TRLabs Launches Disruptive Technology Challenge

02/09/08 -- Edmonton – A window to a future shaped by bold imagination has opened with TRLabs' official launch of its $100,000 Disruptive Technology Challenge (DTC).

Up to four awards will be made to support faculty and student information and communications technology innovation that has the potential to disrupt or create markets, disrupt current thinking in a field, or provoke new avenues of research with strong commercialization potential.

"Disruptive technologies are game changing, with a potential to quickly revolutionize the way we go about daily life," said Dr. Rainer Iraschko, VP Research, TRLabs. "While we have a core research program that is highly successful, the DTC is a symbiotic way to recognize the research value of higher risk, more 'blue sky' thinking."

The DTC is open to faculty and students at universities affiliated with TRLabs - the Universities of Alberta, Calgary, Saskatchewan, Regina, and Manitoba. All submissions must be received by 14:00 MST, October 31, 2008. Winners will be announced in December. Intellectual property considerations resulting from successful project completion will be guided by the policy of the university of the Principal Researcher.

Dr. Iraschko will be holding information sessions regarding the DTC in Winnipeg (September 22), Saskatoon (September 23), Regina (September 24), Calgary (September 25), and Edmonton (September 26).

TRLabs is simultaneously launching an Emerging Technology Forum (ETF) on its web site to encourage identification, discussion, evaluation, and commentary on potentially disruptive emerging technologies. "Despite the powerful impact completely new forms of technology have, there aren't many places for creative minds to challenge each other to shape the future," said Dr. Iraschko. "The ETF is a citizen of the world that will serve to bring academia, industry, government, and people of a wide variety of research interests together in an open exchange forum."

About TRLabs
TRLabs fast tracks innovation to market by creating innovative technologies, training students, and working with its partners to accelerate technology commercialization. Labs in Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, and Winnipeg employ 249. With 69 partner members representing a unique synergy of industry, government, and university, technology and applications research focuses on three research themes: Connected Media; eHealth; and eHome. In its 22-year existence, TRLabs has trained 889 highly skilled university graduates, created 342 technologies adopted for use by companies, and generated 72 active patents (issued or filed).