Research stories

Our investments support research that benefits Canadians

In CFI-funded labs and facilities across the country, researchers in all stages of their careers are making discoveries, supporting a robust innovation ecosystem and helping solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. 

Strategic investments, national impact

Learn how innovations in areas that matter most to Canadians, including affordable housing, food sovereignty and national security, comes from the research made possible by CFI investments in cutting-edge labs and equipment.
Discover the innovations
article

Building prosperity by creating more housing

Sean Tassé — Co-founder and VP, LEMNY
All articles
podcast
Nova Scotia

Jan Rainey is untangling the mysteries of spider silks

The Dalhousie University researcher is looking to create synthetic versions of spider's silk that have the potential to help heal damaged nerves and damaged hearts
All podcasts
video

Transforming research instincts into a successful business (March webinar)

Part of our Future You webinar series. This webinar features a new generation of researchers who share their challenges and successes as they made the move from researcher to entrepreneur. Watch the video to gain insights and receive valuable tips on how to start your own business.
All videos

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A house demolished by a hurricane.
article
Ontario

Houses that hold up in a hurricane

A state-of-the-art research facility at Western University has found that a few dollars can make our homes much safer in extreme storms
A two-lane highway viewed from a windshield with a car ahead and several digital markers overlain on the image
article
Ontario

Intelligent cars change everything

Once the domain of traditional robotics, the future of self-driving cars now lies in artificial intelligence, where Canadian researchers like Raquel Urtasun have serious clout
Many symbols and letters forming an algorithm written on a blue screen
article
Saskatchewan

It’s all in the algorithm

Making machine learning more affordable by tweaking how the machine interacts with the data sources that teach it
A white-haired woman holds a tomato wedge with a cooking pot on a surface in front of her
article
Quebec

What if your stove could learn your bad habits?

How artificially intelligent devices could make living at home for longer a safer option for seniors
A vector graphic of the brain inside a circle made of circuitry over a blue background.
article
Ontario,Quebec,Saskatchewan

The great minds behind intelligent machines

How three Canadian researchers in artificial intelligence are helping to change how we make decisions, from our money to our health
Illustration of four men in business suits rowing a vessel shaped like an arrow. A fifth man, standing in front of them, shouts from a megaphone.
podcast

Episode six: The way forward

The final episode of our podcast series takes stock of where the CFI is today and where innovation in Canada needs to be 20 years from now
Floor to ceiling solar panels simulate a sunny day in a concrete research facility.
video
Quebec

Off-the-wall energy for self-sufficient buildings

Concordia University researcher Andreas Athienitis’ thermal solar wall technology can provide enough heat and electricity to take whole buildings off the grid
Three rows of round icons display a variety of bacteria and virus illustrations.
podcast
Ontario

Keeping antibiotics ahead of infectious diseases

Gerry Wright talks about the problems with promiscuous bacteria and how antibiotics resistance could affect the future of medicine
Illustration of a group of men and women running up a mountain. The leader is waving a Canadian flag.
podcast

Episode five: A new research strategy for Canada

A continuation of our podcast series that traces the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s unlikely origin story
A young boy peers through the bars of a playground structure
article
Ontario

Finding new markets for monkey bars

Lambton College labs help develop the next generation of playground equipment to give a southwestern Ontario company a boost into the adult fitness market
A rainbow of light emanates from two human forms side by side
article
Alberta

Making regenerative therapies reality

The University of Alberta’s Cell Therapy Manufacturing facility will take new therapies for diabetes and cancer from the hypothetical to the viable
A red and white text over a grey background.
article
Ontario,Quebec,Alberta,Saskatchewan,New Brunswick,British Columbia,Newfoundland and Labrador,Nova Scotia,Prince Edward Island

Innovation: A desire to make things better

A collection of stories to illustrate the breadth of ways in which innovation changes our world