Rare Earth Nitrides: A Success Story
How Victoria University of Wellington used Cassyni to build international collaborations and secure major funding
Researchers at Victoria University of Wellington launched a Cassyni seminar series to showcase their expertise in rare earth nitrides.
Their goal was to raise awareness, attract potential collaborators, and unlock new funding opportunities.
Building a network of international collaborators
There is lots of international interest in what we're doing but not enough knowledge about how to do it.
We need to find find ways to raise awareness about research with overseas groups and encourage further investigation.
Scientist, Robinson Research Institute
Explore Rare Earth Nitrides seminar series.
Synthesis and Properties of SmN Thin Films grown on MgO(001)
Kevin Daniel Vallejo, Idaho National Laboratory
The seminar series quickly became a central hub for researchers working on rare earth nitrides worldwide. By bringing together experts from different disciplines, the Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) Rare Earth Nitrides group positioned itself at the forefront of REN research. This visibility has led to new collaborations with experimental groups exploring high-purity thin film growth, soft x-ray spectroscopy, and quantum computing.
Unlocking new funding opportunities
Cassyni has provided a great platform for us to interact with and learn from others around the world.
These interactions have not only benefited and expanded our research but have also proved valuable in forming teams to propose experiments at large scale facilities and writing successful funding applications.
Scientist, Robinson Research Institute
The connections fostered through the Cassyni seminar series have had a tangible impact, helping the REN group secure a $9M NZD ($5M USD) MBIE Endeavour grant in November 2024, further supporting their research and expanding their global reach.
By leveraging Cassyni, the REN team has not only advanced their scientific work but also strengthened international collaboration and funding prospects—demonstrating the power of AI-powered research seminars in accelerating discovery and impact.