Can the 400-series highways help solve Ontario's electricity production problems?
December 6, 2006
UOIT Physics professors to lead $400,000 solar-cell research project
OSHAWA, Ont. - The University of Ontario Institute of Technology's (UOIT) Faculty of Science has received a $400,000 funding commitment from the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) and Brampton-based MDF Mechanical to lead a research project that will examine the use of solar-cell-coated highway barriers to generate much needed power for Ontario's electricity grid - stimulating a potential multimillion-dollar market.UOIT is the lead partner in the Sonus/Photovoltaic (PV) Highway Traffic Noise Barrier project being funded jointly by the OCE's Centre for Materials and Manufacturing program, and Brampton-based MDF. Also collaborating on the project are researchers at the University of Toronto and Toronto-based Gentile Engineering.
Project leaders are Associate Professor Dr. Anatoli Chkrebtii and Assistant Professor Dr. Franco Gaspari, both physicists with UOIT's Faculty of Science, who will research a novel low-temperature thin-film method of coating materials with a form of silicon to create efficient and inexpensive solar cells that produce electricity from solar light. Fiberglass highway noise barriers would be coated with these thin-film solar cell photovoltaic panels and the resulting power fed to the electricity grid.
It is estimated that a 100-kilometre stretch of a two-metre high Sonus/PV system could generate about 10 megawatts of green photovoltaic power, capable of meeting the energy needs of 3,000 average households, making a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Along with energy production, the Sonus/PV barriers would serve to reduce noise in high-traffic transportation corridors and make possible the use of electronic traffic and environmental monitoring that is powered by the solar cells.
Dr. Chkrebtii and Dr. Gaspari will be conducting studies to predict the amount of electricity produced through different barrier configurations and understand the effects of varying the composition of the material to maximize energy production.
"This project and the combined financial support of the OCE and MDF Mechanical further strengthens UOIT's track record as a leader in research that has a direct and demonstrable effect on both local and global society," said Dr. Chkrebtii.
"The UOIT research team is co-ordinating all aspects of the project and providing the theoretical analysis, modelling and simulations required," added Dr. Gaspari.
"This is just the latest example of how our professors and students are working together to conduct hands-on research projects with significant outcomes," said Dr. William Smith, dean of the Faculty of Science. "Our faculty and students collaborate in the classroom, the lab, and the field, turning innovative ideas into real solutions that will ensure our graduates are prepared to make an impact on society."
Dr. Smith also noted that this project involves the employment of UOIT students as research assistants, providing opportunities for undergraduate students in the Energy and the Environment specialization within UOIT's Physics program, for graduate students in UOIT's Modelling and Computational Science MSc program and for future students enrolled in the proposed Materials Science MSc program (to be delivered jointly with Trent University) which is currently under assessment by the provincial government.
Industry involvement is critical to the project, with industry partners hoping to capitalize on the existing market for installations of Sonus/PV barriers throughout Canada, and capture a considerable fraction of the estimated CDN $600 million per year American market. With the 400-series highways just a portion of the 17,000 kilometres of Ontario highways, the project holds great potential for the provincial power grid and economy. It is expected it would take three to five years to recover the cost of the solar cell coating process, maximizing the return on investment for industry.
The OCE and MDF Mechanical are each contributing $100,000 a year for two years.
"This innovative project once again demonstrates UOIT's commitment to interdisciplinary research that directly benefits society and business," said Dr. John Perz, UOIT acting associate provost of Research. "Our research discoveries deliver commercialization, improved professional practices, a cleaner environment, and a better quality of life for every member of our global community."
Dr. Chkrebtii is a founding UOIT Physics professor and his research includes the physics of semiconductor devices and quantum physics of the solid state and its surfaces. He is an NSERC Discovery Grant holder and co-author of more than 80 research articles in prestigious research journals.
Dr. Gaspari began an assistant professor's position in Physics on July 1, 2006, and his research includes the areas of thin film amorphous silicon and carbon and emerging nano-crystalline materials for application in the fields of renewable sustainable energy (photo-voltaic) and biomedical devices. He is also the co-author of numerous research articles.
About UOIT
As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's 4,300 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, UOIT offers more than 30 challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of Business and Information Technology, Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Sciences. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including several Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.
About the Ontario Centres of Excellence's Centre for Materials and Manufacturing
The Centre for Materials and Manufacturing's overriding objective is to support research and training within the materials and manufacturing sectors to maximize their impact on the sustained economic growth and well being of the Province of Ontario. Everything at the Centre for Materials and Manufacturing - its strategy, philosophy, values, programs, and behaviour - is driven by this goal. The Centre fulfils this mandate by developing relationships and connections between people and organizations in Ontario's post-secondary and industrial communities to accelerate new innovations and commercialize new advances through R and D activities. Its R and D portfolio is driven by the needs of Ontario industry, especially those where the economic impact of technology and knowledge will be the greatest. To find out more, visit www.oce-ontario.org
About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.
Media contact
Heather Middleton
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.3111 ext. 2197
heather.middleton@uoit.ca
