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A Waterloo Engineering professor has been recognized as one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40® for 2026, one of the country’s most recognized honours for young leaders.

Dr. Michael Benoit, an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, is one of the 2026 honourees named today in the Financial Post. Founded in 1995, the annual leadership award recognizes exceptional achievement among 40 outstanding Canadians under the age of 40. Its alumni network includes hundreds of prominent CEOs, executives, entrepreneurs and community leaders across Canada and internationally.

Benoit's research focuses on high-performance and sustainable metallic materials for welding, joining and additive manufacturing (AM) – including finding ways to use lower-purity, more sustainable aluminum without the cracking and defects that normally come with it. He is a core member of Waterloo's Centre for Advanced Materials Joining and Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing Lab (MSAM), and serves as Associate Director of the Waterloo Centre for Automotive Research (WatCAR). His work has helped explain how cracking forms during laser remelting and AM of aluminum alloys and nickel superalloys, and how AM and thermomechanical processing affect the strength of advanced high-strength steels, among many other fundamental and applied advances.

Benoit has published more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles; among other honours, he has received the SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award and the ASM Bradley Stoughton Award for teaching.

Recipients are chosen by Top 40's independent advisory board — 18 respected leaders from across the country — based on career progression, leadership, vision and innovation, community involvement and social responsibility, and impact and influence. Benoit will receive the award at the Top 40 Awards Night in Toronto on October 21, 2026.

 “It’s an honour to receive the Top 40 recognition and to make an impact through my work as an educator, researcher and mentor,” said Benoit. “To me, it’s not just about individual achievement — it also celebrates the students, colleagues and collaborators who make meaningful work possible.” 

To learn more about Benoit’s research, visit his faculty member profile.

Researchers have created a 3D-printed electrode that could help make it easier and safer to store large amounts of renewable energy generated by wind and solar farms.

Led by University of Waterloo professor Dr. Maxime van der Heijden, the research team drew inspiration from natural structures to redesign a key component of redox flow batteries (RFBs), a technology that can store electricity for later use. The new design helps battery liquid move more efficiently, allowing the chemical reactions that store and release energy to occur more effectively.

Redox flow batteries work differently from the lithium-ion batteries commonly found in phones, electric vehicles and many energy-storage systems.

These batteries use water-based electrolytes rather than the flammable materials found in lithium-ion batteries, making them a potentially safer alternative for large-scale energy storage.

Redox flow batteries are a complementary technology to lithium-ion batteries for large -scale energy storage applications. Their water-based electrolytes make them a safer option for storing renewable energy at the scale needed to supply, for example, communities and the electrical grid with continuous renewable energy.

“Instead of storing energy in solid materials, they store energy in liquid electrolytes held in external tanks,” said van der Heijden, a chemical engineering professor at Waterloo. “The amount of stored energy can be increased simply by using larger tanks, making them well-suited for large-scale renewable energy storage and grid applications.”

That flexibility could become increasingly important as more electricity comes from renewable sources. Wind and solar power are intermittent, as they do not always produce electricity when it is needed, creating a need for technologies that can store excess energy and return it to the grid later.

Researchers used 3D printing to create porous RFB electrodes, enabling precise control over their structure and fluid flow.

“With 3D printing, we can design the internal structure of an electrode in ways that are difficult to achieve using conventional manufacturing,” said van der Heijden. “That gives us much greater control over how the liquid moves through the battery and reaches the surfaces where the energy-storing reactions take place.”

A key innovation was the use of triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) geometries, complex, repeating three-dimensional shapes that can resemble structures found in nature.

The researchers tested several TPMS designs and found that one known as the “diamond” geometry worked best, increasing performance by 52 per cent.

They then used a digital light-processing 3D printer to produce the porous structures, which were heat-treated to form conductive carbon electrodes capable of carrying electricity.

The team successfully tested the electrodes in laboratory flow cell experiments and in a working vanadium redox flow battery, demonstrating that the 3D-printed designs can function in an operating battery. The proof of concept could help pave the way for more efficient redox flow batteries designed for large-scale energy storage.

Future research will focus on increasing the electrodes’ surface area, improving manufacturing methods and exploring advanced design tools to create even more effective electrode structures.

The study, Enhancing Mass Transport in Redox Flow Batteries with 3D-Printed Triply Periodic Minimal Surface Electrode Structures, appears in the Journal of Energy Storage.

Work by a Waterloo Engineering researcher that could make batteries safer, better and longer lasting was recently published in a leading academic journal.

Dr. Teng Cui, a professor of mechanical and mechatronics engineering, was lead author of a paper in Nature on research he conducted while he was a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University and the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in California.

Cui joined the University of Waterloo last summer and is continuing his work on batteries, among several other areas of interest, as director of the Extreme Mechanics and Energy Materials Lab.

His research at Stanford involved a longstanding challenge with lithium-ion batteries – widely used in transportation, energy storage and electronic devices – with solid ceramic, rather than liquid, electrolytes.

Solid-state batteries, as they are known, promise higher energy density and better safety, but are prone to the formation of tiny internal cracks during charging that result in short-circuits that drain their charge and render them useless.

Cui and the Stanford research team set out to solve that problem by mechanically compressing the solid electrolyte during charging. That prevented the formation of vertical cracks, the kind that cause short-circuiting by reaching a battery’s electrodes.

Findings in the paper could inform the future design of long-lasting solid-state batteries, which have the potential to double the energy density of current lithium-ion batteries.

“We want to make reliable, energy-dense batteries that are fast charging,” Cui said in a media release issued by Stanford and SLAC. “This research shows us several of the steps that need to happen to make that possible.” 

A team led by two Waterloo Engineering professors has developed a battery-free sensor with promising potential applications to expand the reach of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.

“The legacy approach to sensors relies on local gateways and batteries, limiting scalability, adding environmental burden and increasing maintenance overhead,” said Dr. George Shaker, a professor of electrical and computer engineering.

“The proposed battery-free system eliminates the need for local infrastructure by connecting directly to cell towers, creating a feasibility path toward future satellite connection which in turn unlocks a wide array of diverse applications.” 

Shaker and Dr. Norman Zhou, a professor of mechanical and mechatronics engineering, teamed up on the project with student researchers, and received support from Rogers Inc., the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and Mitacs.

Go to Breakthrough battery-free sensor has the potential for a direct satellite uplink for the full story.

Holistic Innovation in Additive Manufacturing (HI-AM 2.0)

From process optimization to multi-scale modeling and machine learning, Waterloo researchers receive widespread support to develop technologies of the future

What sets Waterloo apart are our multi-disciplinary approaches to research with deep connections with industry. Thanks to major funding, a group of researchers is set to make a meaningful impact, advancing sustainable innovation and training the next generation of leaders in From process optimization to multi-scale modeling and machine learning, Waterloo researchers receive widespread support to develop technologies of the futurethe additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, sector. 

The Holistic Innovation in Additive Manufacturing (HI-AM 2.0) project will focus on training highly qualified professionals (HQPs) and developing technologies that reduce the environmental footprint of advanced manufacturing. The work builds on the previous HI-AM Network that worked to address the challenges that prevented the industrial adoption of metal AM and equip Canada for the ongoing disruptions in manufacturing as a result of digital technologies and geopolitical contexts. 

The newest project is supported by two grants totaling $10.9 million from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and Mitacs, as well as funding from industry partners from sectors such as aerospace, automotive and energy. 

“The announcement of HI-AM 2.0 is a testament to the success of the original project and will continue to accelerate the industrial adoption of metal additive manufacturing in Canada,” says Charmaine Dean, vice-president, Research and International. “Importantly, the project will also train the next generation of HQPs who will ensure that the sector continues to grow and thrive, thus strengthening our economy. HI-AM 2.0 is just the latest example of how Waterloo successfully partners with industry and with other academic institutions to maximize resources and impact.” 

The original HI-AM Network ran from 2017 to 2024 and brought together 19 leading AM experts from several Canadian universities. The network set out to train 78 HQPs at different stages in their academic careers, ultimately exceeding that goal by training more than 140 individuals, who lent their expertise in various industry sectors to drive growth across the country. 

Among them are two PhD students who founded Retinex, a start-up that advances quality assurance for laser AM and welding applications. 

Today, many industries benefit from the HI-AM group’s innovations, including automotive, aerospace, energy, engineering, AM material suppliers, and original equipment manufacturers.   

"As the original network was nearing its conclusion, we received widespread support and encouragement from stakeholders to continue the initiative in some form, which underscored the success of the original program and highlighted the ongoing demand for large-scale collaborative research on disruptive technologies in Canada," says Dr. Ehsan Toyserkani, engineering professor, Canada Research Chair in AM, and director of HI-AM 2.0.

With the strong demand for this network, a total of 17 collaborative projects have been approved under HI-AM 2.0, each designed to tackle challenges hindering the industrial adoption of metal AM. The research covers a broad range of topics, including process optimization for advanced alloys, multi-scale modelling, digital twin modelling, machine learning applications in quality assurance for AM and efforts to scale production through multi-laser and large-envelope processes.

“The role played by our private sector, not-for-profit and government partners in the success of this large-scale initiative cannot be overstated," says Dr. Mihaela Vlasea, associate director of HI-AM 2.0 and associate professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering. "Collectively, our partners bring access to high-caliber Canadian talent, as well as diverse levels of experience with additive manufacturing. Through low-risk, high-impact research projects, we can guide businesses in adopting more sustainable technologies from a design, material, performance, and cost perspective.”

HI-AM 2.0 will continue to bring together leading research, academic and industry partners from across the country to develop materials and processes to advance AM. The program will support Canadian businesses and help position the country as a pioneer in the application and development of innovative AM technologies.

The University of Waterloo acknowledges the support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Alliance and the NSERC Alliance-MitacsAccelerate Fund.

For more information on NSERC and Mitacs, visit their websites below:

https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/index_eng.asp

https://www.mitacs.ca

A student-designed electric race car from the University of Waterloo powered its way to a top-place finish at the Formula Hybrid+Electric competition, a premier international student challenge for hybrid and electric vehicles.

The University of Waterloo’s Formula Electric (UWFE) team earned its podium result at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, competing against 28 other teams from across North America in late April.

Hosted by Dartmouth College, the annual event tested student-built vehicles for speed, handling, endurance and energy efficiency.

With a redesigned electrical system and year-long focus on reliability, the team’s car excelled under pressure, highlighting not only technical performance but also the depth of student collaboration and innovation behind the build.

An alumnus of Waterloo Engineering has been recognized by an industry publication as one of the 100 leading women in the North American automotive industry.

Erin Buchanan (BASc ’98, chemical engineering), general manager of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada in Cambridge, made the Automotive News list for 2025 alongside CEOs, engineers, founders, marketers and financiers described as “visionaries, problem-solvers and catalysts for change.”

In a story about the winners, Buchanan credited Waterloo and its co-op program with leading her into the auto industry.

“Through the co-op program, I was able to gain insight into some manufacturing supply chain companies. I spent several co-op terms working for a few automotive suppliers,” she said.

“That gave me insight into how competitive the industry is, how fast-paced the industry is, how quickly models are changing, how integrated the supply chain can be, how important the relationships are between an OEM and their supplier partners.”

Buchanan was one of only 11 Canadian women named to the list, which is announced by the weekly, Detroit-based newspaper every five years.

Faculty of Engineering researchers from the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute have been awarded over $1.1 million in funding from the National Cybersecurity Consortium (NCC) to advance two cybersecurity projects focused on enhancing digital security in Canada. This funding is part of the Cyber Security Innovation Network (CSIN), a national initiative funded by the Canadian government and led by NCC – a not-for-profit organization co-founded by the University of Waterloo to support cybersecurity research, training, and commercialization.

The NCC’s 2024 Call for Proposals allocated $22.8 million in total to 37 projects aimed at bolstering Canada’s cybersecurity resilience. "A resilient digital landscape is vital to the well-being and security of all Canadians,” said Dr. Charmaine Dean, NCC Board chair and vice-president, Research and International at the University of Waterloo. “This funding announcement is an important step forward in maintaining our country as a leader in cybersecurity.”

Faculty of Engineering projects awarded funding

Two Waterloo Engineering projects, led by faculty members and supported by NCC funding, focus on critical areas in cybersecurity: adaptive defense strategies in autonomous driving systems and training in robotics cybersecurity.

• Adaptive defense strategies for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS): A game-theoretic approach
  Lead researchers: Dr. Seyed Majid Zahedi and Dr. Rodolfo Pellizzoni with collaboration from Dr. Mahesh Tripunitara
  Funding awarded: $164,622.50
  This project aims to develop adaptive defense strategies for ADAS by applying game-theoretic models to strengthen real-time response capabilities against AI-driven attacks. The team’s approach focuses on enhancing security protocols by incorporating real-time data to support adaptive policies that counter evolving threats in autonomous driving systems.
   
• CRAFT: Cybersecure robotics and future talent
  Lead researchers: Dr. Sebastian Fischmeister and Dr. Yue Hu
  Funding awarded: $1,000,000
  Addressing the growing need for skilled robotics cybersecurity professionals, CRAFT is a comprehensive training initiative that combines cybersecurity principles with robotics. The program partners with industry leaders, offering hands-on training, offensive and defensive cybersecurity courses, a robotics cyber range, and tabletop exercises to simulate real-world scenarios. “Waterloo is very well positioned in this regard with a large variety of available hardware, a large portion of which is government funded,” said Dr. Hu. “By sharing our resources and educational materials, we aim at increasing the impact of the program overall."

These projects underscore the University of Waterloo’s commitment to advancing cybersecurity and its role in training future talent to secure Canada’s digital landscape.

Go to Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute secures $1.5M in funding for more.

Road vehicles are a significant source of pollution in Canada, accounting for about 145.1 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2016, or about 21 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions.

As a result, municipalities are beginning to consider the environmental costs of vehicle emissions as part of their traffic management practices. The Region of Waterloo in Ontario, for example, looks at fuel consumption and emissions when conducting intersection control studies.

Anechoic chamber is free from noise and electronic interference, leading to new scientific breakthroughs in Waterloo

WATERLOO — The heavy steel door inside Room 1018 of the Engineering 5 building at the University of Waterloo looks more like a bank vault than the entrance to a laboratory.