March 15, 2011
Kelowna, British Columbia
Innovation and technology commercialization is alive and well in the Okanagan, thanks to nearly $1.36 million in Western Diversification Program funding announced today by Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna – Lake Country, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.
Funding for the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus (UBCO) will establish scanning-electron microscopy (SEM) and microfabrication facilities in the region. Other project partners include the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Canadian Institute for Photonic Innovations, and the Charles Fipke Foundation.
"Creating innovative new technologies, and bringing the products of those developments to market, is vital to the success of a knowledge-based economy in the Okanagan," said MP Cannan. "But innovation doesn’t happen by chance, it happens through sustained and dedicated efforts of institutions like UBCO, and that is what we're supporting here today."
SEM is a technique that enables the characterization and analysis of a material or biological system that is not visible to the human eye. By establishing a SEM facility, the UBCO will be able to better support innovation and high-tech training in areas such as geosciences, biosciences and engineering. Applications include uses in mining and mineral exploration, agriculture/agroforestry, biomedical sciences and aerospace.
Microfabrication is the making of microscopic scale mechanical devices that run on electricity. Support for a microfabrication facility will lead to the development and commercialization of technologies used in the alternative energy and life sciences sectors. UBCO has several prototyping projects already planned, including a device to detect pathogens in water.
"The research investment making this facility possible is a truly remarkable partnership, and that's fitting because this facility and its equipment will benefit research across a wide scope of disciplines including engineering, biosciences and geosciences," says Spiro Yannacopoulos, Associate Dean and Director of the School of Engineering. "We are extremely grateful to Western Economic Diversification, the Charles Fipke Foundation, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and all the participating partner agencies for their outstanding support."
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:
Jaime Burke
Regional Communications Manager - British Columbia
Western Economic Diversification Canada
604-666-1318
Bud Mortenson
Manager, Public Affairs
Alumni and University Relations
The University of British Columbia
Okanagan campus
250-807-9255
bud.mortenson@ubc.ca
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
