Our Department ranks as number one in Canada for Chemical Engineering according to the U.S. News and World Best Global Universities.
The department's small class-sizes, engaging teaching practices, and hands-on learning in our state-of-the-art facilities empower our students to solve real-world problems.
The Department of Chemical Engineering is a vibrant center of collaborative research addressing some of the most pressing challenges in energy and materials. Our faculty members are engaged in a diverse array of research in areas such as machine learning and process systems engineering, CO2 capture and conversion, polymer engineering, renewable energy, synthetic biology, environmental remediation, and materials science that push the boundaries of innovation.
Check out this short presentation by one of our second year undergraduate students, talking about the undergraduate Chemical Engineering Program at UWaterloo!
Are you wondering what Chemical Engineering is? Check out our new animation!
Chemical Engineering Lab Tour
Join us for a tour of the Chemical Engineering undergraduate labs in the Douglas Wright Engineering Building at the University of Waterloo.
Find out more by exploring the programs, research and news stories on this site.
News
Using bacteria to power a sustainable future
The ScotiaBank Climate Action Research Fund is being awarded to Professor Christian Euler for a groundbreaking approach that aims to use bacteria to transform combined waste streams, including plastic-derived waste and CO2 into sustainable products such as bioplastics.
The ScotiaBank Climate Action Research Fund is granted to scientists and engineers whose research will advance climate-related initiatives. Euler’s project offers a glimpse into a future where waste is not a problem to solve—it’s part of the solution.
“Innovation and research are important in the transition to a lower-carbon economy,” said Kim Brand, Vice President, Global Sustainable Business at Scotiabank. “At Scotiabank, we believe that research and collaboration can unlock practical solutions for businesses, communities, and individuals alike. The goal of the Climate Action Research Fund is to support initiatives, like the one underway at the University of Waterloo, to come to life in support of solutions for a more sustainable future.”
Euler’s research group could potentially create tailored biopolymers with specific properties by adjusting the bacteria’s feedstock. For instance, biopolymers could be created for use as biodegradable packaging.
From classroom to industry: Engineering her future
After completing her BASc in Iran, Sogol ShaghaghiAfzali, was eager to enter the exciting world of working in industry as soon as possible. However, a friend was applying to graduate school at the University of Waterloo, and that piqued ShaghaghiAfzali’s interest.
She soon applied and was accepted into the MEng program in the Department of Chemical Engineering. ShaghaghiAfzali started out in the regular MEng program and quickly switched into the MEng Co-op Program.
“I think the MEng Co-op Program is really beneficial. With co-op, you really get to know industry. What are they looking for? It's not all just about knowledge, it's about developing soft skills like communication, especially as an international student,” said ShaghaghiAfzali.
Liquid crystals power artificial muscles for robots
New research shows a smarter way to build artificial muscles for soft robots
A research group led by Chemical Engineering Professor Hamed Shahsavan has developed a method to reinforce smart, rubber-like materials—paving the way for their use as artificial muscles in robots, potentially replacing traditional rigid motors and pumps.
“Artificial muscles are essential for unlocking the true potential of soft robots. Unlike rigid components, they allow robots to move flexibly, safely, and with precision. This is especially important for applications like micromedical robots,” said Shahsavan.
The research group mixed liquid crystals (LCs) often used in displays for electronics and sensors into liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) which are promising building blocks for soft robots.
LCEs are rubbers that experience massive shape-change when heated, in a reversable but programmable manner. When a tiny amount of LCs were mixed with LCEs, they became much stiffer, up to nine times stronger than before.