February 22, 2008
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
The Canadian Light Source (CLS) will benefit from $1.196 million in federal funding to acquire new equipment that will further solidify the CLS's reputation as a world leader in synchrotron technology.
Brad Trost, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Humboldt, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification.
"The Government of Canada is committed to Canadian research and development," said MP Trost. "Our investment will help Canadian industries become more technologically advanced and innovative as they incorporate synchrotron technology in the commercialization of new products and processes."
The funding provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) will be used to purchase additional specialized equipment to enable two research facilities to operate at full capacity. The acquisition of this equipment is critical to the ability of the CLS to attract and retain health researchers and industrial users from around the world.
"The Canadian Light Source is at the cutting edge of synchrotron science in a number of areas important to Canadian industry and enhancing Canadians' quality of life," said CLS Executive Director William Thomlinson. "Western Economic Diversification Canada's investment will help ensure that the facilities at Canada's synchrotron are second to none and demonstrates the Federal Government's commitment to furthering scientific and technological advancement."
The Phase II beamline project at the Canadian Light Source consists of five facilities designed to complement and significantly expand the research toolkit at the CLS. Specifically, the funding will enable the Biomedical Imaging and Therapy facility (BMIT) and Synchrotron Laboratory for Micro and Nano Devices (SyLMAND) to operate at their ideal and intended capacity.
The funding will provide the BMIT facility with advanced imaging capabilities at the therapeutic research station. The funding also helps acquire a specialized X-ray detector that will provide the CLS with the highest quality of resolution available to any synchrotron facility in the world.
The SyLMAND facility requires a scanning electron microscope in order for researchers and industrial customers to fully utilize the beamline. The microscope will be used to align and orient masks used in nano and micro-scale structures experiments and to check the quality of the resulting structures and coatings.
"Western Economic Diversification Canada's continued support of this national resource enriches the University of Saskatchewan research community and this region - but it is also an investment that advances scientific excellence and prosperity for the entire country," said Richard Florizone, the university's Vice-President (Finance and Resources) and member of the CLS Board of Directors.
The CLS is Canada's national centre for synchrotron research. Located on the University of Saskatchewan campus in Saskatoon, the CLS is a powerful tool for academic and industrial research in a wide variety of areas including environmental science, natural resources and energy, health and life sciences, and information and communications technology. For additional information, contact: Joanne MysakManager, CommunicationsWestern Economic Diversification CanadaTelephone: (306) 975-5942Matthew DalzellCanadian Light SourceTelephone: (306) 657-3739
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
