Ontario has a research environment that is renowned for its collaborative approach and strong government support, which has made it a key R&D location for industry leaders.

With strength in nanobiology, nanomaterials, nanoelectronics and nano-related instrumentation, we have six centres across the province devoted to nanotechnology research and dozens more engaged in nanoscience.

• Western Institute for Nanomaterials Science
• London Centre for Nanotechnology
• Centre of Catalysis Research and Innovation
• Centre for Advanced Nanotechnology
• Centre for Research in Micro- and Nano-Systems

Our research centres are equipped with leading-edge facilities that contain comprehensive nanofabs and advanced characterization tools, including powerful electron microscopes. And we have the expertise to help companies design at the nanoscale.

For example, instrumentation is crucial to nanotechnology research, and the new Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy (CCEM) gives Ontario capabilities that can't be found anywhere else. At the heart of the facility, located at McMaster University, are two electron microscopes that are unequaled in the world for their resolution and capabilities to probe materials structures.

This unique instrumentation will enhance materials research in photonic applications, nanoelectronics, energy, environment, health, geo and nano-geo sciences. More than 100 researchers from 24 universities across Canada as well as 12 national laboratories use this state-of-the-art facility for academic and industry research - and they're collaborating with leading scientists around the world.

"McMaster has a long tradition of excellence in materials research," says Gianluigi Botton, the Centre's director, who points out that the new facility is closely linked to McMaster's respected Brockhouse Institute of Materials Research. "CCEM will enable us to build on our strengths and position Ontario as a recognized leader in the field of nanotechnology."