Alberta companies now have even greater opportunities to get into the emerging field of nanotechnology through the $15 million nanoWorks program. This new Alberta nanotechnology industrial research partnerships program connects academic researchers with industry to develop market-driven nanotechnology products. The program, operated by Alberta Ingenuity, opens the door to innovative projects that build on Alberta’s growing strength as Canada’s nanotechnology centre.
“Alberta has invested wisely to become Canada’s leader in advanced nanotechnology research,” said Doug Horner, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. “Through this new program our pure research capability can now more easily be accessed by the industrial sector to develop nanotechnology for global markets that will benefit all Albertans.”
Alberta’s commitment to nanoWorks is $15 million over five years to increase industrially driven research and commercialization in alignment with the Alberta government’s priorities in energy, life sciences, information communications technology, and nanotechnology.
“Nanotechnology is a key area for the province, and the impact of this new program will be significant as it promotes industry and researchers working collaboratively together,” said Dr. Peter Hackett, President and CEO of Alberta Ingenuity. “Alberta Ingenuity prides itself on its ability to deliver high-quality programs based on scientific excellence and commercializing research. nanoWorks will be part of the same rigorous peer review processes as other Ingenuity programs and will build on the excellent work already happening across the province in this field.”
nanoWorks is open to industry and academic collaborative proposals focusing on growing new nanotech businesses, garnering nanotech talent, building nanotech infrastructure, and creating economic and social benefits for the province. Applications to the nanoWorks program are evaluated to ensure they meet high standards of excellence, in terms of scientific merit, research capabilities, industry relevance and benefits to the province.
The Alberta nanotechnology sector now tops $300 million in annual revenues. The nanoWorks technology commercialization program is an exciting part of Premier Stelmach’s plan for building communities, creating opportunities, and greening our growth.
nanoWorks program helps commercialize nanotechnology
The nanoWorks program
nanoWorks proposals may include a great variety of technology and value-added solutions. Possible applications include developing new antimicrobial packaging materials to extend food shelf life, building probes to improve cancer detection and treatment, long-lasting laptop and cell phone batteries built from nanomaterials, and more powerful computers and lasers. Evaluation committees with expertise specific to each proposal will review the applications and ensure funded projects meet the program’s high standard of excellence, in terms of scientific merit, research capabilities, industry relevance and socio-economic benefits to the province.
What is nanotechnology?
The science of nanotechnology, applied to materials, can result in new properties - harder, stronger, adaptive or reactive, or self-healing as in antibacterial wound dressings developed in Alberta and being used world-wide. Nano applications can mean new ways of processing information or manufacturing materials, and nano sensors will play a significant role in the health care and environment sectors. Nanotechnology refers to the design, characterization, production and application of structures, devices and systems where dimensions and tolerances in the range of 0.1 nm to 100 nm play a critical role. For example office paper is about 100,000 nm thick.
Alberta’s nanotechnology market
Alberta plans to grow its nanotechnology sector with the goal of capturing $20 billion of the worldwide nanotechnology market annually by 2020. Alberta now boasts a strong nanotechnology enterprise sector of approximately 45 companies whose annual sales exceed $300 million per year. The Alberta government unveiled its nanotechnology strategy in May 2007, and Alberta Ingenuity launched a new $100 million Accelerator program in October 2007, with the first research area focusing on nanotechnology.
Alberta’s Nanotechnology Strategy
- Grow and develop a new generation of businesses and entrepreneurs to commercialize nanotechnology solutions.
- Attract and retain world-class talent to foster a globally competitive nanotechnology community in Alberta.
- Take advantage of and continue to enhance Alberta’s superior technology infrastructure to develop nanotechnology products and applications in the province.
Alberta Ingenuity is now accepting Expressions of Collaboration. Application details are available at http://www.albertaingenuity.ca
