UW breaks ground on Quantum-Nano Centre

June 9, 2008

The University of Waterloo has started construction of the $160-million Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre (QNC). The new centre will focus on two areas of science and engineering - quantum information technology and nanotechnology. Quantum deals with the atomic and sub-atomic levels, while nanotechnology deals with the fabrication and behaviour of materials, devices and systems in the size range of atoms or molecules, generally 100 nanometres or smaller.

"This is an exciting time for science and the University of Waterloo," said UW Chancellor Mike Lazaridis. "In addition to housing state-of-the-art research labs, this new building will provide a unique and cutting-edge environment that will bring together the brightest minds in basic and applied research to explore and advance quantum computing and nanotechnology."

The facility will be home to the Institute for Quantum Computing, the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology and UW's undergraduate program in nanotechnology engineering. It will be able to accommodate the needs of up to 400 academics, equally split between the quantum and nano sides, with most coming from the faculties of engineering, mathematics and science.

The five-storey facility will be the most complex scientific building on campus. Features include a 10,000-square-foot class 100 and 1000 clean room with fabrication facilities for quantum and nano devices, an advanced metrology suite, teaching and research laboratories, seminar rooms and offices.

Mechanical and electrical systems account for close to 50 per cent of the construction costs. The building will feature low vibration, low electromagnetic interference and radio frequency interference environments employing advanced structural, mechanical and electrical designs.

The Government of Ontario is providing $50 million for construction of QNC. Another $22 million is coming from a $50 million donation from the Lazaridis family. The remaining funding involves federal funding, private donations and university funds. The Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre is scheduled to open late in 2010 or early 2011.
www.uwaterloo.ca