Federal government set to fund NRC nanotechnology institute in Alberta

Completes pan-Canadian network of institutes

The National Research Council (NRC) is about to achieve its long standing goal of establishing an institute in every province with the creation of a major new facility for nanotechnology research in Alberta. The federal government is set to announce a five-year investment of $50-60 million in the institute, with an equal amount to be committed by the Alberta government. There's a strong possibility that the announcement may come before the end of March to qualify for FY00-01 funds, capping a remarkable month that's seen the Liberal administration pump approximately $1 billion into R&D.

To be located in Edmonton on the campus of the Univ of Alberta (U of A), the institute will be the central facility for a planned series of research nodes situated across the country and is aimed at providing Canada with a major presence in the exploding field of nanotechnology - materials and systems that exhibit novel physical, biological and chemical properties due to their nanoscale size. This institute will focus on fundamental and applied research, training and incubation to establish a cluster of nanotechnology firms in the region.

The concept of a nanotechnology institute has been jointly promoted by the NRC, the U of A and Economic Development Edmonton (EDE) and effectively replaces previous attempts to establish a proteomics institute in the province. Once the facility is up and running, the private sector is expected to use the facility and participate in applied research on a contract basis, as is done at other NRC institutes.

Federal and NRC officials are saying little while the Cabinet makes its final decision, but the enthusiasm in both Ottawa and Edmonton is palpable. The NRC has been repeatedly thwarted in its attempts to complete the implementation of its cluster strategy, and the nanotechnology institute would represent a significant move towards that goal. For the federal government, such an investment fits neatly with its enthusiastic endorsement of a national innovation agenda and its oft-stated objectives of dramatically boosting its R&D spending as well as that of the provinces and private sector. Alberta is also anxious to see the institute established in the province, given its huge potential as one of the next explosive areas of technology.

"There has been a lot of discussions with the NRC over the past couple of years. They're eager to get into Alberta. Our doors are wide open and we're working as best we can to make it work," says Val Mellesmoen, director of communications for the Alberta Innovation and Science department, adding that a major meeting with all the key players was recently held in Edmonton. "Alberta is always looking for opportunities to leverage out and partner up."

Alberta is an apt location for a nanotechnology institute with a small but growing group of companies incorporating nanotechnology and microsystems into their operations and products. The U of A is also a powerful engine of research in several key areas relating to nanotechnology, with the bulk of activity centred in the faculties of engineering and medicine. The institute will set up shop temporarily in a new building recently constructed on the U of A campus for the faculty of engineering while its own facility is being constructed.

Dr David Lynch dean of the U of A's faculty of engineering, acknowledges that his institution is a prime contender for a NRC institute that will attract and collaborate with all players in the field. While he is careful not to talk about an institute per se, he says the push for such a facility gained considerable momentum following a nanotechnol ogy conference in Banff in January, 2000.

Organized by the NRC, Alberta Science and Research Authority and iCORE (Informatics Circle of Research Excellence), the conference drew near unanimous consensus that Canada had to move quickly to establish a research presence in nanotechnology or risk abdicating the field to other advanced nations.

"There was a strong endorsement of the need for a national network for nanotechnology and a major institute where equipment would be located," says Lynch. At U of A, we are very strongly positioned to contribute, based on our expertise. Because of the nature of the equipment required for nanotechnology, you need to have it in one location. Others would link into it or visit it for extended periods of time."

Lynch won't say whether the NRC is planning to locate on the U of A campus, but he notes that a large floor in the engineering faculty's new seven-storey building would be appropriate. "The sixth floor is constructed as shell space that could be used for future expansion of the department or it could be outfitted for nanotechnology activity," he says. "Each floor has 2,000 square metres of space which could accommodate the initial activities of a key research partner."

Slated to open this fall, the building is the first of two being built by the faculty of engineering for an overall cost of $64.7 million, with another $8 million devoted to research and instructional equipment.

In addition to fitting the federal government's innovation agenda, powerful ammunition for establishing a nanotechnology institute is coming from Canada's major competitors, most of which have recently established large research initiatives. The US established the National Nanotechnology Initiative last year, which dramatically boosted its annual budget for nanotechnol- ogy research to $418 million. The US National Science Foundation received the largest single allocation and is responsible for funding university research activity. Japan has also jumped into the game with a commitment of $275 million in annual spending, while the European Union is devoting $150 million.

At $120 million over five years, the NRC's budget seems small in comparison, but Lynch says such an initiative is the right thing to execute at this time.

"It's absolutely crucial Canada get into this area immediately...This is extremely timely for this proposal to come forward," says Lynch. "We are still right at the front end of this (area of science) because the US and Japanese initiatives are very recent. We have a large number of researchers right across the country and we will lose this talent if we don't establish a program. We have to develop themes within niches and choose them very carefully. If we focus our resources and talent, we can be a significant player in certain areas."

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