As part of Canada's largest engineering school and most innovative university, the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo is home to approximately 1,000 students, faculty and staff, and has thousands of alumni worldwide.
Our Department consistently ranks among the top two universities in Canada and the number one university in Ontario in Chemical Engineering according to the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities.
In addition to offering undergraduate and graduate programs in chemical engineering, the Department provides academic expertise and support to Waterloo's collaborative nanotechnology and biomedical engineering programs.
The department's collaborative research culture, engaging teaching practices and state-of-the-art facilities create a vibrant learning environment where students are empowered to solve the problems our world faces.
Learn about Professor Michael Pope's research in the field of electrochemical energy systems and about the newly established Ontario Battery and Electrochemistry Research Centre.
Are you wondering what Chemical Engineering is? Let's hear from our professors!
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
Researchers awarded $2.5 million to valorize harmful waste
Professor Christian Euler leads a Canadian research team that aims to valorize waste materials such as plastics, CO2 emissions, methane and other gases, and agricultural residues, converting them into valuable commodities and chemicals. The goal is to devise technologies that provide economic incentives for waste recycling, making sustainability a driver of profit rather than a cost burden for industry.
The research group received funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) as part of the National Science Foundation Global Centers initiative. University of Waterloo Researchers are part of the Center for Innovative Recycling and Circular Economy (CIRCLE).
As the planet faces the ongoing effects of climate change and the accumulation of pollution in every ecosystem it’s clear that the pace of human development is unsustainable. CIRCLE seeks to address these challenges through a multidisciplinary global collaboration.
Remembering Professor Edward Rhodes
Professor Edward Rhodes was a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering from 1964 to 1986. Rhodes was part of the Transport Phenomena Group and conducted research in multiphase flow and boiling heat transfer. Rhodes made significant contributions as chair of the department for 11 years, starting in 1976.
He was a kind and gifted administrator. His life and work influenced many students and young faculty members.
Rhodes’ career accomplishments also included his roles as Dean of Engineering at the University of Calgary, President of the Technical University of Nova Scotia and Vice President at Dalhousie University. He also served as Vice President of Technology for an international petrochemical company.
Rhodes was also known for his artistic side. He loved music and singing, often studying music on his lunch breaks!
He is remembered fondly by many former students, staff and faculty members.
Chemical Engineering Professor Alex Penlidis remembers Dr. Rhodes:
“Ted Rhodes was the department chair when I joined the Department of Chemical Engineering at Waterloo in 1986. He was first and foremost a kind person and a very astute and flexible administrator. He was an exemplary chair, as he was a good researcher and teacher, kind to students and colleagues alike, and a great administrator, who was interested in resolving issues and situations quickly and effectively."
Harnessing nature’s inspiration and the power of the sun to generate fresh water
Professors Michael Tam and Yuning Li have designed a solar-powered desalination device capable of utilizing over 93% of solar energy to produce fresh water from the sea via a thermal evaporation process.
This rate is five times higher than that of current technologies, making it a highly efficient solar-driven desalination system. With a production capacity of approximately 20 litres of fresh water per square meter per day, this device offers a sustainable solution to global freshwater scarcity.
Desalination of water is critical for many coastal nations to produce water for consumption and agricultural activities. Rapid population growth and increasing global water consumption by industry contribute to water scarcity.