A $149,950 Grant for Optics Research at Cégep André-Laurendeau

Blog

$149,950 Grant for Optics Research at Cégep André-Laurendeau

In April 2015, Cégep André-Laurendeau received a $149,950 grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), through Optech, the college technology transfer center (CCTT) based at the Cégep. The grant was awarded under the Applied Research Tools and Instruments (ARTI) Grants component of the College and Community Innovation (CCI) Program.

This funding allowed Optech to acquire high-precision equipment for the fabrication of optical lenses designed for specialized applications. With these tools, Optech can expand its service offering in research and foster collaborations with multiple local companies. The center aims to provide its partner companies with applied research support, from design and production to practical implementation.

The new equipment includes a diamond-tipped precision milling machine and control software for the fabrication of prototypes of asymmetric lenses, as well as other high-precision optical elements such as diffractive optics, microlenses, Fresnel lenses, and freeform optics with precision edges. These lenses are used in advanced optical, imaging, and illumination applications.

Key applications include:

  • Medical field: endoscopic probes, 3D scanners, and medical lasers
  • Information and communication technologies (ICT): optical switches, optical connectors, telecommunication lasers, and microlenses for smartphones
  • Aerospace: positioning beacons, gyroscopes, laser-based rangefinders
  • Interactive media: immersive systems, laser projectors, and motion scanners

The ARTI grants aim to support the purchase of research equipment and facilities, thereby strengthening the ability of colleges to conduct applied research and to foster innovation and training activities in collaboration with local businesses.

About Optech

Optech is a College Technology Transfer Center (CCTT) specializing in optics and photonics, with expertise in fiber optics and sensors, imaging and illumination, metrology, and microsystems. Integrated into Cégep André-Laurendeau, Optech helps companies innovate by providing expertise, applied research laboratories, and support in the development of products and processes.