University of Waterloo Proposals

Canada Excellence Research Chair in Ecohydrology:
Sustainable Groundwater Management for Aquatic Ecosystem Health
Canadians have a growing reliance on groundwater for domestic supply, industrial and agricultural production and energy extraction. As a consequence, sustainability of supply has become an issue of national concern. Current regulations and policies generally require that in order to meet the goals of sustainability, the use of groundwater must not have a significantly adverse effect on aquatic ecosystems. However, the science necessary to understand the complex interactions between groundwater discharge and ecosystem health is in its infancy. The proposed multidisciplinary research program is directed at filling this void in our knowledge of the natural environment. The results will assist water managers to make science-based decisions concerning groundwater allocations.

Canada Excellence Research Chair in Experimental Quantum Information Processing
Quantum information processing holds the promise of an emerging technology that could lead to immensely powerful computers and unbreakable data security. This promise has already prompted massive worldwide research efforts. The Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo has become a global leader in this field. The creation of a Chair in Experimental Quantum Information Processing would lead to the development of the first generation of quantum-enabled devices and practical quantum cryptographic technologies. It would also cement Canada's long-term research leadership in quantum information processing, and would provide training for the first generation of highly-qualified quantum-enabled experts, allowing Canada to realize the enormous benefits inherent in this new technology.

Canada Excellence Research Chair in Green Mechatronic Automobiles
In order to survive, Canada's automotive industry will need to quickly adapt to the "electrification" of vehicles, as mechanical components are replaced with smarter, lighter, greener mechatronic systems. This Chair in Green Mechatronic Automobiles would address this rapid technological change, advancing sensing, embedded software, hybrid drive train, and mechatronics engineering. The Chair would focus on integrating reliable automotive mechatronics systems—a key requirement for the next generation of green, intelligent vehicles. This effort, undertaken with the full support of industry and within Canada's largest automotive university research cluster, will position Canada as a world automotive leader.

Canada Excellence Research Chair in Integrated Wireless Communication Technology
Global wireless communication is continuing to grow exponentially. Demand is intensifying for secure, highly mobile systems that transfer tremendous amounts of data at increasingly high speeds. Next-generation wireless systems (fourth-generation and beyond) are now being developed to address future needs. Building on the outstanding relevant research capacity, entrepreneurial spirit and innovation at the University of Waterloo, this proposed Chair would transform telecommunication by integrating research on hardware, systems and networks to develop future wireless systems. This unique opportunity would capitalize on existing research infrastructure and drive Canada's leadership in information and communication technology for years to come.

For more information, contact:

University of Waterloo
c/o Dr. D. George Dixon
Vice-President, University Research
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada N2L 3G1
Telephone: 519-888-4889
Email: dgdixon@uwaterloo.ca
Website: www.research.uwaterloo.ca/institutional/funding/cerc.html