News

Discover all the news from — and about— Mitacs.

Media Coverage
Toronto Star: The secret ingredient in this face mask that could prevent the next coronavirus? A dash of salt

Their new technique could make face masks more than just a shield against potentially life-threatening illnesses. Dr. Hyo-Jick Choi, a biomedical engineer and professor, has been investigating how salt crystals can essentially cut through and destroy airborne viruses, like a sharp, briny needle piercing a balloon. But he is quick to warn that his research […]

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News Release
Speeding Towards Canada’s 5G Network

Montreal/Ottawa, February 11, 2020 — Canada’s 5G future is driving forward at full speed thanks to the crucial ingredient — talent. Baking this recipe is Mitacs, which provides a collaborative innovation model for industry leaders that connects them with academic research to help solve their critical R&D challenges. Mitacs — a not-for-profit organization that fosters […]

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Media Coverage
New Atlas: Salty masks could kill coronavirus

Should you be in China right now, you’ll see a lot of people wearing surgical masks to protect themselves against coronavirus. A Canadian scientist claims that such masks may actually do more harm than good, if handled improperly – so he’s created a coating that could reportedly change that. A biomedical engineer based out of […]

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Media Coverage
CTV News: Here’s what you should know about wearing that face mask

Hyo-Jick Choi, a biomedical engineer and assistant professor in the chemical and materials engineering department, said masks are a form of personal protection from illnesses, but that they have limitations. “They’re function is to simply filter the pathogens in the air,” Choi explained. “The issue is they do not die right away. So the pathogens, […]

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News Release
Coronavirus eye-opener: If not used properly, surgical masks and respirators can actually promote the spread of viruses, says leading Canadian researcher

Edmonton, Alberta— In the wake of reports that major retailers are selling out of basic surgical masks amid growing concern of coronavirus spread, a leading University of Alberta researcher — whose Mitacs-funded research intern is leading the charge to develop a universal preventive filter capable of killing viruses — confirms that current masks are limited […]

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Media Coverage
Northern Ontario Business: Lakehead U researcher receives grant for new breast cancer detection system

A Lakehead University scientist seeking to commercialize a breast cancer detection device has been awarded $448,000 by the Canadian Cancer Society to continue her research. The grant allows Dr. Alla Reznik of Thunder Bay to spend the next three years developing the Positron Emission Mammography (PEM), molecular imaging equipment and a new method of diagnosing […]

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