Grants and Contributions

Advances exploratory research under the New Beginnings Initiative

Advances exploratory research under the New Beginnings Initiative

Advances exploratory research under the New Beginnings Initiative

Advances exploratory research under the New Beginnings Initiative

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) development is rapidly moving towards novel schemes that utilize preparation, manipulation, entanglement and sensing one electron at a time. One of the main motivations for such quantum-enhanced methods and instrumentation (QTEM) is the need for analysis of individual biomolecules beyond the Gaussian shot noise limit set by radiation damage of the molecules. Ultimately, a quantum-enhanced cryo-TEM of biomolecules is needed for targeted therapeutic drug design, revealing underlying protein-protein and protein-RNA/DNA interactions.

The Project, Quantum Enhanced Sensing in Transmission Electron Microscopy, or QuanTEM (Phase I), will develop the knowledge and instrumentation needed for realizing an ultrafast QTEM. This collaboration will place UA and NRC at the forefront of the nascent and rapidly growing field of QTEM.

The Project builds on and qualitatively expands our internationally recognized work in terahertz (THz) ultrafast transmission electron microscopy (THz-UTEM) and in diamond nanophotonics (DN), both supported by the NRC-UA NanoInitiative program, as well as CFI, NSERC, and Alberta Innovates. The intended outcome of QuanTEM (Phase I) is the development of methods and devices needed to generate, manipulate, and detect single-electron pulses. In parallel, the Project Team will investigate the effects of inelastic electron scattering on QTEM.

In the longer term, the Project Team envision QuanTEM (Phase II) that will expand the project further to demonstrate a sub-Poissonian single-electron source and entanglement of electrons with photons. The use of such entangled states is believed to enable extraction of information about microscopy samples with resolution beyond the Gaussian shot noise limit. This will in turn enable, for example, the study of biomolecules that cannot be prepared in large number of copies, rendering them unsuitable for x-ray and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis.

The QuanTEM project will provide the tools and methods to enable QTEM. Phase I of the project described in this proposal develops the knowledge and techniques required for facilitating electron-photon interactions in a TEM. This will be accomplished in part by developing custom electron-optics, ultrafast gating of single-electron pulses, and nanofabricated devices for mediating such interactions, including micromechanical, plasmonic and opto-mechanical structures. Much of this work will be performed in the NanoMi UTEM column housed in the Ultrafast Nanotools Lab at UA. However, a key highlight of the QuanTEM project is the donation of an entire transmission electron microscope column from RIKEN (Japan) for developing QTEM at NRC-QN. In addition, a complete femtosecond laser amplifier system will be provided by UA for installation directly next to the donated TEM column. These significant in-kind contributions to QuanTEM will greatly enhance the project and promote international collaboration in QTEM.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) are seeking a solution that will develop low-carbon construction materials prioritizing functionality and cost-efficiency, with an emphasis on concrete/cement and steel.

This grant represents Canada support to the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) program which support staffing of up to twenty JPO positions with young Canadian professionals in seven United Nations organizations (UNDP, UNFPA, WHO, UN Women, UNICEF, WFP and UNHCR.)

UN agencies will coordinate recruitment and assignment of up to 20 young Canadians to JPO positions within their organizations, with the following focuses:
UNDP emphasises on poverty eradication and serves as an integrator and operational backbone for the UN development system et the country level.
UNFPA promotes human rights and gender equality.
WHO focuses on health matters of global action against health emergencies and threats.
UN Women supports the advancement of gender equality and women’s empowerment both within the UN system and internationally.
UNICEF: advocates for the protection of children's rights and supports the rights of children to help fulfill their basic rights and expand opportunities so they can reach their full potential, including in emergency situations. UNICEF also works to protect children from violence and abuse.
UNHCR's leads and coordinate international action to protect refugees. Its work is essential to global efforts to help refugees and find solutions for refugees and other forcibly displaced people around the world.
WFP is the largest humanitarian organization fighting hunger and plays a vital role in providing humanitarian assistance that saves lives, alleviates suffering and preserves the dignity of people in countries affected by conflict and natural disaster around the world.

Canada's assessed contributions to the OSCE as determined by the OSCE Secretariat's Unified Budget (N.b. no Unified Budget has been agreed since 2021 and numbers remain the same since then)

This project provides funding for cooperation programs and activities carried out by The Organisation internationale de la francophonie (OIF) and its sub-entities operating under a specific mandate: the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), the Association internationale des maires francophones (AIMF) and Senghor University. These programs promote Canadian interests and are consistent with Canada's political and economic objectives within La Francophonie.

Canada's assessed contribution to NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO HEADQUARTERS)