Minister of Research and Innovation visits UOIT

Reza Moridi, Ontario Minister of Research and Innovation (MRI) and Richmond Hill MPP, recently visited the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) for a first-hand look at the cutting-edge research facilities in north Oshawa.

Minister Moridi toured the Clean Energy Research Laboratory (CERL), where UOIT researchers are working on the world's first lab-scale demonstration of a copper-chlorine cycle for thermochemical water splitting and nuclear hydrogen production. Hydrogen is a clean energy carrier of the future and potentially major solution to the problem of climate change. The hydrogen research is currently being funded in part by the MRI.

The next stop was the Energy Systems and Nuclear Science Research Centre (ERC), a 9,290-square-metre facility that houses UOIT's unique-in-Canada education programs and research in geothermal, hydraulic, hydrogen, natural gas, nuclear, solar and wind energy technologies. The ERC enables leading-edge research in clean and green energies and technologies, and promotes Canada's entrepreneurial advantage through public-private research and commercialization partnerships. The ERC is the result of a joint $45.4-million investment from both the federal and provincial governments as part of the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP).

“We are pleased to welcome Minister Moridi to UOIT and to have the opportunity to showcase some of the most innovative research the university is involved in,” said Susan T. McGovern, Vice-President, External Relations and Advancement. “UOIT is a leader in green energy and climate change research. Our partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation will enable us to continue the work that goes on in our lab and research centres to come up with viable clean, green energy solutions for the future.”