Message from the Director

2024 was a year of significant growth in the number of students actively involved in experiential learning programs and the breadth of research projects undertaken by graduate level researchers. At the end of the year, there were 32 masters and PhD students working at AERIAS with 27 undergraduates conducting internships with various industrial partners. The largest industrial partner for undergraduate internships was Collins Aerospace providing experience with design and manufacturing of aircraft landing gear. Bombardier Aerospace introduced students to the complex engineering operations of an Original Equipment Manufacturer. In addition, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada and Marsh Brothers Aviation both provided industry experience to AERIAS students. It must be noted that a key factor in the success of AERIAS students is the commitment of the front-line technical staff of our industrial partners. Their day-to-day instruction and mentorship to AERIAS students has provided elements of learning that could not be provided in an academic environment. Experience gained by students have allowed them to develop their own technical enterprises and contribute to the Canadian innovation industry. Two notable commercial enterprises created by former AERIAS students are Superwake with their work in automated aircraft, and Moon Trades Technologies, focused on autonomous robotics for lunar mining and sustainable energy.

Future development plans look to expand opportunities for students and industrial partners. AERIAS is working to extend its internship program to the graduate level, allowing industrial partners to hire graduate students to bring advanced knowledge and skills to local industry. Laboratory equipment held by TMU will be made available through contract to provide industry with testing and development opportunities. AERIAS looks to expand its innovation efforts into leading edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence, smart materials, autonomous systems, and advanced flight.

The growth of AERIAS into a larger more comprehensive learning environment promises to keep TMU Aerospace at the front of aerospace research and development. I look forward to working with students and industrial partners to further develop AERIAS into a unique research centre that will serve at the prototype for academic- industrial collaboration.