Cameco makes major equipment donation to UOIT
June 20, 2008
The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) was honoured last week as Cameco Corporation, an established partner of the university, donated a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to the school's Office of Research Services. The donation will enhance research opportunities at UOIT, while also promoting hands-on opportunities for the university's students.
"We take great pride in our growing partnership with Cameco, and this donation is another significant step forward in building UOIT's research capacity," said Dr. Kamiel Gabriel, associate provost of Research at UOIT. "This innovative tool will not only provide essential lab courses for our students, but will also enhance our opportunities to leverage additional research work for the university."
Faculty and graduate students will greatly benefit from the addition of the SEM. It will assist in enhancing their existing research in the area of materials science and surface engineering. Students will learn how to operate the powerful tool, which can be used for numerous research applications including morphological analysis, nanotechnology and forensic science.
The microscope is being housed in the Cameco SEM Laboratory in the Science building. The lab was specially renovated and converted to accommodate the microscope's requirements for exposure to very low magnetic fields.
Representatives from Cameco joined faculty members at UOIT's campus last week to tour the new lab housing the SEM, which also features an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, a microanalytical tool attached to the microscope to enhance its already enormous research capabilities.
"We are very pleased that our SEM has found a new home," said Dr. Mike Murchie, manager, Research Centre, Innovation and Technology Development, Cameco. "After seeing it installed at UOIT, I am confident that it will serve researchers and students for many years to come. It is truly a good news story for both Cameco and UOIT."
UOIT was chosen by Cameco as the recipient of the SEM after receiving the university's comprehensive submission, stating its unequivocal commitment to gaining the instrument to further develop its research infrastructure.
This donation further strengthens the existing partnership between UOIT and Cameco. In April 2007, the university announced that it had been chosen to create the $1.5 million Cameco Research Chair in Nuclear Fuel. The chair was awarded to Dr. Brian Ikeda, an associate professor with the Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, along with co-Chair, Dr. Scott Nokleby, assistant professor with the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.
Cameco's generous gift is another example of the partnerships and collaborations that UOIT is continuing to attract through its strong national reputation for research excellence. UOIT researchers have earned millions of dollars in awards, grants and prestigious Canada Research Chairs.
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