UWinnipeg chemist Dr. Chris Wiebe and physicist Dr. Blair Jamieson received Research Manitoba 2020 CFI Innovation Fund Matching Program grants, supporting Manitoba’s vital contribution to innovative, multi-institutional world-class research.
“The capital investment in scientific research tools at UWinnipeg enabled by the Research Manitoba contribution creates well-equipped research groups who develop technologies that enable Manitoba contributions to future advancements in science, medicine and industry,” said Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Dr. Jino Distasio.
Building a Future for Canadian Neutron Scattering
Dr. Christopher Wiebe received a $300,000 Research Manitoba 2020 CFI Innovation Fund Matching Program grant for his project, Building a Future for Canadian Neutron Scattering.
This large, multi-institutional $47 million project brings together experts from across Canada to renew access to neutron scattering beamlines.
Wiebe is thankful to receive provincial support for this multi-institutional, national project.
“As a co-principal investigator on the grant, The University of Winnipeg is now a key player in the Canadian Neutron Scattering community,” said Wiebe. “It is very important for COVID research; developing new batteries, discovering when pipelines fail, and designing technologies of the future.”
Wiebe has been involved with the Canadian Institute for Neutron Scattering (CINS) for the past ten years, and was president of the organization when this project first came into being.
“It is very gratifying to see this project get funding,” he said. “After the closure of the Chalk River reactor, scientists such as myself had a hard time getting access to neutron beams to try to understand the structure of materials,” he explained.
Intermediate Detector for the Hyper-Kamiokande Neutrino Oscillation Experiment
Dr. Blair Jamieson received a $174,500 Research Manitoba 2020 CFI Innovation Fund Matching Program grant for his project, Intermediate Detector for the Hyper-Kamiokande Neutrino Oscillation Experiment. This adds to the major funding announcement that took place in early March.
The opportunity for Manitoba scientists to take a leading role in Hyper-K, this CFI project will play an important part in maintaining Manitoba leadership in fundamental science. This benefits Manitobans and researchers across Canada.
“The UWinnipeg facility will allow local researchers to contribute to large international detectors like the IWCD in a meaningful way,” said Jamieson. “This will put Manitoba on the map as a place with world-class particle physics researchers. I’m excited that the Winnipeg neutrino physics group and the students working in my group will be able to have such a large impact on this international project.”
This Research Manitoba funding is supported by an annual grant from the Manitoba Department of Economic Development and Jobs.
