July 28, 2011

Innovative Solutions and DRPS partner with college to investigate benefits of Mono-Pole technology

OSHAWA, Ont. – In an effort to increase fuel efficiency and decrease emissions in vehicles, Durham College’s Office of Research Services and Innovation, in collaboration with Innovative Solutions Inc. and the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) announced today a new research project for proof of principle testing of Mono-Pole technology.

The project, initiated by Roland Kielbasiewicz, president of Innovative Solutions Inc. and a Durham College alumnus, could provide financial savings for organizations with large vehicle fleets, including emergency services or public transit. Test vehicles will be provided by the DRPS. Funding from the project will come from the Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation (CONII).

“The collaborative efforts of Durham College, Innovative Solutions Inc. and Durham Regional Police Service have been instrumental in making the project a reality,” said Debbie McKee Demczyk, director of the Office of Research Services and Innovation. “We are extremely pleased to work directly with our valued community partners in developing and creating more efficient and cost-saving vehicle fleets.”

A magnetic system that works alongside the catalytic converter in an automobile, Mono-Pole technology is used to oxidize carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. The American-patented system increases the fuel reactivity with oxygen to increase the fuel combustion efficiency. Preliminary production testing has shown up to a 17 per cent increase in fuel economy as well as lowered emissions.

“Innovative Solutions is excited to be working once again with Durham College on an applied research project,” said Roland Kielbasiewicz, president, Innovative Solutions Inc. “Coupled with the support of DRPS, we are eager to review the findings of the Durham College team studying our mono-pole technology. Helping the bottom line and making a commitment to a greener environment is a win-win situation for everyone.”

Ralph Ruffo, a professor in the School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology at Durham College, will act as the faculty lead and principal investigator in the project and will be assisted by Jeffrey Pang and Bill Bellamy, two second-year students in the college’s Motive Power Technician program. Pang and Bellamy will aid in the implementation of the intervention and testing on the vehicles as part of the study plan in the Automotive labs at the college’s Skills Training Centre, located at the Whitby campus.

With the continued rise in energy costs combined with the environmental impact of burning carbon fuels, the potential discovery of any technologies that could be introduced into the market would be beneficial to all of Canada.

The use of DRPS vehicles and provision of insured drivers for this study not only demonstrates the long-standing relationship between the college and the police force but also allows the DRPS to determine whether the potential exists to reduce their own fuel budget. 
“Our partnership with Durham College is a very important one for the DRPS, and extends beyond educational pursuits,” said Stan MacLellan, chief administrative officer, DRPS. “The opportunity to work together on potential innovations aimed at improving the environment and lowering costs is exciting for the service. The Mono-Pole project is a prime example of how our partnership allows us to explore efficiencies that have the potential to assist our organizations but more importantly the community-at-large.”

The applied research test plans will be informed by the Society of Automotive Engineering – Fuel Economy Measurement Road Test Procedure (2010) whose standardized measures will ensure a rigorous testing process. This gasoline validation test is the first of many tests to include several high-level observers at all levels of government. Diesel testing will begin upon the completion of this study as well as natural gas and propane.

Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation, CONII is a consortium of 22 Ontario colleges dedicated to helping business and industry stay competitive in the global economy. In addition to providing support to businesses it also offers financial support to colleges, enabling them to provide quicker access to the expertise of Ontario’s top researchers and the most state-of-the-art equipment and research tools available.

About Durham College

At Durham College, the student experience comes first. In September 2010, the college welcomed more than 30,000 students to campus including more than 7,600 full-time post-secondary students as well as part-time, Second Career and continuing education students; apprentices; and online learners. The college offers a wide range of market-driven programs in a number of different disciplines including business, information technology, energy, media, art, design, general arts and sciences, skilled trades, justice, emergency services and health care, enabling them to develop the skills required to meet the demands of today’s job market.

A three-phase expansion of the college’s Whitby campus is currently underway. Phase 1 opened in September 2009 followed by Phase 2 in May 2011. Phase 3 will see the creation of a 30,000-square-foot building focused on agriculture, culinary, hospitality and tourism. Accommodating approximately 950 new students, it will house new classrooms and labs and offer a full-service, green-certified restaurant, lounge and greenhouse.

In addition, a new Student Services building opened at the Oshawa campus in January 2011. 
For more information, visit www.durhamcollege.ca or call 905.721.2000.

About Innovative Solutions Inc.

Innovative Solutions Inc. has provided clients across North America with operational cost-saving solutions for more than 15 years. With a global demand shift towards energy saving Innovative Solutions has invested heavily in development and procurement of the latest energy-saving solutions and technologies from around the globe. This augmentation of services has garnered significant interest from not only their clients but from several organizations all focusing on finding the solutions to the ever-growing challenge of cost control and energy-demand growth. The demand for technologies designed to reduce carbon emissions while enhancing an organization’s revenue will only continue to grow as the search by Innovative Solutions continues not only to procure these technologies but also develop in-house solutions to better serve their clients while helping them find the perfect balance between profit and planet.

Media contact:
Michelle Roebuck
Communications, Marketing and External Relations
Durham College
905.721.2000 ext. 2197
michelle.roebuck@durhamcollege.ca

 

Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications, Marketing and External Relations.

Earlier this summer, staff and faculty from Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology teamed up to raise $3,210 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s annual Big Bike event.

With the majority of students on summer vacation until September, you might assume there isn’t a lot happening on campus but for those spending their summer with Durham College the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s annual Big Bike Ride event was a great opportunity to show their campus pride and support a great cause and the community.

The team, comprised of faculty, students and staff from both Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), took part in the ride in north Oshawa in June with 28 team members climbing onto a one-of-a-kind bicycle built for 30. Riding through the local streets they took every opportunity to tell residents outside on their porches, waiting for buses or walking home from school what they were doing by chanting, “We’re pedaling for Heart and Stroke”.

“The participation and partnerships of various community groups supporting Heart and Stroke is essential to our success in meeting our mission,” said Diana MacDonald, corporate accounts fundraiser, Heart and Stroke Foundation. “It is the passion of our Big Bike captains who call out to their peers, friends and family to pull together a team that drives the success of this signature event for Heart and Stroke. We are very grateful for every rider that steps up, for every donor that helps support those riders and for companies that so generously allow their employees the time to participate.”

Big Bike rides take place all over Ontario from April to October each year with team members encouraged to set and reach a fundraising goal through individual and team efforts.

The joint Durham College and UOIT team raised a grand total of $3,210, which was $660 more than the previous year.

“It was a really amazing way to spend a Monday afternoon,” said Alanna Sloan, a Durham College summer placement student. “I got to meet new people and it’s nice to know that the money we raised is going to a great cause.”

Team members showed sincere enthusiasm throughout the entire ride, excitedly shaking noisemakers, cheering for the cause and doing their share of the pedaling with many agreeing that the 20-minute ride was far too short.

“We all had fun on the Big Bike,” said Kevin Dougherty, professor, School of Business, IT & Management. “I congratulate all the riders and fundraisers. The event really showed the co-operative and caring nature of our campus community.”

Kayla Sweiger (right, fourth-year student in the collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program, proudly presents preceptor Tobin Brown (left) with an Award of Distinction at the fourth annual BScN Preceptor Recognition Ceremony at the Oshawa Golf and Curling Club on April 28.

Students and staff from Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) came together to thank more than 300 preceptors in the collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program at the fourth annual Preceptor Recognition Ceremony on April 28 at the Oshawa Golf and Curling Club.

The event, which honours preceptors – willing, experienced nurses with strong critical thinking and communication skills who act as practicum professors, professional role models and colleagues – is held every year to thank and celebrate the preceptors in Durham Region who are intrinsic to the success of the BScN program. Most of these preceptors work at Durham Region Public Health, Lakeridge Health Corporation and Ontario Shores.

The preceptors work one-on-one with BScN students to complete more than 420 hours of clinical placement during their final year of study. The annual ceremony encourages students to nominate those who have impacted their learning in some way.

“Many preceptors are self-identified, but others are manager-identified,” said Marianne Cochrane, Nursing professor and second-year BScN co-ordinator. “Staff in a certain unit may see opportunities for professional development and push for that.”

Kicking off with opening greetings and the awards ceremony, the event also featured a presentation of Mindsight; an online mental health awareness resource created by Wendy Stanyon. Following two additional presentations on nursing curriculum, the day wrapped up with a mix and mingle.

“It was a great afternoon and well received,” said Cochrane. “We had a good turnout and people stayed afterwards to linger and chat. Our program depends on their participation, we couldn’t do it without them.”

Awards of Distinction were presented to the following outstanding preceptors:

• Tobin Brown (Lakeridge Health Oshawa, Positive Care Clinic);
• Christine Cullen Gonzalez, Helen Rushworth and Ruth Witteveen (Lakeridge Health Oshawa, Cardiopulmonary Unit, G4);
• Andrea McCullum (Lakeridge Health Bowmanville, Critical Care Unit);
• Claudette McKnight (St. Joseph’s Health Centre, Short Stay and Day Surgery Units); and
• Kelly Nicholson (Lakeridge Health Oshawa, Critical Care Unit).

The Nursing faculty for both institutions would like to express their thanks and congratulations to all preceptors for their hard work and dedication each year.