Tag Archives: University of British Columbia

Disruptive Composite Materials Developed Via Vancouver Company & University Of British Columbia

Up coming next generation of polymer materials creates more durable and recycle-ready composites

ALUULA Composites is collaborating with the University of British Columbia (UBC) Composite Research Network to develop world-first recycling applications for high-performance, UHMWPE-based composite materials. The new material has been recently featured in Air&Cosmos, Composites World, Innovation in Textiles, and Plastics Today.

“When we first revealed our work with ALUULA to the kitesurfing world, there was reasonable and valid debate as to whether the hype would really match up to the material’s potential, and to the performance levels that we were promising. Happily, as has since been proven and documented, the hype has gone beyond everyone’s expectations.” Ocean Rodeo Kitesurfing

According to a report from the FMI, the global advanced polymer composites market is projected to register an average-paced CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period. The current valuation of the market is US$ 11.12 Billion in 2022.

The value of the advanced polymer composites market is anticipated to surpass a valuation of US$ 19.73 Billion by the year 2032. The experts of Future Market Insights have recorded a historical market valuation of US$ 10.5 Billion during the base year.

Composite materials have been using the same process of gluing together different core layers and outer films to create composites used in a wide range of product applications.

“Between the interest in our materials generated from the ISPO Awards and the transformational effect our composites have had in the wind sport sector (via Ocean Rodeo Kitesurfing products), Aluula is now in co-development conversations with industry leaders for a broad range of uses and applications. It is an extremely exciting time for our entire team” said Aluula COO John Zimmerman.

The new composites are up to 50% lighter than competitive materials while delivering equal or greater strength.

This process has produced many innovative composites, but their performance has plateaued. A new generation of composite materials, using novel chemistry and innovative manufacturing techniques develops new ways to assemble and fuse high-tech fibers, and advanced space-age films together. By bonding materials at the molecular level, the next-gen of polymers is not only creating extremely light, strong, and durable composites, but materials that are recycled readily.

  • High-performance polymer composites open up lucrative growth prospects for the manufacturers.
  • Are a new way to bond high-tech fibers and advanced space-age films creates the next-gen of polymers.
  • Are more durable and recycle readily next-gen materials create unlimited opportunities for the composites materials market.

Featured image via Aluula- Panels made with recycled polymer composites reportedly are 10 times stronger than panels molded from virgin resin.

Ontario Strengthens Protections For Marine Mammals Including Pool Size

Ontario will be the first province to set specific standards of care for marine mammals Image: Spock mind melds in Star Trek IV.
Ontario will be the first province to set specific standards of care for marine mammals

Ontario is moving ahead with enhanced standards of care for marine mammals – such as  dolphins, belugas and walruses – to ensure both greater protection and improved treatment.

These new standards of care, reflecting advice from an expert report by University of British Columbia marine biologist Dr. David Rosen, will be among the best in the world.

New standards would be developed in a number of areas including:

The size of pools used to house marine mammals
Environmental considerations such as bacteria content, noise and lighting
Appropriate social groupings
Regulations for the handling and display of marine mammals

The government will establish a technical advisory group composed of veterinarians, animal welfare groups, industry, and enforcement partners to provide advice on the final standards and timing of their implementation. This group will report back with their findings within six months.

The government will also be moving forward with legislation to prohibit the future breeding and acquisition of orcas (killer whales) and establish Animal Welfare Committees at every facility with marine mammals. These committees will provide both oversight and access to additional protections such as veterinarians with expertise in marine mammals.

John Lennon "Walrus advocate"
John Lennon “Walrus advocate”

“Our government is moving forward with stronger protections for marine mammals to ensure these unique animals receive the best possible treatment and care. This is something that Ontarians expect and these animals deserve. These higher standards of care, along with prohibiting any future breeding or acquisition of orcas in Ontario, are both the right thing to do and builds on our government’s ongoing efforts to have the strongest animal protection laws in Canada.”
Yasir Naqvi, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services

QUICK FACTS

 

  • Ontario will be the first province to set specific standards of care for marine mammals.
  • Ontario has the toughest animal protection laws in Canada.
  • There are over 60 zoos and aquariums in Ontario — more than any other province.
  • Ontario provides the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) with $5.5 million annually to strengthen the protection of animals.

 LEARN MORE

Find out about the work of the OSPCA

Read the University of British Columbia Report on Standards of Care for Marine Mammals in Captivity
Ministère de la Sécurité communautaire et des Services correctionnels

L’Ontario renforce la protection des mammifères marins

La province prend des mesures pour mieux protéger les mammifères marins et interdire l’acquisition et la reproduction en captivité des épaulards

L’Ontario va de l’avant avec des normes de soins améliorées pour les mammifères marins – dont les dauphins, les bélugas et les morses – afin d’assurer à ces animaux à la fois une plus grande protection et un meilleur traitement.

Ces nouvelles normes de soins, fondées sur les recommandations d’un rapport d’expert rédigé par David Rosen, un biologiste respecté spécialisé en vie marine de l’Université de Colombie-Britannique, seront parmi les plus rigoureuses au monde
De nouvelles normes seront ainsi élaborées sur divers sujets, dont les suivants : 

  • Taille des bassins utilisés pour garder les mammifères marins;
  • Facteurs environnementaux, comme la teneur en bactéries, le bruit et l’éclairage;
  • Groupements sociaux appropriés;
  • Règlements relatifs à la manipulation et à l’exposition des mammifères marins

 

Le gouvernement mettra en place un groupe consultatif technique, composé de vétérinaires ainsi que de représentants de groupes de protection des animaux, de l’industrie et de partenaires de l’application de la loi, pour fournir des conseils sur les normes définitives et sur le calendrier de leur mise en œuvre. Ce groupe communiquera ses conclusions dans un délai de six mois.

 

Le gouvernement ira aussi de l’avant avec une nouvelle législation pour interdire la reproduction en captivité et l’acquisition de ces animaux à l’avenir et pour établir des comités pour la protection des animaux dans tous les établissements où se trouvent des mammifères marins.

Ces comités seront chargés de la supervision et fourniront des protections additionnelles, dont l’accès à des vétérinaires spécialisés dans les mammifères marins. 

 

 

CITATIONS

 

« Notre gouvernement va de l’avant en renforçant la protection des mammifères marins afin que ces animaux uniques reçoivent les meilleurs soins et traitements possibles. C’est ce à quoi s’attendent les Ontariens et aussi ce que ces animaux méritent. Ces normes de soins plus rigoureuses et l’interdiction d’acquérir et de reproduire en captivité des épaulards à l’avenir en Ontario sont des mesures appropriées qui s’inscrivent dans le cadre des efforts continus de notre gouvernement visant à doter l’Ontario des lois les plus rigoureuses du Canada pour la protection des animaux. »

  • Yasir Naqvi, ministre de la Sécurité communautaire et des Services correctionnels

 

 

FAITS EN BREF

 

  • L’Ontario possède la législation la plus rigoureuse du Canada pour la protection des animaux.
  • Il y a plus de 60 zoos et aquariums en Ontario — plus que dans toute autre province du Canada.
  • La province accorde à la Société de protection des animaux de l’Ontario une subvention de 5,5 millions de dollars par an pour renforcer la protection des animaux.

 

POUR EN SAVOIR DAVANTAGE

 

  • Renseignez-vous sur le travail de la SPAO (en anglais seulement)
  • Lisez le Rapport de l’Université de la Colombie-Britannique sur les normes de soins pour les mammifères marins en captivité