New equipment at the UAlberta nanoFAB lab will help create new jobs and allow a local manufacturer to attract new clients.
(Edmonton) Commercializing nanotechnology research has become much easier, thanks to a $3.4-million investment in the University of Alberta's nanoFAB facility by the federal and provincial governments-as well as by Micralyne Inc., a local firm producing micro- and nano-scale devices.
The funding is being used to purchase a high-volume deposition tool used for applying thin films, along with contact aligners and etching tools-all of which will allow companies to manufacture devices quickly by the thousands.
Microscopically thin films of metal are essential to manufacture micro and nano-scale devices like tiny biomedical devices placed in the human body to monitor vital signs, diagnose disease or even restore eyesight. Every micron of these films has to be carefully placed on the device's sensor, which means manufacturing on a commercial scale is a daunting challenge.
"We've been moving wafers and chips along manually, but we were missing a way to move thousands along on a regular basis," said Micralyne president and CEO Ian Roane at today's funding announcement.
"These tools we're buying allow us to really scale up," he said, adding that his company plans to hire 50 or 60 more employees to meet expected demand once the tools are up and running.
"We have a commitment from a very large biomedical company that plans to repatriate production back to Canada," added Roane. "This is a way of keeping our highly qualified professionals in this province."
Some of the biomedical devices Micralyne manufactures include tiny sensors that measure blood pressure in the body or brain pressure in the skull, or restore eyesight using small needles implanted behind the eyes, said Roane.
The $1-million federal portion of the funding is part of Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan aimed at creating new jobs for the global economy.
"Our investment in the University of Alberta will make nanoFAB a cornerstone of the regional innovation ecosystem," said Amarjeet Sohi, federal minister of natural resources, who announced the funding on behalf of Western Economic Diversification Canada. "It will help firms develop new micro- and nanotechnology while creating well-paying jobs and prosperity for Canada."
The Alberta government is also contributing $1 million for the tools, and Micralyne is pitching in $1.4 million.
"Industry partners like Micralyne look for interesting research coming out of the U of A, hoping to scoop those up, add them to their manufacturing portfolio and sell them all around the world," said Eric Flaim, director of nanoFAB, a national, open-access training, service and collaboration centre supporting research and development in nano sciences and engineering.
Flaim said nanoFAB currently has 17 staff members supporting more than 50 companies in the manufacture of products. In the short term, the new tools will help 10 Alberta companies bring five products to market, hire dozens of highly qualified personnel and generate $20 million in industry revenue.
"There comes a point in your research where being able to work on these kind of ideas becomes limited by the reliability, repeatability and uniformity of what you're actually making," Flaim said.
"These tools will increase researchers' ability to make more reliable devices, while creating a pathway for those products to be moved into industrial manufacturing."
In addition to biomedical devices, micro- and nanotechnology developed at the U of A is used in a range of applications in life sciences, clean technology, digital technology and other sectors.
"U of A researchers are working at the forefront of micro- and nanotechnology," said U of A president David Turpin. "With industry and government support like we're seeing today, we are shaping a world-class innovation and manufacturing sector right here in Alberta."
"Our government's investment will help diversify Alberta's micro- and nanotechnology sector … and support future innovation and long-term economic and social benefits for Alberta," said Deron Bilous, Alberta minister of economic development and trade.