Department news

Department of Materials Science & Engineering (MSE) news

Global Engineering Week founder Malik Ismail kicking off last weekend’s Hack the Globe. (Photo courtesy of Malik Ismail)

Solutions that transcend borders: March 11-17 is Global Engineering Week

Week-long events series highlights ways engineering students can make a world of difference

Professor Jane Howe uses her expertise in electron microscopy to study materials that could advance renewable energy, such as those used to make lithium-ion batteries. (Photo: Tyler Irving)

Advanced materials for sustainability: Meet Professor Jane Howe

Before joining U of T Engineering as an Associate Professor this month, Howe spent nearly 20 years in industry, working on advanced materials and imaging methods

Nazli Kaya (MIE MASc candidate) wears the eye-tracking device used to accurately assess where drivers were looking when turning at intersections. (Credit: Laura Pedersen)

Top U of T Engineering news stories of 2018

A look back at five engineering stories that captured readers’ attention in 2018

NSBE U of T Chapter receives Chapter of the Month honours for September at the National Society of Black Engineers Fall Region 1 Conference. From left: Rukayat Balogun, NSBE Region 1 Chair; Mikhail Burke, Dean’s Advisor on Black Inclusivity Initiatives and Student Inclusion & Transition Mentor; Shane Arnold (CivE MEng); Portia Deterville (ChemE Year 4 + PEY), NSBE East Canada Zone Chair and Joy Aso, Membership Chairperson for NSBE Region 1. (Photo courtesy of Mikhail Burke)

NSBE Fall Regional Conference builds new pathways for Black engineering grad students at U of T

U of T Engineering graduate students attend National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Fall Region 1 Conference in November

Dr. Tarek Awad, a researcher in U of T’s Department of Materials Science & Engineering, shows two samples: at left, a stainless steel surface treated to trap simple cooking oil, and at right, an uncoated surface. The uncoated surface can accumulate food residue and encourage the growth of food-borne pathogens. (Credit: Liz Do)

Cooking oil coating prevents bacteria from growing on food processing equipment

U of T Engineering researchers examine a simple and effective way to minimize food contamination at industrial production plants

Left to right: Professor Steven Thorpe (MSE), Bryan James (MSE 1T6 + PEY), Jessica MacInnis (MSE MEng candidate), Matthew Chen (MSE MASc candidate) and Yuri Savguira (MSE PhD candidate). This team took first place at the international 2017–2018 Hydrogen Student Design Contest for Motion+, their plan for a hydrogen-powered luxury boat.

U of T Engineering students win international competition with sustainable yacht design

A team from U of T Engineering’s Department of Materials Science & Engineering (MSE) has designed a sustainable, noise-free and emission-free alternative for the boating industry

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U of T Engineering professors, alumni and students recognized by the Canadian Academy of Engineering

The CAE is a national institution through which Canada’s most distinguished and experienced engineers provide strategic advice on matters of critical importance to Canada

Professor Gisele Azimi (ChemE, MSE), seen here with PhD candidate Bill Yao and undergraduate researcher Jiakai (Kevin) Zhang, leads a team dedicated to recovering strategic materials such as rare earth elements from both pre-consumer and post-consumer waste streams. (Photo: Tyler Irving)

Mining your phone: Recovering rare earth elements from e-waste

U of T Engineering professor harnesses chemical processes, such as those used to decaffeinate coffee, to recover valuable materials from waste

Professor Warren Chan and a student in a lab

Seven U of T Engineering faculty members named Canada Research Chairs

CRC program enables U of T to attract and retain the best and most promising researchers from around the world