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August 27, 2008
New nanotechnology centre helps turn big ideas into real products
Centre helps Alberta entrepreneurs move products to market
Edmonton... Small or large companies and tech-savvy entrepreneurs that want to bring nanotechnology products to world markets can now access technical and business services thanks to a new leading-edge centre in Edmonton’s Research Park.
The Alberta Centre for Advanced Microsystems and nanotechnology Products (ACAMP) is supported by $11.5 million in total funding with contributions of $8 million from the Alberta government and $3.5 million from Canada’s Western Economic Diversification Canada. The centre will support the province’s growing nanotechnology sector in three critical areas of commercialization - packaging and assembly, business and product development and marketing.
“Alberta’s global reputation for nanotechnology research just became enhanced as we will now be recognized as a place for putting that technology on the store shelves and into peoples’ lives,” said Doug Horner, Alberta’s Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. “This new centre - the first of its kind in Canada - will give entrepreneurs a place to turn ideas into viable, market-ready products.”
Alberta produced nanotechnology products have applications in vital sectors such as medicine, resources and information and communications technology. Products made by Alberta companies include: lab on a chip microchips that speed medical diagnoses; nano-particle coatings to enhance the service life of earth moving machine blades; motion sensors for use in electronics; and, numerous other products that can impact the lives of Albertans.
“The launch of ACAMP helps position Western Canada at the forefront of innovation and is an important milestone in Alberta’s growing capacity for science and technology commercialization,” said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. “In concordance with the Canada's Science and Technology Strategy, Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada’s Advantage, our government is proud to contribute $3.5 million, through its Western Diversification Program, to help Alberta become a centre for nanotechnology development and production.”
“It’s incredible the number of emerging technology companies in Alberta with the potential to develop exciting new consumer products for world-wide markets,” said Ken Brizel, the recently appointed CEO of ACAMP. “Alberta is a prime location for world-class research, and ACAMP can provide the means to turn research into viable products. In fact, we are already helping our clients produce marketable products to compete globally.”
ACAMP will identify commercial market opportunities in global markets and promote Alberta’s nanotechnology capabilities nationally and internationally. An ACAMP team will work with start-up and established technology companies to coordinate product packaging and assembly in-house or through the University of Alberta’s NanoFab, the University of Calgary’s Advanced Microsystems Integration Facility or the National Institute for Nanotechnology of the National Research Council (NINT). ACAMP will also align its product development activities with the Microsystems Technology Research Initiative and Alberta Ingenuity’s nanoWorks program.
"ACAMP is the result of a collaborative effort between industry, government and academia to create a platform for product development activities in the province," said Bruce Alton, Chair of the ACAMP Board of Directors. "And we are very pleased to have obtained the services of Ken Brizel as the first CEO of ACAMP.”
On June 11, the Alberta government introduced the $178-million Action Plan for Bringing Technology to Market. This plan includes numerous resources that companies and technopreneurs can access to help move ideas into the marketplace in concert with ACAMP’s services. Alberta’s $130-million nanotechnology strategy, announced in May 2007, aims to capture two per cent of the world’s nanotechnology market by the year 2020, projected to be $1 trillion U.S., equaling $20 billion in annual commercial activity.
Attachment: Backgrounder about ACAMP
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Earl McKenzie, Public Affairs Officer, Ken Brizel, CEO |
Pierre Floréa |
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Nanotechnology product development centre opens
Edmonton ... Alberta Centre for Advanced MNT (Microsystems and Nanotechnology) Products (ACAMP) is the latest phase of the Alberta Nanotechnology Strategy: Unleashing Alberta’s Potential released on May 2, 2007.
About ACAMP
ACAMP is a not for profit organization that provides services to researchers, small start-up companies, and established firms on a fee basis.
The centre provides clients access to its production facility, and helps them access the facilities of other collaborating organizations. On-site equipment includes laser scribing, specialized packaging and product assembly stations, electronic and environmental test chambers, reliability pressure testing and vibration test apparatus.
ACAMP Client Services
Infrastructure : Fee-for-service access to equipment, facilities and product development, plus low-volume manufacturing.
Micro-Nano Product Development: Assistance in developing and creating prototypes to attract interest of potential customers and early-stage investors.
Consulting and Training: Support for companies to enhance their product development processes, including facilitating access to product development expertise from partnering organizations.
Marketing:Identifying and developing contacts in potential markets for Alberta-based nano and microsystems products.
Micro-Nano Commercialization:Collaborate with partnering organizations to develop an accessible and reliable pilot-scale manufacturing capability to help companies gain entry into the marketplace.
Ken Brizel, CEO of ACAMP
Ken Brizel has more than 20 years experience in managing high-technology organizations and product development. He most recently served as CEO of LightPath Technologies headquartered in Florida with operations in China. Prior to this, he was a senior vice president at Oplink Communications, located in California, and was director of strategic marketing for AT&T/Lucent Microelectronics. Brizel holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering and was awarded the David Sarnoff Award Gold Medallion for Outstanding Technical Achievement.
Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy and to represent the interests of the West in national decision-making. WD supports the Canada's Science and Technology Strategy, Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada’s Advantage, which aims to create a more productive, prosperous and globally competitive economy, supports innovators in transforming research into real economic benefits.
ACAMP Collaborating Organizations
MSTRI supports the growth of the microsystems industry in Alberta through support of innovative research projects that show potential for commercialization. MSTRI is a funding partner in ACAMP.
NanoFab provides open access to its specialized facilities to any university research group. The facility’s operations are under the authority of the NanoFab committee.
AMIF is an open-access ‘clean room’ facility that supports the design and integration of advanced micro and nanosystems technologies and processes.
A partnership of the Alberta government, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and the University of Alberta, NINT is a world-class nanotechnology research centre equipped with some of the most advanced nanotechnology research equipment available in Canada.
One of the world’s largest independent MEMs foundries, Micralyne offers clients micromachining, thin film deposition, and MEMS assembly and test capabilities.
A not-for-profit agency that helps companies, entrepreneurs and investors connect with financing, facilities and expertise to commercialize new technologies, TEC Edmonton is a joint venture of the University of Alberta and the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation.
Media inquiries may be directed to:
Earl McKenzie, Public Affairs Officer, Ken Brizel, CEO |
Pierre Floréa |
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