1. Atomic Energy of Canada (Chalk River Labs) AECL's major research and development (R&D) efforts take place at Chalk River Labs, and the facility has world-class expertise in physics, metallurgy, chemistry, biology, and engineering. AECL employs more than 2,600 permanent staff at CRL.

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) is a leading-edge nuclear technology and services company providing services to utilities worldwide. Over 5,000 highly skilled employees enthusiastically deliver a range of nuclear services from R&D support, construction management, design and engineering to specialized technology, waste management and decommissioning in support of CANDU reactor products.

AECL is committed to supporting its Canadian and international customers in all aspects of nuclear power technology management. They provide on-site expertise, closely supported by nuclear science laboratories, testing capability and engineering facilities. CANDU reactors supply about 16% of Canada’s electricity and are an important component of clean-air energy programs on four continents.

For over 50 years, AECL has been safely and passionately developing peaceful and productive applications of nuclear energy.

AECL's evolutionary CANDU^® reactor design is visionary in its approach, unique for its on-power refuelling capability, and demonstrated over years of safe, economical, and reliable power production. The CANDU product line, developed in Canada, includes the Generation III+ 1,200 MWe class ACR (Advanced CANDU Reactor), known as the ACR 1000 and the 700 MWe class Candu 6 power reactor.

CANDU reactors have been operating in Canada since 1962, and abroad since 1972. The CANDU leading-edge technology and design has been continuously improved to reduce cost, enhance performance, and increase the plant life up to 60 years. This continuous evolution assures maximum performance – a result of AECL's long-term commitment to its advancement through research and product development, utility input and years of experience.

CANDU units have been constructed in North America, South America, Europe and Asia. There are 48 heavy water moderated reactors based on the CANDU design in operation, under construction, or under refurbishment worldwide.

CANDU nuclear power stations have consistently proven to be competitive with other types of nuclear power plants, while offering significant advantages to their operators.

The National Research Council Canada operates the Canadian Neutron Beam Centre (CNBC). The centre is a resource for university scientists, industrial users, and visitors from NRC and other government laboratories.

Neutrons are a gentle but penetrating probe of matter, and can be used to discover much about a wide range of materials. Access to neutron spectrometers and a variety of ancillary equipment is granted free of charge to users whose research is destined for the public domain. For proprietary research, access is arranged through a simple fee-for-service agreement.

In the 2005/06 year NRC-CNBC enabled 78 projects that resulted in 123 experiments. Those experiments involved Canadian scientists from 28 institutions (including 17 universities) in 7 provinces from coast to coast. Those experiments involved collaborations with scientists from 58 institutions in 9 foreign countries. Projects came from the fields of physics, chemistry, bioscience, earth science and engineering and included samples made from more than half of the 82 stable elements in the periodic table.

Professors and students from 23 Canadian universities coast to coast used the centre in their research during the past five years. They came from over 50 different faculties, spanning physics, materials science, chemistry, engineering, metallurgy, geosciences, and chemical engineering.

3. Bubble Technologies Industries

Bubble Technology Industries (BTI) is a dynamic company with world-renowned expertise in the field of radiation detection. With a track record of over fifteen years of innovation, BTI combines scientific, engineering, and manufacturing expertise to yield advanced solutions to complex radiation-related problems.

BTI provides commercial products, radiation services, consulting, and contract research and development to a wide range of prominent clients, including military organizations, space agencies, regulatory and international standards groups, research institutions, and national security agencies. Cost-effective solutions, personalized customer interactions, and an uncompromising standard of integrity have enabled BTI to become a trusted resource for clients around the world.

Not only do students learn from their experience, they make a real contribution to the research itself. Research projects range from chemistry, physics, biology and life sciences and incorporate aspects of engineering and technology. The DRSA offers a student/Research Assistant ratio of 2:1. Each pair of students takes ownership of a particular research project under the mentorship of a Research Assistant/Tutor and a professional scientist/engineer. DRSA also provides career development experience for university and college science students. The undergraduates act in dual roles as tutors for the high school students and as research assistants at the host laboratories.