The Canadian government last week announced grant funding for 10 projects under the Clean Rail Academic Grant Program.

Under the program’s fifth round of funding, the 10 projects will each receive a grant of up to CA$25,000. The program provides grants to support academic researchers that are developing emission-reduction technologies and practices, according to a government press release.

Among the grant recipients is the University of Windsor, which is pursuing a project that will help develop an experimental diesel engine capable of running on blends of hydrogen and diesel fuel. The technology has the potential to significantly reduce air pollution from rail diesel engines.

“Our clean transportation efforts will achieve emission reductions, improve human health and provide environmental benefits, while supporting clean growth and generating jobs for Canadians,” said Minister of Transport Marc Garneau. “We will all benefit by reducing rail emissions and by supporting research of new and emerging technologies.”

Other grant recipients and their research projects are:
• University of Alberta, a genetic algorithm approach towards optimizing container placement in intermodal trains for reduced aerodynamic drag;
• University of British Columbia, hardware-in-the-loop simulation of hybrid hydrogen fuel cell/battery powertrains under real railway duty cycles;
• University of Waterloo, hydrogen hybrid locomotive and refueling design for Ontario;
• University of Toronto, Hydrail for clean rail transport;
• University of Ontario Institute of Technology, active levitation and propulsion system for hyperloop transport;
• Carleton University, long-term durability and damage tolerance of lightweight materials for Canadian freight rail-car applications;
• Carleton University, multidisciplinary framework for the design optimization of eco-efficient freight-rail cars; and
• Universite du Quebec a Rimouski, application of new technologies to improve energy efficiency of rail transport