Drs. Andrew Sachrajda and Alan Steele named Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada

Congratulations to the NRC's Dr. Andrew Sachrajda, principal research officer in quantum physics, named Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and Dr. Alan Steele, Chief Metrologist for Canada, named Specially Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

To be recognized by the Royal Society of Canada is to be peer elected as the best in one's field. Drs. Sachrajda and Steele are commended for these highly distinguished honours, which will be presented at an induction ceremony on November 24, 2017 in Winnipeg. They join an esteemed list of RSC Fellows from the NRC's ranks.

The Royal Society of Canada (RSC): The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada was established under an Act of Parliament in 1883 as Canada's National Academy, the senior collegium of distinguished scholars, artists and scientists in the country. The primary objective of the Society is to promote learning and research in the arts, the humanities and the natural and social sciences.

Congratulations Drs. Sachrajda and Steele!

Dr. Andrew Sachrajda

Dr. Sachrajda is recognized for his fundamental contributions to nanoscience and nanotechnology. Using quantum transport at extreme temperatures and magnetic fields, Dr. Sachrajda and his team were the first to demonstrate and control quantum circuits based on spins of individual electrons in nanometre-scale field-effect transistors. Thought to be impossible at the time, his work provided the scientific foundation for subsequent applications in quantum technologies.

Dr. Sachrajda has been a key contributor to the evolution of semiconductor nanotechnology from its infancy. "I see the greatest potential for quantum technology development not in a single quantum platform, but in hybridizing multiple quantum platforms such as electron spins and photons, allowing each to perform the function it is most suited to. Quantum technologies have the potential to solve many of our greatest future societal challenges ranging from security of information to new materials and pharmaceuticals," said Dr. Sachrajda. He credits the NRC's unique ability to assemble multidisciplinary teams as critical to generating exceptional results.

Starting out his career in physics with a degree in mathematical physics, Dr. Sachrajda then earned his Ph.D. in experimental physics on superfluidity in helium-3 at the University of Sussex in England. As a research associate at Queen's University in the group of Professor John Harrison, he constructed Canada's first ultra-low sub-milliKelvin temperature facility.

Joining the NRC in 1986, he switched to low-dimensional semiconductors and in 1988 started Canada's first experimental effort in quantum transport in semiconductor nanostructures. In 2014 he was elected a Fellow of The American Physical Society.

While pushing scientific boundaries, Dr. Sachrajda's collaborative work is advancing Quantum Canada, a national initiative to create a vibrant Canadian quantum ecosystem with world-leading R&D, innovative technologies, and globally-reaching Canadian companies all driving social, economic, and environmental solutions for Canada.

Dr. Alan Steele

Dr. Alan Steele is recognized for his fundamental contributions in developing and implementing a strategy to address the nation's scientific measurement needs. He is praised as much for his leadership in overseeing the development, maintenance, and dissemination of the International System of Units (SI) for Canada, as for his ability to successfully navigate complex international groups and treaties with diplomacy.

"I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work alongside great people at all levels, and being further recognized by peers as a Specially Elected Fellow is an honour," said Dr. Steele.

Dr. Steele has helped the NRC's team of metrologists position Canada as a world leader in measurement science and metrology. His foresight and tact has allowed him to leverage the scientific achievements of the NRC's national metrology institute to guide international decisions. Further, he supported and directed top measurement scientists at the NRC whose results in linking the Planck constant to the mass of the International Prototype of the kilogram are now world-leading.

Dr. Steele's leadership and stewardship of measurement science activities have improved and enhanced exports through international acceptance of Canadian measurements, and ensured the health and prosperity of our citizens and industries through the provision of accurate, reliable, and trusted measurement services.