The thematic research area of Advanced Materials is inherently interdisciplinary and involves several facets, including synthesis and preparation of materials, characterization of their physical properties, and their development and deployment as new technologies.
Active research and development in Advanced Materials is ongoing in both the Faculties of Engineering and Science, with contributions from more than 30 faculty members, over 50 graduate students and over 50 highly qualified undergraduate researchers in Materials Engineering, Chemistry and Biochemistry and Physics.
Potential future linkages exist to Business, Law, Nursing and the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences through paths to commercialization, marketing and the social impacts of the research.
There is currently a large cluster of researchers in Advanced Materials from both the Faculties of Science and Engineering with a broad range of expertise and established track records. This cluster includes two Tier 1 Canada Research Chairs and two NSERC Industrial Chairs, in addition to a large number of highly successful mid-career and junior faculty. This group of researchers has demonstrated success based upon all key performance metrics (i.e., impact of research, publication records, research funding and training of HQP). Both Engineering Materials and Chemistry have demonstrated excellence and industrial impact of research; winning two prestigious NSERC Synergy awards held by the University of Windsor (2003 NSERC IRC/Nova, 2010 NSERC IRC/GM).
University of Windsor researchers are also working closely with industrial partners, including General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, LANXESS, Magna, Mahle, Centerline, Novelis, Meridian, Tessonics and Ryobi. Further, the Advanced Materials research cluster has an impressive assembly of national and international collaborators, and access to international research facilities, adding further strength and breadth to this research theme. The Centre for Catalysis and Materials Research (CCMR) in Chemistry and Biochemistry develops and characterizes new materials used in advanced technologies, such as innovative molecular machines, nanostructured solid-state materials, new biodegradable polymers and clean stoichiometric and catalytic processes. In Physics, the contributions to chemical and physical rapid scanning analysis has lead to technology transfer in the areas of acoustic imaging and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, that have both medical and manufacturing applications.
Faculty in Engineering Materials conduct fundamental research concentrated on the tribological, processing, physical, mechanical and chemical aspects of engineering materials and associated applications including lightweight materials, advanced coatings, and lithium batteries and fuel cells.
There are currently intricate collaborative webs among faculty members in Science, and among those in Engineering Materials. These developing collaborations will aid in building new external partnerships with industry and other academic institutions, will promote growth in all of the underlying areas of established research strengths, and enhance the research profile and reputation of the University of Windsor.