Miniscule microscope cuts out middleman

CMC Microsystems has announced that Professor Neil Sarkar of the University of Waterloo is the 2014 winner of the Douglas R. Colton Medal for Research Excellence. Professor Sarkar was recognized for his discovery and development of the world’s first single-chip Atomic Force Microscope.

AFMs are among the highest resolution microscopes available today, and are widely used in the nanotechnology industry to capture, measure and manipulate materials at the nanoscale. Dr. Sarkar’s device integrates all of the mechanical and electrical components of current AFM technology on a single chip, enabling performance comparable to expensive, state-of-the-art tools while operating at a fraction of the size and cost.

“Dr. Sarkar’s success in advancing his PhD research through to a functional, high-performance device represents the future of micro-nano innovation,” says Ian McWalter, President and CEO of CMC Microsystems. “He exemplifies of the spirit of the Colton Medal, and we are pleased to honour him with this award.”

Sarkar developed his micro-electrical-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology through the University of Waterloo’s Centre for Integrated RF Engineering (CIRFE), where he was able to design, prototype and test his device using CMC-provided design tools and manufacturing services, and MEMS and microelectronic fabrication processes provided by CIRFE. 

Barely visible to the naked eye, Dr. Sarkar’s minuscule microscope has the potential to enable precision manufacturing at the atomic level, with applications in the semiconductor, chemical, personal care product, biomaterial, pharmaceutical and food service industries. The technology is also being developed in a robust, low-cost form for use in high school and university labs.

A fellow of the Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, and a two-time winner of the Ernest C. Manning Foundation’s Young Canadian Innovation Awards, Dr. Sarkar is now commercializing his device through Integrated Circuit Scanning Probe Instruments (ICSPI), a startup company he co-founded. His company works extensively with Zyvex Labs, the world’s first nanotechnology company, where he worked for several years as a Senior Engineer. Dr. Sarkar’s work has been issued five U.S. patents, with two patents pending.

The award was announced at CMC’s Symposium 2014, the largest annual gathering of microsystems industry representatives in Canada. This year’s event, held at Hilton Lac Leamy in Gatineau, Québec was co-hosted by ITAC and the MiQro Innovation Collaborative Center (C2MI).   

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Power Up: It's Energy Day 2014

The Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE) is hosting an event for Energy Day 2014 that will feature an enlightening day of energy research presentations, poster displays, networking opportunities, researcher discussions, and a video contest.

The event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in DC 1301 and DC 1302. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. Complimentary refreshments will be provided.

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Fridges available to assist mothers on campus

A message from Professor Diana Parry, Special Advisor to the President on Women’s and Gender Issues.

The Office of the President is excited to announce that Waterloo female students (with an office), staff, and faculty now have a new resource at their disposal to assist breast feeding moms on campus.

Intended to address an identified lack of resources available on campus to support nursing mothers, two new Danby compact refrigerators can now be loaned out for the purposes of storing breast milk in individual offices. Each fridge measures approximately 18”x19”x20” and should fit easily on or below most tables. 

To make arrangements to have a fridge delivered, please contact Tony Bairos in Central Stores.  Users should be aware that all fridges must be cleaned thoroughly before being returned to Central Stores.

Members of the Waterloo community are encouraged to spread the word about this resource to women who may find it beneficial.  Questions should be directed to Dr. Diana Parry.  

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Roundtables held with regional campus partners

This is the latest in a series of #UWCommunity weekly features that highlight Waterloo in the community

With campus locations across the region from our School of Pharmacy in downtown Kitchener, our School of Architecture in Cambridge, and our Digital Media campus in Stratford, the University of Waterloo brings the energy and diversity of our students to these areas having a significant impact on our regional community. 

We are always looking for ways to enhance and strengthen our bonds with our community.  In an effort to do so, this fall President Feridun Hamdullahpur hosted roundtable discussions with leaders in both Stratford and Cambridge.  These discussions served as a formal check in with community leaders on our activities in each city and sought feedback on how Waterloo could become an even stronger partner.

Hosted at the Stratford campus on September 25, invited community leaders including local small businesses, the CAO of the City of Stratford, and non-profit organizations reflected on the progress of the University of Waterloo in Stratford since initial discussions in 2008.  Executive Director, Ginny Dybenko, encouraged participants to share their views about the continued relationship between town and gown in their community.  The community at large had an opportunity to continue this dialogue at a townhall meeting on October 9.

In Cambridge, the School of Architecture hosted a roundtable on October 15, 2014.  Among those participating in the discussion with Director Ila Berman were the CAO of the City of Cambridge and other senior leaders from the City, the office of Kathryn McGarry, MPP, and the local United Way and Community Foundation.  Opportunities to further engage architecture students in local initiatives were highlighted, and leaders noted that there is room to make local residents more aware of the presence of the University in their community.

In each community, leaders identified great interest in enhanced partnership and in accessing the vast resources of the University of Waterloo as a whole. President Hamdullahpur encouraged continued dialogue to ensure stronger communication, outreach and collaboration.

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Feedback sought on Dixon reappointment

The nomination committee for the position of Vice-President, University Research is currently seeking feedback on the reappointment of Professor George Dixon, who is currently serving his second term in the role, which will expire in June 2015.

The committee is of the view that compelling reasons exist for appointing the incumbent to an additional two-year term that will expire on June 30, 2017. The committee is interested in determining if there is strong support throughout the university for this reappointment.

According to the committee, the following are compelling reasons sufficient to justify reappointment:

• When the incumbent’s term was renewed in 2012, evidence gathered during the consultation process indicated exemplary performance by the incumbent.
• The university is in the midst of significant change in leadership positions, with a new vice-president, academic & provost, the prospect of four new deans by 1 July 2015, a search for a new associate provost, graduate studies, and the continuing process to identify a new vice-president, university relations. There is a compelling need for stability in the Office of Research in these circumstances.
• With the possibility of the Canada First Research Excellence Fund, and many other important research programmes, the university is presented with opportunities that are unique to this generation and hold transformational potential. It is vital to the university’s future that an experienced, dedicated leader be in place during this time.

All members of the university community are invited to submit their views on the reappointment of Dr. George Dixon as vice-president, university research for an additional two-year term.   Send your comments to University Secretary & General Counsel Dr. Logan Atkinson, secretary to the committee not later than Friday October 24.

Alternatively, you may correspond or speak with any member of the committee. Names of committee members and contact information can be found on the Secretariat & Office of General Counsel's website.

All submissions will be kept in the strictest confidence.

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