All our labs provide:
- Ultra-low detection limits for environmental, industrial and regulatory applications
- Precision measurements supported by rigorous QA/QC protocols
- Flexible turnaround options for routine and priority analyses
André E. Lalonde National Facility for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS)
Welcome to Canada’s national facility for ultra-low-level radionuclide research and analysis funded by the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. We provide precise, reliable measurements for research, industry and government, using advanced AMS, radiochemistry and low-background detection systems.
Who are we?
The André E. Lalonde National Facility for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AEL-AMS) is Canada's centre for environmental radioactive isotope analysis and research. We measure trace amounts of radioisotopes and rare elements from natural sources and from human activities.
Our work supports solutions to Canada’s environmental challenges, from tracing releases from nuclear facilities and assessing deep geological nuclear waste sites, to reconstructing groundwater flow and detecting contamination. We also measure radiocarbon in cultural artifacts, fossils and environmental samples to help reconstruct past climates and provide age determinations. Through hands-on training, we help develop the next generation of Canadian isotope scientists.
We work with academia, government and industry to advance AMS, and other low-level detection technologies, and we share our discoveries with the international scientific community.
What we offer
50,000+
analyses performed since 2014
30,000+
hours of AMS beam time
700+
clients served worldwide
Contact us
André E. Lalonde National Facility
A national research facility hosted at the University of Ottawa.
Phone: (613) 562-5800 ext. 4846
Email: ael-ams@uottawa.ca
Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Find a staff member
Meet the personnel who work at AEL-AMS.
Indigenous Affirmation
We pay respect to the Algonquin people, who are the traditional guardians of this land. We acknowledge their longstanding relationship with this territory, which remains unceded.
We pay respect to all Indigenous people in this region, from all nations across Canada, who call Ottawa home.
We acknowledge the traditional knowledge keepers, both young and old. And we honour their courageous leaders: past, present, and future.