UTComp is pleased to announce that it will receive funding of up to $148,500 from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), a federal program that supports the development and commercialization of innovative Canadian technologies.
NRC IRAP funding will support research that will extend the reach and application of UTComp’s UltraAnalytix® technology for quality assurance and inspection of equipment and materials made from fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP). The goal of the seven-month project is to develop hardware, software and operating parameters for automated ultrasonic inspection during the production/manufacturing of FRP infrastructure products and components.
“We’re grateful for the support from NRC IRAP which will help us take another important step in validating the UltraAnalytix® advantage for customers all along the value chain of composites,” said UTComp CEO Jo Anne Watton. “The funding will allow us to complete the research in a timely manner and hire the additional engineering and technical staff needed to meet growing demand from manufacturers of FRP components who want to incorporate accurate, non-destructive testing into their processes in order to limit premature failure and maximize the lifespan of their products.”
The research project is focused on FRP railway ties, which are increasingly used to replace ties made from timber. The lessons learned also will be applied to a wide range of products and components used in pipes and tanks, bridges and roads, water and wastewater systems, commercial and residential construction, wind turbines, and more.
For more information, please contact:
Jo Anne Watton
UTComp Chief Executive Officer
519-620-0772, Ext. 102 • Cell: 519-498-7848
j.watton@utcomp.com
Stacey Curry Gunn
Curry Gunn & Associates
519-827-1131
stacey@currygunn.com