News

Waterloo researchers develop polymer that absorbs and locks in oil, preventing groundwater contamination

University of Waterloo researchers have developed a new material that can absorb more than eight times its weight in oil, offering a new solution in preventing groundwater contamination from spills or accidents.

Water Institute members showcased cutting-edge water research from the University of Waterloo at the International Water Association (IWA) World Water Congress & Exhibition in Toronto, Canada, held from August 11-15, 2024.

The Water Institute is excited to announce its 2024-25 WaterTalks, a five-part speaker series designed to explore cutting-edge insights into today’s most pressing water challenges. This year’s lineup brings together leading experts who will share innovative approaches to water management, addressing complex issues like environmental risk, water contaminants, environmental justice, and advanced resource recovery.

We’re excited to announce the newly elected executive committee of the Society of the Water Institute Graduate Students (SWIGS) for 2024-25! After a successful election in July, the SWIGS team is ready to lead with fresh energy and innovative ideas.

The Water Institute is pleased to announce the launch of its 2024-25 WaterLeadership program.

Beth Grant, a master’s student in the School of Environment, Resources & Sustainability, is on a mission to better understand students’ emotional experiences in post-secondary environmental education.

Microplastics, pervasive pollutants in aquatic ecosystems, present a pressing challenge for researchers striving to understand and mitigate their impact. Amidst this challenge arises a new technology: microwave-microfluidic based sensors. This article delves into the transformative potential of these sensors in the realm of microplastic research.

You would be hard-pressed to find a corner of the world free from microplastics, plastic particles measuring less than five millimetres. They contaminate our drinking water, accumulate in the food we eat and have been found in the human body, including in blood, organs, placenta, semen and breast milk.

A School of Public Health Sciences research team, co-directed by Water Institute members Drs. Craig Janes and Warren Dodd, have been awarded more than $1.5 million through the federal government’s New Frontiers in Research Fund, which supports interdisciplinary and transformative research led by Canadians working with international partners. 

Strawberries could be fewer and more expensive because of higher temperatures caused by climate change, according to research from the University of Waterloo.