Seven Queen's University research projects - ranging from Dark Matter to microelectronics to nuclear materials - have received a total of $42.7 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

"Once again Queen's has done remarkably well in an open competition for CFI funds, and I am truly impressed by the outstanding performance of our researchers in attracting such competitive funding in such a wide array of research areas," says Vice-Principal (Research) Kerry Rowe. "I am delighted that our top-notch talent will have the financial boost to further enhance their research programs."

The awards are part of a $666-million package (including $153 million for operating and maintenance costs) to support 133 projects at 41 institutions across Canada. Queen's receives 8.3 per cent of the total infrastructure funding, ranking third overall among recipients.

Four Queen's projects are funded through the Leading Edge Fund, which supports continuing, successful CFI initiatives.

CMC Microsystems, located on Queen's campus when it was launched in 1984 as a collaborative initiative among universities, NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) and industrial partners, has been awarded $19.3 million towards the development of equipment for research into a new generation of embedded computerized systems.

David Pichora (Orthopedic Surgery) receives $696,481 to support his work on integrated technologies for bone and joint health.

Jeanette Holden (Psychiatry) receives $1,709,465 for her work identifying genes associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other genetic disorders.

Kurt Kyser (Geological Sciences and Geological Engineering) has been awarded $1,996,087 to investigate the effects of the geosphere-biosphere interface on element migration.

Three Queen's projects are funded through the New Initiatives Fund, which supports new areas of research and technology development.

Mark Boulay (Physics) and co-investigator Mark Chen (Physics) will receive $10,561,628 toward their projects searching for Dark Matter particles and extending the experiments at the Sudbury Neutrino Laboratory.

Richard Holt (Mechanical and Materials Engineering) receives $6,997,920 in support of his work testing nuclear materials in a simulated reactor environment.

Kevin Robbie (Engineering Physics) has been awarded $1,452,360 to advance technology development and industrial applications of thin film coating.

The Canada Foundation for Innovation is an independent corporation created by the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure. A complete list of funded projects can be found on the CFI website.