Cooperation between France and Quebec has just led to the creation of the LN2 (Laboratory of Nanotechnologies and Nanosystems), the first French-Quebecois international partner laboratory (LIA, laboratoire International Associé). The initiative is based on scientific relations that have been ongoing for several years. The laboratory was set up by CNRS, Lyons INSA, the Ecole Centrale de Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyons 1 University, Sherbrooke University, and the Montreal National Institute for Scientific Research.
The new facility will help develop collaborative ventures in several priority nanotechnology fields, which are booming in France and Canada, such as medical and environmental analyses (development of ultra-sensitive sensors for pollutant detection, molecule detection for the early diagnosis of diseases such as cancer). Another priority field concerns nanoelectronic and opto-electronics technologies that improve information processing for telecommunication systems and for biological and medical applications. Other fields include alternative energies for sustainable development (materials and production processes for low-cost energy, with a special focus on photovoltaic solutions and new generation hydrogen cells for embedded systems).
The LN2 whose strategy is based on a strong contingent of jointly supervised theses and researcher exchange will be relying on a network of flexible technological platforms that complement one another.
