Research news

Learn more about the latest discoveries and innovations from the U of T Engineering community. Our researchers are developing new ways of capturing and storing clean energy, medical devices that can save and extend lives, smarter ways to design and build cities and much more.

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

Professor Milica Radisic (BME, ChemE) and Rick Lu (BME PhD candidate) observe the InVADE system (Photo: Jennifer Kieda)

Organ-on-a-chip research identifies new strategy for treating health complications associated with COVID-19

U of T Engineering researchers used lab-grown models of human vasculature to screen potential drug candidate molecules for effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 vascular dysfunction and cytokine storm

Christine Gabardo, co-founder and technology director at U of T startup CERT Systems, is using electrochemistry "to tackle one of our world’s biggest challenges, which is climate change.” (Photo: Schatzypants Inc)

Turning CO2 into shampoo and lawn furniture? U of T startup doing what ‘no one has done before’

CERT Systems, which grew out of research at U of T Engineering, is using water and electricity to turn waste CO2 into ethylene and other valuable products

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)

Researchers from U of T’s Centre for Social Services Engineering are helping to develop a platform that harnesses AI to improve wayfinding for Canadians seeking social services (Photo: iStock/Ankit Sah)

Using AI to help Canadians find social services: U of T researchers team up with industry and government

Researchers from U of T’s Centre for Social Services Engineering are helping to develop a platform that harnesses AI to improve wayfinding for Canadians seeking social services

This soft robot is made of a common polymer combined with carbon nanotubes, and acts like an ‘artificial muscle’ that contracts in response to electric currents. New materials for soft robotics is the focus one of three U of T Engineering projects funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation this week. (Photo: Mihai Duduta)

From soft robotics to treating neurological disorders: Three U of T Engineering projects supported by CFI

Funding from the John R. Evans Leaders Fund will help develop new technologies and train highly qualified personnel

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)

Positive Zero Transportation Futures aims to decarbonize transportation by making alternatives to fossil-fuel-dependent vehicles more accessible. (Photo: Leonardo Patrizi/iStock)

Positive Zero Transport Futures takes a holistic approach to decarbonizing transportation

A team of U of T Engineering researchers is designing models of decarbonization that ensure positive societal outcomes

Left: A map of Toronto showing 17 of the TTC’s 75 stations. Right: A sample network connecting those 17 nodes, created by a computer model of a slime mould, Physarum polycephalum. (Images courtesy: Raphael Kay)

Could a ‘virtual slime mould’ design a better subway system?

A model based on the growth patterns of a single-celled organism could lead to networks with improved travel time or resilience to disruption