The new microscope, to be located in the Centre for Characterization and Microscopy of Materials (CM)2, headed by Gilles L’Espérance, Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Industrial Engineering, will allow materials scientists to better understand the physics of materials; for example, how their microstructure determines the performance of various components. It will also provide opportunities for researchers and businesses in all engineering sectors to develop materials. Lastly, it will help improve businesses’ capacity for innovation through technology transfers thanks to the many research projects conducted in partnership by Polytechnique researchers.

“Helping businesses and SMEs grow and innovate so they can become more competitive and create good-quality jobs is a core priority for us. That is why we are giving our support to Polytechnique Montréal, a Montréal-based engineering training and research establishment that provides businesses with technology transfer services,” says the Honourable Pascale St‑Onge, Member of Parliament for Brome-Missisquoi, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for Québec Regions. “By leveraging these innovative projects and prioritizing the adoption of cleaner energy processes, we are providing concrete assistance to businesses as they carve out a place for themselves in the economy of tomorrow. Congratulations to the entire Polytechnique Montréal team on the success of your institution, which is raising the profile of the Montréal region and sharing knowledge across the country and internationally.”

Rachel Bendayan, Member of Parliament for Outremont and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, notes: “By investing in improved processes among businesses and SMEs through collaboration and diverse partnerships at Polytechnique Montréal, our government is following through on its commitments and enabling businesses to grow and innovate. By helping SMEs to become more innovative and competitive and by boosting innovation to develop greener technologies and products, we are paving the way for the jobs of tomorrow.”

For her part, Maud Cohen, President of Polytechnique Montréal, states: “We thank Canada Economic Development for Québec Regions for this significant support, which will enable us to provide our researchers and their industrial partners with easy access to a cutting-edge device as yet unmatched in performance in Québec, as well as indispensable scientific expertise to interpret the results.” She continues: “Thanks to our long tradition of collaborating with industry to conduct research, this powerful tool to develop materials will enable us to strengthen our collective capacity to innovate in this highly strategic field.”

New leading-edge device

The microscope is in the process of being installed at the (CM)2 and will be operational in February 2023.

“I am delighted by this news and grateful to Canada Economic Development for Québec Regions for its support,” says Professor Gilles L’Espérance. “This leading-edge device will enable us to take our research to the next level, at the nanometric and even the atomic scale. This acquisition paves the way for development of new fundamental knowledge that will allow us to develop, in collaboration with our industrial partners, the new materials and manufacturing processes that will be essential for the economy and technologies of tomorrow.”

Learn more

Department of Mathematics and Industrial Engineering website (in French)
Canada Economic Development for Québec Regions website