RRC POLYTECH
RRC POLYTECH’S RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS & INNOVATION: INDUSTRY’S GATEWAY TO APPLIED RESEARCH BY KRISTIN MARAND
chamber at full load, under different temperature conditions and gradients. “Not a lot of people are aware of our capabilities for extreme weather testing. Our facility is unique in Western Canada. Anyone interested in dual-use, military or defence applications needs extensive certifications or proof it works in extreme weather conditions,” he says. “That is something we can offer instead of going across the border or going to other provinces. We can test components as small as a drone and as big as a Class A truck. It's a very flexible facility, and it's available year-round.” One aim of the polytech’s research teams is to increase technology readiness. On a recent project with Magellan Aerospace, research teams integrated robotics and automation into a production-line technology, resulting in potentially significant cost savings for the company. "Working with RRC Polytech’s Research Partnerships & Innovation team continues to help Magellan Aerospace find practical solutions that improve productivity and deliver value to our business," says Ron Drepaul, general manager of Magellan Aerospace, Winnipeg. For other companies that might be interested in collaboration, Delos Reyes encourages them to reach out. “We can connect you to the right research centre, then discuss further and develop a project. We can also support you in finding funding,” he says. “We work with industry, and we let industry keep and commercialize the intellectual property, so there's no barrier to collaborating.” ■
“Our focus areas are diverse, from prototyping support to advanced manufacturing to non-destructive inspection to simulation and modelling.” Clients with a research challenge can work with the teams in RPI through a consultation process. After discussing the issue, defining the scope of work and suggesting solutions, researchers will pursue the creation of an end product, such as a lab-scale prototype or another deliverable.
The polytech has invested heavily in state-of-the-art equipment for testing and validation services. Unique to the region is an X-ray CT system that can scan a product and detect material defects without destroying the part. Industry can also benefit from seeing the equipment in action before making its own investment. Jojo Delos Reyes has worked in RPI at RRC Polytech for more than 15 years. When he joined, he was one of four people in the research department. Now, more than 70 researchers work under the Research Partnerships & Innovation umbrella. Delos Reyes, with a background in industrial electronics, directs the Vehicle Technology and Energy Centre (VTEC), a research centre focused on vehicle technology innovation. VTEC has the MotiveLab™ facility, an environmental chamber that allows testing in extreme weather conditions. MotiveLab™ is equipped with a chassis dynamometer that allows a vehicle to run inside the
Photo by Darcy Finley
I n the high-tech labs at RRC Polytech, state-of-the-art robotics and 3D printers give students hands-on training with industry professionals. These labs also support research professionals in prototyping, testing and scaling dual-use technologies for aerospace, defence, manufacturing and supply-chain partners. Dr. Janfizza Bukhari is the director of the Technology Access Centre for Aerospace and Manufacturing, a research and training unit under the Research Partnerships & Innovation (RPI) umbrella. Bukhari explains that dual-use technologies serve multiple purposes, such as drones, which can have both commercial and defence applications. “We offer our services to local companies, which include applied research and innovation services and customized training programs based on their needs,” she says.
11 WINTER 2026
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