McMaster University is getting new tools to advance its standing as an international leader in nuclear and solar power research as part of a new $33-million provincial funding package.

John Milloy, Ontario's minister of research and innovation, visited the campus yesterday to announce funding for 18 projects that will involve 300 researchers at McMaster.

Nearly half the total is going toward two energy projects that will solidify McMaster's emerging role as an international hub for research in nuclear and solar power.

"McMaster, I believe, has now become the centre for nuclear research among Canada's universities," said John Luxat, who leads Mac's Centre for Advanced Nuclear Systems, which received $9.2 million.

Rafael Kleiman said $5.1 million for solar energy research -- in addition to other recent federal and provincial funding -- helps McMaster and Canada keep up in a very competitive field where Japan, Germany and the United States had been dominant.

The rapidly growing global market for solar technology is expected to reach $32 billion by 2012.

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$33m rev-up for Mac research