Origins and Capabilities of the NALS
The Northern Analytical Laboratory Services (NALS) was established at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) in Prince George, BC, under new leadership in 2016. Driven by the increasing demand for comprehensive analytical services, the NALS was conceived to serve a broad spectrum of analytical needs across various domains. The establishment of this facility marked a significant milestone in UNBC’s commitment to providing top-tier analytical support, not only to the university’s internal stakeholders but also to external clients, including private, public, and non-profit sectors.
The NALS is outfitted with an extensive suite of state-of-the-art analytical science instrumentation, positioning it as a central hub for biological, chemical, and physical analyses. This sophisticated equipment allows for a wide array of testing and analysis, ranging from basic chemical assays to advanced molecular studies. The lab’s arsenal includes high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, among others. Such a diverse array of tools ensures that the NALS can handle complex and varied analytical tasks with precision and accuracy.
Beyond its impressive technical capabilities, the NALS is also adept at addressing the analytical needs of various sectors. For instance, the lab has been instrumental in supporting environmental monitoring projects, contributing to the analysis of soil, water, and air samples to assess pollution levels. In the biomedical field, the lab’s advanced instrumentation has facilitated cutting-edge research in drug development and clinical diagnostics. The food and beverage industry has also benefited from the NALS’s capabilities, utilizing its services for quality assurance and safety testing.
The diverse applications of the NALS’s services demonstrate its integral role in fostering research and development across multiple disciplines. By providing access to high-quality analytical tools and expertise, the NALS continues to support and enhance the scientific endeavors of UNBC and its partners, driving innovation and ensuring rigorous standards in analytical science.
Pacifican’s Investment and the Creation of the Environmental & Climate Solutions Innovation Hub
In 2022, Pacifican, a newly established federal agency, allocated $1.92 million to create the Northern BC’s Environmental & Climate Solutions Innovation Hub within the Northern Analytical Laboratory Services (NALS). This substantial investment signifies a pivotal step towards addressing the pressing environmental challenges faced by northern British Columbia. The Innovation Hub is designed to catalyze the development and prototyping of innovative materials and technologies, with a focused emphasis on sectors such as water management, mining, forestry, and bioenergy.
The primary objective of the Innovation Hub is to foster interdisciplinary research and development projects that can deliver tangible solutions to environmental and climate-related issues. By leveraging advanced analytical capabilities and fostering collaborative partnerships, the Hub aims to enhance the sustainability and resilience of critical regional industries. One of the key areas of focus is water management, where the Hub will explore new technologies for efficient water usage and contamination mitigation, crucial for both urban and rural communities.
In the mining sector, the Hub will support projects that aim to minimize the environmental footprint of mining activities through innovative waste management and resource recovery techniques. The forestry sector will benefit from research into sustainable forestry practices and the development of bio-based materials, contributing to a reduction in carbon emissions. Additionally, the Hub will explore advancements in bioenergy, promoting the use of renewable energy sources to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The anticipated impact of the Environmental & Climate Solutions Innovation Hub extends beyond technological advancements. By addressing critical environmental issues, the Hub is expected to enhance the overall sustainability of northern BC, creating a model for other regions to follow. The investment by Pacifican underscores the importance of supporting regional innovation ecosystems that can drive significant environmental and economic benefits. Through the collaborative efforts facilitated by the Hub, northern British Columbia is poised to become a leader in environmental sustainability and technological innovation.
