Backgrounder

August 4, 2010

Projects Funded In Sudbury

Through the ORF – Research Infrastructure program , the government is investing close to $18 million in research infrastructure projects at universities and research hospitals across the province. This investment will support 104 projects and more than 1,300 researchers at 14 institutions in 11 cities across the province.

Laurentian University

A trace element mapping facility for geological samples
Using geological samples to find precious metals and learn how life on earth began
Lead researcher: Dr. Balz Kamber
Provincial funding: $170,901
Researchers affected: 7

Laurentian University researcher Dr. Balz Kamber is using state-of-the-art hardware and software to map trace element concentrations in geological samples. The goal of this work is to help astrobiologists learn about the origin of life and help geologists find precious metals.

SNO+ calibration development and test facility
Using newly developed equipment to uncover the secrets of the sun and more
Lead researcher: Dr. Christine Kraus
Provincial funding: $91,419
Researchers affected: 12

Laurentian University’s Dr. Christine Kraus focuses on neutrinos – particles produced by the sun and stars. But because neutrinos have no charge and are able to pass through matter almost undisturbed, they are extremely hard to detect. Dr. Kraus is leading a team that will build a facility that will be able to take precise measurements of different parts of the solar neutrino spectrum, which will lead to a greater understanding of the evolution and fate of the sun.