Focused on steel related technologies, this event is aimed at introducing McMaster University and CANMET Materials Laboratory researchers to local businesses, with the intent of starting research collaborations that address a company-specific problem. As well, participants will learn how to access the expertise and resources at CANMET`s facilities and the university.

Creating New Steel Technologies

Rolling, machining, alloying, stamping and milling, steel is an amazingly versatile material. Yet more than 3,000 years since humans started using iron, we still have much to learn about steel. At this event you will meet the McMaster and CANMET researchers who are forging new steel knowledge. You will hear about what they are working on and have an opportunity to speak with them. The goal of this event is to foster collaborations between McMaster or CANMET Materials researchers and local steel businesses to advance the manufacturing industry in the Hamilton area.

You`ll also have an opportunity to learn more about the financial programs and incentives that are available to fund these collaborations, such as the NSERC Engage program and the SMART program.

There will be ample networking time for researchers and industry participants to meet each other.

Agenda

• Funding agency presentation (5-10 minutes)
• Example stories of industry collaborations with McMaster and CANMET, focusing on tips for success (5-10 minutes)
• Researcher presentations: a dozen researchers will present what they are working on (2 minutes and 1 slide per researcher)
• Networking

Topic Areas

Speakers will come from a number of institutes which conduct research in various areas related to steel production and use, including:

• McMaster Institute for Automotive Research and Technology 
• McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute 
• Machining Systems
• Metal Forming
• Thermal Processing
• Manufacturing Automation
• Micro Manufacturing
• Steel Research Centre
• Process Metallurgy
• Process Automations and Control
• Steel Development and Application
• Coating Technology

About NSERC Engage

In 2010, NSERC introduced two new industry/academic partnership grants: ‘Engage’ and ‘Interaction’.  These new grants provide funding for first-time research partnerships involving a university researcher and an industry partner, and form the leading edge of a new NSERC initiative called 'Strategies for Partnership and Innovation’.  Both grants are aimed at the creation of new research collaborations; that is, projects where the academic and industry partners have never formally worked together.   

Unlike some comparable funding programs, including NSERC’s well-established ‘Collaborative R&D’ grant program, no cash contribution is required from the industry partner.  Success rates for applications are high and, so far, almost 400 grants have been awarded to Ontario researchers alone.