U of T Engineering alumnus Shawn Qu (MSE PhD 9T5) believes in a bright future for home-grown solar technology—and he’s helping create it.
Dr. Qu is founder, chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar, North America’s leading photovoltaic module manufacturer and one of the world’s largest solar power companies. Canadian Solar recently committed $400,000 to support solar cell research at U of T Engineering, where Dr. Qu earned his PhD in 1995.
Professor Francis Dawson (ECE) is the principal investigator supervising the project. His team will conduct two-dimensional simulations to optimize solar cell performance with the goal of realizing higher-efficiency and lower-cost photovoltaics.
“This funding gives our students a chance to sink their teeth into some challenging real-world problems,” said Professor Dawson. “It’s a great platform for us to train the next generation of bright young engineers, in concert with industry.”
This support comes through the TalentEdge program, a research funding collaboration between the University of Toronto and Ontario Centres of Excellence. TalentEdge provides fellowships for post-doctoral researchers to undertake projects of pressing interest to industry in the province. Canadian Solar previously contributed to the program in 2012.
“As Canada’s leading university, the University of Toronto plays an important role in scientific research and development,” said Dr. Qu in a release. “Not only are we pleased that we had the opportunity to give back to my alma matter, we are also certain that this donation will help advance solar research.”
“We in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering are conducting research with real relevance to industry,” said Professor Ted Sargent, vice-dean, research for U of T Engineering. “Dr. Qu is an international leader in photovoltaics, and his generous support demonstrates both the strength of our alumni community, and our continuing ties to engineering enterprise.”
Founded in 2001, Canadian Solar is a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules and provider of solar energy solutions. The company has successfully deployed over eight giga-Watts of high-quality modules in more than 70 countries in the past decade.
Engineers are shining new light on an emerging family of solar-absorbing materials that could clear the way for cheaper and more efficient solar panels and LEDs.
The materials, called perovskites, are particularly good at absorbing visible light, but had never been studied in their purest form: as perfect single crystals.
Using a new technique, researchers grew large, pure perovskite crystals and studied how electrons move through the material as light is converted to electricity.
Led by Professor Ted Sargent of The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto in collaboration with Professor Osman Bakr of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), the team used a combination of laser-based techniques to measure selected properties of the perovskite crystals. By tracking down the ultrafast motion of electrons in the material, they have been able to measure the diffusion length—how far electrons can travel without getting trapped by imperfections in the material—as well as mobility—how fast the electrons can move through the material. Their work was published this week in the journal Science.
“Our work sets the bar for the ultimate solar energy-harvesting performance of perovskites,” says Riccardo Comin, a post-doctoral fellow with the Sargent Group. “With these materials it’s been a race to try to get record efficiencies, and there are no signs of stopping or slowing down.”
In recent years, perovskite efficiency has soared to over 20 per cent, very close to the current best performance of commercial-grade silicon-based solar panels you see mounted in Spanish deserts and on Californian roofs.
“In terms of efficiency, perovskites are perfectly comparable or better than materials that have already been commercialized,” says Valerio Adinolfi, a PhD candidate in the Sargent Group and co-first author on the paper. “The challenge is to make solar attractive from the business side. It’s not just matter of making it efficient—the point is to make it efficient and cheap.”
The study has obvious implications for green energy, but may also enable innovations in lighting. Think of a solar panel made of perovskite crystals as a fancy slab of glass: light hits the crystal surface and gets absorbed, exciting electrons in the material. Those electrons travel easily through the crystal to electrical contacts on its underside, where they are collected in the form of electric current. Now imagine the sequence in reverse—power the slab with electricity, inject electrons, and release energy as light. A more efficient electricity-to-light conversion means perovskites could open new frontiers for energy-efficient LEDs.
Parallel work in the Sargent Group focuses on improving nano-engineered solar-absorbing particles called colloidal quantum dots. “Perovskites are great visible-light harvesters, and quantum dots are great for infrared,” says Professor Sargent.
“In future, we will explore the opportunities for stacking together complementary absorbent materials,” says Dr. Comin. “There are very promising prospects for combining perovskite work and quantum dot work for further boosting the efficiency.”
Analysts have hailed 2015 as the “Year of Wearable Tech,” which bodes well for U of T Engineering spinoff, Nymi.
The Toronto-based company, co-founded in 2011 by alumni Foteini Agrafioti (ElecE MASc 0T9, PhD 1T1) and Karl Martin (EngSci 0T1, ElecE MASc 0T3, PhD 1T0), has generated serious buzz with its Nymi Band, the world’s first wearable authentication system. Martin will be discussing the future of wearable technology, digital security and biometric authentication at BizSkule’s upcoming speaking event, The Heart of the Matter: The Future of Wearable Technology, in Palo Alto, Calif. on Feb. 25, 2015.
Worn around the wrist, Nymi Band is embedded with an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor that uses your heartbeat as a unique ID to seamlessly unlock mobile devices, remember passwords and even make retail payments—an all-in-one solution to the security measures we are inundated with on a daily basis.
After receiving $14 million in Series A funding last year, and having pre-sold more than 10,000 units, Nymi is set to make a major impact on the wearable tech sector.
U of T Engineering’s Jamie Hunter recently caught up with Martin, who shared his insights into Toronto’s flourishing wearable tech community and the near-limitless potential in the field.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER-JsYdcu0c&w=560&h=315]
The Globe and Mail referenced Toronto as “a hotbed of pioneering wearable technology”—thanks, in part, to the success of Nymi. In your opinion, what do you think it is about the city that’s producing a flurry of development in the wearable tech space?
In some ways, I would consider it a lucky alignment of factors—but luck always favours the prepared. The reality is that Toronto and the surrounding areas have a wealth of talent coming out of the University of Toronto and other universities in the region, much of it around electrical, computer and mechatronics engineering. Furthermore, there is a lack of mature companies innovating in hardware development. This has led many in these fields to take the entrepreneurial route. With some of the earlier players, like InteraXon, serving as role models, there is now a snowball effect of young talent willing to take a leap and try something truly innovative.
Where does your interest in wearable technology come from?
Wearable technology is really hot right now, but in many ways it was something we were pulled into by necessity rather than a direct interest. We had a vision of how continuous authentication could change the way that people interact with technology, and it took two years to realize that wearable technology was the way to bring that to fruition. That being said, I personally find the potential of wearable tech to be nearly limitless. We’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg; the potential insights from continuous, on-body sensor data are massive.
Has your identity or personal information ever been compromised?
As far as I know, I’ve never been a victim of identity theft. However, I have had my credit card compromised several times. Specifically, it’s been compromised after trips to the US, where the mag-stripe, which is insecure and very outdated, is the primary means for communicating credit card credentials. It’s amazing that the US has remained so far behind on credit card technology, and this is something that we’re pushing to advance with our payment partnerships.
What do you hope that attendees take away from the BizSkule event on Feb. 25th?
I hope that the Nymi story serves as inspiration for others that wish to take the entrepreneurial route, especially when deep R&D is involved. The path is often long, especially when you’re building more than just an app, but there is a way, and the journey is highly rewarding.
BizSkule Presents: Heart of the Matter – The Future of Wearable Technology
View participant bios and register for this event.
When it comes to tackling complex environmental challenges and fostering a culture of sustainability, these U of T Engineering students are generating more than just energy: they are cultivating passion, promoting change and stimulating new ideas.
“Sustainability is a mindset,” said Engineering student Parisa Najafi (MSE 1T6). “It is a way of tackling problems that values efficiency and reduces waste.”
Najafi and fellow students, Deep Prasad (IndE 1T8) and Ashrith Domun (ChemE 1T6) are leading sustainable initiatives through entrepreneurship, industry challenges and education.
Parisa Najafi (MSE 1T6): Generating passion
Two trees stand in an ice storm: one bends, the other breaks.
While in her first year, third-year materials science and engineering student Parisa Najafi was tasked with discovering why ice affects similar trees differently. She was thrilled. Examining the microscopic structures of birch and quaking aspen fascinated her, and helped her spur a passion for the natural world that has informed her education ever since.
“Nature makes the best classroom,” she said. “It’s hands-on, it’s dynamic, and its designs are usually more elegant and efficient than our own. Lucky for us, nature hasn’t patented anything yet.”
Inspired by her environment, Najafi pursued a collaborative opportunity as a research associate with nanOntario, an outreach program aimed at teaching high school students about bio-inspired technologies. Supported by the Ontario Research Fund For Research Excellence and led by Professor Uwe Erb (MSE), the program brought nature into the classroom as both a teaching tool and an inspiration for students.
“Participating in nanOntario gave me a deep appreciation for nature,” she said. “As a society, we hear a lot about sustainability and climate change. Green energy is one of the hottest fields right now. We have the responsibility as engineers to think critically about these issues because we have the skills to innovate and drive positive change.”
Ashrith Domun (ChemE 1T6): Generating change
When Ashrith Domun thinks about sustainability, he understands it is a long and bumpy road, but one we will have to travel.
“There is an urgent need to show people that sustainability is important,” said Domun, whose sustainable startup Hydron aims to demonstrate that hydrogen fuel cell buses are now a viable option for fleets, such as the shuttle bus service between U of T’s Mississauga and St. George campuses.
“There are many critics and skeptics of climate change, and we have to motivate them to understand the evidence, and to persuade them that sustainable practices can be beneficial, not only to the environment, but to our economy, too.”
Domun and his co-founders started Hydron through U of T’s Entrepreneurship Hatchery. Their green business model serves as a way to show the public that there are many benefits to fostering sustainable practices on a large scale, including reduced cost and potential for job creation.
“In order to incentivize and promote the adoption of sustainable practices, we have to consider the long term impacts of our decisions,” said Domun.
Hydrogen fuel cells are already in use in some passenger vehicles, including models from Honda, Hyundai and Volkswagen, who choose the technology for its long range, quick refueling and reduced tailpipe emissions. However, incorporating electric technologies into heavy commercial transportation poses unique challenges.
“Ultimately, Hydron works as a business model because the technology already exists. Integrating the right technologies to complement each other and fit customer need is key to widespread adoption and, thus, to substantial environmental benefits.”
Deep Prasad (IndE 1T8): Generating ideas
You may already recognize Deep Prasad’s name. A top-ten finalist in the Next Einstein Competition and recently named Post City’s Top 20 Under 20, his novel ideas for energy conservation and generation are gaining momentum and garnering public attention.
His latest project involves interpreting household utility data to inform improvements to current policy for North American energy usage.
“Technology, as I see it, has two very powerful ways it can affect sustainability,” said Prasad. “The first is by providing data which changes the way we understand our actions and drives us toward positive change. The second is by actually improving the ways we consume energy.”
Prasad is exploring both of these opportunities, leveraging big data to interpret and influence human energy consumption, while also developing technologies that enable smarter use and storage of electricity.
“It shouldn’t take a natural disaster or a drought for us to see how important sustainable practices are. We can use data and statistics to interpret our trajectory and influence policy before we get to that point.”
As Prasad continues to develop novel green technologies, he believes that many of our energy problems could be solved through minor changes to our daily consumption habits.
“In general, we waste far more than we should. From the amount of water used in the average North American shower, to the energy wasted when no one is home, there is a lot of room for improvement. It is important that we change our behaviour instead of just relying on technology to improve efficiency.”
From the plastic keys of your keyboard to the jet fuel that powers your flight home for the holidays, engineers are finding methods to make everyday life more affordable and more sustainable.
“It is vital to closely examine the processes and infrastructure of our daily lives and ensure that they are efficient and sustainable,” said Professor Bryan Karney (CivE), associate dean, cross-disciplinary programs, and academic director, Sustainability Office. “Education is one major part of that. We need to teach young people about how these processes work together to contribute to climate change.”
Karney is one of many engineering professors at the University of Toronto who are making strides toward sustainability in research, teaching and lifestyle.
Learn more about Karney and three other professors who are engineering a greener future:
Bryan Karney (CivE) — Systems of sustainability
When it comes to sustainability, Professor Bryan Karney (CivE) believes that enough small changes, and a few big ones, can make an enormous difference.
“For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by things that work well,” said Karney. “I sought to learn the mechanisms behind what makes some things last for centuries.”
Karney is an expert in the field of water resource and energy systems, with specialization in infrastructure renewal and the design and analysis of water distribution. He has published hundreds of research papers and consulted on several projects in the city of Toronto, including the hydraulic review of Pearson International Airport jet fuel distribution system.
Karney’s passion for sustainability is perhaps most evident in his innovative and award-winning approach to teaching.
“Students are delightfully interested in sustainability and making a difference,” Karney said. “We need to harness that enthusiasm and give them a sense of perspective and responsibility.”
In 2013, he created a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) titled, Our Energetic Earth, which explored the interconnectedness of the forces of nature. As associate dean, cross-disciplinary programs in the Division of Environmental Engineering & Energy Systems, Karney has spearheaded the development of a number of courses and minors related to sustainability, including the Environmental Engineering Minor.
“The thrust of my work is involved in water and energy, but that includes many components, from policy and infrastructure, to how the University can become more sustainable,” said Karney.
“I think about systems telescopically: I examine the ways in which small changes and mechanisms can have a big impact on other systems. On a personal level, that means making lifestyle choices both small and large, from recycling and riding the subway, to influencing policy and education.”
Omer Gulder (UTIAS) — Clean combustion takes flight
Next time you think about booking a flight, think about Professor Omer Gulder (UTIAS).
He and his colleagues at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace studies are currently developing novel bio-based fuels that could reduce the carbon and soot emissions of air travel by up to fifty per cent.
“There are many road blocks to developing viable alternative fuels for aircraft,” said Gulder. “They not only need to be cost effective, but they also have to work with existing engine technologies.”
Gulder is testing several methods of mixing and processing biofuels so that they mimic conventional jet fuel, while maximizing efficiency and minimizing emissions.
“I am inspired by the complexity of environmental challenges,” said Gulder, who has been researching alternative fuels for transportation since the 1970s. “There is no one fix-all solution, we all have to do our part. Educating people on the importance of sustainability is vital, and something this Faculty takes very seriously.”
Jennifer Drake (CivE) — A green roof for the perfect storm
In the spring of 2009, the city of Toronto instituted the Green Roof Bylaw, requiring that all new commercial, industrial, residential and institutional buildings with a gross floor area greater than 2,000 square metres include a green roof system.
“During a storm, green roofs absorb and filter water, reducing strain on the sewage system and restoring some natural stages of the rain cycle, like evaporation and transpiration,” said Professor Jennifer Drake (CivE), who specializes in low-impact storm water management. “Toronto is a leader in this aspect of storm water management, but green roofs are just one part in a large, integrated system system.”
Drake’s approach to low impact development involves distributed management, meaning that urban run-off is handled through various stages, including permeable pavements and bio retention systems, as well as green roofs.
“Toronto has a lot of legacy infrastructure. The traditional approach to water management is an end-of-pipe system, meaning that all run-off and storm water is managed at the end of the pipeline,” said Drake. “This is very different to how water is managed in nature, and it’s costly both for the economy and the environment.”
Green roofs not only enable more sustainable management of storm water, they also help moderate temperature, filter the air and offer unique architectural opportunities.
“Locally and internationally, there is a shift towards integrated water management,” said Drake. “This is vital to our natural and urban environments. We’re moving away from one-size-fits-all solutions when developing infrastructure, and starting to think holistically about our cities and systems.”
Professor Emma Master (ChemE) — Unleashing the treasure trove of plant biopolymers
From computers to catheters, plastic derived from petrochemicals is a ubiquitous material that has enabled some of the century’s most important technologies—all while contributing to our carbon footprint, depleting natural resources and building up as waste in the environment.
“Recycling is essential, but it is not a long-term solution,” said Professor Emma Master (ChemE), a key researcher with U of T’s BioZone, a Centre for Applied Bioengineering Research that is led by Professor Elizabeth Edwards (ChemE) and funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
Master and her colleagues at BioZone aim to develop alternatives to petroleum-based materials like plastic that are both sustainable and environmentally friendly—and they are looking to nature for help.
“Plant biomass is a renewable, naturally occurring source of diverse and valuable materials,” explained Master. “When we tailor them with enzymes, which are proteins that naturally take part in building up and breaking down biomass, we can synthesize a variety of new materials, including ones with plastic-like properties.”
Ultimately, Master and her colleagues hope to develop alternatives to petroleum-based plastics —a move that would have extraordinary environmental benefits.
“Plastic is versatile, durable and useful; it is no coincidence that it features so prominently in our world,” said Master. “However, it is clear that our well-being now depends on learning how to harness the unique chemistry that lies above ground, in renewable plant resources. And that’s precisely what we aim to do.”
Women now account for 30.6 per cent of first-year students in U of T Engineering programs: a record for the Faculty and a number that surpasses all other Ontario universities. It is the only engineering school in Ontario with female first-year enrolment of more than 30 per cent. National figures are expected later this year from Engineers Canada.
“U of T Engineering is a rich environment for talented, bright women to become engineering leaders,” said Dean Cristina Amon. “Diverse perspectives are the foundation of our culture of excellence in research, education, service and innovation. This achievement is encouraging as we continue our proactive efforts to foster diversity within the Faculty, among universities and across the engineering profession.”
Today, one quarter (25.8 per cent) of U of T Engineering’s undergraduate population is female, compared to a province-wide average of 19.7 per cent. Across Canada and the United States last year, those averages were 18.9 per cent and 19.9 per cent respectively. The Faculty’s targeted recruitment efforts have been successful, with female undergraduate enrolment up from 21.3 per cent just six years ago, alongside rising entrance grade averages for first-year students that reached a record 92.4 per cent this year.
“It’s exhilarating to be part of such a diverse and talented student community,” said Teresa Nguyen (CivE 1T4 + PEY), a fourth-year civil engineering student and president of the Faculty’s Engineering Society (which elected its first female president in 1975). “At U of T Engineering, it doesn’t matter what your background is—it’s about the ideas, expertise and reasoning you bring to the table.”
“My experience at U of T Engineering has been even better than I expected,” said Molly Gorman (ChemE 1T8), a first-year chemical engineering student who’s eyed U of T since before she started high school. “It’s incredible being a part of Canada’s best engineering school—and living in a city filled with so many opportunities!”
As a leader in engineering education and research, U of T Engineering continues to attract world-class faculty. The complement of female faculty members has more than doubled in the past eight years, from 21 in 2006 to 44 in 2014. Seventeen per cent of faculty members are women, which is three points higher than the Ontario average (14 per cent) and four points higher than the Canadian average (13 per cent).
These numbers are expected to grow in the years ahead, as early-career faculty members move up in the academic ranks. More than a quarter (27.8 per cent) of U of T Engineering’s associate professors (early-career, tenure-stream faculty members) are now women, compared to an Ontario average of 15 per cent and a national average of 15.7 per cent.
In the 2014–15 academic year, women accounted for three of the four new faculty members hired at U of T Engineering. In addition, all three of the Faculty’s 2014 Canada Research Chairs are women; read more about U of T Engineering’s newest professors and Canada Research Chairs.
“Engineering has changed significantly from when I began at U of T several decades ago,” said Professor Susan McCahan (MIE), U of T’s new vice-provost, innovations in undergraduate education, who was the University’s first female faculty member in mechanical engineering. “It is increasingly recognized as a vibrant and innovative profession: one that encourages broad perspectives and collaboration to drive positive changes that improve our world.”
Inspiring a new generation of female engineers
“Amidst the increasing numbers of women entering Engineering programs, there is more work to be done in attracting women to the diverse and rewarding field of engineering,” said Dean Amon. “We have re-imagined engineering education by introducing program innovations, new resources for students and outreach activities to continue to attract an even more diverse range of applicants, including women.”
As of 2013, women accounted for just 11.7 per cent of all professional engineers in Canada. Growing numbers of female engineering students signal a promising future for gender balance in the profession.
U of T Engineering offers many outreach programs that aim to inspire girls and young women. In 2015, more than 560 female participants and 20 female instructors will take part in the following programs:
Girls’ Jr. DEEP SaturdaysFor girls in grades 3–8
Girls’ Jr. DEEP Saturdays offer a hands-on science and engineering program that encourages girls to explore science, engineering and technology in a fun, confidence-building environment. All of the Girls’ Jr. DEEP Saturday sessions are led by female undergraduate U of T Engineering students. The next session runs January 31. (Read more.)
U of T Girl Guide Badge DayFor Girl Guides in the Greater Toronto Area, ages 9–11
Leaders from across the GTA bring their Girl Guide units to campus for the day in the hopes of earning an Engineering or Physics badge. Female undergraduate engineering students lead the hands-on activities. The 2015 Badge Day will take place on May 6.
Go ENG GirlFor Ontario girls in grades 7–10 and their parents
This popular annual event provides an opportunity for girls and their parents to learn about the wonderful world of engineering from female professionals, academics and students. Participants engage in fun, hands-on projects, and speak with people currently working in engineering. U of T holds this event in collaboration with the Ontario Network of Women in Engineering (ONWIE). Go ENG Girl takes place each October. (Read more.)
Go CODE GirlFor Ontario girls in grades 9–11
Offered in collaboration with ONWIE, Go CODE Girl will provide an exciting opportunity for girls to learn about the world of coding and software development, and career opportunities in the fields of computing and engineering. The inaugural event will take place on February 21. (Read more.)
Girls’ Leadership in Engineering Experience (GLEE) WeekendFor female high-school students who’ve been offered admission to Engineering
The annual GLEE weekend offers female Engineering applicants an opportunity to learn more about the Faculty and the student experience by spending time with female U of T Engineering students, professors and alumnae who share a desire to improve lives through engineering. The GLEE weekend will take place in late May.
Young Women in Engineering SymposiumFor top grade 12 female science students
Last October, 84 of Ontario’s top Grade 12 female science students came to U of T for a full day of hands-on engineering workshops, an alumni panel, a “Mythbusters” student panel, a design team and student organization showcase, and lab tours. Participants had the opportunity to meet current U of T Engineering students, faculty and alumni. The symposium is expected to become an annual event, and future dates will be announced. (Read more.)
Timeline for Women in Engineering at U of T
U of T Engineering has a long history of remarkable women. A few highlights:
1920: First female architect in Canada graduates from U of T Engineering
1927: First woman to graduate with an engineering degree from U of T
1958: First woman joins the Faculty’s permanent academic staff
See a timeline of the history of women in engineering at U of T.