Walking down the stairs at the University of New Brunswick into what researchers call the “dungeon,” through a small window on a round metal device, a small red cloud pulsates. The cloud contains millions of cold atoms. The researchers plan to use them to help navigate, Global Positioning System Unable to reach.
“This cloud of 100 million rubidium atoms is the coldest material you'll find in a coastal area,” said Brynle Barrett, the project's principal investigator.
By making the atoms extremely cold, they behave like waves, he said. Researchers can then measure the disturbances to the waves and find the gravitational field. This could help with navigation in places where GPS can't, such as underground or underwater.
A cloud of atoms in a laboratory at the University of New Brunswick on May 31, 2024. Researchers hope to use atoms to measure gravitational fields and achieve global positioning.
Anna Mandin/Global News
The project, a collaboration with groups in Ontario, Australia and Amsterdam, recently received nearly $3 million in funding from Canada’s Department of National Defense.
Philippe Hébert, the department's director general for innovation, said the funding is like a commitment that groups will develop innovative ideas with the Canadian military at the center.
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Navigation is very important to the military.
“Precision navigation and timing (PMT) does enable the deployment of precision munitions, and it also enables the Canadian Forces to know where every unit is,” Herbert said.
Barrett said the project also has commercial uses, such as civil engineers using it to measure distance from sea level. It also provides an opportunity for college students to gain valuable research experience.
Kamal Shalaby is a master's student who has been working on laser circuits that keep atoms cool since undergraduate studies.
“This is one of the unique programs that the University of New Brunswick offers, especially in the field of physics, where we can develop a lot of exciting technologies,” he said.
These specialized skills will also help students after graduation. Barrett said that as part of the quantum strategy, Canada is looking to increase quantum expertise across the country.
“We contribute to the talent pool by training students in the early stages of their careers so they can move into industry or academia,” he said.
Chalabi, who will complete his work on the project this summer, said he was surprised at how much he learned about the circuits while working with experts in the field.
“The University of New Brunswick actually has a lot to offer. Sometimes you think of it as a small college, but if you find the right place, it has a lot to offer,” he said.
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