Staff

ABSTRACT: With fossil fuels becoming scarcer and more expensive, biotechnology offers an alternative way to produce fuels, chemicals, drugs and proteins. Using bacteria and algae as the catalysts of the conversions offers several advantages. Although microorganisms naturally produce a wide variety of chemicals, further engineering is required to achieve yield and productivity target values, and develop cost-effective production processes.

ABSTRACT:  This seminar is divided into three distinct sections: the first is focused on the synthesis of novel polymers by Nitroxide Mediated Polymerization (NMP), the second is the design of small molecules and their use in the fabrication of organic electronic devices and the third section combines both previous sections to explore the use of smart polymers in smart-sensors.

ABSTRACT: Securing renewable energy sources is one of the most urgent challenges of our century. Fossil fuels are a limited resource and their use often has serious environmental impacts. As a result, there has been a major drive recently to advance science and technology for harvesting green and renewable energies using, for instance, the chemical energies of hydrogen and oxygen, photons, or even biomass.

Abstract:  The Hydrogen and Hydrogen Isotopes Technology Branch (formerly known as Chemical Engineering Branch) holds expertise and facilities that are focused on the development of energy technologies that make a beneficial impact on Canada’s use of clean energy.  This capability area helps to ensure a clean and healthy environment for Canadians through development and use of clean energy technologies, and with securing options for Canada’s future energy needs and sustainability through nuclear technology. 

Abstract:  CO₂ reforming of CH₄ plays important roles in the development of clean coal technology, renewable energy production, and biomass utilization. However, a viable (active, stable, and economical) catalyst is a must to facilitate this reaction. Ni-based catalyst is one of the most promising catalyst candidates but a long-term problem for this kind of catalyst is its tendency to be deactivated by carbon formation.

Abstract:  In this talk, a recent University of Waterloo PhD graduate will discuss the transition from graduate student to assistant professor.  Topics will include the ingredients of a good PhD project, structuring your future research plans, setting reasonable expectations, the joys and burdens of teaching, the paradoxical nature of hiring the best lab rats (PhDs) to become rat trainers (Professors), and generally how to begin ‘thinking like a professor’.  By way of illustration he will discuss his own experience in the context of his research on ‘engineered’ porous mater