Grants and Contributions

The Project aims to develop the Interband-Cascade-Laser (ICL) technology, to enable the design and fabrication of ICLs in the 4.2-4.6 μm wavelength range. A portable multi-gas sensing platform will be developed using the ICLs for environmental monitoring applications. ICLs are highly desirable for tunable laser gas sensing applications due to the strong absorptions of many gas species in the mid-IR region, making them ideal for compact laser gas sensors. In this collaborative research project, the mid-IR laser team at the NRC QN Research Centre (QNRC) will focus on developing ICL gain chips targeting 4.23 μm wavelength for CO2 sensing, while Norcada will carry out packaging and testing work to assess performance and support the ICL gain chip development work at QNRC. Norcada will further develop its tunable laser gas sensor into a portable multi-gas sensing platform and move towards commercialization by targeting air quality and continuous emission monitoring applications.

Climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme heat events are placing unprecedented stress on large-scale infrastructure and commercial buildings. Rising electricity demand during peak periods threatens the reliability of essential services and constrains the transition toward electrified heating systems and vehicle fleets. At the same time, expanding grid capacity is limited by resource constraints. This research addresses these challenges by reducing operational energy use and mitigating peak demand through the integration of alternative energy sources. The project pursues four key objectives: (1) deploying and demonstrating advanced control strategies to optimize building operations; (2) validating occupant‑centred optimization methods that lower energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while preserving comfort; (3) designing, modelling, and prototyping alternative energy systems; and (4) developing and demonstrating solutions that enhance energy flexibility and resilience. Collectively, these efforts aim to reduce energy use and emissions, supporting progress toward achieving net‑zero Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

Advances exploratory research under the New Beginnings Initiative

Participation in the Canadian medical biotechnology co-innovation mission to the Eureka Global Innovation Summit and Swiss Biotech Day in Switzerland – May 3 to 8, 2026. Delegation led by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to develop international partnerships and potential project ideas under the Eureka Programs.

Participation in the Canadian medical biotechnology co-innovation mission to the Eureka Global Innovation Summit and Swiss Biotech Day in Switzerland – May 3 to 8, 2026. Delegation led by the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) to develop international partnerships and potential project ideas under the Eureka Programs.

The Project aims to overcome fundamental limits in quantum communication and establish Canada as a leader in quantum networking. Today’s systems are restricted by photon loss in fibers, where the so-called PLOB bound sets the ultimate limit for secure direct communication. The project team’s approach introduces a multimode, cavity QED-based repeater architecture with chiral light-matter coupling. This enables highly efficient entanglement distribution, directional photon interactions, and multiplexed quantum memory. These advances are expected to surpass the PLOB bound by 3–5 dB over metropolitan fiber networks—representing the first experimental violation of this theoretical limit. Unlike incremental progress pursued elsewhere, the Project uniquely integrates secure quantum communication with quantum?enhanced sensing and metrology within NRC’s testbed as a general quantum networking infrastructure. Potential applications include entanglement-assisted interferometry for astronomy and defense, quantum key distribution, and fault-tolerant distributed computing. By creating deployment-ready, modular infrastructure, the project directly supports Canada’s National Quantum Strategy and positions the country at the forefront of global quantum technology

Expand sales and production capacity for light electric vehicle component manufacturer

This grant supports the Qay’llnagaay Heritage Centre Society with improving acoustic and auditory accessibility in the Haida Heritage Centre’s multi-purpose classrooms.

This contribution supports K̲’aayx̲ada Adventure Camp, an outdoor education program offering all Grade 9 students on Haida Gwaii an opportunity to experience Gwaii Haanas. Students learn about cultural and ecological interconnections of land, sea and people in Gwaii Haanas through activities and connecting with the Haida Gwaii Watchmen. This fosters continuity of Haida culture, and helps create future forest and marine stewards.

Canada Arts Presentation Fund - Programming Support