Normand Mousseau
Canada Research Chair in
Computational Physics of Complex Materials

My group's research focuses on the computational and theoretical aspects of the structural and dynamical properties of complex materials. These projects are pursued as part of various research groups, including the Groupe de recherche en physique numérique des matériaux de l'Université de Montréal(groFNUM), the Groupe de recherche en science et technologie des couches minces (GCM)], the [[http://www.rqmp.ca|Regroupement québécois de recherche en matériaux de pointe (RQMP), the Réseau québécois de calcul de haute performance (RQCHP) and the Bioinformatics program of Université de Montréal.

Regardless of our hopes, the increase in oil prices observed over the last few years is not temporary. While demand has been rising rapidly, production has not followed suit and we have now reached the peak of conventional oil production. To be sure, there is petrol left – about 40 years at current production levels – but it is not possible to pump any faster.

Faced with this situation, we can either hide our heads in the sand and wait to be hit by the full brunt of the crisis or start today to develop society that no longer depends on oil. This will not be easy, of course, but the longer we wait the worse it will be.

My book, Au bout du pétrole, tout ce que vous devez savoir sur la crise énergétique ('At the End of Oil: All You Need to Know about the Energy Crisis') describes the current state of affairs as regardsressources and production, with a particular emphasis on the situations of Québec and Canada. It shows that we much act now if we want to avoid the worst.