Vietnamese professor in Canada lands million-dollar grant to extend life of North America's largest power grid

Professor Nguyen Tri Phuong, a distinguished materials scientist at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), has been awarded a US$1.05 million research grant to develop high-performance rubber compounds. These next-generation materials are specifically designed to increase the durability of components within high-voltage transmission lines, a vital part of the energy infrastructure in Quebec.

The funding for this ambitious project is a collaborative effort involving Canada's Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the research organization Mitacs, and several high-profile industrial partners. Key contributors include the provincial utility Hydro-Quebec, along with private firms PLP Canada and Soucy Baron Inc., all of whom have a vested interest in stabilizing Canada's energy grid.

The focus of the research is Hydro-Quebec TransEnergie’s massive network, which includes over 11,400 kilometers of ultra-high-voltage 735 kV lines. This system, the largest of its kind in North America, is essential for transporting hydroelectricity from remote northern dams across vast distances to the province's southern population centers. Many of the existing dampers and clamp seals have been in use for over 20 years and are showing significant signs of wear.

Professor Phuong’s primary objective is to replace these aging, U.S.-manufactured components with Canadian-made alternatives. By developing advanced elastomeric (rubber-like) materials, the team hopes to create parts that can better withstand the punishing environmental conditions of Quebec, ranging from sub-zero winter temperatures to intense summer humidity.

In his laboratory, Phuong and his team are employing a sophisticated dual-track approach. They combine mathematical modeling with "accelerated aging" techniques, which allow them to simulate years of environmental stress in a short period. This rigorous testing phase was instrumental in securing the multi-partner funding package, as early data suggested the new compounds could drastically outperform current standards.

The project is slated to run through 2030, with the goal of finalizing specialized compounds for dampers and clamp seals used in drive systems. If successful, the adoption of these materials could save millions of dollars in annual maintenance costs for Hydro-Quebec while simultaneously boosting Canada’s domestic manufacturing capabilities for critical energy infrastructure.

Born in 1977 in Hanoi, Professor Phuong has established himself as a world-class researcher since moving to Canada. An alumnus of Vietnam National University, Hanoi, and a PhD graduate from the Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers in Paris, he founded UQTR’s Laboratory of Advanced Materials for Energy and Environment in 2019. His prolific output, which includes over 120 scientific articles, has consistently landed him on Stanford University’s list of the world's most cited researchers.

According to UQTR’s leadership, this research highlights the university’s ability to provide high-level solutions to real-world industrial challenges. By fostering self-sufficiency in the design of sustainable energy systems, Phuong’s work is helping to insulate Canada's power grid from both environmental degradation and reliance on foreign supply chains.