Director of the Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research (TCBR), Dr. Suresh Narine represented Trent University at “Life in 2030: A Research Matters Panel Discussion” on Wednesday, April 3 at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) Regent Theatre in Oshawa. A Council of Ontario Universities (COU) initiative, the Research Matters event offered the public a forward thinking glimpse into a very different world in 2030. There were no crystal balls or fortune tellers.
Prolific thinkers and academic leaders from Trent University, UOIT, Queen’s University, and Carleton University came together to discuss how technology, necessity, ingenuity and market demand will markedly shape our existence on this planet into the future. Their message was one of cautious optimism: the future is bright as long as we are prepared. Larger than life questions and their corresponding solutions were on the table for discussion.
Recently Dr. Narine spearheaded the construction of the Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research (TCBR), a 7,000 square foot biomaterials research laboratory at Trent University. A major focus of his work is concentrating on replacing petroleum-based products with biomaterial resources that are renewable, sustainable and healthy for the environment with a cradle to cradle lifecycle. The laboratory has been very successful in garnering patents for environmentally-friendly lubricants, chemicals and polymers that were created at Trent.
Dr. Steven E. Franklin, Trent University president and vice-chancellor, indicated that the invitation of Dr. Narine to the distinguished Research Matters panel demonstrates the very impressive research and intellectual firepower at Trent University. Anne Wright, chair of the Trent University Board of Governors also attended the discussion. “It gives you a taste of how many topics researchers are looking into such as healthcare, technology and the arts. It’s very comforting to me to have such smart people thinking about these issues,” she said. Dr. Neil Emery, vice-president of Research & International at Trent University is a driving force behind the Research Matters initiative and is pleased with the reception to the events and discussions that inform the public how research has an impact on daily lives.
For the Research Matters panel discussion, Dr. Narine’s topic was entitled, “Remaking the Materials World! Greasy is the New Cool.” He focussed on the dire need for alternative biomaterials resources to take their role as a viable, renewable global resource that will service the growing needs of the world’s population while having very little negative environmental impact.
From vegetable oil-based chemicals and lubricants, to totally green polyurethanes, to natural cosmetics, and super-strong biodegradable polyesters, Dr. Narine believes the world is waking up to the necessity of biomaterials which reduce the carbon footprint, are less toxic and more sustainable.
During his presentation, Dr. Narine explained the majority of the world’s petroleum stores have been depleted in the past years. According to Dr. Narine, 60-80 per cent of carbon stores have been released in the past six to seven decades. The release of too much carbon into the atmosphere creates an imbalance which leads to global warming and climate change. Crop-based carbon can produce materials currently produced from petroleum while future crop cycles can sequester the carbon that is released into the atmosphere at the end of life of such materials. In the process of re-designing biomaterials to take the place of petrochemically-derived materials, the environmental footprint is deliberately designed to be benign – less or zero toxins, and a total accounting of carbon.
In an interview Dr. Narine said, “This biological revolution in the materials world is happening without much of a fuss. I certainly see a pull from the industry for this to happen. There is a push from scientists and technology providers and a pull from the marketplace as educated consumers are increasingly concerned about environmental footprints. At the same time, biomaterials are becoming increasingly cost-effective. For all the right reasons this area is going to make a huge difference in the way we see, use produce and dispose of biomaterials.”
In addition to the scientific theory behind the use of biomaterials, an economic, cultural and ethical discussion was also introduced in his presentation. According to Dr. Narine, the food-versus-fuel and food-versus-materials discussion will be ongoing. Not every country in the world has petroleum reserves, but the vast majority of countries in the world can grow biomaterial crops. Dr. Narine posited that carbon will become the pivotal commodity of the future and that long before global petroleum reserves are depleted, the globe will begin to face severe security issues related to carbon access, whether that is from petroleum or biologically derived carbon for food, feed, fuel, and materials.
“I think petroleum will continue to play a role, especially as natural gas reserves continue to become more accessible, extending the best estimates for the end of fossil fuels orders of magnitude from estimates as recent as one year ago,” said Dr. Narine. “Biological and petroleum sources of carbon are all part of an integrated solution, with concerns about the environment, climate change and energy/food/materials security and access increasingly beginning to dictate how each feedstock will be used. If one looks at an index of quality of life, one will see quality of life around the globe is directly proportional to access to affordable energy. A biomass economy has great ideological appeal; for it has the potential to be a great equalizer. Almost all countries of the world can grow biomass, whilst not all countries of the world have access to fossil fuels and the petrochemicals that derive from it.”
Trent alumnus Vic Tyler spoke of his appreciation for the event’s discussion. “It’s really encouraging for the citizens of Oshawa, Durham and Ontario to realize that great research happens here. It directly impacts our lives. It’s real to people.”
As a Trent alumnus himself, Dr. Narine is currently full professor of Physics & Astronomy and Chemistry. He is the Ontario Research Chair in Green Chemistry and Engineering and a Senior NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Lipid Derived Biomaterials. He was named one of Canada’s Top 40 Leaders Under 40 in 2011, and has received many accolades in Canada and around the globe for his work in biomaterials research.
During an interview prior to the event, he commented on conducting his research in the Trent University environment. He said, “Trent is activist enough that students and staff are continuously challenging the status quo. Being on the Trent campus to me espouses the idea of a sojourn away from society within an environment where thought barriers are stripped away.” Under Dr.Narine’s supervision, students have the opportunity to work in the new laboratory where they work on fundamental and applied science together with industrial partners. Research meets real world opportunity. This is what “Research Matters” is all about.
In her talk, Dr. Linda Duxbury of Carleton University projected that due to shifting demographics, workers without tangible skills will be left behind. Parents must make sure their kids are educated and employers need to train their workers.
Dr. Carolyn McGregor of UOIT is working on health care technology that will translate medical numerical data into crucial diagnostic information that can enable physicians to treat critical care patients such as premature infants with more accuracy and greater speed. Leading to a reduction in infections and death. This technology is also being introduced into upcoming space travel so the health of isolated astronauts can be monitored and understood.
According to Dr. Rena Upitis of Queen’s University, music will continue to bring a vital joy and connection to humanity that can often be lost in a fast-paced world. Interestingly, web-based technology may be key to uniting people all over the world with the love of music.
Research Matters is a series of public events that have been held throughout the province. They have brought together Ontario’s universities in the effort to demonstrate the crucial research work being done by the province’s post-secondary institutions. The discussions offer the public the rare opportunity to interact with actual researchers, to talk about their work and how it will affect society here and abroad. The webcast discussions are of interest to the alumni, the public, local businesses and politicians. Research Matters is a product of the Council of Ontario Universities that includes 21 member institutions.
Posted on Friday, April 5, 2013.