Research Areas and Facilities
The applied research needs of industry evolve, establish and advance over time. Our Applied Research and Innovation Services (ARIS) research teams and facilities respond to innovation needs of industry with a fast, focused and flexible model with our existing mature research areas and new industry driven emerging research areas.
Centre for Innovative Information Technology Solutions
ARIS started its information technology research in 2007, with a focus on radio frequency identification (RFID) application development. The Centre for Innovative Information Technology Solutions expanded its RFID research to include a wide variety of other electronics and information-technology projects.
The capabilities of this research group include novel software and hardware development for wireless communications across a number of industry sectors.
|
Centre for Innovation and Research in Unmanned Systems
As organizations across all sectors explore the applications and capabilities of unmanned systems, SAIT is supporting innovation and new technology development through its Centre for Innovation and Research in Unmanned Systems (CIRUS). Researchers with SAIT's Applied Research and Innovation Services department, faculty from SAIT's School of Construction, students and industry partners converge in this cross-disciplinary environment to address challenges, create efficiencies, develop and test new products and applications.
The mission of CIRUS is to expand the role unmanned systems play in data acquisition and management, create organizational efficiencies across a variety of sectors and regulatory environments.
Infrastructure Monitoring
|
|
The expertise available through CIRUS is diverse, with all researchers and faculty contributing their own unique skills and experiences. SAIT is also engaging several of Alberta's leading colleges, allowing us to draw on an even greater pool of expertise when needed. |
Design, Fabrication and Testing
In 2005, ARIS established a sports and wellness engineering technologies research area, which was originally established to align with Canada's national sports organization and develop made-in-Canada equipment designed to give our Olympic athletes a leg up on the international playing field.
Since then, the Centre for Design, Fabrication and Testing research group has expanded its scope of work to include prototype design and manufacturing, as well as product design, testing and analysis.
|
Facilities
The Composites Fabrication lab was built in 2012 and is housed within the Aldred Centre utilizing 440,000 square feet of space. Building and repairing fibre-composed objectsManufacturing and fabrication capabilities include the creation of moulds, finished fibreglass components and custom finish coatings. The large duct collector booth is where contained sanding and sawing takes place before items head to the paint booth for completion. Facility highlights
|
The materials testing lab was built in 2012 and is housed within the Aldred Centre utilizing 440,000 square feet of space. The lab's equipment can analyze the components of any material, enabling researchers to conduct non-destructive and destructive tests to determine a material's structural integrity. Putting materials, products and prototypes to the testTesting capabilities include environmental stress testing for variables like temperature and humidity, tensile strength and compression, as well as repetitive motion and lifecycle testing. Testing methods are often combined for the most comprehensive analysis. Facility highlightsThe Materials Testing Lab is housed in the Aldred Centre along with the majority of Applied Research and Innovation Services research as well as technology development facilities. The lab includes:
|
The Enerplus Centre for Innovation is situated in a 20,000 square foot multi-lab facility and was built in 2012 and housed within the Aldred Centre utilizing 440,000 square feet. The Enerplus Centre was made possible by a $5 million gift from Enerplus Corporation. Solving industry challenges through effective product and technology developmentThe Enerplus Centre is ARIS' main industrial-scale prototype fabrication and testing space, supporting the development, fabrication, testing and commercialization of innovative technology solutions. Facility highlightsThe Enerplus Centre's main prototype fabrication and testing laboratory space offer a range of state-of-the-art capabilities ranging from environmental control enclosures for the testing of clean energy technologies to metals preparation and joining. Metals preparation and joining:
Metals machining:
|
The Solids Modeling Lab was built in 2012 and is housed within the Aldred Centre utilizing 440,00 square feet. The lab supports prototype development for applied research and innovation projects at SAIT. Accelerating the prototype development processOnce a part is modelled using a 3D printer it can be tested for size, aerodynamics and fit before being machined in metal. This enables a quick turnaround and numerous, affordable design iterations during the prototype development process. Facility highlightsThe Enerplus Centre's main prototype fabrication and testing laboratory space offer a range of state-of-the-art capabilities ranging from environmental control enclosures for the testing of clean energy technologies to metals preparation and joining.
|
Environmental Technologies
The Environmental Technologies (ET) research team leads applied research in clean technology development associated with energy and the environment. The ET research team develops strategies and solutions such as the reduction of industry impacts to air, soil and water.
This research is grounded in science, technology and engineering and focuses on developing novel technologies from bench to pilot scale in order to address today's energy and environmental challenges. ET research at SAIT advances the body of highly skilled knowledge and technological know-how that is of benefit to industry and society while providing experiential learning to students from SAIT's applied science and technology disciplines.
|
Facilities
There are four state-of-the-art Advanced Mobile Labs managed by the Environmental Technologies research area and the IRCC program. These labs are used to facilitate on-site pilot testing and off-site pilot demonstration or field trails of clean technologies. The mobiles labs are also employed in research associated with quantification, treatment and remediation. Taking the lab to the researcherThe Applied Research and Innovation Services (ARIS) at SAIT supports industry partners in the evaluation of advanced environmental technologies. One of the ways in which we offer this support is by supplying access to our mobile testing and field sample collection facilities. Each lab is housed within a self-contained trailer that can be transported for field research at remote locations as needed. Facility highlightsMobile Water Treatment Laboratory
Mobile Air Quality Monitoring Laboratory
Mobile Greenhouse Gas and Atmospheric Emissions Laboratory
Mobile Chemical and Environmental Analytical Laboratory
|
The Chemical and Environmental Analysis Lab is managed by the Environmental Technologies research area. The lab was built in 2012 and is housed within the Aldred Centre utilizing 440,000 square feet of space. The lab is equipped to conduct a range of analyses including wet chemistry, spectrometry and chromatography. Supporting the development of clean technologiesThe Environmental Technologies team works in partnership with other ARIS research areas and with industry small-to-medium sized enterprises, technology providers and other collaborators to explore clean technology applications. This lab supports the development, testing and verification of clean technologies through chemical composition analysis of water, air, greenhouse gases, tailings and soil. Facility highlightsAnalysis capabilities include measurements for trace metals, anions, cations, alkalinity, salinity, total organic carbon, total inorganic carbon, total carbon, total dissolved solids, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-VOCs, particle size and greenhouse gases. Lab equipment and processes include, but are not limited to:
|
The Process Operations Lab refers to space and equipment that supports process engineering capabilities available within the Enerplus Centre for Innovation. It is managed by the Environmental Technologies research area and the IRCC Program. Pilot-projects that solve real-world problemsThe Environmental Technologies research area utilizes process engineering capabilities at the Enerplus Centre to develop prototype pilot systems in collaboration with industry partners and many stakeholders. Facility highlightsProcess operations prototype systems include:
|
Green Building Technologies
The Green Building Technologies (GBT) research division started in 2008. ARIS has brought SAIT and GBT researchers together with industry partners to identify and develop environmentally friendly technologies, processes, programs, systems and services that will fundamentally change the way we build, educate and develop skilled labour.
We are currently unable to offer in-person tours of our facility due to COVID-19. Please visit us virtually with the button below. If you would like to be contacted when we are able to offer in-person tours, please send a request to the email applied.research@sait.ca
Virtual Tour **Use the location menu to select Green Building Technologies (L)
|
|
|
Facilities
As an applied research facility, the Green Building Technology (GBT) Lab and Demonstration Centre provide hands-on training and industry-based experience. Working in cooperation with builders, government, regulatory bodies and numerous stakeholders, the GBT team brings new products and processes to the green building marketplace. Our on-campus research facilities are flexible, living laboratories. Leading the industry in net-zero energy design and integrated renewable energy solutionsWith learning opportunities at its core, GBT engages students and researchers from multiple disciplines across different contexts and projects. Projects are typically undertaken by GBT to connect consumers, industry and education to deliver residential and commercial building solutions. The GBT research area offers a broad range of service lines, technical consultation and "R&D" resources, including building-integrated solar and water technologies as well as green materials fabrication, prototyping and product testing. Facility highlightsThe GBT Lab and Demonstration Centre is a 6,350 square foot living and breathing example of energy efficiency, building-integrated green technologies and renewable energy solutions. With additional square footage dedicated to specialized workshops, testing bays, storage and a large construction staging area, the entire facility totals over 16,800 square feet of research infrastructure. Highlights include:
|
Used primarily for research, training and demonstration, the Solar Lab is home to industry-leading technology in solar energy generation, storage and use. Powering the future of building-integrated renewablesSAIT designed and constructed the Solar Lab to demonstrate building-integrated renewable energy and to test new solar technologies. The complementary rainwater harvesting component was created for the design and testing of building-integrated water reclamation and water-filtration solutions. The labs are housed in the same compound as the Green Building Technology Lab and Demonstration Centre and continue as two of the facility's flexible, living laboratories for research and development in the renewable energy industry. Facility highlightsThe labs feature fully operational solar photovoltaic (electricity) and solar thermal (heat systems), including rack-mounted and actuating solar panels that are directly integrated into the construction of the building. The functional onsite harvesting, storage and re-use systems utilize a range of Architectural Ecology (AE) technologies. These AE technologies include green roofs, rainwater collection methods and numerous living walls that filter rainwater for grey water applications such as toilet flushing and irrigation. The lab also includes green energy solutions and integrated mechanics for seasonal heat storage, battery storage and energy grid configuration. The latest addition to the lab is a solar carport, equipped with an electric-car charging station. |
The Solar Roller Mobile Lab is used for research, training, education and outreach events. Generating power anywhere, anytimeThe Solar Roller is a fully functional, mobile trailer that is equipped with solar power generation and off-the-grid telecommunications equipment. Facility highlightsThe mobile lab is a 14 x 8-foot cargo trailer-conversion constructed by SAIT researchers, faculty, industry partners and students. A customized solar module racking system is built into the roof and holds moveable solar modules that sit at a 45-degree angle to capture optimal sunlight. The panels fold in and stack on top of each other for transport. It features a battery-based solar system that captures and stores energy from the sun, as well as a computer monitoring station, battery storage and lab capabilities for experiential learning. In addition to providing hands-on research and learning tool for students and industry partners, the Solar Roller is fully functional and doubles as a mobile, remote source of power. |
Centre for Energy Research in Clean Unconventional Technology Solutions
ARIS' Centre for Energy Research in Clean Unconventional Technology Solutions (CERCUTS) is home to inventive ideas, programs and partnerships that work together to bring environmentally sound, reliable, secure and highly efficient clean energy solutions with the integration of unconventional and alternative energy. Funding for this centre was made possible by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Alberta Government and the Canada Oilsands Innovation Alliance (COSIA).
Building on ARIS's deep-rooted applied research and development expertise this newly established centre functions as a technology solutions provider, collaborator and accelerator to energy innovation. This centre is associated with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Industry Research Chair for Colleges (IRCC) program and has three laboratories which provides space to test lab scale test rigs or small-scale pilot demonstration systems for energy research and to catalyze partnerships with industry, industry associations, regulators, new graduates, start-ups (SU), small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), communities of practice and others.
We would like to hear from you to work alongside you to develop energy innovation and transfer environmentally sound technology solutions for the benefit of society and industry.
The program, labs and related applied-research infrastructure will enable researchers to determine and solve the barriers to achieving high-energy efficiency, enhanced steam quality and water recycle, as well as reduced GHG emissions during in-situ oil sands production. This includes:
|
Steam Generation Research Facility — Once Through Steam Generation Lab
Water Research and Innovation Lab
Clean Technology Innovation Lab
Service offerings
|
The expertise available through CERCUTS and the NSERC-IRCC program is diverse where researchers, students, new graduates and faculty join together from multiple disciplines to contribute their unique skills and experiences to fast forward environmentally sound, unconventional and alternative energy solutions. ARIS engages several techno-entrepreneurs, industry experts, consultants, post-secondary institutions, industry associations, businesses and community stakeholders — allowing us to learn, share and contribute to an even greater pool of expertise to solve key 21st century and environmental challenges for the economic benefit, well-being and advancement of society. |
Facilities
The Clean Technology Industry Innovation Lab is located in the Aldred Centre on SAIT's main campus. It allows companies to cost-effectively develop, fabricate and test clean technologies, rapidly improve existing energy technologies and test alternative energy and emission reduction technologies prior to commercialization. Techno-entrepreneurs, technology vendors, SU, SME, businesses, industry and others interested in partnering with us have access to using this lab and are welcome to develop their new products, processes, and technologies for improvement, functional operation, testing and technology verification. |
The Water Research and Innovation Lab is located in the Senator Burns Building on SAIT's main campus. It has state-of-the-art infrastructure, equipment and chemical instrumentation to conduct accurate analytical characterization of water and solid contaminants. The sources of water and their contaminants may vary because they come from various sectors such as agriculture, biofuels, biomass, infrastructure, construction wastewater ponds, salty retention ponds from road transportation deicing operations, produced water from formations, process or disposal water from industrial operations to name a few. This lab is equipped to conduct a range of chemical and environmental testing, allowing partner companies to cost-effectively test water, fluids and solids, or alternatively partner with us to build, operate and test new water treatment technologies, or access testing services for skid mounted or packaged water treatment or pilot desalination systems prior to commercialization. |
The Once Through Steam Generation Lab is located at the Energy Resources Research Building in the University Research Park. The funding for this laboratory was made possible by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Alberta Government and COSIA with additional contributions from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Industry Research Chair for Colleges (IRCC) program, and Alberta Innovates (AI). This unique OTSG Lab has two lab-scale OTSG test rigs which will test actual processed water from the regional oilsands facilities. Top scientists and engineers from ConocoPhillips have provided the intellectual property and innovative engineering for the design and build of the first of its kind lab-scale OTSG test rigs in Canada. These two innovative test rigs along with the supporting applied-research infrastructure will be used by researchers, students, new graduates in collaboration with COSIA members, associate members, academia, scholars, steam boiler experts, technology vendors, techno-entrepreneurs and communities of practice. The outcome of the OTSG applied research is to find key solutions to critical operational and environmental challenges associated with steam generation for in-situ oilsands and rapidly assist the adoption of best in class practices. |
Innovation Space for Partners
Where lab space and guidance combine to advance clean energy technology startups and researchers to design, prototype and test their proprietary technologies. The Kinetica Innovation Centre at SAIT (KICS) is a facility that helps Alberta innovators and researchers design, prototype and test their proprietary technologies. The impressive 2,200 square foot facility located on SAIT's campus with easy access to the LRT is designed to accelerate prototyping efforts by offering co-working wet and dry lab space, access to an array of SAIT testing and fabrication facilities and entrepreneur and company development services through the Calgary Regional Innovation Network. KICS helps energy innovators move their ideas from testing and experimentation to prototype development and companies from startups to going concerns. Program and facility highlightsA program that helps clients move from idea to prototype, the KICS program includes access to: The Accelerated Prototype program
Co-working wet/dry bench space
World-class research facilities, equipment and talent
Commercialization services
The KICS lab offers co-working space for up to eight researchers or innovators. Space includes access to:
|
The Technology Demonstration Hall (Tech Hall) was built in 2012 and is housed within the 440,000 square foot Aldred Centre. Bring your project to lifeAs part of SAIT's Applied Research and Innovation Services facility inventory, the Tech Hall is an applied research asset accessible to staff, faculty, researchers and students on campus in any discipline. The facility is often used for collaboration with presentations made to business and industry partners. Facility highlightsThe Tech Hall provides a high-tech audio-visual experience made possible by state-of-the-art sound and display equipment:
A digitized podium serves as a control panel and can be linked to a presenter's laptop. A mobile, lighting-equipped video camera and tripod are also available for two-way audio-visual streaming from remote locations. |
The Industry Innovation Labs were built in 2012 and are housed within the Aldred Centre utilizing 440,000 square feet. These labs are available to industry partners who do not have their own dedicated applied research space. The labs allow companies to cost-effectively develop, fabricate and test new technologies prior to commercialization. Space can be fit to meet your specific needs throughout the duration of your applied research projects. Industry partners interested in using this space typically provide their own equipment and resources, although we will work with you to customize the space, plan and build the set-up you need. |
Contact us
1301 - 16 Avenue NW
Calgary, Alberta
T2M 0L4
Tel: 403.284.7056
Toll-Free: 1.866.884.7117
Email: applied.research@sait.ca