Dr. Larry Wang
A professor of Biological Sciences at the University of
Alberta, Dr. Larry Wangs research interest was in animal hibernation in
mammals: how they are able to hibernate and what can be learned to help
humans withstand cold temperature. Dr. Wang wondered why humans were
unable to warm up from fatal body temperatures like animals do. For
example, hibernating squirrels are able to heat up using their fat for
bodily functions such as shivering.
Wangs research led to the development of the Cold
Buster Bar, a snack created to help humans produce heat by helping the
body burn fat through muscle activity. The bar is designed to sustain
exercise for up to three hours, using the energy from the bodys own fat
reserves. While initially produced for the Canadian Armed forces, it was
also applied to enhancing the physical performance of athletes, and even
assisting those who want to lose weight.
Now called the Access Bar, the discovery helped Dr.
Wang launch his own spin-off company, L & R Wang Enterprises Ltd., and is
marketed worldwide under a variety of trade names.
Much of the information on this page is from
"Patent Portraits, A Celebration of Inventions and Patents from the
University of Alberta," published in 1996 by the Office of the
Vice-President (Research and External Affairs) in collaboration with the
Industry Liaison Office, now known as the Research Services Office.
[<<back]
Copyright © 2003
Heritage Community Foundation All Rights Reserved
|