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A new study by researchers at the University of Waterloo has uncovered a crucial mechanism in the evolution of regulatory systems in E. coli that could have far-reaching applications in cancer therapy and biomanufacturing for products such as insulin or mRNA vaccines.

The critical insight arose when the research team examined a regulatory mechanism near the tail end of a protein called PykF

“A helpful analogy to understand this mechanism is the speedometer in a car. When you're driving through a town, where there are dangers to avoid, you need to know how fast you're going, so the speedometer is important. But, if you're on an open stretch of road with no risks, you can throw the speedometer out the window and put the pedal to the metal,” said Dr. Christian Euler from the Department of Chemical Engineering. “The research opens up the potential to one day put a new stoplight on the road to limit growth rate.”

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.

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."

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.

Ever heard of the phrase coined by Friedrich Nietzsche, “the devil is in the details”? Professors William Anderson and Boxin Zhao have advanced the battle against microplastic pollution by uncovering the intricate details of how microplastics degrade in the environment. Observation and understanding the fine details of microplastics are key to eradicating them from our environment.

The research group has been able to observe the degradation of micro and nanoplastics with unprecedented detail. In collaboration with the National Research Council (NRC) researchers leveraged 3D imaging technology, which allows for a much deeper understanding of the microplastic degradation process than traditional 2D microscopy.

This detailed observation is the first of its kind, demonstrating the potential of 3D imaging as a powerful tool in microplastic research.

Professor Tizazu Mekonnen’s research group has developed polymer foam that absorbs and locks in oil, preventing groundwater contamination.

The team designed a novel material that can not only absorb hydrocarbon oil from oil spills but can also lock the oil in, preventing it from leeching into groundwater. The porous material designed from special tri-block co-polymers can absorb eight times its weight or 800% of oil upon direct contact.

Electric transformers and other industries have huge oil storage facilities containing thousands of litres of oil which can leak into groundwater due to unexpected accidents and natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes or earthquakes. Groundwater contamination is extremely difficult to clean up. These accidents can lead to serious environmental damage, posing health hazards to wildlife, and people.

Imagine a coat that harnesses solar energy to keep you warm on a brisk winter walk, or a shirt that seamlessly monitors your heart rate and temperature. Picture athletes wearing smart clothing that tracks their performance, all without the burden of bulky battery packs.

Professor Yuning Li's research group has developed a smart fabric with these remarkable capabilities. The fabric can potentially harvest energy, monitor health, and track movement.

The new fabric, designed by the research team, can convert body heat and solar energy into electricity, potentially enabling continuous operation without the need for an external power source. Additionally, different sensors that monitor temperature, stress, and more can be integrated into the material.

A new reverse osmosis (RO) water system was installed in the Chemical Engineering undergraduate teaching labs in the Douglas Wright Engineering Building (DWE) this summer. The new RO system eliminates the need for a large amount of hazardous chemicals and manual operations required for the outdated existing unit while providing a quality and sustainable supply of deionized (DI) water for teaching and research in DWE. The unit was partially funded through the Sustainability Action Fund.

Researchers from the Universitat Duisburg-Essen in Germany and the University of Cambridge arrived at the University of Waterloo in June to participate in ongoing graduate student training aimed at leveraging 2D materials for various manufacturing applications. This international collaboration is supported by an NSERC CREATE grant, with Professor Michael Pope from the Department of Chemical Engineering serving as lead Principal Investigator. Researchers from the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Science and the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology are involved in the collaboration.

The Department of Chemical Engineering is proud to announce the appointment of two of its faculty members as Canada Research Chairs (CRC). The designation of Canada Research Chair is an honour bestowed upon exceptional emerging researchers. Professors Valerie Ward and Tizazu Mekonnen are both trailblazers in their respective fields.

Ward now holds a CRC in Microalgae Biomanufacturing. Her research group uses microalgae to make a variety of products.