Verschuren Centre - Cape Breton University

Mandate:

Finding innovative and sustainable solutions to energy and environment issues.

Vision:

A world where clean technologies, low carbon energy and sustainable food production support resilient economies and communities and where poverty and environmental degradation are eliminated.

Mission:

  • To develop and deliver sustainable technology solutions in energy, food, and resource management to businesses, governments, and communities.
  • To bridge engineering and scientific research to environmental, industrial, and socioeconomic policy contexts that promote the adoption and effective application of innovation for large scale positive impact.
  • To contribute to the industrial, social, and economic renaissance of Cape Breton Island and Nova Scotia.
  • To contribute to Canadian leadership in clean technology and renewable energy.
  • To be a recognized global leader in the development and commercialization of sustainable technology solutions in the university sector.

Areas of expertise

  • Renewable energy
  • Bioproducts
  • Mine water remediation
  • Sustainability training
  • Environmental remediation
  • Applied nano-technology

Specialized services

  • Laboratory Services
  • Initiation, Planning and Design
  • Technology Development and Evaluation
  • Technology Accelerator
  • Sectors:  Mining, Forestry, Fisheries, Agri-food, Oil and Gas, Institutional, Government

Key Projects, Programs and Initiatives

Performance Monitoring – Mine Waste Rock Piles Active

Performance monitoring of engineered cover systems associated with mine waste rock piles (WRP) used on remediation coal mining sites – includes monitoring wells, soil stations, and weather stations; surface water quality surveys; erosion surveillance; vegetation surveys; and predication surveys.  Research encompasses development of tools to predict future performance of WRP’s, along with development of marketable products from sludge iron oxide.

Benefits

  • Ensuring long-term performance of engineered covers
  • Mitigating performance issues
  • Determining influences on micro-climates
  • Capacity building
  • Potential industrial applications for sludge

Areas of focus

Research program and performance monitoring of mine waste rock pile of remediated Sydney, NS, mining sites.

Partners & Collaborators

Public Works and Government Services Canada

Total project value

$1,000,000.00

Water Treatment Solutions – Applied Nanotechnology Active

Generation of a functionalized nanopaint development platform that will enable the synthesis, evaluation, and developmental optimization of functionalized-nanopaint products as well as offer product-development services.

Benefits

Technology and materials that can significantly enhance the photodegration of organic compounds in wastewater for wastewater treatment applications.

Areas of focus

Development methods to synthesize nanotechnology-based coating products (Nano-paints).

Partners & Collaborators

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Total project value

$1,600,000.00

Institute for Sustainability Training and Industrial Modernization Active

Establishment of a business development unit to deliver environmentally sustainable and clean technology solutions to companies and organization in international markets.

Benefits

  • Knowledge transfer
  • Promoting responsible choices
  • Industrial and corporate sustainability
  • Community energy development

Areas of focus

Business development, sustainability training, clean technology solutions initially in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Partners & Collaborators

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Nova Scotia Community College

Total project value

$400,000.00