New nanotechnology centre helps turn big ideas into rea...( Centre helps Alberta entrepreneur...)

Centre helps Alberta entrepreneurs move products to market

EDMONTON, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ - 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. 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 Diversif
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