Canada's leadership role in pioneering the rapid and cost-effective transition of Micro and Nano-Technologies (MNT) from the laboratory to Aerospace system applications has been well recognized by institutions within the CANEUS member countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

CANEUS is founded on a core philosophy that the creation of a smoothly and efficiently functioning MNT development pipeline requires strong collaboration among all of its “stakeholders.” The international community is fully supportive of CANEUS' mission, of bringing together the world community to find rapid, cost-effective ways to transition emerging MNT concepts to Aerospace applications by developing system-level prototypes.

CANEUS’ unique approach to transitioning emerging nanotechnologies from the proof-of-concept stage through to system-level implementation in aerospace applications provides its members with unequalled opportunities for networking and participation in the exciting activities leading to the development of MNT-based aerospace systems. These activities include investment, design, manufacturing, system integration, and reliability testing.

CANEUS WORLDWIDE NETWORK

CANEUS offers four primary levels of stakeholder membership. These are individual memberships, institutional memberships, corporate memberships and governmental memberships.

Individual members represent a diverse community of academics, engineering and management professionals, business executives and governmental policy makers, all united with a common purpose of transitioning emerging MNT concepts, rapidly and cost-effectively, to aerospace applications.

Institutional members include universities and non-profit research institutions that are mostly involved in early Technology Readiness Level (TRL) research and development of MNT concepts.

Corporate members include for-profit companies and organizations developing high TRL systems for use in aeronautics, space and defense applications. 

Governmental members include nations with vibrant aerospace industries seeking to establish a policy framework under which international collaborations aimed at jointly developing MNT-based aerospace systems can be actively pursued.

CANEUS MNT PILOT PROJECTS & WORKING GROUPS

As a "hands on" organization, CANEUS is focused on the practical aspects of transitioning MNT rapidly and efficiently from concept to product level. CANEUS achieves its transition strategy via the creation of Pilot Projects in promising MNT development areas. The Pilot Projects are generated from concepts submitted by the CANEUS membership and debated at the CANEUS Conferences and Working Groups.  Some Pilot Projects are so far reaching that they require a broad program of initiatives, developments and industry coordination.

Prior to the generation of any CANEUS Pilot Project, an industry Working Group is created in the relevant topical area. The CANEUS Working Groups are standalone, non-profit advocacy organizations. Each Working Group generates its own income from a combination of membership dues, government/corporate grants and licensing revenues. 

CANEUS is currently organizing Industry Working Groups as follows:

• Small Satellite Working Group
• Fly by Wireless Working Group
• Harsh Environment Sensors Working Group
• Reliability Working Group
• Nano-Composite Materials Working Group
• Micro-Energy Working Group
• Bio-Astronautics Group

These international consortia will lead to a win-win situation for participating organizations and further enable promotion of partnership between nations for synergizing the core competence of multiple nations.

CROSSCUTTING AREAS OF STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE

Space technology development also touches the following critical areas of strategic importance to Canada and drives cutting-edge research in these areas because of the very stringent requirements.

• Environmental science and technologies;
• Natural resources and energy;
• Health and related life sciences and technologies; and
• Information and communications technologies.

CANEUS has recognized these as key areas within which to initiate Working Groups to promote partnerships between academic institutions and industry and thereby enable rapid, cost-effective transition of laboratory research to commercial products.