NINT Innovation Centre opens.

The National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) Innovation Centre, a part of the NINT of the National Research Council, has officially opened in Edmonton, AB. Its objective is to help Canadian companies exploit the potential of nanotechnology and to foster the growth of an Edmonton-area cluster of companies that rely on nanotechnology. The Centre rents space to companies and industrial collaborators that will benefit from the close proximity to the high concentration of nanotechnology expertise at NINT and across the University of Alberta campus.

"Canada's New Government recognizes the tremendous potential of nanotechnology to diversify the economy, create new jobs, and improve western Canada's standard of living. We also recognize that Canada must build upon our research and engineering strengths, generate new ideas and innovations, and achieve excellence by global standards," said Rahim Jaffer, Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona. "This facility positions Alberta's nanotech industries for success in the global marketplace by providing them with a competitive advantage in commercializing new technologies and products."

The Centre occupies the fourth floor of the exisiting NINT building and consists of 15 rental units of combined office and laboratory space. Current tenants include five companies and a research group from the NINT-Xerox Canada industrial research partnership.

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"Helping new companies succeed in the nanotechnology sector is of utmost importance to the province," said Doug Horner, Alberta Minister of Advanced Education and Technology.

Capital costs for the Centre were $5.7 million. Western Economic Diversification Canada contributed $3.8 for construction and designing of the fourth floor, as well as outfitting and furnishing leased offices and labs. The Government of Alberta contributed $1,897,500 towards construction of the floor. Rental revenue is used to cover the operating costs of the Centre.

Pierre Coulombe, president of the National Research Council Canada (NRC), said, "The Innovation Centre will build on the NRC's long history of helping commercialize research. Having this centre as part of the first class facilities at our National Institute for Nanotechnology will support nanotechnology-based firms and contribute to Canada's leadership in this emerging field."

Advanced research undertaken at NINT, Canada's flagship nanotechnology institute, fosters innovation in support of a new generation of nanotechnology-based firms. Through a special partnership, the NRC and the University of Alberta have created a unique multidisciplinary environment where researchers from numerous fields are working toward the advancement of nanotechnology.

"The integration of talent, resources, and ideas across disciplines and among partner institutions creates new opportunities for success," said University of Alberta president Indira Samarasekera. "Having companies adjacent to collaborative research activities at the University of Alberta is ideal, and we welcome this latest development in the exciting partnership that continues to evolve as a result of the creation of NINT. We truly are delighted to join our partners today to celebrate the opening of the NINT Innovation Centre."

National institute for nanotechnology