Industry News

Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited (JNFL) began construction in February of 2011 on a $218 million vitrification facility in Tokyo. Vitrification creates a solidified glass material from radioactive liquid waste generated by reprocessing of spent fuel from nuclear power stations. The facility is slated for completion in March of 2013. The project will provide research space and test furnaces for the development of vitrification processes and technologies.

Swinburne University of Technology opened the $140 million Advanced Technologies Centre (ATC) in March of 2010 in Melbourne. Located on the Hawthorn campus, the 10-story building comprises two towers and has a footprint of 21,528 sf. Designed by H2o of Melbourne, the facility features maximum transparency to display technological innovations to the public. The ATC houses classrooms, engineering labs, a 500-seat lecture hall, and the Smart Structures Laboratory, where construction materials are tested with the application of extreme loads.

McMaster University is planning to begin construction in June of 2011 on an automotive research facility in Hamilton, Ontario. An existing warehouse will be renovated to provide 80,000 sf of laboratory, office, and business incubator space. The project will be located in the McMaster Innovation Park adjacent to the Canada Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology (CANMET) Materials Technology Laboratory. Occupancy is expected in fall of 2012. The facility will support research and development of hybrid vehicles and advanced automotive technologies.

University College Dublin opened the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training in March of 2011. The 70,000-sf facility was created in partnership with Trinity College, Dublin City University, and Sligo Institute of Technology. The center includes research space, a pilot plant, and a complete bioprocessing manufacturing operation for training programs.

Oakland University is planning to build the $74.6 million School of Engineering and Computer Science in Rochester, Mich. The 127,000-sf facility will feature advanced classrooms and research labs. Additionally, Oakland University will open the new $65 million Human Health Building in fall of 2012.