Table of contents
- Annual report 2022–2023 – Home
- Message from the President
- NRC at a glance
- Revitalizing key facilities
- Highlights and achievements
- Toward inclusivity in research
- Awards and honours
- NRC leadership
Plain HTML version: Laying the foundations for tomorrow's innovations: 2022–2023 annual report
As digital and quantum technologies take on larger roles in our society, we are providing critical innovations to advance the development of these technologies and position Canada as a quantum leader.
Research at the speed of light
Kate Fenwick, PhD student and Ben Sussman, Senior Research Officer, Joint Centre for Extreme Photonics
Short video of Kate Fenwick and Ben Sussman standing in front of a new quantum walk experiment in the ultrafast quantum photonics facility.
Kate Fenwick, PhD student and Ben Sussman, Senior Research Officer, Joint Centre for Extreme Photonics
Short video of Kate Fenwick and Ben Sussman standing in front of a new quantum walk experiment in the ultrafast quantum photonics facility.
The NRC's photonics facilities in Ottawa, Ontario, enable research in a variety of areas, including the foundations of quantum optics to applications in quantum sensing, quantum computing, quantum communications, ultrafast laser optics, material characterization and more. These technologies serve a vital function by underpinning our most critical communications networks. PhD student Kate Fenwick and group leader Ben Sussman are studying the interaction between light and matter at the quantum limit in the Ultrafast Quantum Photonics facility.
KF: "My PhD work is looking to use optical Kerr shutters to carve ultrafast pulses of light out of a continuous laser beam to enable applications like single-photon metrology, time-stretch spectroscopy and quantum walks.
This research gives us a better understanding of quantum mechanics, which underpin the foundations of our world, and that paves the way for new technologies that haven't been possible with a classical understanding of physics."
BS: "Through a collaboration with the University of Ottawa, called the Joint Centre for Extreme Photonics, graduate students like Kate have access to our state-of-the-art labs, and we benefit from working with an outstanding group of students. And although we're already working in one of the best facilities in the country, this technology evolves fast.
The renewal funding will allow us to expand our capabilities in sources and detectors to make sure we stay at the forefront of quantum photonics research. I'm looking forward to being able to generate unique photon states—different wavelengths, durations and photon numbers—and to detect new types of quantum mechanical states of light and matter."
"This research gives us a better understanding of quantum mechanics, paving the way for new technologies that haven't been possible with a classical understanding of physics."
An evolution for better client service
The NRC's Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre (CPFC) is the only compound semiconductor foundry in North America that is publicly operated and available to all. It offers foundry services, end-to-end fabrication of photonic devices and the development of process technologies. In 2022, it was announced that the CPFC would be operated as its own NRC business unit. This will give the CPFC the agility to better serve the needs of its clients, while still allowing the NRC to continue to conduct vital research in photonic technology.
An innovative partnership
Building on our long-term relationship with the University of Waterloo, in 2022, we opened a new collaborative space on campus where students and faculty can come together with teams from our Digital Technologies Research Centre to work on projects related to AI, the Internet of Things and cybersecurity.
In another collaborative project, our Nanotechnology Research Centre partnered with the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology to fund interdisciplinary research for high-risk, high-reward, "blue sky" discoveries.
Throughout 2022–2023, 9 projects were launched under this initiative, looking at theranostic nanomedicine, printed nanomaterials for flexible near-infrared sensors, nanoplastic identification and classification, and more.
Stretching the boundaries of wearable electronics
A partnership between the NRC's Advanced Electronics and Photonics Research Centre and the Taiwan Textile Research Institute has culminated in the successful prototyping of stretchable conductive inks.
These inks, which can be stretched, twisted and washed, represent a major milestone in the development of wearable electronics and could support applications ranging from motion capture to health monitoring.
The project was awarded a 2022 gold-level Edison Award in the "breakthrough materials" category and has already been licensed by the world's largest global supplier of flexible film.
Enhanced guidance for laser systems
Lasers are expected to play an important role in space-based communications, but the mirrors traditionally used to guide their beams are bulky and lack the accuracy and speed needed for precision applications.
Working with researchers at Carleton University and the University of Málaga in Spain, the nanophotonics team at the Advanced Electronics and Photonics Research Centre has developed a new way to guide lasers using photonic chips, which are more cost-effective than mirrors, weigh less than a gram and offer much more precise targeting over longer distances.
The next phase of the project involves building a functional beam-steering system, which could be used to help bring high-speed internet to Northern and rural communities.
Moving forward with quantum initiatives
In January 2023, the federal government released the National Quantum Strategy (NQS) to support Canada's quantum sector and solidify the country's position among international leaders in this field.
The NRC plays a key role in advancing the NQS, particularly through our Challenge programs. The Internet of Things: Quantum Sensors Challenge program has funded 42 projects looking into ultrafast sensing of entangled photon pairs, quantum photonics standards development, wavefront sensing and more.
The Applied Quantum Computing Challenge program, launched in September 2022, is currently accepting applications for projects that will enable efficient quantum simulation of complex physical systems to support the development of new technologies for human health, climate change and other far-reaching benefits.
Both programs have engaged with industry to support the commercialization of the NQS. The Quantum Research and Development Initiative is another NRC-led program established under the NQS to coordinate federal research across government to de-risk quantum technology development.
This initiative will also help grow quantum capacity and expertise in support of key national priorities such as mining, defence and security, communications, natural resources, environmental management, and climate change monitoring.
AI for safer, more resilient logistics
The NRC's Artificial Intelligence for Logistics program is working with the University of Calgary to develop AI models that will help reduce the costs and carbon footprint of transportation and logistics.
Using data from 2 of Canada's largest transportation companies, the AI tools being developed will optimize routes and scheduling, increase road safety, and protect the industry from the hazards of extreme weather.