Partners

Working with us

We collaborate with companies on materials and measurement problems. Past projects have included processes that fail intermittently, coatings that don’t perform to specification, sensors that drift, changes forced by new regulations, and low-cost custom catalysts that outperform commercial ones. Our contributions are rooted in fundamental chemistry: we work out what is happening at the molecular or atomic scale, then design a fix that addresses the cause.

The group brings synchrotron access, in-situ and operando spectroscopy, and electrochemical analysis. We adapt our instruments to each project and write our own analysis software when commercial tools fall short.

How projects are set up

Most of our industrial collaborations are supported through the NSERC Alliance and Mitacs Accelerate programs. These matching programs pair company contributions with federal funding and offer on-site internships for students working on the project. The internships help the researchers develop a deep understanding of your work environment and its particular requirements. Alliance and Accelerate funding is well-suited to projects lasting one to four years. Shorter, focused engagements are also possible through direct research contracts.

University of Waterloo policy assigns intellectual property to its creators rather than to the institution. That introduces flexibility in negotiations regarding ownership, licensing, and publication terms. The university mediates the agreement, but the terms are worked out directly between your company and our group at the start.

The usual first step is a conversation about your problem, with no commitment. If we feel we can help, we work together to scope the project and prepare the funding application.

Contact: rodsmith@uwaterloo.ca