Nanotechnology Research Centre increasing the microscopy scale across Canada

- Edmonton, Alberta

In October 2019, the NRC's Nanotechnology Research Centre in Edmonton hosted a productive and insightful 2-day microscopy workshop. The event brought together 46 leading experts from academia, industry, and the NRC—including Automotive and Surface Transportation, Digital Technologies, Energy, Mining and Environment, Human Health Therapeutics, Knowledge, Information, and Technology Services, Metrology, and Security and Disruptive Technologies—to discuss the need for and benefits of an Intelligent Analytical Microscopy program in Canada.

The workshop allowed participants to give their expert input on the potential R&D areas of a new national program, which would aim to deliver breakthrough innovations in microscopy for materials characterization and atom-scale technologies augmented by machine intelligence, leveraging Canada's leadership in these areas.

"As a new researcher at the NRC, the workshop was a great opportunity to meet new colleagues and learn about their expertise and research focus," said Ana Magalhaes, Research Officer in Human Health Therapeutics, who attended the workshop. "It gave me a sense of 'the big picture' of the NRC and its other research centres' diverse structures and capabilities. There is a real potential for collaboration and to work synergistically towards new solutions and technologies that can improve the lives of Canadians. Ultimately, that is our goal in creating a national program."

The workshop featured presentations by leading microscopy researchers, roundtable discussions, technology demonstrations, and networking opportunities. It covered a range of topics such as electron and ion microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, some elements of optical microscopy, and machine intelligence integration.

The next steps in the program development include Nanotechnology Research Centre representatives touring Canada for consultations to further define the need for a national microscopy program. To learn more or to participate in the discussion, please contact Mark Salomons (Mark.Salomons@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca 780-641-1733), Team Leader, Developmental and Analytical Microscopy.

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