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TRIUMF secures federal funds to establish Centre of Excellence for Commercialization

News Release | For Immediate Release | February 14, 2008

 

(Vancouver, B.C.) -- Advanced Applied Physics Solutions Inc. (AAPS), a wholly owned, not-for-profit subsidiary of TRIUMF, Canada's National Laboratory for Particle and Nuclear Physics, is pleased to announce that today it received a $14.95 million grant from the Government of Canada's Networks of Centres of Excellence Program. The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Industry, announced $163 million to establish 11 new Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECRs). These centres will share $163 million to pursue major discoveries and bring them to the marketplace over the next five years. The AAPS at TRIUMF was one of four B.C. institutions to have received the CECR funding.

AAPS director Philip Gardner said, "The CECR program could not have been presented at a more opportune time. This will provide the seed funding to accelerate the testing of ideas and innovations developed in the course of TRIUMF's work as a basic-research laboratory." AAPS will build on high-value projects such as the laser production of diamond-like carbon foils. The first research and development projects will be conducted with business partners such as D-Pace, Thales Corp., and the University of British Columbia.

The mission of AAPS is to improve the quality of life of people around the globe by developing technologies emerging from worldwide subatomic physics research. AAPS will collaborate with academic, government, and industry stakeholders to research and develop promising technologies to a commercially viable stage, including developing a new underground imaging system to improve productivity in the natural resource sector, and other technologies with a range of applications, including medical-isotope production and pollution mitigation.

"Today's announcement marks a milestone in Canadian research history," said Minister Prentice. "The technologies, therapies, services and products generated by these new centres will help improve the well-being of all Canadians while positioning Canada at the forefront of priority research areas. As we stated in our Science and Technology Strategy, this Government is committed to encouraging these exciting, multidisciplinary partnerships between the private, academic and public sectors."

Organizations eligible to receive CECR funds are not-for-profit corporations created by universities, colleges, not-for-profit research organizations, firms, and other interested non-government parties. To be eligible, organizations must have an established Board of Directors that is responsible for approving its annual financial reports and audits. Mr. Gardner said, "The AAPS Board, including some notables from Vancouver, worked hard on this proposal and really deserve the applause. We're eager to get started!"

 

For more information, contact:

For TRIUMF:

Mr. Phil Gardner
Centre Director
Phone +1 604.222.7436
Email: Phil Gardner

Dr. Timothy Meyer
TRIUMF Head of Strategic Communications
Phone:+1 604.222.7674
Email: Tim Meyer

For Networks of Centres of Excellence:

Natasha Gauthier
Communications Manager NCE
Phone: +1 613.996.0390
Cell: +1 613.668.0214
Email: Natasha Gauthier

For Editors:

TRIUMF (http://www.triumf.ca) is Canada's National Laboratory for Particle and Nuclear Physics. Physically located on the south Campus of the University of British Columbia, TRIUMF is owned and operated as a joint venture by a consortium of the following Canadian universities, via a contribution through the National Research Council Canada: University of Alberta, University of British Columbia, Carleton University, Université de Montréal, Simon Fraser University, University of Toronto, University of Victoria.

The 11 new Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR, http://www.nce.gc.ca/media/newsrel/2008/140208_e.htm) focus on priority areas in research and commercialization and are a key element of Canada's Science and Technology (S&T) Strategy. This S&T Strategy is a multi-year framework that will create an environment that encourages innovation partnerships between the academic, private and public sectors, and will guide the intelligent, strategic investment of public funds.

 

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