Jul 17 2009
Alberta will be home to a new research and product development centre and state-of-the-art Hitachi microscopes thanks to support provided through the Western Economic Partnership Agreement between the government of Canada and government of Alberta along with contributions from Hitachi High-Technologies.
The Hitachi Electron Microscopy Products Development Centre (HEMiC) at the National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) is made possible by a wider collaboration of the Alberta Ingenuity Fund's nanoWorks program (AIF), the National Institute for Nanotechnology of the National Research Council (NINT), the University of Alberta (U of A) and Hitachi High Technologies Canada Inc.
"Alberta's strength in nanotechnologies, and the province's coordinated strategy for nanotechnology made our decision to seek a partnership here easy," said John Cole, President of Hitachi High-Technologies Canada, Inc. "This initiative engages Hitachi with Alberta's nanotechnology community at the leading edge of research while contributing to commercial opportunities."
"Our government is proud to support this project that will continue to position Alberta as a leader in the nanotechnology sector," said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Labour, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. "Together, we're building a more competitive and innovative Canada that will create new opportunities and new jobs."
The Centre will house three new electron microscopes valued at $7 million, including the first-ever Hitachi environmental transmission electron microscope Model H-9500 in operation outside of Japan.
"This new and advanced equipment will make NINT's electron microscope capabilities among the best in the world," said the Honourable Doug Horner, Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. "Our strategies and programs for nanotechnology are spurring exciting research and business opportunities. It's got the attention of Hitachi, another international company that sees the benefits of investing in Alberta."
One of the centre's first projects will evaluate and test the world's sharpest electron emitter, developed by the Molecular Scale Devices group at NINT for use as an electron source in electron microscopes.
The $14-million HEMiC project includes $6.8 million in joint Canada - Alberta support through the WEPA, with the remainder provided by the collaborating public and private organizations.
"Working so closely with an industry leader, like Hitachi, will also improve our access to global markets for electron microscope innovations at the National Institute for Nanotechnology," said Dr. Pierre Coulombe, President of the National Research Council. "This relationship with Hitachi will solidify NRC's reputation for expertise in electron microscopy while allowing us to better meet the needs of Canadian industry."
"Alberta Ingenuity plays a key role in fostering partnerships, like this with Hitachi, that enhance Alberta's research capabilities," said Dr. Peter Hackett, President and CEO of Alberta Ingenuity Fund. "Our goal is to ensure the quality of research in Alberta remains at a world-class level through support to place advanced equipment like this in the hands of talented Albertans."
"Facilities and equipment like this are enhancing the University of Alberta's stature as a leading research centre, both in Canada and internationally,' said Dr. Lorne Babiuk, Vice President of research, the University of Alberta. "It will help our province attract and retain even more of the world's talented researchers and graduate students, as well as the increasing interest of public and private sector nanotechnology research centres."
The HEMiC will house three new Hitachi-provided electron microscopes valued at $7 million, including the first-ever Hitachi environmental transmission electron microscope (E-TEM) Model H-9500 in operation outside of Japan. This collaboration is expected to speed up commercialization of NINT microscope innovations by utilizing Hitachi's product development and technical sales expertise.
The investments by the governments of Canada and Alberta are made through the Canada-Alberta Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA). Both Canada and Alberta are contributing $25 million each, over four years, to strengthen economic activity and improve quality of life in western Canadian communities.