Article

Nguyen Tri Phuong, a materials science professor at Universite du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres (UQTR), has secured a $1.05 million grant from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Mitacs, and industrial partners to develop next-generation rubber compounds. The project aims to enhance the lifespan of high-voltage transmission line components in Quebec, where Hydro-Quebec operates over 11,400 km of ultra-high-voltage lines.

Phuong's team will create Canadian-made elastomeric replacements, addressing deterioration of existing components while targeting completion by 2030. Successful outcomes could lead to significant reductions in maintenance costs and increased self-sufficiency in energy system design.