Research Initiatives

Campus Nanofacilities Network (CNN)

The Faculty of Engineering is home to an extensive suite of open access facilities for facilitating academic and industrial research and development in nanotechnology. Collectively, the Campus Nanofacilities Network (CNN) aims to provide expertise, toolsets and infrastructure necessary to achieve the design, fabrication and characterization goals of all those working in the nanotechnology field.

Alberta Centre for Surface Engineering and Science
Specializing in surface characterization and modification, ACSES provides sample analysis capabilities for a wide range of material and process applications.  With a focus on elucidating the composition and structure of thin films, the equipment set available to academic and industrial users is unmatched within an academic environment.  Coupled with a dedicated staff of 3, ACSES provides all necessary onsite experitise for training and data analysis.

Integrated Nanosystems Research Facility - Making Sense of the Nano Scale
The Integrated Nanosystems Research Facility (INRF) is an open access core facility specialized in soft and biological nano-structured materials, biomolecular assembly and nanocharacterization for facilitating the development and integration of complete nanosystems. With a focus on a highly multidisciplinary approach to combining hard (inorganic) and soft (organic) materials using both self-assembly, nanofabrication and simulation techniques that utilize our High Performance Computing Cluster (HPCC), the INRF provides state-of-the-art infrastructure for materials characterization. With a dedicated staff of 5 providing, training and fee for service sample analysis the INRF is well positioned for supporting local, regional and national nanotechnology related research. 

The nanoFAB – An Environment Designed for Success
The nanoFAB is an open access micro and nano fabrication research facility.  With approximately $30,000,000 worth of micro and nano fabrication equipment and infrastructure, our instruments allow for optical mask generation, electron beam lithography, PVD, LPCVD and PECVD deposition of thin films, deep Si etch processes and micro and nano embossing. Along with a dedicated staff of 10 for training and on site technical assistance for process development we are an unparalleled Canadian academic facility for micro and nano fabrication research and development.

 

nanoBridge - From Paper to Prototype
nanoBridge is a pan-Alberta funding initiative administered by the Faculty of Engineering and supported by Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures. Through a competitive application and review process, nanoBridge provides grant based funding in support of early-stage commercialization activities in microsystems and nanotechnology (MNT) to Alberta’s academic, institutional and industrial communities. The primary mandate of nanoBridge is to support the continued development and generation of regional economic activity within the MNT industry.

 
 
 

 

National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT)
Our Faculty works collaboratively with NINT, conducting leading-edge interdisciplinary research with its researchers in engineering, science, medicine and more.