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

Nov 6, 2025

Building prosperity by de-risking mining and reducing environmental impacts

Masoud Aali — Founder and CEO, Scient Analytics

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podcast

May 8, 2025 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

Mar 28, 2025

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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A dimly-lit museum room has several display cases with colourfully painted indigenous masks.

article

Apr 24, 2017 Ontario,Quebec,British Columbia

PART V: It is rooted in research

Providing a critical link to history through a partnership of peoples. University of British Columbia.

A woman wearing dramatic red eye shadow poses in a futuristic garment that can change shape or colour. The dress has high, pointed shoulders and dark brown and blue patterned material.

article

Apr 24, 2017 Ontario,Quebec,New Brunswick

PART IV: And a desire to make things better

Revolutionizing our relationship with clothing by embedding sensors in fabric for both fashion (it moves when you do!) and function (to alert the wearer of vital signs gone haywire). Concordia University.

A man uses tweezers to hold up a small diamond. The diamond is in focus, blurring out the man’s face.

article

Apr 24, 2017 Alberta

PART III: And powerful discoveries

Igniting a worldwide buzz by detecting vast amounts of water in the deepest part of the Earth’s interior. University of Alberta.

A huge, circular room is entirely filled by a ring-like structure of large metal pipes. Inset is a series of colourful protein crystals photographed on a purple background.

article

Apr 24, 2017 Ontario,Quebec,Saskatchewan

PART II: It is built on understanding

Illuminating our world at the atomic scale with a light so bright the sun dims by comparison. University of Saskatchewan.

A simulated tornado, looking like a pillar of white mist, rushes up to the ceiling of a large, dark room. A hand-drawn sketch of a wind chamber partially covers the image.

article

Apr 24, 2017 Ontario,Quebec,Alberta

PART I: Innovation starts with an idea

Reinventing wind science, from sketch to engineering revolution. Western University.

article

Apr 19, 2017 Ontario,New Brunswick,Nova Scotia

PART XVII: It protects our planet

Racing against time to catalogue all of Earth’s species. University of Guelph.

Robert Godin sits inside a bright warehouse, playing one of the guitars made by his company, Godin Guitars. The shelves behind him are full of guitars.

video

Mar 13, 2017 Quebec

Made to fit: technology helps musicians find the perfect guitar

Godin Guitars partners with McGill University to bring a dream to life

A goldfish swims with a shark fin strapped to its back

article

Feb 28, 2017 Prince Edward Island,Ontario,British Columbia

Small but mighty research institutions

A collection of three research projects from small universities that prove that when it comes to staying at the cutting-edge, size doesn’t matter

Image of a marine creature's skeleton overlayed on an underwater background.

article

Feb 28, 2017 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

Feb 28, 2017 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

Feb 28, 2017 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