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:
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
Professor Yimin Wu features in the University of Waterloo Magazine
When a University of Waterloo researcher announced he had developed an “artificial leaf” that converts harmful carbon dioxide into fuel, his discovery was celebrated around the world.
Professor Yimin Wu’s breakthrough was an exciting advance in research he conducted at a national laboratory in the United States before joining Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering last year. Wu landed in Waterloo after undertaking a worldwide search for a post that would allow him to teach and take his work to “the next level.”
His decision to move to Canada was based on two main factors: the distinctive culture at Waterloo and Canada’s reputation for inclusivity.
Scientists create 'artificial leaf' that turns carbon dioxide into fuel
Scientists have created an “artificial leaf” to fight climate change by inexpensively converting harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) into a useful alternative fuel.
The new technology, outlined in a paper published today in the journal Nature Energy, was inspired by the way plants use energy from sunlight to turn carbon dioxide into food.
“We call it an artificial leaf because it mimics real leaves and the process of photosynthesis,” said Yimin Wu, an engineering professor at the University of Waterloo who led the research. “A leaf produces glucose and oxygen. We produce methanol and oxygen.”
New Master's Member (Bryce Kieffer) joins Materials Interface Foundry
Bryce Kieffer joined Materials Interface Foundry as a Master's student.