The training of a highly qualified next generation of talents is an important issue in many fields, and research is no exception. Drawing on his experience in the scientific and academic communities, Professor François Légaré will set up an ambitious project to create a sustainable learning ecosystem in the field of ultrafast laser science and technology.
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has just awarded the TrUST (Training in Ultrafast Science and Technology) team a 6-year grant of 1,650,000 Canadian dollars.
“NSERC is giving Professor Légaré’s team the opportunity to further enrich the training offer for a new generation of high-level researchers in Canada. This grant will contribute significantly to the development of knowledge networks and practices in this field of expertise.”
— Luc-Alain Giraldeau, Chief Executive Officer of INRS
This project is part of the Collaborative Research and Training Experience Program (CREATE) and brings together some 60 people from academia, government, and industry.
“This project is the outcome of a whole team’s work, which is very involved and passionate about science. Obviously, this is excellent news for this promising project for Canada and its international influence. We thank NSERC for supporting this learning project that meets the needs of the Canadian industry.”
— François Légaré
François Légaré has been the director of the Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre (EMT) since December 2022 and is used to large-scale projects. In fact, the Advanced Laser Light Source Laboratory (ALLS), which he manages, is involved in major international collaborations, including with LaserNetUS, set up by the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) of the US Department of Energy. This unique laboratory is a research infrastructure focused on the development of a new type of laser with revolutionary applications. It is a national centre for services available to users in research and industry.
In August 2022, the ALLS infrastructure received nearly $3.4 million from the federal government through the Major Science Initiatives Fund (MSIF) of the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). Since then, the lab has been equipped with new lasers, including the most powerful in Canada, and a modern clean room for medium-power lasers. This state-of-the-art infrastructure is already home to companies in the exploration phase that do not have the expensive lasers to develop new technologies.
Making research work for society and the economy
Ultrafast lasers and technologies are widely used in academic research across Canada. Areas such as spectroscopy, nonlinear and quantum optics, and biomedical imaging are just a few examples. Many of these advances are being rapidly adopted by the photonics industry in various sectors. Examples include automotive, aerospace, health, environmental monitoring, safety, public health, and security and defence.
Both established and start-up Canadian companies are using ultrafast lasers to manufacture advanced devices in this highly specialized industry sector. The company few-cycle Inc. located in our Varennes Research Centre is a good example.
These companies, some created by members of the INRS community, are developing new ultrafast lasers for manufacturing devices. The common thread they all share to ensure their growth is the availability of a highly skilled workforce. Companies that are particularly concerned are those with a business plan that includes transferring new technologies to a wider market. “By working closely with the industry, members of the research community can respond to these needs and contribute not only to the training of the next generation of talents but also to the socio-economic development of Canada,” explains the lead researcher of the project.
Accessible training options
Bringing together eleven researchers from eight academic institutions from coast to coast, the project is also supported by sixteen companies and ten socio-economic partners. The greatest positive impact of TrUST will be to overcome geographical barriers by connecting university researchers. High-level training will therefore be accessible to a wider pool of students and emerging professionals.
Such access will be even more beneficial as trainees will have access to scientists with a variety of backgrounds and expertise, as well as to companies from across Canada.
“All the conditions are right to allow new ideas to emerge, as well as to create opportunities and develop innovative projects. These collaborations can generate technological solutions to real problems. And our industrial partners will benefit from these innovations!”
— François Légaré
The project will rapidly offer a range of accessible seminars and virtual courses on the technical aspects and technologies of ultrafast science and technology, drawing on this combined expertise. A wide variety of professional skills including EDI, communication, leadership and management, sustainable development, intellectual property protection, and commercialization of innovation are also planned.
Activities to promote interaction between TrUST students and industrial partners will also be available to trainees. Finally, business start-up support will be offered.
A strong and diverse team for sustainable economic development
In addition to the excellence of the team of trainers, Professor Légaré and the co-applicants also made it a priority to take steps towards equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). “To make Canada a leader in the development and commercialization of science-based and ultrafast technologies, it is necessary to provide an inclusive and accessible research environment to train the next generation of talents needed in our knowledge economy,” concludes François Légaré.
Canada’s National Quantum Strategy
The grant is part of the government’s recently adopted first Canada’s National Quantum Strategy to maintain the country’s position as a world leader in the field. Specifically, the CREATE Program will help train, attract and retain the best quantum talent in Canada.
More broadly, these grant programs will enable more than 900 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to receive advanced training. They will also enable Canada’s top quantum researchers to participate in national and international research collaborations.
Three other INRS professors are receiving funding from the Alliance International Quantum grants. The research teams of Professors Fabio Boschini, Kenneth Beyerlein and Sharif Sadaf, from the EMT Centre, have been awarded $25,000 for their respective projects. This funding will help them establish and develop international collaborations and research projects in quantum science and technology.
François Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the awarding of nearly $51 million in grants to 75 researchers. These funds will be disbursed through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) Alliance Grants Program and Collaborative Research and Training Experience Program (CREATE).
