to make the images sharp."

anets are, and what is the process that leads to their formation.

"Tell me about the Thirty Metre Telescope."

"It's one of the major initiatives in astronomy over the next decade, a successor to the current generation of large telescopes. The scale of modern astronomy projects is such that individual countries can't build the next generation. The fact that Canada is a partner is a testament to the boldness of the vision of the leaders of Canadian astronomy. It will provide a very strong motivation for students to go into the physical sciences."

"One primary thing the Dunlap Institute can do is understand how to use it. We'll have to design specific instruments to collect and record that information. It will provide crucial opportunities to educate students in state-of-the-art technologies."

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original source Toronto Star

As reported by Science Daily, a team of University of Toronto scientists have discovered how to substantially reduce the cost of solar energy. The breakthrough could mean a proliferation of the already inexpensive technology.

"The researchers have invented a solar panel that uses inexpensive nickel in the place of gold, One of the most promising technologies for making inexpensive but reasonably efficient solar photovoltaic cells just got much cheaper. Scientists at the University of Toronto in Canada have shown that inexpensive nickel can work just as well as gold for one of the critical electrical contacts that gather the electrical current produced by their colloidal quantum dot solar cells."

"The change to nickel can reduce the cell's already low material costs by 40 to 80 percent, says Lukasz Brzozowski, the director of the Photovoltaics Research Program in Professor Ted Sargent's group. They present their research in the July 12, 2010 issue of Applied Physics Letters, which is published by the American Institute of Physics (AIP)."

"Quantum dots are nanoscale bits of a semiconductor material that are created using low-cost, high-throughput chemical reactions in liquid solutions. Since their properties vary according to their size, quantum dots can be made to match the illumination spectrum. Half of all sunlight, for example, is in the infrared wavelengths, most of which cannot be collected by silicon-based solar cells. Sargent's group has pioneered the design and development of quantum dot solar cells that gather both visible and infrared light. They have reached a power-conversion efficiency as high as 5 percent and aim to improve that to 10 percent before commercialization."

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original source Science Daily

By the end of next month Toronto will be home to North America's greenest hostel. As reported by the Globe & Mail (and by Yonge Street back in February), Kensington Market's Planet Traveller is on schedule to complete an impressive $160,000 green renovation. The focal point of the project will be its underground geothermal heating-and-cooling system: eight loops of geothermal piping drilled into an adjacent street that will serve almost all of the hostel's energy needs.

"When the doors to North America's greenest hostel opens next month at 357 College St., the most exciting feature won't be anywhere inside, but instead 115 metres below ground in the adjacent alleyway. That's where the glycol liquid in eight geothermal loops will turn the corner and start heading back above ground to heat or cool the hostel."

"Once you get three metres underground, the earth stays a constant 10 degrees Celsius all year. This is a source of relative heat in the winter and cold in the summer. The system exploits the temperature discrepancy by using small amounts of electricity to pump glycol through the underground pipes and collect that heat or cold. Heat exchangers inside the hostel pull the heat or cold from the glycol and send as much as is needed into the rooms."

"The hostel is hoping to attract young visitors from overseas looking for a cheap doss and a communal living scene. Dorms will be $30 a night and rooms will go for $70. Utility bills should follow close on the heels of the first guests, but with expected savings of up to $2,000 a month, the owners expect to have the investment paid off within eight years. After that, it's green gravy. By that time, a geothermal drilling rig might be a more common sight in Toronto. Mr. Rand had to go through 14 city departments to get permits for the pipe installation, but the city has since set up a task force to streamline geothermal development in city-owned alleyways and parkland."

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original source Globe & Mail

The Globe & Mail writes on Toronto's  many "chefpreneurs"--not only renowned for their ability in the kitchen these chefs are retailers, host shows, and create their own brand of packaged foods.  

"For many people, Mark McEwan is best known as the chef of three high-end Toronto restaurants and for his behind-the-white-tablecloths television show, The Heat, currently in its second season on the Food Network. Next year, he will take on the role of head judge of Top Chef Canada."

"But this summer he marked his first anniversary as a retailer: McEwan Foods, a 22,000-square-foot gourmet grocery in North Toronto, has become a destination for those who want to recreate elements of the McEwan dining experience at home. There's the smoked salmon he serves at North 44 and platters of roast beets and braised short ribs like the ones on the menu at One. All stand out with the distinctive white and plum label that bears his name."

"I tell you, it was daunting," says Mr. McEwan, who is now eyeing a downtown outpost. "It was the hardest thing I've ever orchestrated."

"He may have the most square footage, but Mr. McEwan is far from the only Canadian chef adding to his already full plate. Marc Thuet has four Le Petit Thuet locations across Toronto, where artisanal breads and terrines are popular, and Vancouver's Vikram Vij sells packaged Indian meals from his Rangoli restaurant as well as at locations across Canada."

"�For Toronto's Eran Marom, it's not about brand but demand. This week, he is opening a counter at the front of his Toronto restaurant, Marron, where customers can buy kosher charcuterie during non-dining hours. The customer demand for his terrines, duck prosciutto and veal hams was too much to ignore. But he plans to grow small. "I'm not interested in big production; we're trying to slow down everything," he says, referring to the slow-food movement."

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original source Globe & Mail

The National Post looks at the success of Smoke's Poutinerie; launched in Toronto only 18 months ago the fast-food chain of poutine restaurants is about to open its 10th franchise location.

"Anywhere where there are hungry university students, you will find Ryan Smolkin. "That's my feasibility," he says."

"The 36-year-old entrepreneur launched a fast-food chain of poutine restaurants in Toronto 18 months ago and the growth has been insatiable. "It just exploded on me," Mr. Smolkin says. "I was immediately in expansion mode."

"He says the problem isn't finding an appetite for his product, rather its finding money to fuel rapid expansion. Despite a track record as a successful entrepreneur -- he's launched and sold several companies, maintaining a spotless credit rating -- the big banks told him he was growing too quickly for them."

"So, like a growing number of franchisors, he is turning to the private-equity market to seek growth capital."

"For the first time, I've started considering equity investment and alternative sources of finance," he says, adding the offers have been piling up. "I've been holding them back, but just in the last little while ...it's good timing."

"Private-equity firms, while still not the primary source of financing for franchise growth, are showing an increasing interest in franchising: It's relatively stable, the model has been proven and there is an opportunity for long-term cash flow."

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original source National Post

As reported by the Toronto Star, Toronto is on its way to becoming a hub of 3D film production. It is predicted that within two years almost every feature film will be made in 3D and a number of Toronto companies-including Don Carmody Productions, Cinespace Film Studios and Creative Post Inc.- have the expertise and facilities to fill the demand for content.

"With the Canadian dollar at par eroding Toronto's competitive advantage as a place to shoot, many in the industry are banking on 3D technology to restore its edge.Spending by U.S. film and TV production companies on locations in fell 25 per cent over a five-year period ending in 2008 to $79.4 million as the dollar soared to 94 cents U.S from 71 cents U.S., according to the Toronto Film & Television Office. Total spending was down 23 per cent year over year to $610 million, the Toronto office also reports."

"That trend reversed in Ontario last year after the government announced more generous tax credits. Total spending by the film and television industry jumped 41 per cent to $946.5 million, according to the Ontario Media Development Corp."

"Still, industry members say it will be critical to offer 3D facilities, expertise and training, as well."

"One of our major (film location) competitors is Detroit because they have massive, massive tax credits there. But they haven't done a 3D movie," says Don Carmody, executive producer, whose credits include Resident Evil: AfterLife."

"That means Toronto can offer something Detroit can't, including trained crew, sets, cameras, lighting and other 3D equipment."

"There are several areas where Canada is at the head of the pack or definitely in the mix," Carmody says. more generous tax credits. Total spending by the film and television industry jumped 41 per cent to $946.5 million, according to the Ontario Media Development Corp."

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original source Toronto Star

Inc. Magazine has named Torontonian Sarah Prevette one of North America's Top 30 entrepreneurs Under 30. Prevette, 28, is the founder of Sprouter. Launched last November, Sprouter is an online community that brings entrepreneurs together for socializing and tip sharing.

"Using a Twitter-like format, Sprouter is a place online where entrepreneurs can socialize, share tips, and ask questions in a rapid-fire, short-attention-span fashion. Users leverage the site for a variety of needs, from getting peer feedback on their product ideas to learning the best practices for developing metrics for sales teams, to gleaning insight from other founders on pitching specific investors, and requesting introductions to media, potential corporate partners or investors. "Users support one another, motivate each other and help with day-to-day questions or concerns," Prevette says."

"Fifteen thousands users had registered on the site as of February, the last time the company disclosed numbers, and two angel investors in Canada have invested in the business. Prevette plans to make money by selling ad space in its e-newsletter, Sprouter Weekly, and by making introductions between investors and start-ups. (The site will always be free for entrepreneurs, Prevette promises.) "

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original source Inc. Magazine

Total Telecom writes on Toronto's emergence as a global hotbed of mobile application development. Toronto is home to over 200 mobile-apps companies making the city "one of the world's biggest clusters of mobile-application [development] this side of Silicon Valley."

"Proximity to several schools with world class computer-science and design programs, such as the University of Waterloo and the Ontario College of Art & Design, is one reason for Toronto's emergence as a mobile-apps hub. Availability of public and private-sector funding is another, as is access to entrepreneurs and engineers who cut their teeth working at or with Blackberry maker Research In Motion Ltd.(RIMM), whose headquarters are just one hour west of Toronto in Waterloo, Ont."

"When RIM is in your community and you get a chance to work with them at an early stage in your career, it opens up a world of possibility in terms of understanding what you can do with smartphones," said Marlon Rodrigues, a University of Waterloo alumnus who worked at RIM on a student-placement program before co-founding Polar."

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original source Total Telecom

The MaRs Centre, Toronto's internationally renowned not-for-profit innovation centre, launched its "Angel" program breakfast series last summer. The program, launched with Canaccord Genuity brings start-ups together with "angel investors". According to the Globe & Mail the initiative has been a success so far "there have been five Angel events and about half of the program's 15 members have received some form of funding".

"The start-ups come from three areas: ICE (information technology, communications and entertainment), cleantech as well as life sciences and health care. Those accepted to the program are mentored by Jim Meenan, former president of AT&T (Canada) and Ron Close, former president of Bell New Ventures at BCE. These advisers teach the start-ups how to articulate effectively what they would do with seed money."

"Don Duval, MaRS' vice-president of business services, can't stress enough how imperative it is to make a solid pitch. "You gotta hit it out of the park," he said. To make sure the start-ups get it right, MaRS makes them run through a dress rehearsal because the organization's name is at risk. "We're telling the angel investment community that this company is worth 20 minutes of your time," Mr. Duval said."

"MaRS has seen some recent success. One of its clients, Sysomos, a social media start-up, was recently bought by media distribution manager Marketwire. Although Sysomos didn't pitch its business as part of the Angel program, it did prep work with the Angel team and even went on a MaRS roadshow."
 
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original source Globe & Mail

The Toronto Star features Vitess bicycles, a Toronto company founded by 32-year-old entrepreneur Julien Papon, that manufactures custom-built luxury bikes. The company has quickly earned the respect of the city's cycling aficionados; Vitness employees spend hours with each customer helping them to design their perfect bike. Vitness models are not sold in stores or online, but exclusively by appointment at company's Lakeshore Blvd. showroom.

"At the showroom, a pristine space where demo bikes are neatly displayed, a professional bike fitter will spend nearly three hours with you, measuring your body, testing your flexibility and examining your cycling habits. That information is then used to select the appropriate bike frame, handlebar and many other components that will be used to build the bike that fits your body exactly."

"We work one-on-one to understand the needs of each particular rider before we build the bike," Papon says."

"Like a bespoke suit, these high-end bikes are designed for clients who appreciate luxury. The custom-made bikes aren't cheap. They start at $4,000 and climb to $14,000, depending on the components. Since opening the showroom in November, Vitess has sold about 25 bikes. Most cost between $6,500 and $11,000."

"Papon, who holds a Masters of Business Administration from the Kellogg-Schulich program, knows he could sell more bikes if he sold them through stores or offered some models at lower prices. But the avid cyclist says his goal is not to sell the most bikes possible. It's to focus on the higher end of the market."

"Do we have a product that is capable of winning the Tour de France? We do. Is it our branding aspiration? No. If you have competition in one end and prestige/exclusivity on the other end . . . we're much more in the exclusivity/prestige field," Papon says. "

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original source Toronto Star

The Globe and Mail recently featured Brainrider, a Toronto marketing start-up that helps companies improve their online content. According to the Globe's John Warrillow, Brainrider seems poised for success not only because of a quality service but because its three co-founders - Scott Armstrong, John Kewley and Nolin LeChasseur - are finding innovative ways to keep overhead costs low.

"Brainrider was founded in January, and I think Armstrong and his partners, John Kewley and Nolin LeChasseur, are well on their way to building a valuable, sellable business."

"What struck me was the raw entrepreneurialism they were bringing to their new business. Instead of leasing expensive office space, which is de rigueur for marketing companies, Armstrong has worked a deal to get free office space from Toronto-based PR firm Cohn & Wolfe in exchange for sharing his social media expertise."

"Instead of buying a $4,000 phone system, Armstrong is conserving cash by having his employees use a combination of virtual PBX, mobile phones and Skype. Instead of purchasing a company server, he's buying each of his employees a laptop and using software available on the Internet like Dropbox, Google Apps and Gmail. In all, Armstrong estimates it costs him less than $1,000 to get a new employee up and running with Brainrider."

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original source Globe & Mail

The Globe & Mail features Officeexec, the Toronto-based company that provides temporary and flexible office space for the at-home worker. Toronto entrepreneur Gratuz Devanesan opened Officeexec in March 2009 after recognizing that small businesses often require office type perks without requiring a permanent space. Devanesan's company responds to this need by providing clients with full receptionist services, as well as an address and portable phone and fax numbers. In addition, clients can get up to 10 hours of boardroom time each month at any of Officeexec's locations across Toronto.

"For $149 a month, clients receive the roaming use of office space at any location, or permanent space where they need it. They also get full receptionist services � there's always someone to answer the phone in your company name, forward messages and sign for deliveries. They get an address and portable phone and fax numbers they can take with them. Clients also get 10 hours of boardroom time each month."

"But Officeexec isn't just for startups. Established businesses have found the service useful as well."

Carter Hoppe, an immigration lawyer with offices in Toronto and Dubai, says: "Every once in a while I wonder how I practised law 15 years ago."

"Adam Evans, chief executive officer of Evolve Thought Media Group, a new, small advertising agency specializing in Web design and online marketing, has been using Officeexec for a little more than a year and loves the flexibility. "Essentially they don't charge for the little things that some of their competitors will � they include everything at one fair price. Basically, it helps keep overhead costs low."

"His previous company, which he sold, paid about $4,000 a month for a physical office space. He currently spends $149 a month. "I don't foresee an end to our relationship any time soon," Mr. Evans said."

"He has recommended Officeexec to five of his clients, and all have signed on to work in the "cloud office."

"We don't want startup businesses to feel small and startup," Mr. Devanesan says. "And we don't want people who have been in business a long time to feel worried about their professionalism and clients judging their setup. We really feel like we can service any kind of business, and give them all the professionalism they need without any burden."

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original source Globe & Mail

Toronto Star columnist David Olive looks at what make Toronto a world-class city worthy of international attention. Among other characteristics, Olive highlights the city's economic stability, booming medical-research industry, ethnic diversity and advances in urban planning.

"In many ways that people who live here don't fully realize, Toronto punches far above its weight.It ranks a mere 86th in population among world cities. Yet it is now included among the world's dozen most influential centres, outranking the likes of Washington, Paris and Frankfurt in the City of London's annual global financial centres index."

"As one of the smallest of alpha cities, Toronto's influence is far disproportionate to its size. A wide range of surveys puts it surprisingly high in world rankings. There's the City of London's annual global financial index, which rates Toronto among the dozen most influential centres. Toronto also places 10th in the latest Forbes ranking of economically powerful cities."

"Toronto is still the economic heart of one of the world's wealthiest countries, and it's projected to keep humming through 2020," says Forbes. "Along with London, Toronto is the fastest-growing G8 financial centre."

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original source Toronto Star

University of Toronto student Hossam Abdelgawad has been awarded the prestigious Young Researcher of the Year by the International Transport Forum. As reported by Canadian Transportation and Logistics, Abdelgawad, a 27-year-old PhD-candidate, is being recognized for his study on mass evacuation of major cities in case of a catastrophe.

"The numerous man-made catastrophes that menace major communities accentuate the need for proper planning for emergency evacuation," explains Abdelgawad. "My research focuses on coordinating, controlling and optimizing the utilization of the existing transportation network capacity."

"Abdelgawad's proposal includes a framework that integrates car-based and mass transit-based evacuation. His integrated approach has been successfully used during a simulated evacuation of the City of Toronto with rapid transit, buses and automobiles. "

"In all, 31 papers from participants of 32 different nationalities (including co-authors) were received. "The Young Researcher Award is obviously filling a gap in the transport research scene," said Jack Short, secretary general of the ITF. "We are particularly impressed with the wide range of approaches to pressing problems transport faces."

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original source Canadian Transportation and Logistics

Toronto Life's list of "50 reasons to love Toronto", the annual feature of the little things that make Toronto great, is now online. This year's list includes Kensington Market's Grilled Cheese restaurant (an eatery dedicated solely to the decedent sandwich), the annual October zombie walk and the city's concentration of young entrepreneurs.

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original source Toronto Life