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Newsroom
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Commercialization Symposium Told "Photonics Industry Will Expand Dramatically over the Next Decade"Canada's first fully integrated Photonics Prototyping and Fabrication Facility ($43 M) opens its doors to Canadian science and industry May 24, 2005, Ottawa, ON — The Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario and Carleton University today officially opened the NRC Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre (NRC-CPFC) in Ottawa. David McGuinty, MP for Ottawa South, on behalf of the Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the NRC, Dr. Pierre Coulombe, President, NRC, and Dr. Richard J. Van Loon, President, Carleton University, made the announcement today at a ceremony held at the NRC research complex in Ottawa. "The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of investing in the commercialization of new technologies, such as photonics,"said Mr. McGuinty. "With the opening of NRC-CPFC, Canada's innovative, small and medium-sized firms will have a world-class photonicsresource here in the National Capital Region." The science of photonics is the technology of generating and harnessing light. Photonics has a wide range of applications, primarily in the information technology sector, but is also enabling growth in many other sectors of the economy, revolutionizing technologies used in the transportation, health, environment, energy, security, defense, and consumer electronics industries. "NRC has tremendous confidence in the future of photonics research and sees market opportunities in the many billions of dollars, reaching across a wide range of industrial and social interests. This facility is an excellent example of what Canada is doing to bridge the gap between research and commercialization," said Dr. Coulombe at the opening, which coincided with an international symposium at NRC on commercializing photonics research. The $43 million facility is a partnership between NRC and Carleton University to support growth of the Canadian photonics sector. It offers companies, universities, and other institutions access to fabrication services to develop leading edge photonic devices. The Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario contributed $30million and $13 million respectively to the capital cost of the building and leading edge equipment. NRC will assume the operating costs of the new facility. The centre is located at the NRC laboratories in Ottawa to take advantage of the Council's extensive research expertise, facilities and networks. "I'm proud that the Government of Ontario partnered with the Government of Canada and Carleton University to make this facility a reality," said Joseph Cordiano, Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Trade. "The Centre will play an important role in strengthening Ontario's innovation and commercialization capacity, which will grow the economy and improve the quality of life for all Ontarians." The Centre will not only provide unique photonics prototyping and design facilities for Canadian industry but also be a vehicle for training highly skilled people for a sector that has enormous growth potential. The training component is led by Carleton University, building on the university's strong linkages with the local high technology sector. "Carleton University is proud to bring its superb, multidisciplinary photonics research teams to work with NRC and other players to build a cluster in this region," said Dr. Van Loon. The Centre is the only facility of its kind in Canada, helping Canadian firms tap into the established world-class expertise and innovative capabilities of the National Capital region. By helping to reduce time to market, the NRC-CPFC will provide Canadian companies with a competitive edge in global markets.Examples of applications of photonics include fibre-optic communication systems, new solid state lighting for the automotive industry, flat-panel computer displays, optical disc information storage (CD and DVD), optical sensors, medical diagnostics and imaging, optical interconnects, illumination systems and laser printers. About NRC: Recognized globally for research and innovation, Canada's National Research Council (NRC) is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through science and technology. About Carleton University: Carleton University is a dynamic, interdisciplinary research institution located in Ottawa, Canada. Carleton has outstanding programs in natural sciences, engineering, arts and public administration and has realized partnerships with numerous public and private sector organizations. Its strengths have led to international recognition for its faculty, as well as its ability to attract the best and brightest students. For more information, please visit NRC's Web site at http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca , http://cpfc-ccfdp.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca or contact: Alex Myers Julie Carl |
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