Applied research on sensor development and system integration, automation, machine learning/artificial intelligence (ML/AI)-based real-time data analytics, software-hardware interfacing, simulation, prototyping, testing, and characterization.
The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Centre for Sensors and System Integration (CSSI) transforms industry challenges into breakthrough solutions. The expert team of applied scientists, engineers, and technologists specialize in sensor technologies, prototyping, product enhancement, automation, testing, and characterization services under real-world conditions.
Whether automating manual processes, trialing existing technology in revolutionary ways, or developing entirely new devices, the team thrives on turning ambitious ideas into practical reality.
The 9,000 sq. ft. facility houses three state-of-the-art labs equipped with cutting-edge technology. They collaborate with organizations of all sizes across diverse industries, taking projects from initial concept through physical design to full implementation. Their unique blend of academic rigor and industry expertise ensures solutions that are both scientifically sound and commercially viable.
Areas of expertise include:
• Microlectronics and embedded systems
• Optoelectronics and laser spectroscopy
• Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and real-time data analytics
• Multiphysics Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulation
• Prototyping and system integration
• 5G cellular technologies
• Remote sensing
• Software integration and user interfacing
• Robotic applications
• Environmental monitoring, fugitive emissions, and greenhouse gas (GHG) quantification
• Opto-electro-mechanical sensor deployment and system integration
• Embedded system design and implementation
• Automation and digitization of industrial operations
• Design and simulation of devices and systemsInternet of Things (IoT) applications
• 5G cellular technology
• Materials testing and characterization
• Environmental chamber testing
• Prototyping, fabrication, and installation services
- Agriculture, animal science and food
- Clean technology
- Energy
- Environmental technologies and related services
- Forestry and forest-based industries
- Information and communication technologies and media
- Manufacturing and processing
- Mining, minerals and metals
Specialized labs and equipment
| Specialized lab | Equipment | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Micro/Nano technology Lab | TESCAN VEGA3 LMU Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) | Produce images of a sample by scanning the surface with a focused beam of electrons. |
| Micro/Nano technology Lab | Multi-Target DC Metal sputter deposition system | Thin-film PVD-coating technique where the coating is bombarded with ionized gas molecules causing atoms to be “sputtered” off into the plasma. It is used extensively in the semiconductor industry to create microchip circuitry on the molecular level. |
| Materials alteration/machining lab | Sentek L0620M-PAS106/AIF/DMF Vibration Test System | Ideally suited to vibration-test small electronic parts, connectors, hand-held units, and mechanical assemblies. It simulates real-world industrial environments and is designed to endure severe vibration and shock forces and extreme temperature conditions while testing. |
| Materials alteration/machining lab | Stratasys F370 Plastic 3D Printer | Rapid prototyping for the manufacturing or medical devices industries. It uses FDM technology where parts are built layer by layer by heating and extruding thermoplastic filament. It prints in multiple plastics (ABS, PLA, ASA, PC ABS, FDM TPU 92A) in extremely precise 0.005 in. layer thicknesses. |
| Materials alteration/machining lab | Artec Space Spider 3D scanner | High-resolution 3D scanner based on blue-light technology to accurately capture small objects or the intricate details of larger industrial objects in high resolution, with steadfast accuracy and brilliant color. |
| Materials alteration/machining lab | Stratasys Polyjet 3D Printer | Uses technology similar to inkjet printing, where the print head jets liquid photopolymer onto the build tray and then cures it with UV light to produce smooth, accurate parts, prototypes and tooling. With microscopic layer resolution and accuracy down to 0.1 mm, it can produce thin walls and complex geometries using the widest range of materials including precise plastic prints. |
| Automation and Digitization Lab | MCC DAQ USB-201 National Instruments PCI-5122 National Instruments PCI-6115 | High/low speed data acquisition (DAQ) setup for test, characterization. Oscilloscope devices are flexible, software‐defined instruments that are versatile enough for both time‐ and frequency‐domain measurements. They are used to display, analyze, and log the waveform of electronics signals from components or circuits for troubleshooting or characterization purposes. This test suite can accept a variety of input types: thermocouples, analog voltages, 4-20mA currents, digital I/O, etc. |
| Micro/Nano technology Lab | Filmetrics Profilm3D Optical Profiler | Thin-film and surface-topography profiler using state-of-the-art white light interferometry (WLI) to create detailed 3D images of a surface. |
| Automation and Digitization Lab | High precision 7.5 Digit Keithley DMM7510 multimeter | High-precision readings for sensitive electronic measurements such as 4-point probe tests for resistivity. |
| Automation and Digitization Lab | Tektronix MSO54 Mixed Signal Oscilloscope | Measure voltage or current signals over time in an electronic circuit or component to display amplitude, frequency, rise time, etc. Applications include troubleshooting, production test, and design. It has 4 FlexChannels with extended 125M/channel record length, 2 GHz Bandwidth, including serial triggering for automotive, embedded, computer, and USB applications. |
| Automation and Digitization Lab | IBL SV260 Vapor Phase reflow oven and surface mount rework station | Vapour phase soldering machine for circuit boards. The temperature profiles are adjusted by a variable heating power control. It is ideal for low to medium volume production and prototype work. |
| Automation and Digitization Lab | Electronic test and characterization equipment | Test components and electronic devices to determine if they are functioning correctly. The inventory includes: A triple channel DC supply, arbitrary function generator, benchtop and handheld multimeters, high voltage DC supply, and inductance/capacitance meter. |
| Automation and Digitization Lab | LabVIEW Professional Software | System engineering software package for applications that require test, measurement and control. Capabilities include custom user interfaces, high speed data acquisition, data output, low-level control, and the ability to compile standalone executable programs. |
| Automation and Digitization Lab | Rockwell PLC Software | Program and control Rockwell Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). User has the ability to include Ladder logic and function block diagrams with networking capabilities and to interface between PLC and HMIs. It also includes industrial controls with interlocks and fail-safes. |
| Automation and Digitization Lab | Mathworks MATLAB Software | Image processing toolkit, image acquisition toolkit, and compiler to plot functions and data, implement algorithms, and create user interfaces. |
| Optoelectronics Lab | FLIR T640 Thermal Camera | Operated by in-house certified Thermographers. Can produce imaging of temperature ranges from -40 to 2000 Celsius. |
| Optoelectronics Lab | Class 3B and Class 4 Laser lab setup | Suite of tools and protective equipment for staff to safely work with Class 3B and Class 4 laser systems. It includes blinds, protective equipment, beam profilers, laser power meters, optical components, breadboards, alignment targets, and test/characterization tools to perform tests on laser-based systems such as thermal stress tests, long-term operation tests, and baseline laser noise tests. |
| 5G Innovation Lab | Private 5G portable mobile network | Available for various use cases such as mining, manufacturing, Smart farms, public safety, corporate and SME. |
| 5G Innovation Lab | Rohde & Schwarz R&S Spectrum Rider FPH handheld spectrum analyzer | Offers a range of functions for both field and laboratory radio frequency (RF) analysis. |
| 5G Innovation Lab | Network Planner 5G/4G private network planning software | Design, simulate, and optimize private 5G/4G wireless networks. |
| 5G Innovation Lab | Aurelia Aerospace Aurelia X6 MAX hexacopter drone | Heavy-lift aerial platform designed to transport a wide variety of sensors, cameras, and equipment. |
Private and public sector research partners
• Red Deer Polytechnic
• Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT)
• University of Alberta
• University of Calgary
• Lakeland College
• Imperial Oil Limited
• Alberta Innovates
• Institute for Oil Sands Innovation (IOSI)
• Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA)
• Sustainable Paving Stones
• Saskatchewan Research Council
• Saskatchewan Polytechnic