UCalgary researchers awarded NSERC Strategic Partnership Grants
By By University of Calgary relations staff
Electronics Engineering researchInstitute for Quantum Science and Technology has been awarded for work with nanophotonic circuits that allows light to be manipulated “on-chip” where it can be used to for quantum information processing technology.
Four University of Calgary scientists and engineers who are working to improve environmental monitoring, communications technologies and food security have earned almost $2 million in new support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s Strategic Partnership Grant program. The awards are granted to research programs that are transferring knowledge and expertise to policy-makers and to Canadian-based companies.
“Projects with external partners allow our scholars to translate the discoveries and technologies that emerge from research to address challenges and create opportunities for Canadians,” says Ed McCauley, vice-president (research) at the University of Calgary. “We’re grateful to NSERC for their commitment to research programs that have a positive impact on our communities and that train the next generation of leaders.”
Institute for Quantum Science has also been awarded
The newly supported programs include Yang Gao’s geomatics engineering research in the Schulich School of Engineering. Gao’s research into precision positioning and navigation systems will be conducted with industry partners Orthoshop Geomatics, Cansel, and Geosat to strengthen the Internet of Things — where smart sensors allow more precise positioning and navigation in challenging environments. These advances apply to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to manoeuvre in confined environments, connect self-driving cars in intelligent transportation systems, and refine geo-referencing smartphones for mobile mapping. Gao’s research has contributed to the development of several new positioning and navigation systems including commercial products sold world-wide.
Paul Barclay, of the Institute for Quantum Science and Technology in the Faculty of Science, has also been awarded. Barclay’s work with nanophotonic circuits allows light to be manipulated “on-chip” where it can be used to for quantum information processing technology. In the nearer term, these devices are beginning to find applications in detecting forces — created by magnetic and electric fields, for example — with a unique combination of sensitivity, compact footprint, and potential for integration with other photonic and electronic technologies.
