UNews - Dr. Foster James Penny Building

U of L’s cryogenic testing facility will be unique in Canada

caroline.zentner — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 17:05:18 +0000

Funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation will help position the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge as a leader in cryogenic testing and open the doors to participation in future space missions.

The $150,000 announced today will go towards the purchase of a cryogenic testing facility (CTF) capable of testing instruments destined for space to ensure they work at very low temperatures. The total cost of the project, led by the U of L’s Dr. David Naylor, is slightly more than $375,000. The province is expected to contribute $150,000 to the project, with the final 20 per cent provided by the prime manufacturer, Quantum Technology, and funding from the European Union.

An example of the cryogenic testing facility

The Herschel telescope, active from 2009 to 2013, has provided the most detailed observations to date of the far infrared universe where stars and galaxies form. However, Herschel’s sensitivity was limited because of the relatively warm temperature of the telescope itself. Although cooled to approximately 80 Kelvin (-193 C), the telescope contributed a significant background noise component, against which the weak signals from distant galaxies had to be extracted, sort of like having a construction crew working in the background while an orchestra plays a symphony.

Obtaining more detailed pictures of the far infrared universe is possible if the telescope and all the on-board instrumentation can be operated at approximately 4 Kelvin (-269 C). The U of L’s CTF will allow for larger instruments to be tested in extremely cold conditions to ensure they work before being sent into space.

“The CTF will allow us to cool an instrument bigger than a large toaster oven,” says Naylor, a U of L physics professor and Board of Governors Research Chair. “We’ve never been able to do this before. We’ve been able to cool small things but this will allow us to cool very large instruments that will go into space.”

Naylor’s team, which has previously designed and built instrumentation that has gone into space, has the necessary expertise in low-temperature testing.

“There are a number of new space astronomy missions in the pipeline and all of them require that the instrumentation you use be cooled to exquisitely low temperatures,” says Naylor.

The CTF is a complex structure that will be installed in Naylor’s lab in ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Hall, with delivery expected sometime this spring.

“Right now, you test components in labs around the world and then you put them all together and you hope the integrated instruments work as you expect,” says Naylor.

The CTF is being designed to provide the most flexibility it can, given the rapid pace of technology development.

“We plan to participate in different space projects but each instrument will be of a different size and shape so this test facility has to accommodate instruments that people haven’t even thought of yet,” says Naylor. “It brings new equipment to our arsenal that doesn’t exist in Canada and positions us to become a partner of choice on future space missions from any space agency.”

Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), announced more than $35 million in research infrastructure funding for 37 universities across the country today.

“In our government’s updated Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy, we are making record investments necessary to push the boundaries of knowledge, create jobs and prosperity and improve the quality of life of Canadians. Canada has become a destination of choice for highly talented scientific researchers thanks in part to our support for world class university and college infrastructure which helps train the next generation of Canadian research talent,” says Holder.

Naylor will be talking about investing in space exploration Thursday evening as part of the PUBlic Professor Series. The event, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the U of L’s Dr. Foster James Penny Building at 324 5 St. S., is free and everyone is welcome to attend.

President Mahon outlines vision for U of L at inaugural Community Town Hall

trevor.kenney — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 23:47:19 +0000

Three weeks after delivering his annual Fiat Lux Address to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge president Dr. Mike Mahon addressed southern Albertans, Wednesday evening, sharing key future directions for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

In his address, delivered at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s Dr. Foster James Penny Building in downtown Lethbridge, Mahon spoke about the U of L’s impact on the City of Lethbridge both economically and in terms of community engagement.

Mahon's address to the community reflected many of the themes he first presented at the Fiat Lux Address in October.

In addition to sharing that the U of L has an economic impact of $1.7 billion annually in the province and $801 million within the city of Lethbridge, Mahon also addressed new community initiatives, such as the collaboration with Volunteer Lethbridge.

“This partnership (with Volunteer Lethbridge) will create opportunities for an enhanced connection to the community and greater opportunities for our students to engage in volunteer activity,” said Mahon. “We believe this type of community engagement greatly benefits a student’s academic experience. Despite funding issues, we continue to move forward on ensuring our programs are of the highest quality and on the development of innovative, new degree pathways at the undergraduate and graduate levels.”

Mahon took the opportunity to thank the community for its advocacy on behalf of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ since the U of L had its Campus Alberta operating grant cut in March.

“I think it is fitting that today the Alberta government made a significant reinvestment in our sector - a 2.6 per cent in-year increase to the U of L - the same day this speech was scheduled,” said Mahon. “I am incredibly grateful to the many members of senior administration, our faculty, students, Board of Governors, Senate and the public who advocated so passionately on the importance of post-secondary education to the future of our province.”

Mahon added that while uncertainty remains in its budget landscape, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ could take solace in positive enrolment numbers, which reinforce the tremendous national and international reputation earned by the U of L.

This fall, more than 8,300 students are enrolled at the U of L’s Lethbridge, Calgary and Edmonton campuses. That number includes more than 1,100 first-year high school graduates, an increase of 11.3% over last year. In addition, the U of L is quickly becoming a university of choice for graduate students from across the country and around the world as demonstrated by an increase of 16.4% in graduate student enrolment.

Despite an uncertain budget landscape, Mahon said it was important for the U of L to remain forward-looking to ensure the future success of the institution. He said the U of L is currently revising its strategic plan to help guide the university in the future.

The draft strategic plan outlines five familiar priorities, shared Mahon. They are to excel as a comprehensive university, continue enhancing the student experience, promote access to quality post-secondary education, build our internal community while enhancing those valuable, productive relationships with external communities and enhance the sustainability of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

In looking to the future, Mahon spoke about how the Destination Project, which includes the construction of new science facilities, will be transformational for the U of L, and also for the city.

“We have considered the concept of the new science facility as more than a teaching and research space but a place for community engagement and outreach,” said Mahon. “A research incubator, a place where undergraduate and graduate research opportunities flourish, where knowledge transfer and commercialization happen; a place the next generation of researchers, scientists and scholars credit for the start of their science careers.”

Making an address to the community is an important activity said Mahon, recognizing the important role that community leaders have played in establishing and ensuring the growth of the U of L.

“The U of L was founded in 1967 thanks to the persistence of a forward-thinking group of citizens who believed southern Alberta merited its own university. While a lot has changed in 46 years, I’m happy to say that the commitment of this community to the U of L has remained a constant,” said Mahon. “Your unwavering support has enabled the U of L to become one of Canada’s most outstanding universities and for that we are incredibly grateful.”

Say Cheese

trevor.kenney — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 18:15:58 +0000

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a photo at Christmas could fill volumes.

That's why a group of U of L alumni – headed by professional photographer Rod Leland (BFA '09) – teamed up in December to bring Help-Portrait to Lethbridge. The global movement calls upon professional photographers and other volunteers to work together to create portraits for families in need.

Members of Help-Portrait Lethbridge, which was organized by alumnus Rod Leland (far right).

"It's really easy to focus on things like having food on your table and a roof over your head at Christmas, but I think the positive memories can be just as important," says Leland. "One of the ways we can create those memories for people is giving them the experience of a family photo."

The Dec. 3 event was held at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Dr. Foster James Penny Building in downtown Lethbridge. Nine photographers, four stylists and a dozen other volunteers, including U of L staff and alumni, were on hand to ensure 40 clients walked away with fantastic photos – and happy memories.

Reactions ran the gamut, says Leland. Some people were thrilled to have their hair and makeup done professionally, while others were ecstatic to have pictures of their kids. A few clients had never been photographed professionally.

Alumnus Jaime Vedres (left) shows off some of the photos.

"A lot of people were speechless – they just didn't know what to do or say, especially when they were handed their print," says Leland.

When words failed, hugs were happily given and received.

UNews - Dr. Foster James Penny Building

U of L’s cryogenic testing facility will be unique in Canada

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President Mahon outlines vision for U of L at inaugural Community Town Hall

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Say Cheese

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