Reference number : GC-2017-Q1-00544, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Boudreau, Denis (Université Laval), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Quebec|Québec, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Engage Plus Grants for Universities, program name french : Subvention d'engagement partenarial Plus pour les universités, program purpose english : In just a few years, optogenetics, i.e., the ensemble of techniques that use light to control the function of_x000D_
genetically-modified excitable cells (typically neurons) in living tissue, has become a preferred research tool in_x000D_
neuropsychology and neuroscience, as well as a rapidly expanding market with billions of dollars invested in_x000D_
major brain-related projects and institutes worldwide. Doric Lenses is one of the main players in this field, with_x000D_
sales growth of 25% per year during the last 5 years. One of Doric's flagship products is a wearable_x000D_
miniaturized fluorescence microscope that allows observation of neural circuitry within freely moving animals_x000D_
such as mice. One of the key components of this microscope is a GRIN (gradient-index) relay lens inserted in_x000D_
the brain tissue. Such lenses are made by an ion exchange technology that is time consuming, difficult to_x000D_
control and currently out of reach for Doric Lenses. During this ENGAGE Plus project, we will continue our_x000D_
development and testing of a new fabrication process based on sol-gel chemistry in order to provide GRIN_x000D_
preforms with smoother index profiles. Doric will integrate this fabrication method into its manufacturing_x000D_
process for GRIN lenses. In time, it will allow improving the performance of current collimating lenses for_x000D_
laser diodes and provide high quality lenses for miniature fluorescence microscopes for calcic imaging of_x000D_
neuronal activity, thereby strengthening Doric's competitive position in the rapidly growing_x000D_
neuroscience-related industry., program purpose french : In just a few years, optogenetics, i.e., the ensemble of techniques that use light to control the function of_x000D_
genetically-modified excitable cells (typically neurons) in living tissue, has become a preferred research tool in_x000D_
neuropsychology and neuroscience, as well as a rapidly expanding market with billions of dollars invested in_x000D_
major brain-related projects and institutes worldwide. Doric Lenses is one of the main players in this field, with_x000D_
sales growth of 25% per year during the last 5 years. One of Doric's flagship products is a wearable_x000D_
miniaturized fluorescence microscope that allows observation of neural circuitry within freely moving animals_x000D_
such as mice. One of the key components of this microscope is a GRIN (gradient-index) relay lens inserted in_x000D_
the brain tissue. Such lenses are made by an ion exchange technology that is time consuming, difficult to_x000D_
control and currently out of reach for Doric Lenses. During this ENGAGE Plus project, we will continue our_x000D_
development and testing of a new fabrication process based on sol-gel chemistry in order to provide GRIN_x000D_
preforms with smoother index profiles. Doric will integrate this fabrication method into its manufacturing_x000D_
process for GRIN lenses. In time, it will allow improving the performance of current collimating lenses for_x000D_
laser diodes and provide high quality lenses for miniature fluorescence microscopes for calcic imaging of_x000D_
neuronal activity, thereby strengthening Doric's competitive position in the rapidly growing_x000D_
neuroscience-related industry., agreement title english : Fabrication method for miniaturized imaging gradient index lenses, agreement title french : Fabrication method for miniaturized imaging gradient index lenses, agreement number : EGP2, agreement value : 8689.0, agreement start date : 2017-06-14, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year. (2017-2018 to 2018-2019), additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier. (2017-2018 à 2018-2019), owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada