Metals, and particularly alkali metals, are contaminants in silicon wafers used to make computer chips and power electronics devices [1,2,3]. The movement of contaminating ions in the SiO2 under the influence of an applied voltage across the oxide causes the electrical characteristics of the transistor, such as the threshold voltage, to change [4]. This is […]

Astronomers have long used optical spectra (detailed wavelength-specific measurements of light) to categorize galaxies. A galaxy’s spectrum encodes information about its constituent stars, gas, and dust and its central super-massive black hole (SMBH). SMBHs that are actively accreting, known as active galactic nuclei (AGN) are of particular interest to astronomers interested in SMBH physics and […]

The proposed research aims to develop nanotechnology based on low-cost iron oxide for easy detection, targeting and separation of biomacromolecules from mixtures of proteins and nucleic acids. Iron oxide nanoparticles will be coated with polymers on the surface. The surface exposed chemical groups will be tuned through synthetic articulation of the polymers. The iron oxide […]

While current work in quantum computing with near term noisy devices is promising, key applications will require a universal, error-corrected and fault tolerant quantum computer. Xanadu’s proposed architecture uses photon number resolving detectors in a modular way to create photonic qubits. The detectors are based on superconducting transition edge sensors (TES). Previously, TES has been […]

Water electrolysis plays a vital role in clean energy generation by producing hydrogen from water. Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers represent a novel technology used for this purpose. The performance of such electrolyzers is highly affected by various degradation processes occurring in such systems. In this project, we are aiming to understand the sources of […]

Photons are particles of light. While countless numbers are emitted from a light source to illuminate a room, sensitive electronics can detect light down to the level of a single photon. These electronic devices, known as single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs), use a process that triggers an avalanche of electrical charges, which can be measured […]

In this collaborative project between L. Goncharova’s group (Western) and Sciencetech (London, ON), silicon, germanium, and tin heterostructure will be grown by thin-film deposition techniques. By precisely controlling the amount of each element in the films, these heterostructures can overcome the poor light adsorption and emission properties of silicon, and will be explored for light […]

Achieving autonomous vehicles depends on the development of reliable optical sensors to replace human vision. The lidar is the top candidate to achieve real-time mapping of the scene. The most promising lidar design uses a chirped single-frequency laser to achieve fast distance and speed mapping. However, the delivered power is small, which limits the range, […]

When grapevines are exposed to forest fire smoke they often trap the compounds responsible for the odour of smoke within the ripening berries. Through poorly understood processes, grapes may transform these compounds into forms that are not readily detected by smell or current testing procedures. The yeasts used for fermentation may break down these storage […]

Il est possible de définir les associations de jeunes étoiles, ou associations stellaires, comme étant un groupe d’étoiles qui naissent dans un nuage de gaz et qui émergent de ce nuage simultanément. Ces étoiles partagent donc des caractéristiques similaires telles que leur âge et leur déplacement dans l’espace. Alors, en étudiant le mouvement des étoiles […]

Fiti probiotic sachet project involves culturing, freeze-drying and packaging a measured formula of lactobacillus rhamnosus, streptococcus thermophilus, and bifidobacterium bifidum for a Canadian solution to the termination of sachets produced by a Dutch partner who will not longer produce the ‘Fiti’ sachets. In partnership with the Fanshawe Centre for Research and Innovation, the project will […]

Hydrogen fuel cells represent one of the most exciting technologies available for producing clean energy for onsite combined heat and power delivery, portable electronics, and electric vehicles. In the transportation sector specifically, several commercial vehicles powered by hydrogen have hit the market in the last several years, on top of a growing number of city […]