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
David Jones wears protective laser glasses as he stands behind a prototype on his lab bench.
article
British Columbia

Zeroing in on critical minerals

New sensors can pinpoint profitable ore — and reduce the financial and environmental costs of mining
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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
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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.
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Research associate Luis Alejandro Coy posing for a photo over a green background.
article
Alberta

Greener fuels for a better future

Research associate, Luis Alejandro Coy, is making a name for himself globally by developing nanocatalysts for more environmentally friendly oil upgrading
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 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
Image of a marine creature's skeleton overlayed on an underwater background.
article
Ontario

Reconstructing the ancient Arctic

Trent University’s Paul Szpak is using animal remains from archaeological sites to reconstruct Arctic ecosystems of the past
A conceptual drawing showing the muscle structure of a human shoulder and a burst of light to indicate pain. Medical icons in the background.
article
Prince Edward Island

How healing happens

By understanding how muscle tissue repairs itself, Adam Johnston at the University of Prince Edward Island hopes to find ways to combat aging and improve athletic performance
A dark blue cityscape overlain with rings of white digital icons
article
British Columbia

Seeing the future in augmented reality

Maria Lantin at Emily Carr University of Art + Design creates environments that are enhanced by technology to predict how virtual realities will change how we interact with each other and the space around us
A graphic of many white dots connected by blue lines, arranged in the shape of a brain
article

How remembering happens

Sheena Josselyn at Toronto’s SickKids hospital is figuring out how one memory triggers another, with important implications for treating things like post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia

Bright orange flames and dark grey smoke engulf a coniferous forest
article
Quebec

Forecasting future forest fires

Université Laval’s Steven Cumming uses sophisticated computer models to predict how a warming climate will influence forest fires in southern Quebec. The results aren’t what you might expect.