Xerox funds four new university research projects in Canada

Toronto, ON – Xerox has announced funding for 11 fundamental research projects in Canada, the US and Europe, including four at Canadian universities.

The projects are part of the company’s long-standing program of grants to researchers at universities in Canada, the US and Europe. Most of the projects are funded for three years at $20,000 a year, and add to about 30 others currently administered by the company’s University Affairs Committee.

The new grants in Canada for the first half of 2007 are:

– University of Calgary: “BxNy Analogues of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons for Use as Organic Semiconductors.” This project will explore the synthesis and use of boron- and nitrogen-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as novel organic semiconductors for thin film transistors.

– McMaster University: “Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Fluid Slot and Dip Coating Studies Based on Empirical and Computational Flow Dynamic (CFD) Methods.” The objective is to develop mathematical models to determine coating conditions required for very thin, high- quality, next-generation photoconductive layers.

– University of Ottawa: “Design and Synthesis of Model Organic Electron Transport Materials.” This research looks at establishing design rules for new electron transport materials for use in next-generation electronic applications

– York University: “Palladium catalyzed aminations and the use of microwave-assisted continuous flow organic synthesis.” This project will investigate the use of an improved catalyst for carbon-nitrogen bond formation for the synthesis of new materials in conjunction with microwave heating and microreactor systems.

“With a model that supports open, collaborative innovation between private companies like Xerox and leading universities, our program helps expedite core research for the entire community,” said Gregory Zack, chair of Xerox’s University Affairs Committee. “It supports the academic community while advancing the frontiers of knowledge for everyone; it enables our scientists to expand their knowledge base and develop close ties with academic peers. Our hope is to apply the research to projects we are working on in our own labs.”

Since the grant program started more than 20 years ago, Xerox says it has provided over $16 million for more than 300 research projects across a range of technical disciplines. Each year, about 40 projects are funded at 30 colleges and universities. Students and faculty are not required to deliver a specific result, nor is the work proprietary to Xerox.

Any college or university is eligible for funding but cannot apply for it directly; instead, a Xerox scientist or researcher presents a proposal to the company’s University Affairs Committee, which includes representatives from across the company.