TPC invests in nanotech coatings R&D for aircraft

Integran Technologies Inc has received $3.6 million from Technology Partnerships Canada to develop nano-structured coatings technology for the aerospace and defence sectors.The $8.6-million R&D program will see the Toronto-based firm dev-elop nano-crystalline cobalt-phosphorous coatings as a cheaper and more environmentally benign alternative to hard chrome plating currently used by industry. The coating technology will have applications in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program in which Canada is contributing $240 million over 10 years. Of that amount, $80 million was originally slated to come from TPC’s budget. TPC funding under the JSF MOU covers the system development and demonstration phase of JSF of up to 40% of projects costs, compared to the average 33% it loans to firms (R$, February 27/02). Researchers from the Univ of Toronto are also involved in the Integran project ....