CIPI - Canadian Institute for Photonic Innovations

www.cipi.ulaval.ca

Photonics is the science of generating, manipulating, transporting and detecting light. Applications include information technology, telecommunications, environmental monitoring, biomedical science and industrial processes.

The Canadian Institute for Photonic Innovations (CIPI) focuses the talents of researchers from universities, industry and government with a view to expanding world-class research in Canada and maintaining Canada’s position as a leader in photonics in the 21st century.

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The Technology Exploitation and Networking (TEN) Program expedites the transfer of knowledge and technology to industry, facilitates student exchanges and provides funding for attendees at international conventions. For every $100 that CIPI invests in the TEN Program, its partners contribute $150 either in cash or in kind. Two projects are clearly representative of the new federal government strategy for science and technology.

MPB Communications Inc., an all-Canadian firm, develops new technologies for integrated optical sensors and optical communication systems. The company is collaborating with CIPI on the development of the prototype for a new diagnostic instrument called a dynamic laminometer (DL). Ophthalmologists will use the DL to make measurements of a patient's optic nerve pulses at the micrometre level (in millionths of a metre) so that those who are at risk for glaucoma can be identified even before their eyesight is affected. Results have been so promising that additional research funding was supplied by Gestion Univalor Limited Partnership and the Quebec Department of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade.

Doric Lenses Inc. markets specialty optical components for a broad range of applications and is an acknowledged leader in the field of cylindrical lenses. The company's work with a member of CIPI, Professor Michel Piché of Université Laval, led to an outstanding commercial success story. Professor Piché needed axicons – a new type of conical lens – for his beam manipulation experiments. Doric Lenses developed an axicon manufacturing process that was so successful that the firm brought them to market and now sells them to several multinational corporations. A former student of Professor Piché is now in charge of quality control for the company's axicon production operations.

The TEN Program also funds university exchanges, often at the international level, for students in photonics and related fields. This experience serves as a springboard for specialized work, thereby providing enhanced support to industry.

The aim of the Innovative Photonic Applications (IPA) Program is to assist companies in the fields of aviation and aerospace, forest products, agri-food, metals and auto manufacturing in meeting industrial challenges through the use of various facets of photonic technology. The IPA Program was launched in 2006, and already has two projects in progress and several more in the works.

The first IPA project to get under way mainly concerns the Canadian Forces and their many peacekeeping operations around the world. Soldiers must be able to quickly detect improvised explosive devices and weapons, which represent the primary terrorist threat. Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) undertook to design a system to facilitate early detection. CIPI got involved in the project to expedite the development of optical solutions and to provide Canadian Forces personnel with the highly specialized training they need for this high-priority task.

The second IPA project is funded by Decoma International Inc. (a system supplier to the global automotive industry), the Ontario Centres of Excellence and CIPI. It examines the properties of different polymers to be used to make optical components for automotive applications. The project will facilitate development of new products by Decoma while producing highly qualified personnel.

The Canadian magazine PHOTONS, published by CIPI, also contributes to the growth of the photonics industry in Canada. This technical review covers a number of related areas and identifies new applications for the technology. Again this year, the Network published two editions that were distributed to industries, colleges, universities and governments across Canada.

Canada's world leadership in photonics has led to medical and technological advances and has had a major economic impact within the country. CIPI's core activities of collaboration between researchers and the training of highly qualified personnel make it a central element of that leadership.

Provincial Reach:

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Distribution of Research Personnel in 2006-2007

For more information visit the CIPI Web site.