Department news

Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering (CivMin) news

Aimy Bazylak

New Canada Research Chairs advance research on clean energy, air pollution and more

Three U of T Engineering professors have received new or renewed Chairs, designed to recognize and support research excellence across Canada

Purolator Urban Quick Stop

Urban Quick Stop provides a living laboratory to study the challenges of last-mile delivery

A multidisciplinary collaboration between academia, industry and government will explore the potential of new modes of transport, such as zero-emission e-bikes, to reduce emissions, traffic congestion and more

A city bus is pictured stuck since the morning hours in downtown Toronto after a major blizzard dumped as much as 60cm of snow on parts of Southern Ontario, closing major highways and roadways, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on January 17, 2022. (Photo by Cole Burston)

U of T Engineering students dig through snowplow data to measure Toronto’s response to winter storms

Analysis suggests that the City’s performance improved over the winter of 2022

Graduate research assistant Weiwu Chen (CivMin) counts microplastics using a microscope in the lab of Professor Elodie Passeport (CivMin, ChemE). (Photo: Shuyao Tan)

U of T Engineering researchers use machine learning to enhance environmental monitoring of microplastics

More accurate measurements are critical to preventing microplastics from entering the environment — or removing those that are already there

Kharumwa Health Centre in northern Tanzania uses a rainwater harvesting facility: the tank can be seen behind the main building while the solar panel used to power the UV treatment unit is on the roof. (Photo: Karlye Wong)

Solar-powered UV water treatment could improve health outcomes in rural Tanzania

PhD candidate Karlye Wong (CivMin) is assessing and optimizing off-grid systems for disinfecting drinking water before use

Users can scroll through Fyyne’s app for the latest hair trends, find an artist who will best suit their needs and book an appointment with just a few clicks. (Image: Fyyne)

A cut above: U of T startup Fyyne makes hair services more accessible

U of T Engineering’s Olugbenga Olubanjo (CivE MASc 1T9) launched the social marketplace to help connect Black hair artists with customers looking for beauty services

University of Toronto researchers Tara Colenbrander Nelson and Dr. Kelly Whaley Martin collecting water samples at Hudbay’s 777 mine in Flin Flon, Manitoba for use in their innovative “reactive sulfur” monitoring technique. (Photo: Lesley Warren)

Academic-industry partnership leads to improved methods for managing sulfur compounds in mining sites

Hudbay receives regulatory approval for new monitoring technique co-developed with University of Toronto Engineering Professor Lesley Warren (CivMin)

Professor Marianne Touchie’s (CivMin) research will look for links between specific aspects of the built environment and wellness outcomes of the people living and working in these spaces. (Photo: Kevin Soobrian)

New research project to prioritize well-being in U of T’s building retrofitting process

Initiative co-led by Professor Marianne Touchie (CivMin) aims to make U of T’s building retrofits ‘people positive’

As part of their research on water equity in India, a multi-disciplinary team at U of T will examine water distribution infrastructure, such as this tube well seen in New Delhi, India in 2017. (Photo: iStock)

How data science could enhance water practices and equity in India

A Catalyst Grant from U of T’s Data Sciences Institute will help launch a new cross-disciplinary research project co-led by Professor David Meyer (CivMin, CGEN)