Lockheed Martin has invested $1.1 million into a research project that explores the design and feasibility of a mobile system that would reduce the work required by the heart and cardiac system for people engaging in a sustained period of exercise.
The offset investment supporting the University of Waterloo research project is part of Lockheed Martin Canada’s industrial and technological benefits obligations associated with Canada’s purchase, maintenance, and support of 17 CC-130J Super Hercules aircraft, which were delivered in 2010.
The investment was formally announced here Tuesday at the University of Waterloo’s Aerospace Defence Industry Forum, which featured speakers from Lockheed Martin Canada, National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE).
“Corporate investments and partnerships such as the one we have with Lockheed Martin make a tremendous difference in the strides we’re able to make in university research,” said D. George Dixon, vice-president, University Research at the University of Waterloo. “We’re grateful and pleased to collaborate with Lockheed Martin on the Second Heart project especially since this project has evolved to a significant state of maturity.”
The university of Waterloo is Canada’s top innovation university. With more than 36,000 students we are home to the world’s largest co-operative education system of its kind. Our unmatched entrepreneurial culture, combined with an intensive focus on research, powers one of the top innovation hubs in the world.
The Second Heart project explores the design and feasibility of a mobile system for calf muscle pulsation. The intention of this system is to provide workload reduction on the heart and cardiac system for athletes and people with regular and sustained periods of exercise such as soldiers on watch or delivery personnel.
“The success of this research is an excellent example of how collaboration between academia and the private sector can help transform ground-breaking research into technological advances that can be used in the daily lives of Canadians and creating the opportunity for lasting business growth in our economy,” said Charles Bouchard, chief executive of Lockheed Martin Canada.
Beyond Lockheed Martin’s support for ground-breaking university research, the Second Heart research also represents an integral project connected to the Air Capability Program – Tactical Industrial Regional Benefit Commitment.
This program provides research and development support for new technology development through offset investments.