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.

A new study of zebra mussels, like this one growing in a tank in the lab of Professor Eli Sone (BME, MSE), could offer insights into new medical adhesives as well as ways to prevent fouling of water intake pipes. (Photo: Angelico Obille)

Zebra mussels could point the way toward non-stick surfaces and medical adhesives

Professor Eli Sone and his team developed new techniques to measure how strongly mussels stick to a range of different materials

Professor Mohini Sain (MIE) works with researchers to design original materials at a lab, pictured, at the Earth Science Centre. (Photo: Mohini Sain)

U of T Engineering and Ford partnership introduces new sustainable material into the automotive industry

Professor Mohini Sain’s team worked with Ford Motors Canada to create a Carbon Fibre-Composite 5.0L Engine Timing Cover

David Sinton (MIE) is the academic lead of U of T's Climate Positive Energy Initiative, which seeks to develop clean-energy solutions by harnessing expertise across a wide range of fields. (Photo courtesy: David Sinton)

‘An everybody problem’: David Sinton on how U of T experts can help Canada — and the world — get to net-zero

Canada has formally committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 — and since 78% of greenhouse gas emissions globally are related to energy, finding cleaner sources is a big part of the puzzle.  Researchers at the University of Toronto have responded to this challenge by forming a new research network: the Climate Positive […]

(L-R) Andrew Gillis, CEO of Aurora Hydrogen, Professor Erin Bobicki, University of Alberta, and Professor Murray Thomson (MIE), University of Toronto. The three have developed a new method for generating emissions-free hydrogen, and are seeing interest in their technology from the energy sector. (Photo courtesy: Murray Thomson)

Spin-off company co-founded by U of T Engineering professor creates hydrogen without carbon dioxide emissions

Novel approach to hydrogen production could help decarbonize energy consumption

PhD candidate Peter Serles (MIE) places a sample of magnetene in the atomic force microscope. New measurements and simulations of this material show that its low-friction behaviour is due to quantum effects. (Photo: Daria Perevezentsev)

Graphene-like 2D material leverages quantum effects to achieve ultra-low friction

Magnetene could have useful applications as a lubricant in implantable devices or other micro-electro-mechanical systems

Left to right: Shijie Liu (MIE MASc candidate), Yi (Sheldon) Xu (MIE postdoctoral fellow) and Celine Xiao (MIE PhD candidate) work on an electrochemical cell in their lab. The students are members of Team E-quester, which has earned a $250,000 XPRIZE Carbon Removal Student Award. (Photo: Yong Zhao)

U of T Engineering team earns US $250,000 in global XPRIZE Carbon Removal Student Award

Seed funding will advance an electrochemical process that can capture CO2 directly from air

(Photo: Daria Perevezentsev)

‘A global leader’: Professor David Sinton highlights U of T’s sustainability efforts at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Mechanical and industrial engineering professor outlines efforts to make U of T “climate positive,” meaning the university will curb more emissions than it emits.

Professor Edmond Young (MIE, BME) and his research team have developed a microfluidic lung-on-a-chip that mimics breathing in human lungs. (Photo courtesy: Edmond Young)

New microfluidic device could help track the health effects of air pollution

Technology enables simulated lung tissue to be exposed to air pollutants, then extracted for analysis without disturbing the spatial relationships between cells

U of T researchers Penney Gilbert (BME) and Bryan Stewart (Biology) obtained cells from people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy to grow miniature muscles that are being used to develop new treatments for the genetic disorder. (Photo: Johnny Guatto)

U of T researchers’ lab-grown muscles used to study Duchenne muscular dystrophy, develop treatments

Professors Penney Gilbert and Bryan Stewart obtained cells from people living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy to grow miniature muscles and study the genetic disorder outside the body