Grant: Canada Research Chairs

In physics, chemistry, and biology, many events occur in an extremely short time scale from nanoseconds (1 ns = 10^-9 s) to femtoseconds (1 fs = 10^-15 s). Unnoticeable in everyday life, these events nevertheless play important roles in controlling physical processes, chemical reactions, and metabolism. However, many of these dynamics are either non-repeatable or difficult to produce. They also have many parameters that are worth quantifying. To record and study them, conventional imaging methods, which require repetitive measurements, are either inapplicable or inefficient. Instead, we need ultrafast snapshot cameras with imaging speeds from millions of frames per second to trillions of frames per second to capture these unique and transient events during the time of their occurrence. However, even the most advanced cameras in this field are not competent. They are rather slow, restricted to taking one-dimensional images (i.e., a line), or capable of recording just a few frames. To overcome these limitations, this proposed Canada Research Chair program aims to combine ultrafast imaging with computational techniques. Its first objective is to develop a series of novel ultrafast computational imaging systems that can see how light interacts with various materials in just one snapshot. The second objective is to implement these systems in strategically important applications. In particular, the proposed study will shed light on how to build next-generation hard drives that can read and write at light speed, how to quantify the amount of microplastics in the environment, and how to diagnose and treat skin cancer at the earliest possible stage. Besides attractive technical and practical merits, this program will establish and reinforce multidisciplinary collaborations with 16 academic institutes. It will also attract 5 industrial partners to jointly explore the technology commercialization, which will inject new vitality into the innovation-driven economy in Québec and Canada. Furthermore, it aims to provide equitable and inclusive training that incorporates diverse backgrounds, personalized plans, hands-on practices, and advanced theories to 26 highly qualified personnel for the socioeconomic development of Canada. Finally, it perfectly fits into the strategic plans of INRS at both the center level and the university level. With a full endorsement, INRS will provide all the possible assistance for Prof. Liang’s pursuit of excellence via this program.