Infrastructure

The Alberta government has made significant investments in infrastructure to unleash innovation in the information and communications technology and life sciences sectors. The research and development infrastructure in Alberta offers excellent opportunities to test, pilot, and commercialize new applications. Here are some examples of key Alberta infrastructure and facilities:

National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT)
Canada’s premier nanotechnology research institute, a provincial-federal initiative, is an integrated, multi-disciplinary institution involving several hundred researchers in physics, chemistry, engineering, biology, informatics, pharmacy and medicine.

Integrated Nanosystems Research Facility (INRF)
A one-stop-shop at the University of Alberta for the design, construction and understanding of nanosystems, with a focus in four areas: nanofabrication; biomolecular synthesis for self-assembled nanosystems; nanoscale characterization-probes and microscopy; computational lab-design and modeling.

Alberta SuperNet
An ideal environment for the development of new broadband applications, the Alberta SuperNet connects over 4700 hospitals, schools, libraries, and government facilities in over 429 provincial communities through a fibre optic high-speed broadband network. Recognized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) as the most innovative global project of its kind, SuperNet provides the foundation for improved services in distance learning, telehealth, and e-commerce.

WestGrid
WestGrid, Canada’s largest high performance computing grid, provides high performance computing, networking, and collaboration tools for researchers in seven participating institutions in Western Canada. The distributed resources are connected by the research networks in British Columbia (BCNet), Alberta (NeteraNet) and across Canada (CA*net).

Alberta Centre for Advanced MNT Products (ACAMP)
ACAMP is a not for profit organization that provides specialized business services to micro/nanotechnology clients.  ACAMP’s services bridge the gap between researchers, small start-up companies and established firms that have a potentially viable product and the help needed in developing it into a profitable business opportunity.

Cybera A new provincial organization, Cybera Inc., facilitates access to Information and Communications Technology (ICT) resources, often referred to as cyberinfrastructure (CI). This includes existing ICT tools around the province as well as new resources acquired through partnerships with Alberta’s four universities, other public and private sector partners.