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A three-month pilot program at Polytechnique Montréal brought Nova Chemicals’ Bonfire software platform into the classroom. Graduate students in the chemical engineering program leveraged the platform to simulate novel package designs for the final project of their polymer packaging engineering course.

The Bonfire platform allows users to design and improve complex multilayer films using simulations instead of conducting costly experiments. For students, it was a critical tool that augmented their educational experience and opened a window into what it’s like to be a packaging engineer. They were introduced to various methods of film modeling and saw how it was possible to identify the most promising structures and reduce the number of trials necessary in designing experiments. 

The company plans to bring the Bonfire platform to more schools across North America in the future. Students gain a working knowledge of resources they'll need in their careers while providing valuable feedback on the platform's usability. Their insight will shape how Nova Chemicals builds new capabilities for their customers and the plastics industry.

NOVA Chemicals’ “genScience” initiatives are focused on sparking passion, innovation, and discovery in the next generation of STEM employees.