There are things you need to know that don’t have any test available from anyone, and in some cases you aren’t even sure how to ask the question. That’s where we can help. XSAL’s team has helped many companies figure out why they are having a problem, precisely what the problem is, and how to solve it. Solving new problems is not only what we do for a living, it is also our driving passion.

So, if you can’t find what you are looking for anywhere else on the website, or if you aren’t quite sure what you need but you know you need something, then it sounds like you might need some research & development support.

 

What can we do with you?

Areas of research can include, but are not exclusive to:

• Incorporating KNOWN tests from other labs into our test bank

• Developing new tests to quantify new chemicals or biomarkers in products

  • Simple on-site colorimetric test development so that you can do these at your facility

  • Analytical chemical method development to precisely quantify molecules in product

  • Provide chemical “fingerprints” of your product for intellectual property protection.

• Developing new processing steps to remove specific chemicals from a product

• Independent verification of inputs

  • Want to chemically confirm that you are buying what you think you are buying?

  • Need evidence to support a bad ingredient/bad faith from a supplier?

  • Need to compare two or more possible inputs for purity/quality/authenticity?

• Providing more information about bacteria, fungus, or virus contamination, and support in finding solutions to eradicate them either in the field or the processing facility.

  • Identification of microorganisms

  • Quantifying levels of microorganisms from different sites/processes

  • Helping to find solutions to kill the microorganisms, or to remove them

• Help with process design (want to get into appassimento wines? Peated whiskies? Smoky beers?)

• Providing analytical chemistry support to elevate internal product development

  • Want to find out why this batch seems to be different than the last one, and how you can do it/not do it again?

  • Measuring levels of a surrogate chemical(s) to monitor the nature of a process (i.e. ageing, botanical extraction etc.)

• Increasing the shelf stability of products, and measuring shelf stability and accelerated ageing of products.

• Packaging and materials science support

  • Looking at how choice of packing material affects the nature of the product (scalping)

  • Comparing different adhesives/labels

• Formulating water-insoluble materials to become water soluble.

  • Full ability to create emulsions and other food-grade solutions to flavouring, colloidal, and sediment problems

 

And more...

If the problem is one of product consistency, it is likely a problem of chemistry or biology, and those are the research specialties of the XSAL team.

In all cases we can support the preparation of intellectual property (patents, trade secrets), protocols and standard operating procedures, academic and industry sector publications, and the translation of the method from the lab to your site. Projects might even get you exposure to your next employee who can transition from the research lab to your site to help you integrate the new process or product!

 

How this works, and how much it costs

R&D projects are, inherently, custom tailored to your needs so there is no “price list.” This means everything starts with a conversation. Reach out to our team by email with the best description of what you want to accomplish. Examples of solutions you look up to can be included, whether they are precisely what you want, or analogous to what you want. All communications are completely confidential, and we can/will sign non-disclosure agreements to protect your rights before you share any confidential information.

We will get back to you within 10 business days (usually far less) to set up an in-person meeting or a virtual call (your preference). At that initial meeting, we will confirm that we can make sure that we can meet your needs and have a clear understanding of what you want to do.

We will then provide you with a modular budget for the project. We will discuss branching options, and costs and benefits of different aspects of the project. Depending on how you want to fund the project, it can be very much a pay-as-you-go approach. This is also provided free of charge.

Once we agree on an approach, one of two things will happen. Either we know enough that we can dive directly into the problem, or we will need to do some serious preliminary literature/patent/white paper/interview groundwork before starting the project. We can then draw up a research agreement, payment schedule, and deliverable schedule.

In the former case, we will send an invoice up front for 50% of the first phase of the work, and will get started (balance due on a mutually agreed schedule).

In the latter case, we will be asking for a retainer up front for this work. Generally charged at $75/hour for a PhD-holding specialist researcher (a postdoctoral researcher) to do the research and prepare a report. This often is necessary if we need to know more before starting anything at all. The report can result in a massive future cost savings (we found an off-the shelf, or near off-the-shelf solution for you!), a detailed plan of action to move forward, or a strong recommendation against moving forward (we know that it is not going to work).

This might sound expensive…

​

But wait, there’s more (ways to spend less money)

 

As you may know, Canada underspends the entire developed world in terms of industrial R&D. The Government of Canada wants to change this and has multiple funding programs to support companies partnering with universities. This can allow you to reach your goals, and help Canada reach its goals of increasing private sector spending in R&D. We can discuss options when you have a project!

​

We look forward to hearing from you and solving problems together!