Federal and provincial officials have inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the creation of a new national institute for nanotechnology in Edmonton at the University of Alberta.
The MOU signed last week ensures close cooperation between all parties to establish the $120-million institute, which was formally announced last August.
The National Institute for Nanotechnology, which is defined as manufacturing at the molecular level, is expected to help revolutionize research in many sectors, including computing, medicine, energy and communications.
Alberta has contributed $60 million to the project, while the federal government, through the National Research Council, has invested the balance plus at least $12 million for operating costs after five years.
"University research and knowledge have become integral to economic prosperity,” said U of A president Rod Fraser. “As the University of Alberta has unique world-class strengths in the area of nanotechnology, this partnership with the new institute will give us the tools to become world leaders in the nanotechnology sector.”
Scientists from the U of A and NRC will share the facility. The institute will employ about 150 people, and is expected to be one of the top five nanotechnology centres globally. Construction on the building will begin next fall.
