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> Construction progress of new research facility prompts celebration
Construction progress of new research facility prompts celebration
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Marianne Meadahl/Carol Thorbes, Media & PR, 604.291.3210
Erica Branda, 4-D Labs, 604.291.3353
Marianne Meadahl/Carol Thorbes, Media & PR, 604.291.3210
Erica Branda, 4-D Labs, 604.291.3353
November 3, 2005
Construction of a new interdisciplinary research facility at SFU is well underway and to mark its progress, the university is celebrating.
The building site of the Technology and Science Complex Module 2, or TASC2, will take centre stage as officials, researchers and friends gather on Monday, Nov. 7 at 11:30 a.m. in the IRMACS atrium (applied sciences building) to view the construction progress and learn more about the kind of research that will advance in the new facility, slated for opening next fall. Stephen Owen, federal Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State for Sport, and Murray Coell, BC Minister of Advanced Education, will attend the event.
The $55 million project is one of several building projects reshaping the university. "The funding arrangements for the TASC2 project are unique in SFU's history," says Bill Krane, associate vice-president, academic and chair of the TASC2 building committee. "It is being funded primarily from the proceeds of SFU's bond issue, along with contributions from the federal and provincial governments and other internal sources, rather than relying on Ministry sources alone."
TASC2 will house 4-D Labs, a new research centre for new materials and nanoscale devices, MITACS (Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex Systems) as well as specialized labs and offices for the faculties of applied sciences, arts and social sciences, science and health sciences.
"The TASC2 module is a symbol of Simon Fraser University's radical foundation in interdisciplinary research," says Mario Pinto, SFU's vice-president, research. "It will bring together in the same community, molecular and cellular physiologists from the school of kinesiology, mathematics, information technology, and computing science researchers from the Faculty of Applied Science, virologists and immunologists from the Faculty of Health Sciences, chemical biologists and material scientists from the Faculty of Science, and psychologists from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences."
4-D Labs building will occupy about one-third of the 12,000 square-metre complex. It will house a core team of seven research groups that will work together and with external partners from industry and universities. Research teams will have access to state-of-the-art clean rooms, nanoimaging facilities, growth and characterization facilities and advanced spectroscopy equipment. A Visiting Scientists' Lab will enable face-to-face collaboration with external research groups. Funding for 4-D Labs facilities is being made available from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the BC Knowledge Development Fund and through the university's advancement efforts.
“This new facility will enable researchers from Canada and around the world to perform their cutting-edge work right here in British Columbia,” said Dr. Eliot Phillipson, president and CEO of the CFI. “The TASC2 will provide researchers with the tools they need to transform innovative ideas into leading-edge research that will benefit all Canadians.”
Adds Minister Coell: "The TASC2 complex will bring together a multi-disciplinary group of innovative researchers who will be working on the very cutting edge of research. Within this building they will have the labs, tools and skills to make the kind of breakthroughs that will not only benefit British Columbians but people around the world."
Renderings, a model of TASC2, and research displays will be available for viewing in the lower atrium. Lab models from 4-D Labs will also be on display.
-30-
Websites: www.4dlabs.ca
The building site of the Technology and Science Complex Module 2, or TASC2, will take centre stage as officials, researchers and friends gather on Monday, Nov. 7 at 11:30 a.m. in the IRMACS atrium (applied sciences building) to view the construction progress and learn more about the kind of research that will advance in the new facility, slated for opening next fall. Stephen Owen, federal Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State for Sport, and Murray Coell, BC Minister of Advanced Education, will attend the event.
The $55 million project is one of several building projects reshaping the university. "The funding arrangements for the TASC2 project are unique in SFU's history," says Bill Krane, associate vice-president, academic and chair of the TASC2 building committee. "It is being funded primarily from the proceeds of SFU's bond issue, along with contributions from the federal and provincial governments and other internal sources, rather than relying on Ministry sources alone."
TASC2 will house 4-D Labs, a new research centre for new materials and nanoscale devices, MITACS (Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex Systems) as well as specialized labs and offices for the faculties of applied sciences, arts and social sciences, science and health sciences.
"The TASC2 module is a symbol of Simon Fraser University's radical foundation in interdisciplinary research," says Mario Pinto, SFU's vice-president, research. "It will bring together in the same community, molecular and cellular physiologists from the school of kinesiology, mathematics, information technology, and computing science researchers from the Faculty of Applied Science, virologists and immunologists from the Faculty of Health Sciences, chemical biologists and material scientists from the Faculty of Science, and psychologists from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences."
4-D Labs building will occupy about one-third of the 12,000 square-metre complex. It will house a core team of seven research groups that will work together and with external partners from industry and universities. Research teams will have access to state-of-the-art clean rooms, nanoimaging facilities, growth and characterization facilities and advanced spectroscopy equipment. A Visiting Scientists' Lab will enable face-to-face collaboration with external research groups. Funding for 4-D Labs facilities is being made available from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the BC Knowledge Development Fund and through the university's advancement efforts.
“This new facility will enable researchers from Canada and around the world to perform their cutting-edge work right here in British Columbia,” said Dr. Eliot Phillipson, president and CEO of the CFI. “The TASC2 will provide researchers with the tools they need to transform innovative ideas into leading-edge research that will benefit all Canadians.”
Adds Minister Coell: "The TASC2 complex will bring together a multi-disciplinary group of innovative researchers who will be working on the very cutting edge of research. Within this building they will have the labs, tools and skills to make the kind of breakthroughs that will not only benefit British Columbians but people around the world."
Renderings, a model of TASC2, and research displays will be available for viewing in the lower atrium. Lab models from 4-D Labs will also be on display.
-30-
Websites: www.4dlabs.ca