Released on October 21, 2004
Canada's micro and nano technology industries are poised to benefit from a $4.3 million investment in the new Canadian Synchrotron Nanostructures Facility (CSNF) being established in Saskatoon.
The facility, which will be housed at the Canadian Light Source (CLS), will provide Canadian industry and scientists with their first opportunity to fabricate micro-level, structurally superior devices that will be used for a broad range of commercial applications, including biomedicine, aerospace, communications and sensors.
Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance on behalf of Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), and Saskatchewan Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline today announced the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are contributing a total of $3 million over the next three years to establish and construct the CSNF. Equal contributions of $1.5 million will be provided through the joint Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA).
The Government of Canada is providing an additional $495,000 through the National Research Council (NRC). This in-kind contribution will lend design expertise, equipment and staff resources to set up the facility.
"Strengthening Canada's ability to generate and apply new ideas is a key priority for the Government of Canada," said Minister Goodale. "Key enabling technologies—such as biotechnology, information and communications, and advanced materials—will be drivers of innovation and productivity in the 21st-century economy, and the CNSF is a significant opportunity to turn leading-edge research into marketable products in Canada and abroad."
"Funding for the Nanostructure Facility supports the Canadian Light Source's strong commercial mandate," Minister Cline said. "We expect this investment in new key infrastructure to translate into major growth in innovative start up business."
Described as a machine shop utilizing the intensely powerful x-rays of synchrotron light instead of a lathe to carve out nano-scale devices, the Canadian Synchrotron Nanostructure Facility offers industry the ability to construct precise moulds from which multiple copies can be made. While the creation of the original mould can only be accomplished at the CSNF, the replication of the mould can be efficiently produced on commercial equipment.
This potential for commercial application has captured the interest and support of an international aviation and communications conglomerate, a Saskatoon company and a national research consortium. Rockwell Collins, VCom Inc. and TRLabs have contributed significant financial investments, as well as considerable staff resources to support the development of this new facility.
Rockwell Collins provided $315,000 and anticipates the research will enable it to develop ever-smaller communications products. TRLabs committed an in-kind contribution valued at $400,000 in staff resources for project management and design expertise as well as equipment to establish the facility. VCom Inc. invested $105,000 in the facility and anticipates utilizing the superior calibre of nano-scale devices to be developed in future product lines.
"Rockwell Collins Canada is investing in the Canadian Synchrotron Nanostructures Facility because it will allow the kind of world-class research that will fuel innovation and provide real benefits to our industry," General Manager of Rockwell Collins Canada Kevin Ferguson said. "We believe the micro and nano research that CLS will undertake represents the future of advanced communications systems for use in aerospace and many other sectors."
"TRLabs has been pleased to work with the University of Saskatchewan, the National Research Council, and a number of other parties, to establish the CSNF," TRLabs President and CEO Dr. Roger Pederson said. "This facility will provide a tremendous opportunity for both research and industrial applications ranging from communications to biomedicine. We look forward to the realization of the economic opportunity created by this facility with an expansion of our research program in this area and ongoing interaction with our industry partners."
The CSNF at the Canadian Light Source will consist of a dedicated beamline with enclosures and end-stations in a clean environment, and a process support cleanroom. The process support facility will prepare materials before exposure to the synchrotron light and process them post-exposure. Equipment will also be included for forming the moulds.
"This new U of S-owned beamline will provide unique-in-Canada capabilities for fabricating miniscule structures that are the foundation for next-generation technologies in a wide range of fields," University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon said. "This will enable our researchers to be on the forefront of efforts to advance nanotechnology research and development worldwide, as well as providing unique training opportunities for our students."
"The realization of the Canadian Synchrotron Nanostructures Facility at the Canadian Light Source is an exciting development," Executive Director of CLS Inc. Dr. Bill Thomlinson said. "This beamline will enhance Canada's role as a leading player in nanotechnology research and industrial applications."
In September 2003, the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan signed the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement. Both parties committed $25 million each over the next four years to support economic development initiatives that will create a more robust Saskatchewan economy and generate stronger, sustainable communities.
Funding for this project was provided for in the March 2004 federal budget and in the March 2004 provincial budget.
-30-
For More Information, Contact:
Joanne Mysak
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 975-5942 | Bob Ellis
Industry and Resources
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-1691 |
Kathryn Warden
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 966-2506 |
Matthew Dalzell
Canadian Light Source, Inc.
Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 657-3739 |
Hugh Wood
Vcom Inc
Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 955-7075 |
