Cultivating a radio frequency identification (RFID) industry in Canada is the impetus behind a new RFID research and development laboratory.

The creation of the McMaster RFID Applications Lab (MRAL) was announced today at the RFID Journal LIVE! Canada conference in Toronto. The initiative is being led by McMaster University and supported by EPCglobal Canada, Hewlett-Packard, IPICO, RF Code, Deloitte, Sun Microsystems, LRNI, and Ontario Centres of Excellence. MRAL is located at the McMaster Innovation Park in Hamilton.

MRAL is the only initiative of its kind in Canada. It provides a hub for applications-oriented RFID research and development between academia and multiple industries, promoting investigation in technology, social policy, commercialization and business process.

"RFID has tremendous growth potential and if Canada is going to reap the benefits it needs to innovate at home and attract talent here," said Mamdouh Shoukri, Vice President, Research & International Affairs, McMaster University. "This lab provides the opportunity to conduct much needed forefront research and to support an emergent technology and its applications. It will also develop the necessary expertise and leadership to sustain this growth."

MRAL is currently working on a pilot project with Hamilton Health Sciences to develop an equipment management system.

"Locating and determining the availability of equipment in large hospitals to ensure they are fully utilized is a challenge," said William MacLeod, Vice President, Research and Corporate Development, Hamilton Health Sciences. "MRAL is helping us develop a centralized tracking system that will lead to improved patient care, greater efficiency and cost savings. Without MRAL, it is very doubtful we would have been able to undertake this project."

MRAL is collaborating with private and public sector organizations to provide contract research services, proof-of-concept facilit
'"/>

Contact: Gene Nakonechny
genen@mcmaster.ca
905-525-9140
McMaster University
9-Nov-2006