International Research Laboratories (IRL)
The Université de Sherbrooke is home to two international research laboratories between France and Canada. They are the fruit of several years of successful cooperation between the Université de Sherbrooke and the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS).
Nanotechnologies and Nanosystems Laboratory (Laboratoire Nanotechnologies et Nanosystèmes (LN2))
Created in 2012, the LN2 conducts research in the field of micro-nanotechnologies. The primary objective of the lab is to reinforce scientific and technological collaborations through exchanges conducted on bilateral projects within the student and research community. LN2 aims to produce integrated interdisciplinary research. It pro-actively develops original partnerships between industry and academia in an international context, particularly between France and Canada.
The fields of application are numerous: electronics, energy, health, transport, information and communication technologies, etc.
Research Activities
Research activities at the UMI-LN2 are organized around 3 technological axes:
- 3D Electronic Integration and Packaging
- BioMEMs
- On-Chip Energy Management
A cross-cutting research axis “Innovations in Nanotechnologies: Ethics, Uses, and Societies” is also conducted in close collaboration with humanities and social sciences researchers.
The LN2 has a primary site at the Interdisciplinary Institute for Technological Innovation (3IT) and dedicated spaces at the Université de Sherbrooke at the MiQro Innovation Collaborative Centre (C2MI) in Bromont. The LN2 also has mirroring sites in France through the Réseau National des Grandes Centrales Technologiques of the CNRS (RENATECH—National network of major technological centres) and laboratories of the Institut des sciences et de l’ingénierie des systèmes (INSIS—Institute of sciences and systems engineering).
LN2: Europe – North America Point of Contact
The LN2’s mode of operation is marked by various international scientific gatherings to maximize LN2’s unique positioning as a Europe–North America point of contact in the field of nanotechnologies/nanosystems. The LN2’s activities are also developed within the Réseau Francophone des Nanotechnologies (French nanotechnologies network) financed by the CFQCU (Conseil Franco-Québécois de la Coopération Universitaire — France-Quebec council for university cooperation).
Quantum Frontiers Lab
The Quantum Frontiers Lab is an International Research Laboratory (IRL) operated by France and Canada. Created in 2022, it stems from a collaboration that has been many years in the making between the Université de Sherbrooke and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).
Through the Quantum Frontiers Lab, both institutions are consolidating their positions as research leaders in quantum materials and quantum circuits and devices.
Research Activities
Under Professor Louis Taillefer, Director, and Cyril Proust, Assistant Director and CNRS Research Director, the research work of the Quantum Frontiers Lab focuses on two areas:
- Quantum materials
- Quantum circuits and devices
This new quantum IRL is also a prime location for the student community who will have the opportunity to work with world-renowned researchers. As this project will generate greater student exchange between Sherbrooke and France, the student community will also benefit from a vast range of positive impacts.
Complementary Expertise and State-of-the-Art Infrastructure
The Quantum Frontiers Lab’s strength lies in its composition. For 15 years, exceptional discoveries have resulted from the complementarity of the expertise of these two scientific communities. Access to a comprehensive research infrastructure in France, sharing of methods and approaches, the Université de Sherbrooke’s Institut quantique (IQ) and Quantum FabLab, are key elements in this collaboration.