Media

OTTAWA, July 28, 2010  —  Scientists at the National Research Council Canada and the University of Ottawa recently saw their efforts rewarded when they witnessed the breaking of a chemical bond, from a bird’s-eye view, as it made a scientific first.

The making and breaking of chemical bonds underlie the biochemical processes of life itself. By better understanding the quantum processes that cause chemical reactions, researchers may be able to discover new strategies in the design and control of molecules. This would ultimately result in scientific breakthroughs in health care and diagnostic medicine, quantum computing, nanotechnology, environmental science and energy. This breakthrough will be featured in the July 29 edition of Nature, a renowned international and interdisciplinary weekly journal dedicated to science.

The research was conducted at the Joint Attosecond Science Laboratory (JASLab), a strategic collaboration between the National Research Council and the University of Ottawa. Its shared laser facility is one of the world’s top laboratories in conducting research on the attosecond timescale.

The joint NRC and University of Ottawa research team behind the study includes group leader of the NRC attosecond science program David Villeneuve, attosecond science research associate Hans Wörner, graduate student Julien Beaudoin-Bertrand, Herzberg medalist Paul Corkum from the Department of Physics, and director of the NRC attosecond science program and visiting researcher Daniil Kartashov.

The collaborative relationship between the University of Ottawa and NRC is a prime example of a partnership that increases Canada’s public research base to maximize our competitive advantage.

About the University of Ottawa and the National Research Council

The University of Ottawa’s commitment to research excellence and interdisciplinary approach to innovation attract the best academic talent from across Canada and around the world.

NRC is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada in science and technology.

For more information, please visit the JASLab website