| Past Successes 
Conematic Heating Systems SAIT Lead: School of Manufacturing and Automation, School of Construction Collaborators: Conematic Heating Systems Start/End: January 2001/Spring 2002 Background: In July 2000, Calgary Entrepreneur, Doug Smith, approached SAIT after a visit to Beijing. He had the design rights to a unique product - a compact and energy-efficient hot water boiler for heating systems - but required resources for precommercialization, prototype development work. SAIT’s School of Manufacturing and Automation and School of Construction worked together with Conematic to build more than 20 prototypes and standardized components, and laid out a manufacturing plant. Today, Conematic is a burgeoning company employing SAIT graduates and an instructor who worked on the various applied research projects. The project assembled a team of SAIT/Conematic staff and faculty, and involved six Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) and 2 Industrial Engineering Technology (IET) students who evaluated existing production and methodology technologies and developments. Also developed was a website team with SAIT students. Geographic Information System work was conducted for marketing, and a fully functional Smart House lab and testing facility was created with the assistance of SAIT staff/faculty and Conematic team. Objective: To design and build working prototypes of a compact and energy-efficient hot water boiler for heating systems and a fully functional Smart House lab and testing facility. Outcomes: - 21 prototypes constructed
- Fully functional Smart House lab and testing facility
- 2nd year MET project – studied thermodynamic design and manufacturability
- 2nd year IET project – manufacturing plant layout and assembly operation
- Standardization of parts
- Patented pre-engineered, packaged and fully integrated heating system for domestic hot water production and space heating
- The first certified institutional-based testing facility to certify small gas appliances worldwide with ITS Semko
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BP Control Engineering Technology Centre: Fieldbus Lab Application Development, Evaluation and Technology Transfer SAIT Lead: MacPhail School of Energy Collaborators: Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) Start/End: April 2001/June 2002 Background: With the support of the Fieldbus Foundation, an international association of industry manufacturers and end-users, SAIT applied to the Canada Foundation for Innovation in 2000 for infrastructure funding that would enable the institution to: Continue efforts to become a fully accredited facility to develop Fieldbus applications; Create a vendor-neutral site to evaluate and demonstrate interoperability among control equipment, products, and systems; and, Enable automation manufacturers, developers, and end-users access to real-time plant processes and a facility to test and evaluate equipment in an academic backdrop. Objective: To support the technology development of the Fieldbus protocol for industry at a vendor-neutral site facility. Outcomes: With significant funding from Canada Foundation for Innovation, the fieldbus project and lab have accommodated the technology development and knowledge interchange requirements of industry. The project has generated significant knowledge interchange among major industry players who are at the leading edge of process automation. As a result, SAIT has gained a place alongside technology developers such as Honeywell, Yokogawa, and Rockwell; engineering firms such as Bechtel, Fluor, and ABB; and integrated operators BP, Shell, Suncor, and Syncrude. At SAIT and within the MacPhail School of Energy, the fieldbus project (fieldbus lab development, evaluation, and technology transfer) represents one of the most innovative and technically charged undertakings. Related Links:
ENMAX Wireless Industry Analysis for Prototype Pilot Project SAIT Lead: School of Information and Communications Technologies Collaborators: Enmax Corporation Start/End: July 2004/January 2005 Background: Enmax’s employees and crews, when requiring data while working in the field, were using a computer system that was not as effective or convenient as existing and emerging wireless technology. Recognizing this, the company approached SAIT Polytechnic in 2004 to conduct applied research into what options and systems were available to make use of wireless technology for its data transfer - to conduct a wireless industry analysis leveraging SAIT’s instructors’ expertise. Objective: To perform a baseline analysis of Enmax’s infrastructure, research comparable industry practices, identify gaps and make recommendations on a range of high-performance wireless platform options. Outcomes: As a result of the project a prototype, wireless network was developed and tested; a SAIT instructor with the School of Information and Communications Technologies who led the project, gained industry experience and leading-edge expertise to bring back to students when he teaches; and, the project provided the company with the information it needed to make the best decision about which wireless system to adopt. The project highlighted SAIT’s skills in applied research to Enmax and prompted discussion about further initiatives with the company.
Collaborative Server-Based Computing SAIT Lead: School of Information and Communications Technologies Collaborators: Alberta Advanced Education; Charron Systems; Calgary Board of Education; Calgary Catholic School District; Sunchild e-learning Community Start/End: November 2004/December 2005 Background: SAIT’s Collaborative Server-Based Computing (CSBC) Project received funding from the Stakeholder Technology Branch (STB) – Alberta Education. The STB is responsible for all applications that use the Alberta Supernet for Alberta Education. The project utilized a Career Pathways roadmap to identify ways of distributing learning objects and software to learners and teachers, and to investigate the perceived utility and value of various technology systems to end users. Objective: To design, build and field test a central server system using Alberta's SUPERNET and thin client software to provide educational software applications to the K-12 system. Outcomes: - The launch of a Shared Service to support the development of various “Pathways” to prepare students for the world of work.
- A system that is flexible and responsive to the needs of our varied users.
- Identification of existing and emerging technologies of the SuperNet, Server-Centric Computing and Digital Object Repositories.
- Best practice in the design and deployment of SAIT’s new support system for Learners and Instructors
- A tool for teachers in the K-12 system and Instructors in Post Secondary institutes such as SAIT, to collaborate and share ideas, lesson plans & teaching material to ease the transition of students from high school into the various forms of post secondary.
- Resources for students to explore with Post Secondary institutions at a distance and see how their own life skills and portfolios match up with the many career-oriented education options.
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Zero-Discharge Desalination Prototype SAIT Lead: MacPhail School of Energy Collaborators: Volker-Stevin Contracting Ltd. ; National Research Council Canada - Industrial Research ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: (NRC-IRAP) Start/End: January 2005/ongoing Background: The Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) lists road salt as a toxic substance to soil and water media, and an environmental remediation challenge arose as a result of new government legislation. In early 2005, Volker-Stevin Contracting Ltd., (VSC), Calgary, in cooperation with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, with support from NRC-IRAP, began work to develop a proprietary process integrating an Electrodialysis (ED) desalination system for the clean-up of salt impacted water in Calgary, Alberta. Applied Research and Innovation Services identified and connected Volker Stevin with a SAIT faculty member from the McPhail School of Energy, in addition to retired SAIT staff, with the expertise required to research, develop and construct the prototype. Objective: To develop and test a portable desalination system that could be transported to settling ponds around the province to decontaminate salt impacted waters. Outcomes: - Knowledge & capability to treat salt brine water at highway maintenance facilities in an economical and environmentally sustainable manner
- Reduction in high costs involved in hauling and disposing of salt water
- Conservation of a valuable natural water resource via recycling and reuse of salt water
- Minimizing risks with potential salt leaks or spills from storage ponds into surrounding soil and ground water
- Technology development and adoption
- A successfully proven concept and prototype – ready for commercialization
- Potential to provide salt water clean-up service to other local industries facing similar challenges
- Creation of employment opportunities in engineering, technology and trades
- Knowledge transfer to road authorities, governments and contractors across Canada and internationally
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Alberta Ecotrust Ecohome SAIT Lead: School of Construction Collaborators: Alberta Ecotrust, Jayman MasterBUILTTM Start/End: Fall 2003 / January 2006 Background: Alberta Ecotrust is a charitable foundation that builds partnerships to create sustainable environmental benefits for Albertans. Alberta Ecotrust raises and distributes funds to registered non-profit organizations for grassroots projects twice a year. The Alberta Ecotrust Ecohome is an attractive home located in the Calgary community of Lake Chaparral. It was designed through a charette process that included experts in architecture, alternative energy, landscaping, building, energy efficiency, building inspection, building trades and sustainability. A family can live well, stay healthier, save money and reduce their ecological footprint simply by living in the Ecohome. Objective: To provide, through a collaborative effort, a practical opportunity to engage and educate the public about issues like sustainability, energy efficiency and green building. Outcomes: This beautiful home easily achieves a number of significant environmental outcomes: - EnerGuide rating of 85 - one of the most energy efficient conventional homes in Canada!
- R-2000 and Built GreenTM Gold Certified
- 5 tonne reduction of greenhouse gas emissions annually
- reduction of waste in building practice and materials used
- significantly healthier indoor air quality
- water conservation indoors and out
- built at a cost that was less than 5% above the original home model
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Essential Skills Technical English Curriculum (ESTEC)/ Essential Skills Communication Assessment Tool (ESCAT) SAIT Lead: Centre for Academic Learner Services (CALS) Collaborators: Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC); Waterloo Region District School Board; Leading Concepts International; Alberta Human Resources and Employment (AHRE) Start/End: September 2005/February 2007 Background: In 2004, SAIT's English Language Foundations Program completed a major project funded by Canada Immigration through the Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks. The Comparative Framework. This applied research project established SAIT as a lead institution in Canada's workforce development efforts and was significant for SAIT being identified to lead the ESTEC/ESCAT project. Essential Skills are the skills needed for work, learning and life. They provide the foundation for learning all other skills and enable people to evolve with their jobs and adapt to workplace change. The Canadian Language Benchmarks are the national standard used in Canada for describing, measuring and recognizing the second language proficiency of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants for living and working in Canada. Objective: To create a tool and curriculum that gives users the ability to both teach and objectively test communications and job performance skills for professionals in Engineering whose first language is not English. Outcomes: - A tool to assess internationally-trained professional newcomers communication levels commensurate with industry requirements
- Occupation appropriate language to prepare newcomers for more direct access to education appropriate employment
- An adaptable tool that can be used for a variety of workplace language and skill assessments
- A national conference for groups involved in similar projects
- Increased recognition of SAIT's ability to design quality educational experiences
- Enhanced strategic partnerships with industry, alumni and other educational institutions strengthened relations among those committed to workforce development
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Health Literacy for Culturally Diverse College Students SAIT Leads: Health Services, International Centre, Student Counselling and Disability Support Services, English Language Foundations Collaborators: Bow Valley College; Mount Royal College; Alberta Associaton of Colleges and Technical Institutes (AACTI) Start/ End: September 1, 2006/ April 31, 2007 Background: Health Literacy highlights the connection of literacy skills with the ability to manage personal health. A significant intention of Health Literacy is to improve access to, and use of health information and services among adults with limited literacy in one's first language as well as English as a second language. Objectives: To identify barriers and support of health information and services for culturally diverse college students. The project will also identify, develop and pilot initiatives, strategies and practices that promote health literacy in college programs and services. Outcomes: - Development of indicators of change regarding student's knowledge of health, which can be incorporated into college wide learning outcomes.
- A body of proven effective practices, strategies and initiatives that promote health literacy for culturally diverse students.
- Culturally diverse students will have increased knowledge on how to take care of the health, and of Canadian approaches to health.
- Faculty and staff in carious college programs will have developed strategies to support students to know how to attain information and services for their health and wellbeing.
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