Friday, January 17, 2025

This month’s showcase on display in the Office of the President highlights the work of the Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing (MSAM) Lab. MSAM is part of the Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering Department at the University of Waterloo. It is dedicated to advancing additive manufacturing processes.   

The samples on display feature several components designed and printed for the Waterloo Rocketry team. Thanks to efforts from Zachariah Mears (MASc mechanical engineering) and Jerry Ratthapakdee (Lead AM technician at MSAM) these components utilize complex geometries and lattices that significantly improve the overall performance of the rockets, which are taken to several competitions across the globe. The latticed rocket nozzle won the Dr. Gil Moore Award for Innovation and took 2nd place in the 30K SRAD Hybrid/Liquid category. 

Other samples being showcased include: 

An innovative heat sink designed by Joseph Orakwe and Mingzhang Yang (both PhD mechanical engineering), which won runner up in the ASME/IEEE 2023/2024 Heat Sink Design Competition. The heat sinks combine thermo-fluid simulations with a novel topology optimization script to create conformal lattice structures that maximize the mixing of the fluid and the overall heat transfer. One of the heat sinks was printed using a material that was produced sustainably via micro-milling from a metal bar (courtesy of Metal Powder Works).  

3D printed medals that have been gold-plated or palladium-plated medals and handed out to notable UW graduating students and alumni. The medals are first 3D printed using a nickel-based superalloy then finished using a laser remelting process and ceramic based polishing. Manyou Sun (PhD mechanical engineering) does the plating using a set of optimized process parameters. Printing medals allows for various customizations including embossing a unique serial number or the recipient's name on each medal. 

A unique biodegradable implant was developed in collaboration with University of Toronto and Mount Sinai hospital. Mihaela Vlasea (co-director at MSAM) and Ehsan Toyserkani (director at MSAM).  

Custom face masks and face shields were printed by MSAM during the pandemic. Although the face masks were not used at the time due to the non-biocompatibility of the material, advances in the material have resulted in more biocompatible materials that can be used to create this custom face masks if needed. MSAM printed, assembled and donated approximately 2,000 face shields to support healthcare workers in both Ontario and Quebec. 

Using state-of-the-art modeling and simulation tools, precision monitoring devices, adaptive closed-loop control systems, quality assurance algorithms, and a comprehensive array of in-situ and ex-situ characterization techniques, MSAM researchers are exploring cutting-edge techniques and innovations in advanced materials and novel products.

The MSAM Lab is located in the Catalyst137 in Kitchener. 

Every month, the Office of the President’s display case features University of Waterloo innovation and academic excellence through exhibits that showcase ground-breaking work produced by students, faculty, staff and researchers. The exhibits are a great opportunity for partners, donors, international delegations to get a sense of what’s happening on campus when they visit the President in his office.     

Learn more about the Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing Lab.

Employees invited to support relocated students

"I’m reaching out to ask for your help," wrote Associate Provost, Students Chris Read in an email to employees circulated last night. "On Monday evening, we worked with approximately 1,400 students to temporarily relocate them from most UW Place residence buildings due to a lack of heat and hot water."

"It is expected that these students will remain in their temporary accommodations through the weekend, and as such, we’re looking for volunteers to help the Campus Housing team continue to support them," Read's memo continues. "If you are able to volunteer for a shift over the next few days, please click to learn more about the roles that need to be filled and to share your availability with the scheduling team."

"Thank you to everyone who has been working hard to resolve this issue and support the students who have been affected," Read's memo concludes.

Weaving Indigenous science into the classroom

By Sarah Fullerton. This is an excerpt of an article originally published on Waterloo News.

The Faculty of Science at the University of Waterloo is dedicated to amplifying Indigenous histories and cultures, driving the initiative to transform science education by weaving Indigenous and Western scientific teachings into the classroom.

Leading this initiative are Savannah Sloat, Manager of Science Indigenous Initiatives, and Kirsten Müller, Chair of the Biology department, who have redesigned an old biology course to include Indigenous knowledge frameworks for an inclusive educational experience.

For Müller, redesigning the course was a natural extension of her dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion, a commitment reflected in her establishment of the Biology EDI committee at the beginning of her term as chair. With her PhD in botany and a deep respect for Indigenous knowledge systems, she worked closely with Sloat to create a curriculum that embraced Indigeneity.

The redesigned BIO 225: Plants and Civilization creates a bridge between Indigenous pedagogies and Western science to demonstrate how the two systems complement each other. While both are rooted in observation, driven by curiosity, and emphasize replicability, Indigenous science operates in a relational framework, relying on oral traditions for knowledge transmission rather than text-based reporting.

The focus is to teach students the benefits of both systems and demonstrate how they complement one another. Central to achieving this objective is Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This text intertwines Indigenous wisdom with Western scientific principles and guides students through exploring the two knowledge systems.

By co-teaching the course, Sloat and Müller create a learning environment that moves beyond traditional lectures and embraces Indigenous pedagogies, like the weekly circle. In Circle, students participate in thoughtful discussions with each sharing their views on the week’s topic. It is a practice grounded in Indigenous traditions.

“I feel almost giddy after Circle,” Müller says. “Watching our students form deep connections with the course themes, including sustainability, reciprocity and gratitude and actively listening to their classmates has been so rewarding.”

“Students have fully embraced the traditions of Circle,” Sloat says. “It has helped them build connections with one another and made them feel part of a community, while also improving their active listening and public speaking skills.”

Read the full story on Waterloo News.

Registration open for Hagey Bonspiel and other notes

Put up your toques! "Registration is now open for the 51^st Hagey Funspiel and spots are filling up quickly," writes co-organizer Jim Howard. "Whether you are an experienced curler or have never curled before, you will enjoy the fun and frolics of this annual non-competitive event."

Along with the two curling games, registration includes a sit-down luncheon, snacks and prizes.

Assuming registration doesn't close early due to interest, the registration deadline is Friday, February 14. The bonspiel itself takes place on Saturday, February 22 at the Ayr Curling Club.

"Are you considering grad studies?" asks the Chemical Engineering department. "Would you like to know more about the intriguing research in the Department of Chemical Engineering? "Did you know that you get paid to do a research-based Chemical Engineering graduate degree? Did you know you can obtain a Master of Engineering degree in one year?"

Find out the answers to these questions and more at the Chemical Engineering Graduate Studies Fair on Friday, January 24 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Engineering 7's 1^st Floor Ideas Clinic.

"See our facilities, meet faculty, and current students! Join us for refreshments!"

Information Systems & Technology (IST) has published the latest in the Atlassian blog series entitledExciting Updates to Issue Security in Jira Service Management.

Employers hosting Employer Information Sessions this week and next week include Fairfax Financial, Manulife, OpenAI, Sony PlayStation, Boeing, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment, Genesys, EVAMAX, Bird Construction, and Align Technology. Make sure to register through WaterlooWorks and check the calendar for any updates.

Finally, a reminder that all visitor parking lots will start using the AMP mobile pay app on Monday, January 20, when all pay-and-display machines will be decommissioned. The AMP mobile pay (AMP) app allows you to register your vehicle by using your license plate and pay for parking with a credit card via secure online transaction. Find out more about AMP.