A Vancouver man is on a mission to improve air quality worldwide.
Vancouver innovator Kevin Kung is hoping to give farmers an environmentally friendly alternative to open-air burning and foresters, allowing for a better way to manage flammable forest residue. With his company, Takachar, he has developed a small-scale, portable system to locally convert crop and forest residues (biomass) into higher-value bioproducts.
That work has earned Kung a prestigious award and $5,000 from Mitacs, Canada害羞草研究所檚 leading innovation organization aimed at boosting economic growth and innovation by helping companies solve business challenges with research solutions from academic institutions.
Kung, a post-doctoral researcher in the Biomass and Bioenergy Research Group at the University of British Columbia, received the Mitacs Environmental Entrepreneur Award on May 18 in Waterloo, Ont. He is one of five winners who were recognized for their efforts to turn their research into an innovative business that impacts the lives of Canadians.
害羞草研究所淏iomass is a global challenge,害羞草研究所� said Kung, noting that more than four billion tonnes of biomass residues are burned globally in open air each year, accounting for as many as 10 per cent of worldwide air pollution deaths. 害羞草研究所淥ur goal is to end the practice of burning by turning costly residues into economic commodities.害羞草研究所�
In Canada, catastrophic wildfires caused by the accumulation of excess flammable residue on the forest floor are on the rise, and open air burning of crop residue remains the only option available to most farmers in rural communities. The challenge is that crop and forest residues are very difficult and expensive to collect and transport to conversion facilities because they are very loose, wet and bulky.
Kung said Takachar害羞草研究所檚 害羞草研究所榓ha害羞草研究所� moment came when they realized they could circumvent logistic issues by bringing the technology to the field for the forest.
害羞草研究所淐urrent technologies for turning biomass into usable products are large-scale and centralized, which means they only work well if the source is nearby,害羞草研究所� explained Kung.
Takachar害羞草研究所檚 novel system is designed to latch onto the back of tractors or pickup trucks, making it easy to deploy in remote areas. Crop and forest residues are fed into the converter on the spot, and a biofuel, fertilizer or specialty chemical is produced at the backend.
The startup is currently working with several First Nations communities in B.C. and other partners to test multiple prototypes of its technology in collaboration with UBC. The output comprises of higher-value, carbon-based bioproducts such as fertilizer blends, chemicals, and biofuels.
害羞草研究所淚f we can implement this system locally, in rural communities that are often shut out of the benefits of the emerging bio-economy, we can make a significant impact on their livelihood,害羞草研究所� said Kung.
He said Mitac害羞草研究所檚 support has been 害羞草研究所渋nstrumental害羞草研究所� in the growth of Takachar, specifically when it comes to working with leading-edge universities like UBC and being able to sponsor researchers to advance our technology.
害羞草研究所淚t also helped us to investigate the market potential for our technology beyond Canada.害羞草研究所�
Mitacs CEO John Hepburn noted a successful innovation economy 害羞草研究所渃annot exist without entrepreneurs.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淪tartups drive innovation in Canada, they dream big and push boundaries, bringing research from ideation to commercialization,害羞草研究所� said Hepburn. 害羞草研究所淢itacs is extremely proud to play a role in supporting small businesses and emerging entrepreneurs through our continued investment in talent, research, and development.害羞草研究所�
lauren.collins@blackpress.ca
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