In The News

Toronto startup offers underwater solution to energy storage woes

Smart Grid Technology Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Toronto-based startup Hyrdrostor could soon make Ontario's energy infrastructure significantly more efficient thanks to their innovative new energy storage technology—the underwater "accumulator." The accumulators or compressed air energy storage (CAES) units are giant underwater energy storage units that convert unused energy from the grid into compressed air for future usage. After a successful pilot project last summer, Hydrostor has recently partnered with Toronto Hydro to construct a 1MW, 4MWh demonstration facility about seven kilometers from Toronto's shore later this year.

"As Hydrostor president Cam Lewis explains, his company's first-of-its-kind system mechanically converts electricity from the grid to compressed air, which is captured, cooled and can be stored indefinitely in underwater accumulators. These accumulators are large, high-strength polyester bags that inflate with the air like a big balloon—no doubt producing quite an underwater show for salmon and lake inhabitants. When the grid needs the stored energy, the weight of the water pushes the air back to the surface where Hydrostor's expander/generator system sends it back."

"The idea, Lewis says, is to transmit excess electricity at night when demand is less and reverse it when demand is high. The technology offers 70 per cent round-trip efficiency, he says."

read full story here
original source Smart Grid Technology

'The Artist' fuels new interest in Silent Film Festival

Globe & Mail Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The Globe and Mail writes on the 4th annual Toronto Silent Film Festival, running this year from March 29 to April 3. Launched by Torontonian Shirley Hughes in 2009, the festival draws film buffs from across the city with its diverse selection of classic films and contemporary films.

"When Shirley Hughes launched the Toronto Silent Film Festival in 2009, she never thought that a modern-day silent film like The Artist could claim the Best Picture Oscar, sparking a revival of interest in early cinema."

"The festival, which gets under way March 29, has long placed importance on connecting the past to the present. The opening night film, Our Dancing Daughters (1928), starring a young Joan Crawford, draws many parallels to the Oscar-winning film. 'It's a great example of a jazz-age film,' said Ms. Hughes, claiming that Ms. Crawford greatly influenced Bérénice Bejo's portrayal of Peppy Miller in the award-winning film."

"But The Artist, about the downfall of a silent actor at the onset of the talkie era, would have you believe that silent film production ceased entirely after 1928. 'The medium lived on,' said Ms. Hughes. “One of the films we're showing, F.W. Murnau's Tabu, was made in 1931. Chaplin released Modern Times in 1936. Some of Jacques Tati's films, even the opening sequences in Pixar films like Wall-E and Up, are practically silent. It never really went away.'"

read full story here

original source Globe & Mail

Spadina design offices play the part of glam law firm on NBC

Seattle Pi Thursday, March 22, 2012

The Seattle Pi features Toronto design and architectural consulting company Stantec, after the company's downtown studio was selected as the primary site for the new NBC legal drama, The Firm. The Stantec building, located at Spadina Avenue and Wellington, was designed by the company's own architects, interior designers and engineers and was selected for The Firm because of its open-concept design, integration of heritage architecture and innovative use of natural light.

"Based on the best-selling novel by world-renowned author John Grisham, The Firm stars Josh Lucas as attorney Mitchell McDeere. Stantec’s award-winning studio stands in for the law firm of the title, Kinross & Clark. The Firm airs on NBC and Global Television."

"'Kinross & Clark is not your typical law firm. So the production team valued the unique design elements of Stantec's studio space that make it an ideal work environment for our team,' says Stephen Phillips, Stantec's practice leader for architecture."

"Formerly the McGregor sock factory, the Stantec Toronto studio is located in the historic Garment District at the corner of Spadina Avenue and Wellington Street West. The site is listed as a heritage property within the city core. Originally constructed in 1905, the timber post and beam building offered the perfect opportunity to reclaim, transform and recycle a piece of the city's industrial history. The project is LEED CI Gold certified, underscoring Stantec's commitment to sustainable practice."

read full story here
original source Seattle Pi

U of T ranks 16th globally in a survey of academic reputation

U of T News Wednesday, March 21, 2012

The University of Toronto has the best reputation for post-secondary learning in Canada and the 16th best reputation in the world, according to the UK-based 2012 Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings. The Reputation Rankings (now in their second year) are based on a survey of 17,554 published scholars from 137 countries.

"Last year, U of T ranked 17th in the survey, with Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Cambridge University in the top three spots."

"'Only 100 universities are listed in our prestigious World Reputation Rankings—that is around 0.5 per cent of the world's higher education institutions,' said Phil Baty, editor of the Times Higher Education Rankings. 'So those that feature in the list are part of an exclusive global elite of exceptionally powerful university brands.'"

"Two other Canadian universities, the University of British Columbia and McGill University, are also among the 100 universities featured in the World Reputation Rankings."

"These reputational rankings complement Times Higher’s annual World University Rankings that are published each fall and measure the institutional performance of the world's top 200 universities in research, teaching and knowledge transfer. Last October, the University of Toronto was rated 19th overall in these rankings, the best of any university in Canada."

read full story here
original source U of T News

Will cheap rehearsal space mean even better theatre?

Blog TO Wednesday, March 21, 2012

BlogTO writes on Creation Lab, a new Toronto venture which offers affordable rehearsal space to performers and independent theatre companies. Located at the Centre for Social Innovation's Annex location, Creation Lab (which opened last fall) was spearheaded by the Toronto Fringe Festival to fill a city-wide void in affordable and accessible rehearsal space.

"A project of the Toronto Fringe Festival, whose mission is to provide access to creative opportunities, the Creation Lab joins the already established Next Stage Festival as ways in which Fringe programming is beginning to run year-round. Already, the Lab has proven attractive to a number of diverse groups seeking space—they've hosted film collectives, corporate meetings, non-profits, yoga classes and choirs among others."

"Creation Lab coordinator Claire Wynveen says the lab came to be after a series of discussions in 2010 that explored the shortage of suitable rehearsal space: 'We identified that by providing access to affordable and clean creation space in the city, not only would more art be created but better art would be created.'"

"In the lab's first six months with the Time in Space subsidy program, groups and artists have taken advantage of over 2,000 subsidized hours of creative time. With rates as low as $5 per hour for collectives with no access to funding, it's no wonder."

read full story here
original source BlogTO

Toronto's waterfront called one of world's biggest urban shoreline revitalization efforts

Wall Street Journal Wednesday, March 14, 2012

The Wall Street Journal spotlights the Toronto Waterfront redevelopment in a tripartite feature that includes not only an in-depth article on the effort, but also a slideshow of the many redevelopment projects underway and a video interview with Waterfront Toronto CEO John Campbell.

Declaring the redevelopment of Toronto's shoreline, "one of the world's biggest waterfront revitalization efforts" the Wall Street Journal looks both at projects still in progress (e.g. the West Donlands) and those projects that have been successfully integrated into the fabric of the city (e.g. the Simcoe Wavedeck).

see full feature here (subscription required)
original source Wall Street Journal

U of T researchers develop quicker and cheaper HIV testing

Toronto Star Wednesday, March 14, 2012

A "portable lab" created by University of Toronto researchers James Dou and Stewart Aitchison could revolutionize the way HIV is diagnosed and treated around the world.

As reported by the Toronto Star, the portable cytometer can take blood tests on the spot and produces results within minutes, making it faster, cheaper and easier to use than any other HIV testing device to date.

"'The current gold standard for CD4 testing is a machine roughly the size of a photocopier called the flow cytometer,' Dou says."

"Not only is the flow cytometer bulky, it's also an expensive piece of machinery that requires a trained technician to operate it. As a result, flow cytometers are typically restricted to large urban centres and are mainly inaccessible to HIV patients in developing nations."

"In Canada, those who live in remote communities must send vials of blood away to be tested, with results taking up to two weeks to process."

"In contrast, Dou's portable cytometer works like a diabetes test. A pinprick of blood is placed on the disposable cartridge and inserted into the handheld device, which counts the CD4 cells and produces results in 10 to 15 minutes."

read full story here
original source Toronto Star

A venerable bike shop bets ambitious expansion plans will pay off

Globe & Mail Wednesday, March 14, 2012

The Globe And Mail writes on Toronto entrepreneur Rob Bateman, who recently decided to risk everything by moving his small, but successful, bike repair business from a tiny downtown location to a much larger—and much more expensive—storefront.

"'It was a difficult decision,' Mr. Bateman said during an interview in the newly renovated bicycle store that opened last month. "I was confident, things were going really well and there was growth every year, but the business was getting stagnant.'"

"A key consideration for Mr. Bateman was whether having a larger business was a better situation than continuing to operate as a small but profitable and steadily growing entity."

"Financing was also an issue, given the money needed to take over the lease and buy the inventory. After considering bank loans, Mr. Bateman financed the deal using his own capital and a loan from his mother."

"Rather than close the original location, Mr. Bateman plans to keep it open to handle small repairs and sell refurbished bikes. The new and larger store will handle new bicycle sales and repairs. Mr. Bateman said it will also host riding groups, workshops and special events, such as bicycle swaps."

read full story here
original source Globe & Mail

8 TO startups nab $20 million in investments

Tech Vibes Wednesday, March 07, 2012

Tech Vibes reports on the more than $20 million recently invested in eight promising Toronto startups.

The funding for the startups—which range from ad companies to medical suppliers—is the result of a successful partnership between the Government of Ontario and a handful of private investors. The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario committed about $5 million, with the remaining $15 million coming from venture capital groups.

full list of companies here

original source Tech Vibes

$35 computer with Toronto-designed software sells out worldwide in minutes

Toronto Star Wednesday, March 07, 2012

A group of Toronto software designers is receiving international attention after the $35 computer containing their software sold out within minutes of its release.

The computer—the Raspberry Pi—is a small, but powerful machine meant to equip classrooms in the developing world with affordable technology. The software for the computer was developed by Seneca’s Centre for the Development of Open Technology after the college partnered with the Raspberry Pi's Cambridge developers last August.

"A $35 computer with Toronto-designed software stormed the tech world Wednesday, selling out in minutes, wrote the Toronto Star. Back orders hit "the tens of thousands," said Ebden Upton, executive director of the Raspberry Pi Foundation.

"'We’re absolutely blown away by the interest,' he said."

"Seneca College’s Chris Tyler used one of his fall semester software building courses to create and refine the software for the Raspberry Pi launched Wednesday."

"In fact, it was the release last Wednesday of the Raspberry Pi Fedora Remix software that potential buyers had to download that gave Tyler and Upton an inkling of the flood to come."

"'We had 120,000 views on the video,' said Tyler. 'The mailing list of people who wanted to be informed was over 100,000.'"

read full story here
original source Toronto Star

New Ryerson residence employs unique public-private approach

National Post Wednesday, March 07, 2012

Ryerson University continues to transform Toronto's downtown; the school recently announced a partnership with MPI Group to develop a new, 500-bed residence at 186-188 Jarvis St (currently occupied by a parking lot). As reported by the National Post, construction on the new residences—estimated to be about 20-storeys high—is set to begin in 2014.

"Ryerson University is once again turning to the private sector as it expands in downtown Toronto. The university announced on Monday it will be partnering with MPI Group to develop a new, 500-bed residence."

"This is the first public-private partnership in student-housing development for the university, but the school partnered with the private sector in the construction of the Ted Rogers School of Business Management. It also sold airspace above the AMC movie theatres in return for the use of the theatres for day-time lectures."

"According Monday’s press release, the university has more applications for available residence spots than any other university in Ontario. Due to the high demand, this building represents just the first of 2,000 new spaces the university plan to add by 2020."

read full story here
original source National Post

Toronto Startup Map pinpoints the best places to do business

Tech Vibes Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The MaRs Discovery District has released the "Toronto Startup Map"—an inforgraphic that highlights the best Toronto neighbourhoods for would-be entrepreneurs. Access to transit, proximity to coffee shops and affordability were among the key characteristics evaluated in the study.

Check out Toronto's Startup Map here

original source Techvibes

The Atlantic explores what Toronto's Spacing magazine is doing right

The Atlantic Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The Atlantic interviews Matthew Blackett, the co-founder, publisher and creative director of Toronto city-focused publication, Spacing. Devoted to "understudying the urban landscape," Spacing has been growing steadily—both in circulation and in influence—for over 10 year.

"Founded in 2003, Spacing was originally a print magazine published three times a year and focused on public space issues in Toronto, but has since expanded into a series of blogs covering cities like Montreal, Ottawa, and Vancouver. The print edition is moving into a quarterly publication schedule, with every other issue covering urbanism at a national level. Spacing's latest national issue is out now. Matthew Blackett, the magazine's co-founder, publisher and creative director, talked with The Atlantic Cities about Spacing and its role in the changing conversation about Canadian cities."

read full interview here

original source Atlantic Cites

How Scarborough Civic Centre's modernism started with a single tree

Torontoist Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The Torontoist takes us through the history of the Scarborough Civic Centre, and how a single oak tree inspired its creation.

Designed in 1973 by architect Raymond Moriyama, the modernist geometric structure remains a well-used and iconic public space.

"A space station, a castle, a ship... make any fanciful comparison you will, but the Scarborough Civic Centre is open for business and pleasure."

"Such was the grand description applied to architect Raymond Moriyama’s geometric design in a 1973 tourism brochure, shortly after the Scarborough Civic Centre’s official opening on June 29 of that year. It was a building that would, at least for a time, be dubbed the jewel of Ontario."

"But it was a project the architect had initially been hesitant to get behind."

"Moriyama changed his mind when he saw the proposed development site. What has now become Scarborough Town Centre—home to its own mall, RT station, and bus terminal in addition to the Civic Centre complex—was, in the late 1960s, almost entirely farmland, with 'prominent strands of mature hardwood still intact.' The idea of preserving this streak of nature within an expanding urban context tickled the designer. His imagination was fired particularly by the presence of a single, old oak tree."

read full story here
original source Torontoist

Study abroad? Why American students head north

Reuters US Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Reuters reports on the increasing number of American students choosing to pursue their post secondary degrees in Canada. Canada's appeal—a combination of internationally reputable institutions (Toronto's York and U of T among them), lower tuition fees and a high quality of life—has been drawing just under 10,000 American students across the border every year for the past five years.

"You also get great value," Katherine Cohen, CEO of Manhattan-based educational consultants IvyWise tells Reuters.

"'International students at McGill pay $17,000 a year for a BA, which is nothing compared to the top US schools, where you might pay three times that amount.'"

"A study visa won't be hard to procure, and with that in hand you'll be able to work on-campus (and off-campus too, as along as you apply for a special permit). As for smoothing the process to get into graduate schools, American institutions are very familiar with the prominent Canadian undergrad schools, so they won't be put off by a foreign degree. Katherine Stimson, for instance, did her undergraduate degree at Toronto's York University in 2004, which is priced at around $12,000 a year and her graduate degree at the University of Miami in 2011."

read full story here
original source Reuters US