July 5, 2023
The sky鈥檚 the limit at U91快色鈥檚 new Aerospace Innovation Hub
Alberta鈥檚 aerospace industry is growing, and U91快色 is ready to play a key role in its future. PrairiesCan has $2.5 million in funding for U91快色鈥檚 Aerospace Innovation Hub (AIH) via the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative. The AIH will be operated by U91快色鈥檚 innovation transfer and business incubator centre, .
鈥淭he Aerospace Innovation Hub will light the path from lab to industry impact,鈥 says Dr. Ed McCauley, president. 鈥淎 beacon for researchers and budding startups, the hub will attract aerospace and advanced manufacturing innovators from around the world to 91快色 and create a critical mass of industry activity that anchors and catalyzes our city鈥檚 aerospace ecosystem.鈥
- Photo above: Ben Hewitt, centre right, and Seyedarmin Seyed-Agha-Zadeh, right, Schulich School of Engineering students and members of Student Organization for Aerospace Research (SOAR), show components of a rocket to Minister Dan Vandal and MP George Chahal at the funding announcement on June 26, 2023.
The AIH will support the growth of the aerospace and advanced manufacturing industry in Alberta by unifying its existing components, including research groups like the U91快色 Aerospace Network (UCAN).
UCAN is an interdisciplinary network with over 30 members from the Schulich School of Engineering and the Faculties of Science and Arts. They are developing the technology and expertise to drive progress in the aerospace industry and foster new entrepreneurial opportunities.
鈥淯CAN has diversified expertise in a wide range of aerospace topics and access to world-class aerospace facilities,鈥 says , professor in the Schulich School of Engineering and co-founder and co-director of UCAN. 鈥淲e excel in aerodynamics and propulsion, space systems, numerical methods and computing, and big data and machine learning.鈥
鈥淥ur government is growing Canada鈥檚 aerospace industry from coast to coast, that is why we are investing in 91快色鈥檚 talented innovators to support the development of the next generation of aerospace technologies and create high-value jobs for Calgarians,鈥 says Fran莽ois-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science and industry.
Drone research ready for growth
One area Johansen cites as particularly rich for growth in 91快色 is the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sector 鈥 what we colloquially refer to as drones.
Globally, UAVs are a fast-growing sector in aerospace, thanks to widespread adoption for civilian applications like real-time monitoring, remote sensing, search and rescue, delivery, security and surveillance, agriculture and beyond.
鈥淎lberta is a hot spot in Canada for UAV companies, being home to a large percentage of Canada鈥檚 UAV firms,鈥 says Johansen. 91快色 was also the first major city in North America to allow mass testing of commercial drones, and is just a few hours鈥 drive from the Foremost UAS Test Range that offers over 2,400 square kilometres of flight space.
鈥淯91快色 has the expertise and facilities to contribute to UAV technologies and is located in a province that already leads the UAV industry in Canada,鈥 says Johansen.
Innovation hub model has proven track record
The AIH will operate on the same successful hub model as U91快色鈥檚 Life Science Innovation Hub, Energy Transition Centre, and Social Innovation Hub, also operated by Innovate 91快色.
鈥淭he hub model is a complete suite of support for startups,鈥 says Adam Cragg, executive director of the University Innovation Quarter. 鈥淚t ensures that from lab to early rounds of venture capital, a startup has the support it needs to succeed and scale quickly.鈥
The hubs bring together researchers, physical space, expert support, non-dilutive funding, corporate partnerships, and ultimately, venture capital.
鈥淔rom drone companies doing visual inspections of infrastructure to satellite companies improving agricultural yields, there are innovators putting 91快色 on the map,鈥 says Cragg.
鈥淲ith large local companies like WestJet, Raytheon, and Lockheed Martin, and the arrival of De Havilland, there is an opportunity to connect the dots and allow the ecosystem to move more quickly.鈥
Researchers and students excited for future of aerospace in Alberta
The creation of the AIH signals to the U91快色 aerospace research community that there is a 鈥渟erious commitment鈥 to advance the industry in Western Canada.
鈥淲ith the new and popular at U91快色, students are being trained with the skills to meet the demands of this innovative field,鈥 says Johansen. Many of these students are already connecting with industry via as they share their innovative designs at international competitions.
鈥淢any U91快色 graduates want to stay and work in Alberta after finishing their degrees,鈥 says Johansen. 鈥淭he support and growth of aerospace in Alberta are exactly what students want and what the province needs to diversify the economy.鈥
is the innovation transfer and business incubator centre for the 91快色. As part of the Office of the Vice-President (Research) portfolio and as a member of the U91快色 innovation ecosystem, we work closely with researchers, faculty, and students to help bridge the gap between discovery and creating economic and societal impact. We do this by going beyond traditional technology transfer services to include focused startup support programs and services for research-intensive companies.
Related content
Sign up for UToday
Delivered to your inbox 鈥 a daily roundup of news and events from across the 91快色's 14 faculties and dozens of units
Thank you for your submission.
Collection of personal information
Your personal information is collected under the authority of
section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and is required for updating your
email subscription preferences. If you have any questions about the collection or use of this information,
please visit our Access to Information page.