
The Materials Interface Foundry (MIF) is a lab in the Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering department, at the University of Waterloo. MIF focuses on research, design, and sustainable manufacturing of novel materials interfaces for energy, climate, and electronics.
MIF is most well-known for its groundbreaking work creating the first 'artificial leaf' that turns carbon into fuel which converts harmful carbon dioxide into useful alternative fuel.
MIF is interested in partnering with companies for the following research:
- Sustainable manufacturing for energy, climate, and environment
- Machine intelligence for sensing and computing

Renowned researcher, award-winning, patent-holding, scientist, and professor, Yimin A. Wu is the Principal Investigator and leader of the lab. Professor Wu’s research focuses on the design of new energy materials for solar fuels and batteries, and novel electronic, photonic, responsive materials for flexible electronics and soft robotics, and energy-efficient neuromorphic computing through a deep understanding of energy transduction processes at interfaces. Wu has authored and co-authored more than 60 peer-reviewed journal papers, which include Nature, Nature Energy (x2), Nature communications. Wu is also listed as an inventor on one US/international patent. Wu has delivered over 20 invited lectures across the world in the last five years. Read more about Yimin A. Wu
Find out more About Materials Interface Foundry (MIF)
Read more about our research:
If you are interested in sponsoring research please contact us directly.
The Materials Interface Foundry currently partners with the following companies, government, and organizations:











These examples are only several of our projects. There are many more types of opportunities and research. If you'd like to discuss partnering or sponsoring a research project in Materials Interface or would like more details please navigate to the Contact Us page to contact us directly.
News
Cheng Du joins the team
Welcome Cheng Du!
He joins the Materials Interface Foundry as a postdoctoral fellow!
Catalysis Sees the Light - US Department of Energy
Materials Interface Foundry research profiled by the US Department of Energy
Modelled illustration of copper (I) oxide (Cu2O) photocatalyst particles interacting with carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) to convert CO2 and water into liquid methanol (CH3OH).
Dr. Yimin Wu wins grant from the National Research Council (NRC)
Dr. Yimin A. Wu was awarded a National Research Council (NRC) Materials for Clean Fuels Challenge Grant for his contributions to solar fuels and carbon-neutral transportation.