Grants and Contributions:
Title:
Development of Interband Cascade Lasers and a multi-gas sensing platform for air quality monitoring applications
Agreement Number:
1039891
Agreement Value:
$365,475.00
Agreement Date:
Mar 12, 2026 - Mar 31, 2028
Description:
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.
Organization:
National Research Council Canada
Expected Results:
In the short term, anticipated outcomes will be strengthened collaborations across industry, academia, and government to support research excellence. In the medium term, anticipated outcomes will be the development of new and potentially disruptive technologies with collaborators. In the long term, find collaborative solutions to public policy challenges and create stronger innovation systems.
Location:
Edmonton, Alberta, CA T6E 5H5
Reference Number:
172-2025-2026-Q4-1039891
Agreement Type:
Contribution
Report Type:
Grants and Contributions
Recipient Business Number:
884019514
Recipient Type:
For-profit organization
Recipient's Legal Name:
Norcada Inc.
Federal Riding Name:
Edmonton Strathcona
Federal Riding Number:
48022
Program:
Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program - Collaborative R&D Initiatives
Program Purpose:
Collaborate on multiparty research and development programs to catalyze transformative, high-risk, high-reward research with the potential for game-changing scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs in priority areas.
NAICS Code:
541710 - R&D in the physical, engineering and life sciences