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For Release
March 31, 2006
Corresponding Document: Speech (2006-03-31)
Synchrotron expands innovation research with new funding
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan — The Canadian Light Source (CLS) synchrotron will expand innovation research with $3.8 million of new funding. The funding is targeted toward seven new ‘beamlines’ that will allow six distinct new types of research.
The Honourable Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue and Western Economic Diversification was joined by the Honourable Eric Cline, Minister of Saskatchewan Industry and Resources to make the announcement today. The $3.8 million of new funding is jointly funded by the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan through the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA).
Seven beamlines are already on line and the next seven, known as Phase II, will be dedicated to industrial and commercial applications. The new research has the potential to improve medical diagnostics and treatments, improved analysis of environmental or contaminated samples, the design and development of new drug therapies, and the reproduction of micro or nano systems.
“The research at the CLS synchrotron is very complex, but the results are very practical. This research will lead to new discoveries that will benefit the local, provincial and national economies,” said Minister Skelton. “Canadians will benefit from better medical treatments and drug therapies. Our vehicles will benefit from better performance and reliability through this new research. Quite simply, this advanced innovation will produce practical applications that will benefit the everyday lives of all Canadians.”
“The synchrotron symbolizes Saskatchewan’s long tradition and proud track record of innovation,” Minister Cline said. “Our support of these beamlines is part of the commitment to research and development and commercialization of technology articulated in the Saskatchewan Action Plan for the Economy, as we help researchers at the Canadian Light Source explore new frontiers of science for the benefit of businesses and citizens both in this province and across the country.”
“Today’s contribution by the federal and provincial government continues their outstanding support to the synchrotron and the University of Saskatchewan,” said University of Saskatchewan president Peter MacKinnon. “The facilities being built at the CLS will enhance innovation here and across the country.”
“The Phase II beamlines are the result of university partnerships from across Canada and represent a spectrum of research that will benefit a wide range of industries and academic institutions,” said CLS Executive Director Bill Thomlinson. “The participation of Western Economic Diversification Canada and Saskatchewan Industry and Resources will help ensure that the CLS is competitive internationally.”
The seven beamlines, by virtue of their different design, are capable of performing distinct science in the following areas:
- Biomedical Imaging and Therapy Beamline (two beamlines);
- Soft x-ray Beamline for Microcharacterization of Materials;
- Resonant Elastic and Inelastic X-ray Scattering;
- Canadian Macromolecular Crystallography Facility II;
- Very Sensitive Elemental and Structural Probe Employing Radiation from a Synchrotron, and
- Synchrotron Laboratory for Micro and Nano Devices.
Currently in design and initial construction, the Phase II suite of beamlines at the CLS will be commissioned in 2008 with research programs by outside users commencing in 2009. These new beamlines will have applications for a number of industries, including advanced communications and electronics, pharmaceutical development, health research and medical imaging, and the mining and natural resources sector.
The potential for commercial applications of the synchrotron’s current and future beamlines has already captured the interest of leading Canadian and international firms who have committed to invest and support the research being conducted.
For additional information, contact:
|
Joanne Mysak Amy Ringdahl |
Jennifer Redston |
WD Toll-Free Number:
1 888 338-WEST (9378) |
Backgrounder
The potential industrial/commercial applications for the Phase II beamlines facilities at the Canadian Light Source are:
- Biomedical Imaging and Therapy Beamlines
These two high-energy beamlines are a national initiative involving more than 60 scientists and clinicians, from across Canada and around the world, who are interested in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer; diseases of the cardiovascular, circulatory, respiratory, nervous and musculoskeletal systems; behavioural diseases, reproductive dysfunction, soft-tissue and spinal cord injuries, and dental conditions in animals and humans. These beamlines will lead to novel treatments and developments of potentially enormous industrial importance, such as new digital detectors and methodologies for early cancer detection and therapy. Commercialization of technology resulting from this beamline would provide Canada with major advantages in the multi billion dollar global diagnostic and therapeutic marketplace. There will also be the opportunity to create spin off companies to commercialize these technologies. - Soft x-ray Beamline for Microcharacterization of Materials
Several Canadian groups have collaborated with Canadian and U.S. companies to obtain novel characterization of anti-wear coatings in automobile engines. Scientists at the CLS have also collaborated with Natural Resources Canada to characterize phosphorous (P) and sulphur (S) in coals, mineral flotation processes, soils and processed iron oxides. Two University of Saskatchewan Research Chairs (and other Canadian researchers) will also use this beamline for characterization of the elements of P and S in many types of environmental samples. The beamline will also be used to understand the microstructure and surface chemistry of new materials using a variety of techniques, including x-ray microprobe, x-ray absorption spectroscopy, photo-emission electron microscopy and resonant spectroscopies. - Resonant Elastic and Inelastic X-ray Scattering
This unique beamline will focus on x-ray emission and absorption spectroscopy and a new kind of x-ray scattering. These techniques are useful in obtaining information on a range of materials such as semiconductors, superconductors, magnetic materials including magnetic multi-layers and thin organic films. These techniques should grow to become useful in industrial sectors such as the magnetic resonance business, the development of superconductors, magnetic films and magnetic storage media, and the environmental sector. - Canadian Macromolecular Crystallography Facility II
Macromolecular crystallography is the foremost method for determining the detailed atomic structure of large molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids required for the design of drugs. Consequently there is intense interest from pharmaceutical and biotech companies. This is the second macromolectular crystallography beamline at the Canadian Light Source that is required to meet the rapidly expanding demand from over 50 academic groups across Canada and many smaller and medium sized pharmaceutical companies. - Very Sensitive Elemental and Structural Probe Employing Radiation from a Synchrotron
This beamline will have capabilities to detail the chemistry and crystal structure of any material on micron-size spots for elemental composition at the parts per million levels. This beamline will have a major impact on the mining, environmental and metals industries in Canada for micro-characterization of ore-bearing minerals, metals and alloys. - Synchrotron Laboratory for Micro and Nano Devices
This x-ray lithography facility will provide unique capabilities not currently available in Canada for patterning very small structures with very high accuracy using x-ray lithography. It can also be used to make a metal mold for the precise x-ray lithography of polymer templates that replicate the original device. This facility offers the potential for commercial development of micro and nano systems, devices and techniques to build ever smaller ink jet printer heads, hard disk drive heads, mirror arrays for data projectors, fibre optic connectors, implanted hearing aids, bio-analysis chips and sensors, actuators, and accelerators in automobiles.