TPC doles out $32.3 million to six BC companies

Technology Partnership Canada (TPC) has announced six new awards worth $32.3 million to British Columbia-based companies. The largest award of $10 million was made to fSONA Communications Corp, Richmond, for the development of high bandwidth wireless technologies. Azure Dynamics Corp, Vancouver, received $9 million to develop and test hybrid electric vehicle technologies for commercial vehicles such as delivery vans. TIR Systems Ltd, Vancouver, received $5.5 million to develop an adaptive power drive system for the development of intelligent, high-efficiency lighting devices by integrating optical films and thin coatings for LED lighting. Vortek Industries Ltd, Vancouver, received $4.49 million to accelerate commercialization of its rapid thermal processing technology for the semiconductor manufacturing industry. MacDonald Dettwiler & Associates, Richmond, was awarded $1.63 million to develop software to design programs for airplane arrival routes, departure and approach procedures. Finally, Oceanworks International Corp (formerly Hard Suits Corp), North Vancouver, received $554,000 to acquire and implement a management information system to help meet the technological requirements of its military customers. The loan was made under TPC’s $30-million, three-year pilot program — Aerospace & Defence Supplier Development Initiative — to help smaller firms remain competitive….