Grant: Collaborative Research and Training Experience

A multi-institutional and international (Canada-German) training program is proposed around advances in controlling the flow of light. Three collaborating Canadian Institutions (UofToronto, INRS, ULaval) are partnering with the German institutes of Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU) and Fraunhofer Institute of Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF). The Canadian institutions represent the leading optical research-training centres in Canada, which in turn support a fledging Canadian industry and service sector in optics. The German institutions define the central hub for optics education, training and industry in Germany, opening doors for our trainees to connect forefront science with manufacturing innovation. The training rational seeks to lift PhD students out of research 'silos' that naturally are shaped by the limited resources and expertise found within individual labs, and enable higher impact research objectives that can harness the fuller spectrum of research expertise, advanced tools, and resources provided by our multi-institutional team. Our CREATE philosophy is to drive this research with strong expose to current industry practices, and participation in market-driven research activities through interaction with small and large Canadian industry and government partners. The key strategy with our German collaborators is to engage Canadian trainees early in their studies inside a world-leading place for optics education and manufacturing - Jena - The City of Lights. Trainees will participate in the highly acclaimed Fraunhofer model for technological innovation (IOF) and engage in German industry internships. The program will expose trainees to a much broader research experience, where research tools and resources will appear unlimited, where ideas can be tested and shaped amongst world leading experts with exceptional breadth in optics. The pathway ensures trainees will not only become future world leaders in optical research, but also be molded for creativity, innovation, technology transfer and commercialization of new optical devices, advanced manufacturing processes, and more functional products with promising benefits to multiple facets of Canada's manufacturing, communication, health and security sectors.