Synergy Awards recognize real-world applications of research
A U of T faculty member and a former student were among those honoured by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada Oct. 29 for their work in bringing university research to the marketplace.
André Arsenault, a recent PhD graduate of the Department of Chemistry, won first prize in the Innovation Challenge Awards, a competition designed to get graduate students thinking about products or services that could be developed from their thesis research.
Arsenault’s research on photonic crystals led to the development of a photonic “ink” that changes colour in response to stimuli. He created Opalux Incorporated to develop applications for his technology, which could include sensors for use in forensics, anti-counterfeiting measures and signage that could be modified electronically.
