News

An international team led by researchers at Waterloo Engineering has found a way to dramatically strengthen smart, rubber-like materials to replace rigid motors and pumps in robots with flexible “artificial muscles.”

Soft robots differ from hard robots in that they are pliable and flexible, making them safe for interaction with people, but the materials now used for components enabling their movement aren’t strong enough to be effective.

Celebrating this fall’s convocation, the University of Waterloo recognized five graduate valedictorians who exemplified academic excellence and community impact. Among them, one Faculty of Engineering graduate stood out for her contributions to human-robot interaction and global youth empowerment.

Andrea Chakma (MASc ’25) was named valedictorian for the Faculty of Engineering after completing her Master of Applied Science in Systems Design Engineering. 

Each graduating class brings stories of exploration, growth and innovation that define the Waterloo experience.

For Audrey Chen (BAS ’25), the most rewarding part of her studies was the Faculty’s renowned co-op program, which took her to placements in the United States, Japan, Singapore and Australia.

Twelve professors from Waterloo Engineering received funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) through the John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF) to support pioneering research infrastructure that advances discovery and innovation across Canada.

The JELF program provides institutions with funding to help recruit and retain outstanding researchers and to acquire the specialized tools they need to conduct leading-edge research. Each recipient may receive up to $600,000 to support work that strengthens Canada’s research capacity, fuels innovation and delivers real-world impact.

Waterloo Engineering alum Dr. Madelaine Liddy (BASc ’14, PhD ’22) is building an exciting career in quantum tech in Germany, working on a mobile quantum computer for non-expert, everyday use.

As a Canadian-trained engineer, Liddy wears her iron ring proudly, a constant reminder to uphold engineering ethics and do work that serves society — wherever the world takes her.

Technology developed at Waterloo Engineering uses radar and artificial intelligence (AI) to unobtrusively monitor people in hospitals and long-term care facilities for early signs of health problems based on how fast they walk.

“Walking speed is often called a functional vital sign because even subtle declines can be an early warning of health problems,” said Dr. Hajar Abedi, a former postdoctoral researcher in electrical and computer engineering at Waterloo.

Local cleantech company Friendlier recently closed a $4.5 million funding round to support their national expansion plan and make it easier for Canadians to choose reuseable plastics. 

Launched in 2019 by Waterloo Engineering alumni Kayli Smith and Jaqueline Hanton (both BASc '20, chemical engineering), Friendlier has kept nearly 3.7 million food and beverage containers out of landfills and currently operates at more than 200 locations across Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and Quebec.

A company founded by two Waterloo Engineering graduates has been granted approval to sell a device for predicting post-surgery complications in the huge United States market.

FluidAI, which is based in Kitchener and has 85 employees, was launched by alumni Youssof Helwa (BASc ’15, nanotechnology engineering, MASc ’18, electrical and computer engineering) and Amr Abdelgawad (BASc ’16, nanotechnology engineering, MBET ’17) in 2014.

The School of Architecture became a place of remembrance on September 19 as students, colleagues and friends gathered to celebrate the life of Elder William (Bill) Woodworth. Stories shared that afternoon spoke of an architect, professor and Elder whose presence helped people feel seen and whose teachings continue to shape lives.

Woodworth, Raweno:kwas in his Haudenosaunee name, was a member of the Lower Mohawk Kanien’kehá:ka Nation of Six Nations of the Grand River. As the Faculty of Engineering’s first Elder-in-Residence and a long-time faculty member in Architecture, he created space for meaningful conversations and a deeper understanding of Indigenous knowledge.

Waterloo Rocketry, a student design team from the University of Waterloo, launched Aurora, a liquid bi-propellant rocket, at this year’s Launch Canada competition and placed second in the Advanced Launch category.  

Aurora reached an altitude of 38,000 feet, approximately commercial cruising altitude, making it the second highest amateur liquid rocket in the world. This record-breaking feat is double that of Borealis — the first Canadian-built liquid bipropellant rocket, successfully launched by the team at last year’s competition.