不良研究所

Three University of 不良研究所-led projects have received funding from the (NSERC) as part of , which aims for global leadership that can 鈥渢ransform how people work and live鈥� through quantum advancements. 

The awards include a $450,000 supplement to the lab of , PhD, alongside two $25,000 G7 International Catalyst grants to Drs.  and , both PhD.  

The funding supports early stage exploration of new quantum ideas, international research collaboration, and the hiring and training of highly qualified personnel working at the intersection of quantum science, advanced materials and engineering. 

Building made-in-Canada diamond quantum sensors 

Alongside  assistant professor , and  professor , both PhD, Barclay鈥檚 team  engineered at extremely small scales to create powerful quantum sensors. These sensors could play a future role in applications like navigation systems that don鈥檛 rely on GPS, and in tools that detect very small changes in the environment 鈥� capabilities that could be important for areas like defence, transportation and environmental monitoring. 

Given its high-quality properties, 鈥渄iamond is basically one of those contenders,鈥� says Barclay, also a professor in the Faculty of Science, referring to materials being explored worldwide for quantum technologies. 

To help ensure Canada is prepared to supply and develop this technology domestically, Barclay鈥檚 team partners with Canadian company Aria Labs for their lab-grown diamonds, to avoid relying on overseas suppliers. 

鈥淲e want to be sure that Canada is in position to not lose out on that approach if and when it becomes the leading technique,鈥� he says. 

Detecting toxic heavy metal ions in water with quantum materials 

Kim鈥檚 G7 grant supports one project in his Schulich research portfolio that鈥檚 aimed at advancing water safety 鈥� an issue affecting communities globally as contamination standards tighten and monitoring gaps persist, according to a . 

Alongside research associate Dr. Arindam Phani, PhD, Kim鈥檚 team is developing quantum-enabled materials that can detect extremely small concentrations of toxic heavy metal ions in water and identify them directly at the source, without needing to send samples to a lab. 

鈥淥ur eventual goal is we want to have a portable, real-time sensor,鈥� says Kim. 鈥淚f we have technology which can be easily implemented, that鈥檚 highly sensitive and selective, it can be used in many places.鈥� 

The work brings together expertise from U不良研究所 and collaborators at the University at Buffalo, strengthening cross-border research and accelerating progress toward practical, field-ready tools. 

Quantum accelerometers for safer use in everyday devices 

Barzanjeh鈥檚 newest G7 grant supports a small, but critical extension of a larger quantum portfolio, which has now received almost $1.6 million in total from the federal government. He and his team are developing a new type of quantum accelerometer, a technology that measures motion. Accelerometers are already used in cars, phones, airplanes and medical devices, but he says quantum approaches would potentially improve their performance. 

鈥淲e have accelerometers almost everywhere,鈥� says Barzanjeh, an associate professor in the Faculty of Science. 鈥淨uantum phenomena allows you to reach higher precision and sensitivity, which is not possible with classical systems.鈥� 

In vehicles, for example, accelerometers help detect rapid changes in motion during a collision 鈥� key information that determines when and how airbags deploy, says Barzanjeh. He adds that improving the sensitivity and stability of these sensors could reduce the risk of airbags deploying at the wrong time.

Beyond cars, he notes that more precise accelerometers could also improve navigation systems, fall-detection technology and drones by enabling more accurate motion tracking and control. 

The project builds on a long-standing international collaboration with Dr. David Vitali, PhD, at the University of Camerino in Italy, allowing Barzanjeh鈥檚 team to combine theoretical and experimental expertise across borders.  

鈥淭his international type of funding is really good and extremely efficient. They are important to enable relationships outside Canada and make future expansion possible so that we can have some continuation beyond a couple of years,鈥� says Barzanjeh.