January 18, 2007
UNB News Release:

The University of New Brunswick’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering (IBME) will continue to be a world leader in prosthetics research and development thanks to funding from the federal government.

The institute will receive $2.9 million for the development of a technologically advanced prosthetic hand. It is one of six New Brunswick projects to receive a portion of $16 million in funding from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF).

The new UNB Hand will be compact, life-like and affordable, featuring a more natural motion and incremental grip adjustment to hold objects. IBME will work with l’Université de Moncton’s Thin Films and Photonics Research Group and ECI Medical Technologies of Bridgewater, N.S. on the project.

UNB researchers are also key participants in two new AIF-funded projects. They are collaborating with Fraser Papers to develop new processes to produce higher value paper products and are working with Marwood Ltd. to develop new technologies to produce low maintenance wood products.

Backgrounders of all six projects are available online at www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/e/media/press/press.shtml?3735.

The objective of ACOA’s Atlantic Innovation Fund is to increase the region’s capacity for leading-edge research and development that will contribute to new technology-based economic activity.

UNB was recently ranked 25th out of the top 50 research universities in Canada for 2006 by Re$earch Infosource.

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