Ontario Centres of Excellence

Centre for Earth & Environmental Technology

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3.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.




4.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.

5. 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.

6. 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 Details

Year Established: 1989

Company Information

Richard D. Worsfold
Title: Director
Telephone: (416) 665-5473
Fax: (416) 665-2032
Email: Click Here

Services

Space And Earth Oriented Research