Three engineering professors in Faculty leadership roles have recently published important new books in their respective fields. Farid Najm (Chair, ECE) has authored a textbook entitled Circuit Simulation (Wiley-IEEE, 2010). Douglas Reeve (Chair, ChemE) and Bryan Karney (Associate Dean, Cross-Disciplinary Programs) are co-editors with Professor Donald Dewees (Department of Economics) of Current Affairs: Perspectives on Electricity Policy for Ontario (University of Toronto Press, 2009).

Professor Najm’s new book describes in detail the many numerical techniques and algorithms that are part of modern circuit simulation packages, with an emphasis on transient analysis, the most frequently used simulation mode. Tested in his graduate course on circuit simulation, this unique text provides the reader with sufficient detail and mathematical rigor to write his/her own basic circuit simulator. With problem sets and computer projects at the end of every chapter, Circuit Simulation is ideally suited for a graduate course on this topic. It is also a practical reference for design engineers and computer-aided design practitioners, as well as researchers and developers in both industry and academia.

Facing diminishing capacity combined with escalating demand, Ontario’s electricity policy must contend with growing concerns about air pollutants, global warming, and the environmental impacts of fossil fuel production. Current Affairs, edited by Professors Reeve and Karney along with Professor Donald Dewees of UofT’s Department of Economics, brings together the views of a number of international experts on electricity and environment, along with commentators familiar with Ontario’s situation, to begin a discussion of these issues. The contributors suggest that solid environmental policy must be married with thoughtful information programs and regulations in order to lead the region to a sustainable electricity future.

“The recent publication of these books demonstrates that our Faculty leaders remain committed to research and education despite the heavy demands of their administrative roles,” said Cristina Amon, Dean, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. “I congratulate these professors on their achievements and thank them for their continued service to the Faculty.”

These and other recently published books will be added to the Faculty’s Celebrating Engineering Achievement display in the Bahen Centre.

On June 30, 2011, Professor Cristina Amon will complete her first term as Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. Professor Amon is eligible for re-appointment.

In accordance with Section 60 of the Policy on Appointment of Academic Administrators, the University is accepting nominations of individuals to serve on the advisory committee that will advise the President on the appointment of a Dean. The Policy mandates the potential composition of the advisory committee as follows:

  • The Vice-President and Provost or representative (Chair);
  • Three to five members of the teaching staff of the Faculty;
  • One to three students of the Faculty;
  • The Dean of the School of Graduate Studies or representative;
  • A librarian, where appropriate;
  • Two or three other qualified scholars from within or outside this University, but outside the Faculty;
  • In addition, the committee may include an alumnus/a, a member of the administrative staff, and a senior member of the appropriate professional community.

The advisory committee will begin meeting this spring.

Nominations for the committee should be sent by April 6, via the Vice-President and Provost’s web site online form.

Questions should be directed to Helen Lasthiotakis, Director, Academic Programs and Policy by phone at 416.946.0501 or email h.lasthiotakis@utoronto.ca.

According to the U.S. News & World Report magazine, Engineering at the University of Toronto ranks first in Canada, fifth in North America, and eighth in the world. Initially released on February 25, the rankings are based on the 2009 Times Higher Education – QS World University Rankings. Click here to read the full story as published by NEWS @ the University of Toronto.

By Carolyn Farrell

Professors Frank Kschischang (ECE) and Andreas Mandelis (MIE) are among only eight recipients nationwide of Killam Research Fellowships, one of Canada’s most prestigious research awards. Administered by the Canada Council for the Arts, the Fellowships provide support to scholars of exceptional ability who are engaged in research projects of broad significance and widespread interest. They honour the memory and exceptional achievements of Mrs. Dorothy J. Killam’s husband, Izaak Walton Killam. With a value of $70,000 per year, Killam Research Fellowships allow recipients to pursue research full-time for two years.

Frank Kschischang is a Tier One Canada Research Chair in Communication Algorithms.  His research interests are in the area of digital communications, particularly coding theory.  He is a Fellow of the Engineering Institute of Canada and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and a recipient of the Premier’s Research Excellence Award. He was recently elected President of the IEEE Information Theory Society. A popular and accomplished teacher, he has received several departmental and Faculty teaching awards since joining the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering in 1991.  Professor Kschischang will use the Fellowship to develop approaches to improve the transmission rate and reliability of communications through wireless relay networks and fiber-optic communications channels.

A Tier One Canada Research Chair in Diffusion-Wave Sciences and Technologies, Andreas Mandelis has authored over 260 refereed papers, as well as the acclaimed textbook Diffusion-Wave Fields: Mathematical Methods and Green Functions.  Professor Mandelis is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and was the inaugural recipient of the Premier’s Discovery Award in Natural Sciences and Engineering in 2007.  In 2009 he received the Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Industrial and Applied Physics from the Canadian Association of Physicists and the Senior Prize from the International Photoacoustic and Photothermal Association.  Professor Mandelis will use the Fellowship for research that is expected to lead to the development of a portable laser-radar-based instrument that can be used for early detection and monitoring of osteoporosis.

“We are honoured and grateful that the Canada Council for the Arts has recognized two of our faculty members with these prestigious Fellowships”, said Cristina Amon, Dean, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. “Professors Kschischang and Mandelis are world-leaders in their respective fields and I have no doubt that these Fellowships will result in further groundbreaking discoveries and technological innovations”.

What started as a way to organize his own photos has turned into an entrepreneurial marvel. ECE PhD candidate, Vincent Cheung, created ShapeCollage, a free program that allows users to organize their photos into a collage. ShapeCollage recently won the regional entrepreneurial competition, and he will compete in the national competition later in the year. Cheung also has a patent for his product.

By Carolyn Farrell

Three research teams involving engineering professors have received a total of $8.2M in funding from the Ontario Research Fund’s Research Excellence Program (ORF-RE). The ORF-RE program promotes research excellence in Ontario by supporting transformative, internationally significant research of strategic value to the province. It focuses on scientific excellence, strong commercialization, and strategic value to Ontario, and targets new, leading-edge research initiatives.

Professors Javad Mostaghimi (ChemE) (Principal Investigator), Sanjeev Chandra (MIE), and Tom Coyle (MSE) received funding for their project High-efficiency Spray-formed Metal Foam Heat Exchangers for High Temperature Energy Conversion and Recovery, which aims to develop lightweight, high efficiency spray-formed metal foam heat exchangers, which can be manufactured at low cost and withstand both high temperatures and long-term use under industrial conditions. The project received $3,471,879 and includes private sector partners Plasco Energy Group Inc., Pratt and Whitney Canada Inc. and Centreline Ltd.

Professor Ted Sargent (ECE), together with an interdisciplinary team, received $3M for their project High-Efficiency Low-Cost Solar Cells to create solar energy harvesting technology that is both high in efficiency and low in cost. The efficiency of solar technology is determined by the portion of the solar light spectrum the material can absorb. The project’s goal is to create a system which will absorb across the sun’s full spectrum or better still, to build devices whose constituent layers each efficiently harvest specific bands within the sun’s broad spectrum. The project promises to help Ontario realize its clean energy goals and position the province as a global leader in the production of cheap green energy technology.

Forestry Professors Ning Yan and Mohini Sain (cross-appointed to ChemE), along with co-applicant Professor Ramin Farnood (ChemE) have received $1.75M for their project Bark Biorefinery: Green Adhesives and Bio-based Foams from Bark. The project aims to develop technology breakthroughs that can successfully convert bark, a waste residue from forest mills, into high value, eco-friendly adhesives and bio-products with large market potential, some of which could replace petroleum-derived products.

“We are grateful to the Province of Ontario for funding these relevant and impactful projects,” said Cristina Amon, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering. “These grants highlight the essential role academic research plays in enhancing Ontario’s economic and technological prosperity.”