Xerox, Government of Alberta, and NRC National Institute for Nanotechnology invest $4.5 million in nanotechnology research and development
In Canada's first major public-private nanotechnology research partnership, the Xerox Research Centre of Canada (XRCC), NRC National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) and Government of Alberta will provide approximately $4.5 million for research and development of materials-based nanotechnology over the next three years.
The three partners will invest funds, human resources, and available infrastructures to create a research program and teams focused on developing commercially successful nanotechnology-based discoveries. Personnel from NINT and XRCC will collaborate on research projects at NINT in Edmonton, Alberta, and at XRCC in Mississauga, Ontario.
The funds will contribute to the hiring of eight to 10 scientists who will investigate materials-based nanotechnologies, including document- and display-related technologies. The research program, co-managed by XRCC and NINT, will allow access to Xerox's experience in successfully commercializing technology to facilitate the market application of resulting inventions.
"This level of public and private sector partnership helps fuel the type of innovation that will keep Alberta, and Canada as a whole, strong and competitive in an increasingly global, knowledge-based economy," said Doug Horner, minister for Advanced Education and Technology, Government of Alberta. "The investments from the Government of Alberta, Xerox and NINT will build a world-class nanotechnology research program that embraces the spirit of innovation, but also that of commercialization."
XRCC was established in 1974 to develop the materials used by Xerox Corp. globally, and began nanotechnology-enabled research efforts several years ago. It has already developed successfully commercial materials, including 'EA Toner', a unique technology for making more cost-effective and environmentally efficient toner for printers. XRCC will now be able to expand its nanotechnology efforts.
"This partnership demonstrates that with the support of government, open innovation with public and private sector research can combine to achieve remarkable mutual accomplishments," said Hadi Mahabadi, vice president and director of the Xerox Research Centre of Canada. "The Government of Alberta, Xerox, and NINT are leading the charge in both nanotechnology research and a unique collaboration model to secure future economic success."
Mahabadi will co-manage the new nanotechnology collaboration with Nils Petersen, director general of NINT.
NINT is a multi-disciplinary institution involving researchers in science, engineering, pharmacy, medicine, business, and law. Established in 2001 and operated as a collaborative project of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), the University of Alberta, and the Government of Alberta, it conducts advanced research and fosters innovation in support of a new generation of nanotechnology-based firms.
"The combination of Xerox's industrial culture and dedication to the commercialization of invention and NINT's broad research experience and approach to open innovation provide the focus and skill sets to achieve innovation that is of value to the marketplace," NRC Vice President Richard Normandin said. "This program will also expand NINT's industrial collaboration capacity, which will be beneficial for many Canadian firms."
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