Located at Polytechnique, the laboratory -- the only one of its kind in Canada -- gives university researchers and industry members access to highly specialized equipment for implementing microsystems in such diverse applications as electronic medical devices, microelectromechanics and telecommunications.

This state-of-the-art facility represents enormous possibility: from respiratory stimulators to computer memory cards, Polytechnique now has the know-how and tools to design it!

An investment of  $8.2 million
The cost of the LASEM facilities is an estimated $8.2 million. For the most part, the budget came from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport (MELS), each of which contributed $3.175 million. Other significant contributions came from private-sector partners, including Victhom Human Bionics ($140,000). Tyco and Hitachi gave a substantial discount on equipment, and the Polytechnique itself invested $340,000 in the laboratory's construction. Université de Montréal and McGill University, along with several of their teaching hospitals, were also instrumental in the acquisition of the facility. "This kind of networking between the private and public sectors is ultimately what allows universities to fund their research," said Mr. Papineau.

"The advancements in microelectronics that this unique new facility will make possible will have a tremendous and lasting impact on Canada's R&D landscape," said Dr. Eliot Phillipson, President and CEO of the CFI. "The investment we are celebrating today will further enhance Canada's capacity to effectively compete in the global technology arena."

Equipped to break new scientific ground!
The highly promising laboratory facility is headed by Professor Sawan, whose discoveries and achievements have received numerous accolades (his visual cortex stimulation project was judged one of the year's 10 most important inventions by Québec Science magazine). The laboratory has been designed primarily to support the development of Smart medical devices (SMDs): their design, construction, testing and validation, from inception right through to clinical trials. Among these are devices designed to alleviate vision, hearing, respiratory, urological and epileptic disorders, as well as sensors for monitoring pressure, neural activity, organ volume, and changes around an implanted device. The lab setup may also be used for a variety of other applications.

Unique in Canada
The laboratory, located for the most part in Room A-345 at Polytechnique, is set up to meet the scientific and technological needs of new miniature devices. "The setup includes highly specialized equipment for designing electronic chips, printed circuits and various hybrids. The setup, custom-made by the manufacturer to automate chip assembly, is the only one of its kind in Canada. What's more, other equipment in the lab will allow the devices (especially SMDs) to be designed and assembled without having to resort to manufacturers who are often outside of Canada. As such, LASEM constitutes a profitable alternative for local businesses and universities", said Dr. Mohamad Sawan.

A key partner for local firms
The LASEM provides Québec and Canadian businesses working in the field of microelectronics (or any other field calling for the manufacturing of microelectronic devices) with the equipment and expertise needed to assemble prototypes and conduct preliminary trials. Since most of these businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises, investing millions in equipment before even being able to assess a project's viability can be problematic. LASEM, whose industrial-scale equipment forestalls any issues related to moving from prototype to production, will allow these firms to assess their projects much more quickly and effectively, and ultimately help them become more competitive.

Victhom Bionics: a world leader in human bionics
Victhom Human Bionics specializes in the development and commercialization of bionic devices aimed at improving the quality of life of individuals suffering from physical dysfunctions. The association with Dr. Sawan was a natural choice, given the latter's expertise in the field of biomedical engineering. With its dedicated research facilities, Victhom is in a position to advance knowledge in certain fields and push the envelope of possibility currently available to the public.  Research is currently underway to design a revolutionary prosthesis able to replicate the movement of a flesh-and-blood leg. 

Industry investments
In terms of equipment purchases, Polytechnique benefited from the invaluable support of industry partners. An agreement between Polytechnique and Tyco led to a significant discount of $500,000 on the purchase of an assembly line. Hitachi also made a generous contribution in offering a $210,000 discount on a scanning electronic microscope. A win-win situation for all: the LASEM represents a major technological showcase, and the research to take place there will allow both firms to test their equipment and perfect its performance and reliability.

Research programs
The LASEM facilities are intended for use by graduate students as well as by industry and other institutional members under research contracts. Through advanced processes in microstructure assembly, the research carried out stands to yield major innovations in numerous areas where microsystems are employed. The platform also facilitates collaboration between the university institutions involved and their respective health centres.

From creating new chips to developing corresponding hybrid circuits, microelectronics and microsystems are at the core of the innovation projects. Microsystems may involve microelectronics or electromechanical hydraulics calling for valves, pumps and reservoirs, any of which can require a dedicated microcontroller. The innumerable challenges and possibilities are harbingers of the revolutionary progress to come in the field of microelectronics.