Eight research collaborations between the University of Waterloo and institutions around the world will receive funding to collaborate on projects ranging from quantum experiments and gravitational physics to living architecture.
Funded by Waterloo (up to $20,000 per project based on equal cash contributions from partners), the projects will involve more than 75 researchers at Waterloo and colleagues in Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, France, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands.
International Research Partnerships Grants are internal seed grants meant to further Waterloo researchers’ global collaborations with leading research institutions. Since 2011, 134 projects have been funded totalling $1.9 million that garnered $2.9 million in matching cash contributions and subsequently generated over $18 million in new grants awarded to Waterloo researchers. These projects have also resulted in 58 new innovations, four patents and five startups. Aimed at developing new and existing international research collaborations for Waterloo researchers, the program awards funding twice a year. Applications for the next round of International Research Partnership Grants are due November 1, 2018.
Philip Beesley (School of Architecture) is partnering with Delft University of Technology to host a student workshop led by Professor Beesley at Delfts Science Centre. The aim of the workshop is to implement emerging technologies for responsive architecture. (IRPG funding: $15,500; Matching funds: $15,500)
Catherine Burns (Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology) is partnering with the Université de Technologie de Compiègne and Sorbonne University to further support the BIOMEDInnov project, a summer school exchange program between the two universities in biomedical engineering. The intention of the exchange program is to conduct innovative research in biomedical engineering and to develop further international partnerships. (IRPG funding: $15,500; Matching funds: $48,420)
Richard Culham (Engineering) is partnering with the National University of Singapore (NUS) and its Biomedical Institute for Global Health Research and Technology (BIHEART). By partnering with NUS, Waterloo researchers and students in Biomedical Engineering at Waterloo will be able to access BIHEARTS just-in-time medical data, and work alongside faculty and students from an institution that is repeatedly ranked as one of the top 20 in the world through exchange programs, and workshops. (IRPG funding: $20,000; Matching funds: $22,873)
Pin-Han Ho (Electrical and Computer Engineering) is partnering with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Kyungpook National University. These funds will support two one-day workshops to meet with industry partners and discuss solutions to 5G mobile systems proposed by Professor Hos research team. (IRPG funding: $20,000; Matching funds: $20,000)
Robert Lemieux (Science) is partnering with Hong Kong Polytechnic University to host a combined Biomedical Research and Innovation Partnership workshop. The goal is to expand existing research relationships and consider key areas in biomedical research. (IRPG funding: $20,000; Matching funds: $41,500)
Robert Mann (Physics and Astronomy) is partnering with the University of Vienna to focus on developing novel experiments that test the quantum nature of gravitational force. Mann and his team hope to consider gravity as more than just another force by exploring the relationship between gravity and quantum physics more intently. (IRPG funding: $17,000; Matching funds: $17,000)
Sushanta Mitra (Waterloo Institute for Nanontechnology) is partnering with the University of Duisburg-Essen to host a workshop at the Centre for Nanointegration University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany. The goal is to develop a joint education and training program to enhance postgraduate training in nano-engineering (IRPG funding: $5,000; Matching funds: $46,000)
Adam Tsen (Chemistry) is partnering with Pohang University of Science and Technology, Korea, on wafer-scale 2d magnetic heterostructures for next-generation spintronic devices. Professor Tsen and POSTECH researchers will jointly write about their research findings, file U.S. patents on their novel concept, and pursue further funding such as Samsungs Global Research Outreach program. (IRPG funding: $20,000; Matching funds: $20,000)