Don Mills : Innovation + Job News

Cavet Technologies launched a new product this week out of the Yonge-Lawrence neighbourhood of Toronto, introducing an innovative, environmentally friendly lighting product in 15 countries. The LumiSmart ILC (which stands for Intelligent Lighting Controller) is a patented device that controls florescent lighting systems for businesses to save energy without effecting the comfort of a building's occupants.

The company boasts that although they just launched this week, they draw on a decade of research by the founders and own six patents. Company spokesperson Leslie Taschner says that though the company launches with fewer than 10 employees, it will be partnering with Don Mills-based Celestica to manufacture and ship the LumiSmart around the world, which could produce a number of additional jobs in Toronto.

Taschner says that the product is uniquely suited to its home of Ontario, given the Ontario Green Energy Act requirements and the recent local momentum around energy conservation, and notes that while headlines have recently been occupied by foreign company's partnering with the provincial government on renewable energy, Cavet is a proudly local company that will take Toronto-born clean technology, design and manufacturing to the world.

Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Leslie Taschner, Cavet Technologies

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When he founded Avante Security in 1996, company President and CEO Emmanuel Mounouchos was dedicated to helping ensure people's safety through innovative security devices. But in recent years, his company has expanded its focus to help people secure not just their immediate environment but the global environment as well, through innovations that have drawn notice.

Last year the company was named one of Canada's "Clean 15" green technology companies, and last week the Ontario's minister of the environment, Brad Duguid, visited the company's Don Mills office to see the Smartboxx Energy Monitor in action. Apparently, he was impressed. "Energy Conservation is a key priority under Ontario's landmark Green Energy Act," Duguid said in a statement after the visit. "Innovations led by private sector companies, such as Avante can help lead a culture of conservation through the creation of consumer friendly products to manage the energy we use in our daily lives."

The Smartboxx monitor allows people to remotely monitor and control their energy usage using the web or a smartphone. According to the company's website, they are always on the lookout for new staff.

Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Emmanuel Mounouchos, President and CEO, Avante Security

Got an Innovation & Job News tip? Email [email protected].

The Thorncliffe branch of the Toronto Public Library re-opened on April 13, after being closed since December 2007. The newly opened library has a staff of 9.58 "full-time equivalents," according to TPL communications officer Edward Karek, and features a host of expanded facilities and services.

The extensive two-year+ renovation was conducted by Levitt Goodman Architects Ltd. and Phillip H. Carter, and doubles the size of the location to 10,000 square feet to serve one of Toronto's most densely-populated communities.

According to the TPL website, other features of the renovation include "many exciting enhancements for the public to enjoy:

• Longer hours: Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 8:30 pm, Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm., an increase of 11.5 hours per week.
  
  
• A library that is easier to use: Complete barrier-free access to the building including the front entrance, all collections and lounge areas, community rooms, a family washroom and express check-in and check-out.
  
  
• Toronto Public Library's 3rd KidsStop: A literacy rich interactive centre where parents and caregivers learn about the importance of developing pre-literacy skills in their children.
  
  
• Expanded technology: 21 public access computers (a 91% increase), free Wi-Fi internet access and a CD listening station.
  
  
• More to enjoy: Over 11,000 new books, CDs, magazines and DVDs.
  
  
• Your home away from home: Comfortable reading lounges for adults and children, a vibrant teen zone with a large screen TV.
  
  
• More meeting space for the community: A bookable meeting room and a study room."

Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Edward Karek, Communications Officer, Toronto Public Library

Got an Innovation & Job News tip? Email [email protected].

Don Mills-based multinational electronics manufacturer Celestica Inc. has announced last week that it is investing in its growing healthcare division.

The announcement included information about $2.8 million in investment in one of its labs in China, and the appointment of three new key managers in the division. Nancy Duarte-Lonnroth has been appointed Director of Quality, Regulatory Affairs. Richard Rubin joins Celestica as Director of Market Development. And Michael Sobolewski becomes Director of Sales and Business Development.

In a statement, Celestica Pesident and CEO Craig Muhlhauser said the moves are part of the company's commitment to innovation. "Our approach is to collaborate with our healthcare customers to deliver new and innovative supply chain solutions designed specifically for the healthcare industry of the future."

Celestica was founded in 1994 by IBM, but was acquired two years later by Toronto billionaire Gerry Schwartz's Onex Corporation. The company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange, has built a manufacturing network that extends to locations in 40 countries around the world.

Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Celestica Inc.

In its survey of "City Magnets" reported here last week, the Conference Board of Canada used the number of residents with graduate degrees as a measure of an area's innovative power. But the Ontario Science Centre's Weston Youth Innovation Award seeks to recognize innovation by those with a lower level of credentials: high school students.

Last year's inaugural winner, for example, was Eden Full, a grade 12 student who developed a process of Dynamic Photovoltaics. Any whiz kids hoping to follow in her footsteps should hop to it, as the deadline for entries for this year's awards in January 31.

The awards seek to recognize those aged 14-18 who have used science or technology to create real-world solutions to problems and have put their ideas into action. After all submissions are in, an in-house judging committee will create a shortlist of candidates. A winner will then be chosen by a final review panel using a criteria measuring initiative, innovation, successful implementation and demonstration of various skills.

The winner receives $2,000 cash, an exhibit of their project at the Science Centre and a membership to the OSC, which allows admission to science museums around the world.

Last minute entrants can find all the information and forms required here.

Writer: Edward Keenan
Source: Ontario Science Centre