Science researchers receive New Frontiers in Research funding

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Two researchers in the Faculty of Science have received funding from the Government of Canada’s New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF): Holger Kleinke from the Department of Chemistry and Will Percival from the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

The projects were part of two competitions: the 2021 Exploration competition and the NFRF special call on Innovative Approaches to Research in the Pandemic Context.

Holger Kleinke

Kleinke, who's research focuses on finding and optimizing new materials capable of converting heat into electrical energy and vice versa, received $250,000 from the Exploration competition for his proposal "Hybrid-powered Portable Solid-State Lighting". The goal is to use small thermoelectric generators (TEGs) to convert the waste heat generated by the LEDs into electricity, which will be fed back into the LEDs by recharging the portable battery, thereby extending their running times and enhancing their brightness.

"We intend to employ these TEG-driven LEDs to generate UV light for water purification systems, of special interest for Canada's remote, less developed regions."

The NFRF awarded more than $45 million in support for research projects for 751 researchers, including 245 early career researchers. Research teams of two or more are receiving grants of up to $250,000 each over two years.

There were six recipients in total from the University of Waterloo.