Prime Highlights:
Three University of Windsor professors awarded significant funding for quantum science projects.
Engineering professor receives $755,000 to develop secure cryptographic algorithms for protecting against quantum cyberattacks, part of a $5 million initiative in partnership with industry leaders like Ansys Canada Ltd.
Key Background:
Three University of Windsor professors have been awarded a total of $830,000 in federal funding to advance groundbreaking research in quantum science. The funding, part of a broader $74 million initiative to support quantum research across Canada, will foster innovations in cybersecurity, sensing technologies, and alternative neutron sources.
Engineering professor Mitra Mirhassani, an expert in automotive hardware cybersecurity, received $755,000 for a project aimed at developing secure cryptographic algorithms to protect data from emerging quantum cyber threats. This funding contributes to a larger $5 million project in collaboration with industry partners such as Ansys Canada Ltd. and CMC Microsystems. Mirhassani emphasized the importance of preparing for quantum computing’s disruptive potential and developing solutions for automobility and the Internet of Things.
Fellow engineering professor Jalal Ahamed secured $50,000 for two one-year projects focused on improving temperature monitoring of electric vehicle batteries and enhancing the precision of sensors critical to electronic devices. Additionally, Faculty of Science professor Drew Marquardt was awarded $25,000 for a project on compact accelerator-driven neutron sources, a potential alternative to traditional nuclear reactors for neutron research in Canada.
The funding announcement highlights Canada’s ongoing efforts to maintain its global leadership in quantum science. In 2021, the Canadian government launched a national quantum strategy to strengthen its position in quantum research and technology. This strategy aims to foster innovation, enhance industry collaboration, and develop a skilled workforce.
Shanthi Johnson, UWindsor’s vice-president of research and innovation, noted that these projects reflect the university’s commitment to advancing national objectives in quantum science. “This research strengthens Canada’s leadership in the field and showcases the exceptional work being done at the University of Windsor,” she said. The projects, each of which involves partnerships with other universities and industry players, are poised to drive forward Canada’s technological capabilities in quantum science.
