News

An interdisciplinary research team from the University of Waterloo aims to tackle CO2 emissions in the value chain by transforming CO2 into valuable chemicals needed by industry.  

Led by Dr. Luis Ricardez-Sandoval, a professor of chemical engineering, the research team aims to develop a computational framework that will accelerate the design and discovery of novel materials that will facilitate the transformation of CO2 into useful industrial gases using atomistic modelling, advanced optimization, machine learning techniques and laboratory experiments. 

The Waterloo Engineering community rallied for Giving Tuesday on Nov. 28 to support two funds that empower students with the means to pursue their academic ambitions and prepare for professional success.  

In total, 183 donors supported the Waterloo Engineering funds with $61,230 in donations. 

Waterloo Engineering professor Dr. Omar Ramahi leads a research team pioneering a method to detect breast cancer in women early enough for them to receive life-saving treatment.

The innovative technology aims to be more accurate as well as cheaper to provide than today’s most common diagnostic tools such as X-ray mammography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Test runs have been completed in two minutes and used less energy than a smartphone. It would also be safer than X-rays, which expose patients to high-level radiation that can damage DNA and cause cancer.

At least five Waterloo Engineering alumni have made the impressive Forbes 30 Under 30 lists for 2024.  

Peter Gokhshteyn, Kevin Michael, Tom Storwick, Kelly Zheng and Chee Hau Teoh are among 600 young changemakers in North America who have been recognized for their standout entrepreneurial achievements in 20 categories. 

The Waterloo Engineering community came together to celebrate the exceptional achievements of four alumni and an industry supporter of the Faculty at this year’s Engineering Awards Dinner.  

Hosted by Dr. Mary Wells, dean of engineering, the event recognized an advocate of applied biotechnology research, a tech business leader, an expert in novel medical devices and stem cell therapy, a globally renowned luthier and a valued friend of the Faculty. 

The University of Waterloo’s Women in Engineering (WiE) program recently hosted 76 students at its Mini Hackathon on campus. 

Established in 2017 to provide a safe and welcoming ‘hack’ environment for women and non-binary students, the WiE Mini Hackathon gave participants the full experience of a full hackathon on a smaller scale, with no prior experience required.  

Engineers from the University of Waterloo are harnessing artificial intelligence to help doctors better see and control a non-invasive cancer treatment and, in the process, save lives.

Project leader Moslem SadeghiGoughari, a research associate in the university’s Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, said the imaging system will allow for the safer and more effective use of high-intensity, focused ultrasound to destroy a wide range of cancerous, often deadly, tumours.

Gears are common machine components used in many engineered systems, such as automotive vehicles, aircraft engines, automation and robotic systems and more. The machining process to manufacture gears is typically done by trial and error — or is based on an operator's previous experience — to produce acceptable results.

Researchers from the University of Waterloo’s Faculty of Engineering Precision Controls Laboratory, led by Dr. Kaan Erkorkmaz, a professor in the mechanical and mechatronics engineering department, have developed software to simulate and optimize the gear cutting process to save time and money for large and medium-sized manufacturing.

Benoît Schultz, CEO of Airbus Canada, delivered a talk on Airbus’ sustainability initiatives to an audience of students, faculty members and staff at Waterloo Engineering’s Sedra Student Design Centre.  

One of the largest aircraft producers in the world, Airbus has committed to the aviation sector’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. Schultz stated that his company needs partners like the University of Waterloo to develop lasting solutions to climate change. 

The 2023 list of Highly Cited Researchers names four Waterloo Engineering professors as researchers who have demonstrated significant and broad influence in their fields of research.

The recognized professors are Dr. Zhongwei Chen, chemical engineering, Canada Research Chair in Advanced Materials for Clean Energy; Dr. Michael Fowler, chemical engineering, Canada Research Chair in Zero-Emission Vehicles and Hydrogen Energy Systems (Tier-1); Dr. Xuemin (Sherman) Shen, electrical and computer engineering; Dr. Aiping Yu, chemical engineering, director of the Carbon Nanomaterials Laboratory for Renewable Energy and Multi-functional Composites.