10 October 2012

Meeting at an annual seminar in Orford, more than 160 Canadian and French researchers from the micro-nanotechnology sector have officially formalized the creation of the first bilateral laboratory of the Centre national de recherche scientifique (CNRS) in North America, the Unité mixte internationale-Laboratoire Nanotechnologies et Nanosystèmes (UMI-LN2), which has mirror sites in France. The objective of this laboratory is to promote technological and scientific cooperation under Europe-Canada bilateral research projects during which researchers and students will reside overseas.

The focus is on three areas of research: 3D electronic integration and encapsulation, microsystems for biocaptors, and the management of microchip energy.

The UMI-LN2 directors foresee at least four positions in 2012 atUniversité de Sherbrooke. The presence of Canadian researchers at the French mirror sites will begin in 2014.

Presently, the Canadian portion of UMI-LN2 of Université de Sherbrooke includes 14 professors and researchers, 25 PhDs and 8 post-graduates, all working from the Université de Sherbrooke’s Institut interdisciplinaire d’innovation technologique (3IT). The first UMI-LN2 agreement, signed in June, 2011, covers a four year period, beginning January 1^st, 2012 and is renewable.

The UMI-LN2 is a partnership with Université de Sherbrooke, CNRS, Groupement d’intérêt scientifique Renatech(1), Institut national des sciences appliquées de Lyon, École centrale de Lyon, Université Joseph Fourier – Grenoble 1, Université Claude Bernard – Lyon 1 and CPE Lyon.

Source : Université de Sherbrooke