Key Takeaways
- Alberta Innovates awards research grants to projects aimed at benefiting food producers and expanding cannabis use in skincare and medicine.
- Three grants were given to the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, and LWR Technologies for unique agricultural research.
- Alberta Innovates has provided $17.9 million in funding since 2019 to support agricultural innovation.
- Projects include CBD incorporation in products, quantum dot technology for greenhouses, and real-time wireless fertilizer monitoring.
Alberta Innovates has announced new research funding aimed at developing technologies that could benefit food producers and open new markets for cannabis in skincare and medicine. Three grants have been awarded to research teams at the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, and Calgary-based private company LWR Technologies. These projects are designed to open new markets or develop technologies that will save producers money and increase crop yields.
Supporting Alberta’s Agricultural Sector
Alberta, with 52 million acres of farmland, benefits from Canada’s agriculture-related trade agreements with 51 countries, giving the province’s producers market access to 1.5 billion people. Since 2019, Alberta Innovates has provided $17.9 million in funding to 67 recipients, supporting the science and development of new technologies in the agricultural sector. These projects currently have a value of $57.6 million.
Mark Summers, Associate Vice President of Agriculture and Environment at Alberta Innovates, stated, “Alberta has long been and will continue to be an agriculture powerhouse. Finding innovative approaches and technology to improve yield, product quality, and environmental stewardship is both deeply embedded in the culture of the industry and critical to maintaining and enhancing our competitiveness. By funding research and development in Alberta, we’re supporting technology development that will benefit communities within the province, across the country, and around the world.”
Research Projects and Innovations
University of Alberta – CBD Incorporation
Researchers at the University of Alberta are developing better ways to incorporate cannabidiol (CBD) into products such as lotions and water-based food and beverages. Using nanotechnology for encapsulation, the research aims to make oils more soluble in water, preventing separation. The project, which has received $317,000 in funding, uses CBD oils due to their nutritional and health benefits.
Professor Lingyun Chen from the University of Alberta commented, “We are excited to collaborate with PGB BioPharma on this groundbreaking research project thanks to the funding support from Alberta Innovates. By developing a natural nanoemulsion to encapsulate cannabidiol (CBD), we aim to address the significant challenge of oils having poor water solubility and bioavailability. This innovative nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize the incorporation of CBD into aqueous-based food and skincare formulations, making it more accessible and effective for consumers.”
University of Calgary – Quantum Dot Technology
At the University of Calgary, researchers are developing new light-filtering films for greenhouse exteriors using quantum dot technology. These films filter sunlight to block harmful UV wavelengths and focus more visible light on plants, enhancing growth conditions year-round. Early research with tomato plants showed a 19% increase in yield and 15% faster growth. This project has received $350,000 in funding.
Dr. Jianguang Hu, Associate Professor at the University of Calgary, explained, “Scaling quantum dot technology could revolutionize greenhouse operations by reducing reliance on artificial lighting, improving energy efficiency, and reducing operational costs. This technology aims to bolster economic viability by boosting yields and accelerating harvest cycles. This could not only meet growing consumer demand for fresh produce but also enhance food security on a local and national scale.”
LWR Technologies – Real-time Wireless Fertilizer Monitoring
Calgary-based LWR Technologies, in collaboration with the University of Calgary Sensor Lab, has received funding to develop real-time wireless fertilizer monitoring through RF-microwave sensors. This technology aims to measure nutrients in water and fertilizer distribution systems in real-time, eliminating the need for lab-based testing and allowing farmers to optimize fertilization and irrigation practices. LWR has received $500,000 in funding for this project.
Hailey Poole, LWR Senior Environmental Chemist, said, “We are thrilled to receive the Agri-Food and Bio-Industrial Innovation Program (ABIP) grant from Alberta Innovates to develop a new, innovative nutrient sensor. This support will allow us to leverage cutting-edge sensor technology to provide farmers with real-time nutrient data, enhancing both productivity and sustainability. By tracking nutrients, we can digitize the manure hoofprint, maximize organic fertilizer spreading, and deliver the added benefits of increasing farmers’ revenue and reducing GHG emissions.”
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