Accelerator Concept
Advanced laboratories led by significant research personalities with the goal to evolve Alberta’s research institutions into globally competitive research and commercialization entities. Accelerators will focus on Alberta’s sustainable economic prosperity imperatives, including nanotechnology.
Accelerator laboratories will be led by scientific directors with control over significant budgets that will create flexible and stimulating environments and achieve exceptional results. Although the strategy is simple, its impact will be revolutionary. Alberta’s commitment will attract international leaders, with unmatched scientific and business acumen relevant to the solution of problems facing Alberta. These outstanding leaders will attract others to join them, establishing a network of brilliant minds working to solve socially important challenges for Alberta and the world.
The first Accelerator will focus on nanotechnology - a growing area of strategic strength for Alberta. Alberta Innovates Technology Futures is working collectively with the University of Alberta and the National Institute for Nanotechnology on the development of this initiative.
Thematic Focus
Nano-Enabled Biomaterials for Sustainable Living
The Nanotechnology Accelerator will be the centerpiece of a provincial strategy to develop a globally-competitive, value-added bioproducts and bioprocessing industry that will diversify Alberta’s oil and gas economy through renewable biomass from forest and agricultural based feedstock. The potential impact is vast. Economically and environmentally sustainable advantages will accrue to present and future generations of Albertans.
Over the next two decades, technologies that enable analysis and manipulation of matter at the molecular level will be at the heart of global industrial change. Alberta has a unique opportunity to lead the world in applying nanotechnology to fields of strategic priority for the province.
How was the theme Nano-Enabled Biomaterials for Sustainable Living chosen?
In 2007, Alberta Ingenuity Fund – one of Tech Futures’ founding organizations - assembled a group of experts from academia and industry to create an International Panel for Opportunity Assessment. The panel was tasked with assessing the existing nanotechnology research and development in Alberta from a global perspective, and identifying priority areas for the Nanotechnology Ingenuity Accelerator.
The International Panel of Opportunity Assessment (IPOA) was comprised of:
- Carlo Montemagno, Chair - Dean, College of Engineering, University of Cincinnati
- Jeremy Carver - CEO/CSO, International Consortium on Anti-Virals, Trent University
- Franco Cerrina - Chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University
- Drew Endy - Assistant Professor, Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University
- Miriam Luizink - Technical-Commercial Director, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology
- Sangeet Singh-Gasson - President & CEO, BioLitho Inc.
- Darlene Solomon - Chief Technology Officer & Vice President, Agilent Labs
For more information, please contact:
Lori Sheremeta
Special Advisor
Strategic Development, Nanotechnology
Tel: 780-884-0587
Lori.sheremeta [at] albertainnovates.ca