Waterloo Engineering research in the news
Robots navigate urinary tract to dissolve kidney stones
Researchers at Waterloo Engineering are leading an international team in the development of new technology to treat painful kidney stones in the urinary tract.
The technique features thin, flexible strips fitted with magnets, allowing them to be moved into position near uric acid kidney stones using a rotating magnet on the end of a robotic arm.
Researchers use special camera to curb gas emissions
An interdisciplinary research team at the University of Waterloo is pioneering innovative methods to measure and mitigate harmful methane emissions.
Led by Dr. Kyle Daun, a professor of mechanical and mechatronics engineering, the team is using a hyperspectral camera, or “Hyper-Cam,” to measure methane emissions at a landfill site in the Waterloo Region. Landfills account for about 20% of Canada's methane emissions.
Explore Health Technologies research labs and centres
- Advanced Interface Design Lab (AIDL)
- Advanced Nano/Micro Devices Lab
- Arami Research Lab
- Biomedical Engineering and Energy Storage (BEES) Group
- Bio-Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience (BRAIN) Lab
- Campbell Optics Lab
- Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology (CBB)
- Health AI and Analytics Lab
- Health Design Studio
- Intelligent Technologies for Wellness and Independent Living (ITWIL) Lab
- Laboratory for Functional Colloids and Sustainable Nanomaterials
- Laboratory on Innovative Tech in Medical Ultrasound (LITMUS)
- Levine Bioelectronic Systems Lab
- Medical Microrobotics Lab
- Micro Nano-Scale Transport (MNT) Lab
- Motion Research Group
- Multiscale Additive Manufacturing Lab (MSAM)
- Nano and Micro Systems Lab (NMSL)
- Neural and Rehabilitation Engineering (NRE) Lab
- Orthopaedic Mechatronics (ORTHOtron) Laboratory
- PhotoMedicine Labs
- Regenerative Nanomedicine Lab
- Research Institute for Aging (RIA)
- Sensors and Integrated Microsystems Laboratory (SIMSLAB)
- Silicon Thin-Film Applied Research (STAR)
- Social and Intelligent Robotics Research Laboratory (SIRRL)
- Structural Biomechanics Lab
- Surface Science and Bio-nanomaterials Laboratory Group
- Vision and Image Processing Lab (VIP)
- Waterloo Centre for Microbial Research (WCMR)
- Waterloo Composite Biomaterial Systems (WCBS) Lab
- Waterloo Hearing Lab
- Wireless Sensors and Device Lab
Meet our researchers and discover their areas of expertise
Aging Populations
Innovative technologies and systems to support healthy aging, improve quality of life, and address the complex challenges of an aging society.
- Carolyn Ren
- Catherine Burns
- Cosmin Munteanu
- Ewen MacDonald
- George Shaker
- James Tung
- Jennifer Howcroft
- Jonathan Kusins
- Moojan Ghafurian
- Siby Samuel
- Sirisha Rambhatla
- Thomas Willet
Assistive Technologies
Adaptive devices, smart systems, and accessible solutions that empower individuals with disabilities or aging —enhancing autonomy, social inclusion, and everyday usability for improved quality of life.
- Arash Arami
- Carolyn Ren
- Catherine Burns
- Cosmin Munteanu
- Eihab Abdel-Rahman
- Elise Laende
- Ewen MacDonald
- Fatih Safa Erenay
- George Shaker
- James Tung
- John McPhee
- Kerstin Dautenhahn
- Moojan Ghafurian
- Naveen Chandrashekar
- Nima Maftoon
- Oliver Scheider
Biodevices
Innovates biosensors, implantable systems, wearables—enabling advanced health monitoring, diagnostics, therapeutic delivery, and interfacing with biological systems for improved clinical outcomes.
Biomechanics, Biotechnologies, and Biomedical Engineering
Biomechanics, biotechnologies, and biomedical engineering study the mechanics of living systems, develop biological tools, and design medical technologies to diagnose, treat, and improve human health through science and innovation advancement.
- Adil Al-Mayah
- Alfred Yu
- Behrad Khameseee
- Bill Anderson
- C. Perry Chou
- Carolyn MacGregor
- Catherine Burns
- Chris Eliasmith
- Duane Cronin
- Elisabeth Prince
- Elise Laende
- Evelyn Yim
- Hector Budman
- Jennifer Howcroft
- Jonathan Kusins
- John Yeow
- Karim S Karim
- Mahla Poudineh
- Marc Aucoin
- Maud Gorbet
- Michael K.C. Tam
- Parsin Haji Reza
- Patricia Nieva
- Serhiy Yarusevych
- Sushanta Mitra
- Stewart McLachlin
- Thomas Willet
- Valerie Ward
- Vincent Gaudet
- Yilan Liu
- Zhao Pan
Data and Modelling
Developing predictive algorithms, statistical models, and simulation frameworks—optimizing diagnosis, treatment planning, operational workflows, and patient outcomes through data-driven decision support systems.
- Bryan Tripp
- Carolyn MacGregor
- Hossein Abouee Mehrizi
- Houra Mahmoudzadeh
- Kate Sellen
- Marc Aucoin
- Otman Basir
- Rebecca Saari
- Samir Elhedhli
- Shi Cao
- Sirisha Rambhatla
Medical Devices
Design and develop next-generation diagnostic, therapeutic, and monitoring technologies—smart implants, wearable sensors, minimally invasive instruments—enhancing clinical effectiveness, patient safety, and personalized health care solutions.
Medical Imaging and Signal Processing
Advanced modalities, algorithms, and analytics—enhancing non-invasive visualization, image quality, and computational interpretation to improve diagnostics, treatment planning, signal extraction, noise reduction, feature detection, image enhancement, and personalized patient care.
- Adil Al-Mayah
- Alexander Wong
- Alfred Yu
- Bryan Tripp
- Carl Haas
- Chris Eliasmith
- David Clausi
- Elise Laende
- Ewen MacDonald
- Houra Mahmoudzadeh
- John Zelek
- Jonathan Kusins
- Karim S Karim
- Liza-Anastasia DiCecco
- Mark Crowley
- Oleg Michailovich
- Omar Ramahi
- Parsin Haji Reza
- Paul Fieguth
- Peter Levine
- Veronika Magdanz
- Vincent Gaudet
- Yimin Wu
- Zhou Wang
Nano-Devices and Micro-Devices
Innovates biosensors, implantable systems, wearables—enabling advanced health monitoring, diagnostics, therapeutic delivery, and interfacing with biological systems for improved clinical outcomes.
Neuroscience
Investigates neural systems and brain–machine interfaces, developing diagnostic tools, cognitive therapies, neuroprosthetics, and computational models to enhance neurological disorder treatment and patient outcomes.
Prosthetics and Implants
Advanced bio-integrated devices—smart prosthetics, orthopaedic and surgical implants—leveraging biomechanics, additive manufacturing, sensing, and adaptive control to restore function, enhance integration, and improve patient outcomes.
- Boxin Zhao
- Eihab Abdel-Rahman
- Liza-Anastasia DiCecco
- Mihaela Vlasea
- Nima Maftoon
- Thomas Willet
- Stewart McLachlin
Public Health Policies
Integrates engineering approaches with data analytics and systems modeling—guiding evidence-based policy decisions, optimizing health services, promoting equity, and enhancing resilience in population-level healthcare systems.
- Boxin Zhao
- Carl Haas
- Duane Cronin
- Fatih Safa Erenay
- Hossein Abouee Mehrizi
- Houra Mahmoudzadeh
- John Zelek
- Kerstin Dautenhahn
- Monica Emelko
- Rebecca Saari
- Siby Samuel
- Sirisha Rambhatla
Robotics in Health and Rehabilitation
Autonomous and semi-autonomous robotic systems—exoskeletons, assistive robots, tele-rehab platforms—enhancing mobility, therapy effectiveness, and patient independence through advanced control and adaptive interaction.
- Arash Arami
- James Tung
- John McPhee
- Kerstin Dautenhahn
- Moojan Ghafurian
- Stewart McLachlin
- Veronika Magdanz
Smart Wearables
Design sensor-integrated, connected devices—monitoring physiological signals, activity, and biometrics in real-time—enabling personalized health insights, early detection, remote care, and enhanced patient engagement.
- Arash Arami
- Carl Haas
- Cosmin Munteanu
- Eihab Abdel-Rahman
- George Shaker
- Muhammad Umair Shah
- Patricia Nieva
- Peng Peng
- Sean Peterson
Sports Engineering
Optimizes athlete performance and safety—integrating biomechanics, materials science, sensor technology, and data analytics to innovate equipment, training systems, injury prevention, and performance evaluation methodologies.
