Facilities

One of the most exacting construction projects in the world is complete – the permanent home for the National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT). The $52.2 million, 20,000 square metre building is one of the world's most technologically advanced research facilities and houses ultra quiet laboratory space – the quietest such space in Canada. In order to provide the optimal conditions for tiny nano-scale research, "quiet" lab space is absolutely critical. In the scientific realm, "quiet space" refers to lab space with ultra-low vibration and minimal acoustical noise or electro-magnetic interference.

NINT occupies 15,000 square metres of the building. This new home of the Institute will accommodate up to 120 NRC staff, as well as 45 guest workers from industry and universities. It will also provide training opportunities for 275 graduate and post-doctoral researchers. The building includes specialized spaces for laboratories in chemical and biochemical synthesis and analysis of the material structure at the atomic scale, as well as a Class 1000 Clean Room for the production of nanostructured systems. NINT has purchased the latest generation of scientific equipment, including electron and scanning probe microscopes, and chemical and material analysis instruments.

This complex facility was designed and built by Alberta companies. The architects are Cohos Evamy and the construction manager is PCL-Maxam. During the design and construction phases, 210 person years of work were created – including approximately 30 person years for the design work alone.