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Think of nanotechnology as Lego, but on a molecular or atomic level. A set
of Lego consists of blocks of different sizes. Alone, each piece is not
very functional. But when you put the blocks together one at a time, you
can assemble devices or structures that are extremely functional, and then
take them apart and build something different.
Scientists are learning how to assemble molecules or atoms to create structures
that could be used for medical diagnoses or new electronic devices or new
catalysts to transform one molecule into another. As a result, nanotechnology
is considered to be the next major revolution in technology, with societal
and economic impacts expected to be larger than those of the computer revolution.
It is expected to play a vital role in many areas, including health, computing
science, energy, biotechnology, education, manufacturing and engineering.
A partnership between the provincial and federal governments and the University
of Alberta has made ASRA’s vision of a National Research Council facility
and an international centre for excellence a reality. The National Institute
for Nanotechnology, to be built at the University of Alberta, is expected
to attract a core of the world’s best scientists. This world-class centre
of excellence will be a multidisciplinary facility where researchers in
physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, informatics, pharmacy and medicine
will collaborate to explore the frontiers of science.
Alberta’s universities already have an established reputation for excellence
in nanotechnology and engineering, and the University of Alberta is an ideal
location for the National Institute for Nanotechnology. It already has existing
strengths in nanotechnology, engineering, medicine and computing science,
and a number of excellent researchers working in these fields. The university’s
world-class facilities and equipment, and a highly supportive and receptive
community in Edmonton, will ensure the National Institute for Nanotechnology
remains competitive with the nanotechnology facilities in the United States,
Europe and Asia.
ASRA’s vision for an Alberta-based institute for nanotechnology will enable
Canada to become a player in this growing field that experts predict will
have economic impacts in the range of $1 trillion per year within the next
10 to 15 years.
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