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Research Spotlight: Valuing the knowledge of Inuit in diesel-dependent communities

This 1.5 day workshop explored current activity in all geothermal technologies being used or considered in Canada, and generated a short synthesis outlining future pathways to greater adoption of this green energy source. The participants discussed the following topics: technical barriers and the financial viability of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), growth in the installation of ground source heat pump systems (GSHPs), and co-generation options, i.e. geothermal-electricity-combined-heat-power for different regions of Canada.

WISE Public Lecture: Quantum Oil Refinery:  A Viable Path To Meet The Paris Target

Nano-engineered Membranes for Water and Energy Harvesting from Wastewater

Prof. Nathwani (Executive Director, WISE) was invited to attend The Waterloo Symposium on Technology and Society, seeking to promote public discourse in Canada and beyond on the societal challenges and opportunities created by innovations in four primary areas: artificial intelligence, robotics, big data and social media.

Prof. Wu (Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering) described novel techniques pioneered in his lab that combine X-ray and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) to understand 2-dimensional materials such as graphene at the atomic level, then modify them for practical uses. One such use is an artifical leaf that mimics photosynthesis, converting carbon dioxide into methanol and oxygen, rather than glucose and oxygen as occurs in nature. This “leaf” could be used to capture carbon dioxide from high-yield sources such as thermal power plants, and convert it into methanol as an alternative fuel source.

WISE co-hosted and sponsored an event in the city of Chennai (India) with the Energy and Fuel Users’ Association of India (ENFUSE), and SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) on clean energy access.

The workshop themes consisted of:

• Carbon Dioxide Capture – Storage – Conversion,
• Electric Mobility – Technology – Infrastructure,
• Hydrogen Energy – Commercialization in Industrial Applications,
• Smart Energy Networks,
• Internet of Things (IOT),
• Solid Waste Management and Disposal – Recyclable,
• State Space Controller,
• Battery Technologies,
• Renewable Energy Integration

WISE Public Lecture: Compressed Air Energy Storage: a MegaWatt or a GigaWatt?

Research Spotlight: Greener Energy, Drinkable Water

Prof. Nathwani (Executive Director, WISE) was invited to be a keynote speaker at the 4th IEOM NA Conference with participation from more than 50 countries.