Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Government of Canada invests in nanofabrication centre

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Abstract:
$4.55 million for a joint project by the Canadian NanoBusiness Alliance (CNBA) and NRC

Government of Canada invests $4.55 million towards the establishment of a world-leading nanofabrication centre by the Canadian NanoBusiness Alliance

Boucherville, Quebec, Canada | June 20, 2005

The Honourable Jacques Saada, Minister of Canada Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Francophonie, and Dr.Pierre Coulombe, President of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), today announced a contribution of $4.55 million for a joint project by the Canadian NanoBusiness Alliance (CNBA) and NRC aimed at setting up a nanoimprint lithography prototyping facility. Canada Economic Development and the NRC are contributing $2.4 million and $2.15 million respectively to the project. Financial support from industry is in addition to the government contribution.

The funding will cover a portion of the new facility’s capital costs. The nanofabrication centre will be located in Boucherville at the NRC Industrial Materials Institute (NRC-IMI) adjacent to its existing NanoImprint Lithography (NIL) research facility. NRC’s contribution is aimed at upgrading its NIL research facility, which will develop new nanofabrication technologies to be used at the new centre.

"Canada Economic Development’s goal is to help enterprises increase their innovative capabilities. This is why we support organizations like the CNBA that can provide a unique service to SMEs interested in applying state-of-the-art technologies to improve their product offerings. Advances in the commercialization of nanotechnology in areas such as nanofabrication foster a culture of innovation that the Government of Canada is committed to support in order to build a more innovative country," stated Minister Saada.

"The field of nanotechnology is having an enormous impact on the development of technologies as diverse as electronic and photonic devices to biotechnology and clean energy production," said Dr. Coulombe. "This new complex will build upon NRC’s expertise in this vital field, and will support and accelerate the commercialization of leading-edge, Canadian nanotechnology research."

Since its beginning in 2002, the CNBA has been a leading advocate in the establishment of a National Nanotechnology Initiative in Canada. This facility will demonstrate commercial viability for a new generation nanofabrication technology by offering prototyping services and low volume production runs for researchers, small companies, and multinationals involved in the development of next-generation applications such as biochips and solar cells.

Recognized globally for research and innovation, Canada’s National Research Council (NRC) is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through science and technology.

Canada Economic Development’s mandate is to promote the economic development of the regions of Quebec. Primarily through financial assistance programs, the Agency elicits and supports the implementation of economic development projects. The two priorities the Agency has set itself are to foster innovation and the knowledge economy in each region of Quebec, and to help communities that are having difficulty adjusting to the new economy. In this way, the Agency contributes to the attainment of the Government of Canada’s objective of building the 21st Century economy.

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Sources:
Suzanne Thébarge
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514 283-8012
E-mail: suzanne.thebarge@dec-ced.gc.ca

Daniel Dezainde
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jacques Saada
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514 496-1282

Richard Flynn
Communications Officer
National Research Council Canada
Tel.: 450 641-5143
E-mail: richard.flynn@cnrc-nrc.gc.ca

About The Canadian NanoBusiness Alliance:
The Canadian NanoBusiness Alliance (CNBA) is a nanotechnology association and facilitator. Its dual mission is as follows:

To establish a Canadian National Nanotechnology Initiative including the creation of commercially-oriented nanotech hubs, the promotion of nanotechnology in Canada, and the promotion of Canadian nanotechnology capabilities internationally, and
To develop major nanotechnology initiatives across the globe.

For more information, please visit www.nanobusiness.ca

Contact:

Neil Gordon P.Eng, MBA
President, Canadian NanoBusiness Alliance
407 St. Laurent Boulevard, Suite 500
Montréal, Québec, Canada H2Y 2Y5
Tel: (514) 351-7878 ext 299
Cell: (514) 813-7936
Fax: (514) 351-7545
email: neil.gordon@nanobusiness.ca
Website: www.nanobusiness.ca

Dr. Uri Sagman, MD, FRCP(C)
Executive Director
Canadian NanoBusiness Alliance
446 Spadina Road, Suite 310
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5P 3M2
Tel: 416-351-0208
Cell: 416-436-6640
Fax: 416-351-0410
email usagman@usagman.com
website: www.nanobusiness.ca

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