April 24 , 2007

ONTARIO RESEARCH FUND – RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

Through the Research Infrastructure program of the Ontario Research Fund, the McGuinty government helps researchers obtain the tools they need to stay on the forefront of innovation, including lab space, equipment and computer software. This round of funding under the Research Infrastructure program will provide $6,071,743 to support two projects at the University of Waterloo. The funding will leverage investments from nine industry and other partners.

Projects

Centre for Intelligent Antenna and Radio Systems

Developing next-generation wireless technologies

Lead researcher: Dr. Safieddin Safavi-Naeini
Total project cost: $12,815,240
Provincial funding: $5,016,637

The rapid spread of wireless technology is creating major opportunities and challenges. this project will help Ontario’s information and communications technology sector maintain its world-renowned leadership in wireless technology. Researchers under the direction of Dr. S. Safavi-Naeini at the University of Waterloo’s new Centre for Intelligent Antenna and Radio Systems will develop intelligent radio network systems and other cutting-edge radio sensor technologies. The centre’s five inter-related laboratories will, for the first time in Canada, bring together world-class research and equipment to spur the development of next-generation wireless systems. The systems will support emerging technologies such as biomedical sensors, pharmaceutical engineering and wireless ultra-broadband networks.

Major industry and other partners: RIM, TDK RF Solutions, Agilent, Elektrobit.

Submillimeter Instruments for Astronomy

Down-to-earth applications for innovations in astrophysics

Lead researcher: Dr. Michel Fich
Total project cost: $6,772,280
Provincial funding: $1,055,106

Canadian researchers will develop and adapt innovative camera systems designed to peer into the farthest reaches of space, for a wider range of commercial and industrial uses, particularly in the fields of health and security. The University of Waterloo’s Dr. Michel Fich will lead a consortium of scientists from universities across Canada to develop a revolutionary new instrument capable of detecting and capturing light of extremely short wavelengths. This emerging technology may eventually become an entire industry – microwave electronic imaging.

Major industry and other partners: Canadian Space Agency, Agilent, UK PPARC, Cornell, CalTech.

Ontario Research Fund

Through the Ontario Research Fund, the McGuinty government is investing $527 million over five years. The fund is a key part of the government's plan to promote scientific excellence by supporting research that can be developed into innovative goods and services that will boost Ontario's economy. The Ontario Research Fund also helps researchers move new ideas from Ontario's labs to the global marketplace.

The Ontario Research Fund is designed to provide one window for research funding. Proposals for funding are evaluated through a competitive, peer-review process.

Through the Research Infrastructure program, the province matches the funding commitment made by the Canada Foundation for Innovation. Project funding is shared among the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (up to 40 per cent), the province (up to 40 per cent), and the research institutions and industry partners (at least 20 per cent).

For more information about the Ontario Research Fund, please visit www.ontario.ca/innovation.