Company Overview

PROFILE Centre for Research in Earth and Space Technology

The Centre for Research in Earth and Space Technology (CRESTech) conducts multidisciplinary collaborative research and development in space and earth sciences. A consortium of university-based researchers, industry leaders and government, CRESTech is committed to bridging the gap between pure science and the successful application of science and technology in profitable new businesses.

CRESTech is one of four Ontario Centres of Excellence established to enhance Ontario's research, development and competitiveness in endeavours through collaboration with Ontario's industries, universities and research institutions. Launched in 1997 as a result of a merger between the Institute for Space and Terrestrial Science (ISTS) and the Waterloo Centre for Groundwater Research (WCGR), CRESTech is funded largely by the Ministry of Enterprise, Opportunity & Innovation {MEOI}. Other sources of revenue for the Centre come from industrial partnership, the commercialization of CRESTech technology as well as contract research and development.

CRESTech proactively identifies business opportunities with industrial and affiliate members and forms strategic alliances between these members and CRESTech associates, qualified university researchers. This leads to the exploitation of commercially viable products and processes. As well, new career opportunities are created for our talented pool of highly qualified graduating students.

The CRESTech Research Program focuses on six theme areas. A brief description of these theme areas and their activities is as follows:

• Space Science and Technology Theme

The exploitation of space has always challenged scientists and engineers to devise solutions in response to the harsh environmental conditions of space. Research in Space Science Technology theme is attracting international industrial interest as CRESTech researchers are applying these resulting technological solutions in earth-based applications. Current theme projects focus on meteoroid and satellite tracking for detection of space debris; the development of advanced materials and coatings; the design of robotics systems; instrumentation and calibration techniques; radio astronomy and the precise positioning of coordinates on earth. Knowledge gained from this research leads to improved spacecraft design and operation and new commercial products.

• Atmospheric Environment Theme

Atmospheric Environment projects contribute to the knowledge base on the long-term changes affecting our atmospheric environment. By developing techniques and processes for identifying atmospheric pollutants such as ozone; monitoring environmental change; and developing small satellite payloads to conduct solar terrestrial physics experiments, CRESTech is able to provide new information on the quality and evolution of the Earth's atmosphere. Technology contributions include providing enhanced instrumentation to monitor ozone depletion in space and air pollution levels near the ground.

• Land Resources Theme

CRESTech researchers, with partners from the Provincial and Federal government and Ontario industry, are continually looking for new ways to better monitor and manage the provinces Land Resources. Projects in this theme focus on urban/industrial development; and remote sensing applications for agriculture, mining, forestry and urban planning. Products based on CRESTech developed remote sensing technologies and techniques are now making their way from the laboratory to industry and to the farm gate.

• Water Resources Theme

Ontario derives immense socioeconomic benefit from its Water Resources. One broad objective of CRESTech researchers in this theme area is to apply processes and new techniques to the assessment, protection, remediation and management of groundwater, including groundwater/surface water interactions. Projects include the characterization of water quality and water supply; assessment of land use impacts; and wastewater treatment and mine waste management. The professional engineering community is just one of the users of the information gained through this research. Applications range from protecting and improving waste management and water services in urban municipalities to reducing the environmental impact of remote mine sites.

• Human Performance in an Aerospace Environment Theme

Researchers in the Human Performance in an Aerospace Environment theme strive to predict how sensory conflicts or sensory pathologists effect human visual orientation within real and virtual reality environments. To do this, we need a better understanding of the human visual, auditory, vestibular, and sensory-motor systems. Projects range from the development of virtual reality and helmet-mounted display systems; the investigation of visual and motor aspects of human performance;

and the design of tele-robotics and stereoscopic displays. Improved aircraft safety in the air and on the ground is one outcome of these projects.

• Controlled Environment Systems Theme

Systems which recycle and manage most or all of its components are known as Controlled Environment Systems. CRESTech researchers in this theme are providing critical knowledge for the cost-effective mitigation of well-known problems, such as sick building syndrome. Armed with this knowledge, they are exploiting innovative plant science and ecological system technologies that are of great interest to the Canadian greenhouse industry, among others. Industrial spin-offs are being pursued in the areas of sensor technology, waste management, recycling and environment management.

Industries, municipalities, consultants and government agencies seeking solutions to complex problems in space, in our atmosphere, in our ground-base resources and our environment seek out CRESTech expertise. Together with our industrial partners, CRESTech is taking earth and space technologies to the marketplace.

Company Information

Additional Details

Legal Name: Ontario Centres of Excellence

Contacts

Services

• Space And Earth Oriented Research

NAICS Categories

• 541710 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering and Life Sciences

Additional Information