Engineer of the Future Fund Recipients

2022

2014 - 2021

Fall 2021

Moonlight Haptics - A wearable vibrotactile display for those with visual impairment to navigate their surroundings.

CortiSolve - A novel, non-invasive cortisol biosensor to support accurate mental health diagnoses.

Health Message Technologies -  Developing a cost-effective point of care test for the detection of pre-cervical cancer lesions.

ImmunoCool - An economic portable solar refrigerator compliant with WHO specifications for vaccine storage.

SafeWear -  A discrete and reusable wearable device that gathers vital signs from hospital patients who are incompatible with more traditional methods, resulting in more accurate readings.

AICE - Creating a conductive adhesive to harness the power of nanowires that will advance microelectronics into an ultra-high-density era.

MEGA - Producing a bio-compatible controlled-release nitrogen fertilizer using a hydrogel nanocomposite design to address the problem of nitrogen leaching.

Spring 2021

BioGraph Sense - Electronic sensors for the detection of pathogens in human or environmental samples.

Health Message Technologies -  Developing a cost-effective point of care test for the detection of pre-cervical cancer lesions.

Moonlight Haptics - A wearable vibrotactile display for those with visual impairment to navigate their surroundings.

Maesos Technologies - A cutting-edge sensor and innovative, low-cost and scalable IoT micro-climate monitoring network for farmers.

Petalos - A modular endoscope with an autoclavable body and removable modules that increase reprocessing efficiency and reduce the risk of surgical site infections.

CortiSolve - A novel, non-invasive cortisol biosensor to support accurate mental health diagnoses.

NE FYDP Group 8 - Flexible supercapacitors for wearable electronics.

Lamper Labs - A biomimetic robotic fish that serves as a platform for aquatic research and ecosystem surveillance.

AICE - Harnessing the power of nanowires to create a conductive adhesive that will advance microelectronics into an ultra-high-density era.

HipPO - A compression and temperature controlled hip brace that reduces load at joints for hip-osteoarthritis patients.

Winter 2021

Material Futures Inc. - Engineering pigments with micro-organisms to replace synthetic dyes and colorants.

Fille-strip - Simplifying the process of adding filler material to a fusion-welded joint by simply welding through a strip of the required alloying element that is adhesively bonded to the area being welded.

AquaSensing - Building a green, cheap, battery-free water sensor for water conservation.

Moonlight Haptics - A wearable vibrotactile display for those with visual impairment to navigate their surroundings.

LoopX Innovations - Autonomous mobile robots to provide more affordable last-mile delivery services.

Petalos - A modular endoscope with an autoclavable body and removable modules that increase reprocessing efficiency and reduce the risk of surgical site infections.

Maesos Technologies Inc. - A cutting-edge sensor and innovative, low-cost and scalable IoT micro-climate monitoring network for farmers.

Fall 2020

AM Ultrasonics - Leveraging the use of sound waves, a new type of material conveyor system has been designed taking the place of the nozzles normally used in metal directed energy deposition additive manufacturing (AM) machines (3d printers).

Lumos - Redefining the experience for light therapy to improve real world adherence.

Material Futures Inc. - Engineering pigments with micro-organisms to replace synthetic dyes and colorants.

Cerebi Solutions - An affordable and user-centred exoskeleton that serves to solve gait issues specific to each person's disability along with skin monitoring, all in a comfortable and esthetic package.

BeBlended - A SaaS enabled marketplace that connects Black women with tailored hair stylists.

FluxForStrength - A defect-free Braze Welding Flux used to improve the mechanical integrity of brazed joints in automotive structural components.

Citrus Life Science - A micro fluidic platform that shortens the discovery process of aptamer biosensors from months to days or hours, allowing for the rapid prototyping of biosensor devices like diagnostic tools.

EyeMove - An add-on device which enables control of a powered wheelchair using eye-tracking.

Masque - A cooling and nose foam strip that attaches to the mask to help healthcare workers feel cooler and prevent their glasses or goggles from fogging up when wearing a mask for long periods of time.

Speculor - A novel teleophthalmology platform integrated with deep learning for automatic diagnosis of eye diseases/conditions.

Spring 2020

Nfinite Nanotechnologies - Applications of advanced functional nano coatings with antiviral properties on personal protective equipment to assist the fight against COVID19.

Rocket Socket - A dynamic prosthetic socket for below-the-knee amputees that automatically senses and adapts to changes in residual limb shape and volume to improve fit, function, and comfort.

Fille-strip - Simplifying the process of adding filler material to a fusion-welded joint by simply welding through a strip of the required alloying element that is adhesively bonded to the area being welded.

Olnaire - A wearable self-defense technology to help women protect themselves against sexual assault and rape.

Dronee - An online 3D modelling system that utilizes an autonomous drone with existing computer vision technology.

Winter 2020

Soy Boys - A new manufacturing method for plant-based meat processing that improves the throughput and overall energy usage of existing methods, while replicating the texture of animal meat products.

elEVate - A portable battery pack for electric vehicle owners by a scalable module that can be transported by the vehicle during long and remote trips that lack access to charging infrastructure.

Nfinite Nanotechnologies - A novel, patent-pending spatial atomic layer deposition (SALD) technology that can produce films with nanometre-scale thickness control on a commercial scale, that enables the development and commercialization of next-gen green technologies like perovskite solar cells and solid-state batteries.

Kiyo Robotics - An automated piece picking device with robotic grasping for intralogistics.

Material Futures Inc. - Engineering organic pigments with micro-organisms to replace synthetic textile dyes.

blitz - An autonomous charging solution for self-driving vehicles to ready existing EV charger stations for an emerging robo-taxi market.

Scope - An electrically tunable lenses to bring optical zooming technology to smartphones, in a smaller, cheaper, and more aesthetic system.

Caravel - An unmanned road-legal electric vehicle for 2 hour delivery (such as food or grocery delivery).

Fall 2019

Kiyo - An automated piece picking device with robotic grasping for intralogistics.

upRoot Robotics - An automated weed control process to allow increased crop density and eliminate chemical use.

AquaNet - A scalable self-powered remote water quality monitoring network for tracking lake health over time and predicting environmental risks, allowing for early preventative measures to improve drinking water and promote a more stable aquatic ecosystem.

Caravel - An unmanned road-legal electric vehicle for 2 hour delivery (such as food or grocery delivery).

Vision Spatial Technologies Inc. - A computer vision powered traffic light that improves safety, reduces liability and improves the user experience of ski resort terrain park jumps.

Kidexa Labs - An electromechanical simulator that will be used to train physicians to diagnose Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) in infants aged 6-12 weeks.

eProtect - A scalable and cost-effective protective coating to facilitate the implementation of organic electronics by protecting them from moisture and water-induced damage.

Spring 2019

Mushmade - Designing small household objects out of mycelium, thereby creating a 100% compostable product requiring little energy for production and disposal.

Diffusiv - A colorimetric meat sensor displaying meat quality and freshness.

The Soy Boys - A new manufacturing method for plant-based meat processing that improves the throughput and overall energy usage while replicating the texture of animal meat products.

EmPowerEQ Inc. - Our product is a generator that attaches onto items used for everyday chores in sub-Saharan Africa, such as a bicycle, wheelbarrow, or water collection drum which generates electricity from the kinetic energy of the items to power small-scale appliances at night.

Hydromo - A separation device that will remove microplastics (small fibrous plastics that break off our clothes during washing) from laundry machine waste water, and will be an external device to the washing machine drain hose.

IuvoDerm - An antimicrobial long-term wound dressing for those with diabetic foot ulcers in order to replace the current painful treatment of constant wound debridement.

Winter 2019

Stabilitics - wearable that detects hand tremors due to Parkinson’s disease and mitigates its effects enabling patients to perform everyday tasks seamlessly.

Stacktronic - modular, plug-n-play battery platform for electric vehicles that can be flexibly arranged in 3D space and electrically configured in series and/or parallel with little technical expertise required by the user.

BEAM Robotics -  3D mapping robotics for infrastructure inspection; core technology is based on lidar/image mapping.

Scope - compact, tunable lenses that allow for zooming.

Intelliculture - makes farming more profitable by giving farmers the data they need to make smarter use of their vehicles..

Pulse Home - panelized construction technology developed in partnership with three Canadian Indigenous communities that addresses the housing crisis on reserves while stimulating economic growth.

Fall 2018

Intelline - building mass-custom cryocoolers to enable widespread implementation of cryocooled technologies.

Solarity - a solar cooker with molten salt energy storage as a clean burning solution for cooking in the outdoors or use in developing countries.

Efficient Housing - creating an adaptable, affordable, sustainable housing solution for at-risk indigenous communities.

IntelliCulture - making farming more profitable by giving farmers the data they need to make smarter use of their vehicles.

Oleotech - removing hydrocarbons in stormwater runoff before it is released into bodies of water, using oleophilic properties of fibre from waste tires.

Augeo Medical - an actuated and sensing transtibial socket for diabetic transtibial amputees that will improve socket fit leading to an improved quality of life for these individuals by increasing comfort and mobility.

Assistive Devices for Cerebral Palsy - designing a multifunctional assistive device for children with severe cerebral palsy (CP), which reduces the number of devices required for the individual to perform basic day-to-day tasks, enhancing the quality of life for the child and their caretaker.

Spring 2018

Brink Bionics - an affordable robotic prosthetic hands that can outperform many of the capabilities of the most advanced hands available.

Atelier Sao - their Rainwater Bridge is an adaptable structure that will alleviate drought conditions and clean water scarcity for low-income villagers in the Mekong Delta by integrated architectural design and local materials.

Intelline - a mass-custom pulse tube cryocooler.

Stabilitics - a wearable that detects hand tremors due to Parkinson’s disease and Essential tremors and mitigates its effects enabling patients to perform everyday tasks seamlessly.

Winter 2018

Esperto Labs - an innovative smartwatch platform which can be modified and built upon by developers to suit their project needs.

SannTek - a nanotechnology-enabled sensor that will determine the quantitative amount of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component of marijuana) present in breath.

H2-Solar: An Affordable Solar Water Heater - a thermosiphon solar water heater that provides running hot water, and is affordable, effective and safe to use.

Stellar Night - a mobile platform and bio-signal monitoring system that will enhance overnight respite care services for families with children who have complex medical needs.

Excilia - a speech therapeutic aid to give real-time feedback to patients and remote-monitoring for therapists.

NoStrain - a wearable that monitors finger and wrist motion to prevent excessive strain to the hand and provides feedback of the user's movement through a phone application.

Circadian Energy - providing electricity access for under-serviced or remote regions through an expandable energy infrastructure, driven by a network of consumer-level power hubs, capable of sharing energy and a management system that predicts and adapts to usage patterns.

Green Sorbs - a sorbent boom used to clean up oil spills, made with recycled tire materials from landfill waste.

Fall 2017

Kinetic Imaging - a high-speed camera that is much more affordable to scientists and enthusiasts alike.

Esperto Smartwatch - an innovative smartwatch platform which can be modified and built upon by developers to suit their project needs.

WaterWeb - a system to collect water from air using bioinspired fibre that contains nano-structures.

Qalm - a heat traced insulated tubing line integrated with phase changing materials.

EPOCH - a platform for a skills marketplace that connects newcomers and community members, using time as a means of exchange.

Spring 2017

Autronics - integrating behavioural sciences and physiological signal monitoring to provide a tool that will assist individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in developing emotional control.

HeadIt VR - a soccer heading simulator in virtual reality that allows children and injured athletes to practice without the risk of concussion.

sketch3D - a smooth and accurate robotic arm tracking a user’s movement in 3D space.

PixUp - a cross platform application that automatically detects and fixes artifacts in the image.

SixthSense - a wireless sensing suite to enable engineers and makers to rapidly prototype biomedical devices, environmental sensing devices and home security devices.

Innovatech - a novel, vibration-sensing shoe inspired by the biological adaptations of snakes, designed to help those who are audibly or visually impaired to better navigate their surroundings.

NoStrain - a wearable that monitors finger and wrist motion to prevent excessive strain to the hand and provides feedback of the user's movement through a phone application.

POCKIT - a design studio focused on creating sensible products for the people of today, with a specific focus on the millennial generation and the compact living requirements which support this demographic.

Sanntek - a nanotechnology based sensor that will determine the quantitative amount of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the active component of marijuana) present in breath.

Ecko - a visual aid for the deaf and hard of hearing by displaying subtitles and the direction of the speaker on augmented reality glasses.

River-Rehab - a new design of pool-riffle sequences for river restoration and rehabilitation based on turbulence numerical analysis.

Winter 2017

Ergonomics in Masonry Training - a system that includes a wearable suit for posture detection, data collection, and user-facing feedback for Masons to ergonomically correct their postures during training in masonry institutes.

Vena Medical - a first-person, real-time perspective for interventional physicians navigating through arteries and veins.

Project Centaur - a robot that automates pipe inspection in nuclear power plant boiler rooms to reduce radiation exposure to workers during operational maintenance.

Polymath Sciences - using liquid crystal elastomers to build a cheap, light weight, and durable alternative to currently existing mechanical braille displays.

DropLab - automating wet lab experiments by controlling movements of droplets through digital microfluidics. 

Air2o Industries - a low cost, Eco-conscious method of producing potable water in developing regions with water scarcity problems.

BioBit - the first diagnostic foot insole that quantifies gait metrics and uses machine learning to accurately assess risk of fall.

For Peat's Sake - a device to measure frost depth in peatlands.

Propelme - aims to enhance each high school student’s personal and professional development through a student driven mobile platform that handles club management, internal communication, and resource consolidation.

NO3 Solutions - The product is a sensor that can be used in groundwater or surface water to detect and monitor nitrate.

Fall 2016

Flexo - a low-cost work uniform capable of detecting incorrect posture and alerting the user via haptic feedback

Knee Extension Assist/Flexion Resist mechanism for RGOs -a new knee brace design for RGOs (Reciprocating Gait Orthoses) that will help wheelchair-bound individuals overcome the challenges of sit-stand and stand-sit transitions through the use of knee extension assist and flexion resist mechanisms.

Happen - Medical therapy and simulation through immersive, multi-sensory and risk-free virtual reality.

Maviana - an easy way to determine the most optimal way to cut with a given milling machine.

NO3 Solutions (NO3S) - a sensor that can be used in groundwater or surface water to detect and monitor nitrate.

Skeleprint - a 3D printer that can generate a long term bone graft that is designed to exceed the mechanical properties of bone using a biocompatible ink.

Chameleon Hearing Protection - a low-powered, responsive variable attenuation ear protection device.

Juno - a conversational bot that will engage and inform young women about women’s health issues such as cancer screenings.

DropLab - automating wet lab experiments by controlling movements of droplets through digital microfluidics.

Kinetic Imaging - a high-speed camera that is much more affordable to scientists and enthusiasts alike.

Spring 2016

Sienci Labs - a high performance desktop CNC mill that creates functional parts out of virtually any material.

Propelme - aims to enhance each high school student’s personal and professional development through a mobile platform that handles club management, internal communication, and resource consolidation.

NoiseCare - a noise cancelling speaker system which will allow anyone to have quiet zones in places such as busy coffee shops or rooms without the need for headphones or any installation.

Fire Response System - easily deployable sensor system that will survey and assess a fire and provide the firefighters with information about the blaze.

Enpact - a battery-free smart insole powered by human motion that tracks athletic performance data.

Voice - custom-made ergonomic gloves which deaf/mute people can use to translate sign language into speech.

Rapid Crop Volumizer - a low-cost integrated system that is capable of detecting the volume of an agricultural crop passing on a conveyor belt and uploading the results to a web portal for reporting purposes.

Winter 2016

HackerScore – a centralized hiring pipeline for engineers.

VivaSpire - a portable self-replenishing long-term oxygen therapy device for the treatment of heart and lung conditions such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Nurhachi – a distributed system platform to better manage private energy generation and storage assets.

Team Zephyr – a comprehensive system that allows building managers, owners, and occupants to understand their indoor environment and make data driven decisions across a portfolio of buildings that improve user health and productivity.

Arylla Inc. - a low cost nanoparticle based taggant system that can be used to prevent counterfeit goods from entering the supply chain.

Fall 2015

ThirdEye Mining Technologies - a mining emergency management system with a wearable smart jacket, which monitors heart rate, geo-location, and noxious gases.

Babylon VR - a virtual reality platform for engineers and designers to view their 3D models in real scale.

Landmine Boys - making landmine disposal safer and more efficient by building a machine that can remotely neutralize landmines without detonation.

NanoStars - using paper as a platform to create a facile, inexpensive and self-contained sensor for use in developing nations to enable arsenic detection in water at concentrations lower than the safe limit prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

BioFlex Implant - extending the application of biodegradable polymers to the creation of a flexible intramedullary nail for pediatric orthopedic surgery.

Varden Labs - an autonomous shuttle system.

Autonomous Mobility Aid - an autonomous walker (mobility aid) that will navigate to the user when called upon.

Green Energy Wall - an electrical energy storage system using re-purposed electric vehicle batteries that will be embedded based on current research.

Spring 2015

Residential Solar Heating & Cooling - product seeks to utilize the heating and cooling components available in the consumer's natural environment to provide a reduced energy bill and environmental footprint.

Thalo - a reflective display technology much like e-link, which can display in full colour and at a much faster refresh rate, allowing full interactivity while using very little power.

Enactus Waterloo - Project Cricket focuses on utilizing cricket farming to provide protein-rich food as an alternative to traditional livestock. 

Lani Inc - a hardware router that automates 3D printers by sending jobs wirelessly from multiple users.

Helios - filling the current telecommunication infrastructure gaps by providing an affordable system to reach more people, and empower people to connect more with each other.

Portable Two-Way Radio Transceiver - an ultra-portable two way radio transceiver which pairs with a smartphone via Bluetooth, allowing the smartphone to communicate on radio bands normally only accessible by traditional two-way radios.

Project Reservoir - a climate and soil monitoring system that maps out the health of an environment and sends instructions to an automated irrigation system for more optimized use of resources such as water or fertilizer.

Tether - introduces mobility to the desktop mouse and frees users from their desk, allowing productivity to every surface without sacrificing precision.

Arylla Inc. - a low cost nanoparticle based taggant system that can be used to prevent counterfeit goods from entering the supply chain.

Educational Radio Frequency Transmitter - a low cost-educational radio frequency transmitter that will allow students to interactively learn about stages of a transmitter.

Winter 2015

Suncayr - a unique UV-responsive marker ink that when applied to skin, can be used to regulate the effectiveness of an individual’s sun protection.

Vitameter - a personal handheld device that can analyze the vitamin levels in a single drop of blood, providing the user with the information needed in order to control their health.

NERv -  a post-surgical implantable bio-sensor designed to detect many common post-operative complications such as internal bleeding, inflammation, septic shocks etc.

EdgeBotix - a robust, low-cost, sensor-packed educational robot for the purpose of teaching computer science and advanced engineering concepts such as control systems, robotics or machine learning.

Tongo - a design to create an innovative mouth guard to leverage the human-computer interaction for users with a disability.

Grasp - a simple to use bicycle lock that eliminates bicycle security as a deterrent for choosing cycling as a green mode of transportation.

Solder Otter - a consumer soldering iron for electronics that is simpler and safer allowing projects to be finished faster.

Breeze - a Nanofibrous respiratory face mask with high filtration efficiency for ease of breathing.

Thalo - a reflective display technology much like e-link, which can display in full colour and at a much faster refresh rate, allowing full interactivity while using very little power.

Fall 2014

Localmotive - an online marketplace for the wholesale distribution of locally produced food items.

Ion Thruster - a micro-fabricated ion thruster, which uses electric power to deliver high efficiency thrust using a very small quantity of fuel.

Suncayr - a unique UV-responsive marker ink that when applied to skin, can be used to regulate the effectiveness of an individual’s sun protection.

VR-Blue - a story-boarding tool for content creation through virtual reality mediums.

NERv - a post-surgical implantable bio-sensor designed to detect many common post-operative complications such as internal bleeding, inflammation, septic shocks etc.

Rocket - a scalable growing system to grow and sell food to communities on commercial and institutional rooftops year round.

Spring 2014

Evergrow - a controlled-released fertilizer with a water retention layer that will advance home gardening and combat the world's food crisis.

EyeCheck - a low-cost automated vision screening to millions of people in the developing world.

SiScope - a product that leverages the abilities of the audio codec to digitize and route physiological sounds through a multi-channel output framework.

Winter 2014

Wearability - an electromyographic (EMG) shirt to measure electrical activation in muscles with the goal of leveraging this data to reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) including lower back and neck sprains and strains.

Bridges to Prosperity - provide access to vital resources, such as health care and education, to isolated communities and aim to do so one footbridge at a time.

Pulse Punching Bags - an exercise device for people interested in learning the basics of martial arts. The system is an interactive smart punching bag with an online ecosystem that provides cardio workouts and improves the user fighting technique safely, enjoyably and without the need for a personal trainer.

NanoLite Technology - integrating heart management, moisture management and antibacterial properties in shirts to make you look and feel the best you possibly can.

DraftingSPACE - a software that automatically generates customized floor-plans for interior space.

Suncayr - a unique UV-responsive marker ink that when applied to skin, can be used to regulate the effectiveness of an individual’s sun protection.

Rocket - a scalable growing systems to grow and sell food to communities on commercial and institutional rooftops year round.

Counter Intuitive - large-scale, complete solution for manufacturing glass countertops.

Sierra - an innovative GoldProbeTM sensor, which simplifies complex and costly biochemical analysis equipment into a product that is handheld, smartphone-ready, extremely low-cost, and versatile enough for use by regular consumers and experts alike.