March 04, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta
The Government of Canada is enhancing the capacity of Alberta's micro and nanotechnology industry to transform new innovations into market- ready technologies.
A federal investment of $1,210,000 towards the Alberta Centre for Advanced Microsystems and Nanotechnology Products (ACAMP) was announced today by Mike Lake, Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Millwoods-Beaumont and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification. Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures, through its nanoAlberta team responsible for delivering the province's nanotechnology strategy, is also contributing $720,000 to the project.
"By helping local companies quickly and affordably get their products to market this investment will promote Alberta as a micro and nanotechnology leader, while helping the sector to grow and create jobs," said MP Mike Lake.
Small- and medium-sized companies will now have access to new equipment that allow them to build production components that would otherwise not be available in Canada. As a result, firms will be able to more efficiently design, test and manufacture their products for key sectors such as health and medical, conventional energy, clean technology, agriculture, and forestry.
"As part of our business to build commerce in our province, this investment will create new opportunities for Alberta companies," commented Gary Albach, President & CEO of Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures. "This funding supports growing technical expertise locally, to give Alberta companies a competitive edge in the global market."
Micro and nanotechnology (MNT) applies atomic, molecular science to develop or create devices and systems that have innovative properties given their minute size. These devices and systems can provide product innovations for a wide range of industries by making electronic and mechanical components smaller, faster and less expensive than ever before.
"Thanks to the funding of both our Federal and Provincial organizations, ACAMP can support complex integrated micro and nano based systems." said Ken Brizel, CEO ACAMP, "Through this additional investment, ACAMP will acquire characterization equipment, tooling and expertise to design and develop laser and microelectromechanical system based products."
ACAMP is a not-for-profit organization that bridges the gap between prototypes and full production and provides the help needed in developing profitable micro and nanotechnology products. Currently, more than 60 companies access ACAMP's services and equipment, with over 50 industry-driven projects having been undertaken.
The funding through Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) builds on its previous investments towards ACAMP, bringing total federal funding to more than $10 million. The contribution from Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures, who administers the Alberta Nanotechnology Strategy, builds on a previous commitment of $8 million from the Alberta government for ACAMP base funding.
Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures is part of Alberta's research and innovation system and is helping build healthy, sustainable businesses in the province. Through a suite of programs and services for entrepreneurs, companies, researchers, post-secondary institutions and investors, Tech Futures is a one-stop shop that provides technical services and funding support to facilitate the commercialization of technologies, to develop new-knowledge based industry clusters and to help grow an entrepreneurial-based culture in Alberta.
Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and advances the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Kinley
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel: (780) 495-6892
Allan Tesorio
Communications Officer
Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures
Tel: (780) 450-5555
Rosy Amlani
Vice President Business Development & CFO
ACAMP
Tel: (780) 468-2443
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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