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.

Members of U of T Engineering's AutoDrive team adjust the mounts for autonomous sensors on a donated Chevrolet Bolt. The team has until April to turn the electric vehicle into a self-driving vehicle. (Photo: Alex Lee)

AutoDrive: Student team gears up on self-driving electric vehicle challenge

Chevrolet Bolt to be made autonomous by U of T Engineering team

Chemical engineering PhD candidate Kayla Nemr and Professor Krishna Mahadevan grow yeast in a bioreactor. Along with their collaborators, they are using these organisms to transform bark, leaves and stems into the chemical building blocks of materials such as nylon. (Photo: Tyler Irving)

Natural fibres: New yeast strains could turn plant waste into fabrics

U of T Engineering researchers are developing bio-based commodity chemicals, including nylon precursors

DriverLab simulation

U of T Engineering researchers use DriverLab simulator to focus on driver behaviour and safety

DriverLab is the only simulator of its kind in Canada and offers a safe way to study a range of human variables in realistic traffic and weather conditions

In 2015, Alison McGuigan and her team unveiled TRACER, a rolled-up strip of engineered tissue enabling scientists to mimic the way cells grow in a tumour. Two years later, they’ve created a new tool that now lets researchers watch tumour cells reorganize over time. (Courtesy: Alison McGuigan)

Expert in microfabrication and disease modelling awarded Connaught Fund McLean Award

Alison McGuigan (ChemE) receives $125,000 prize for her work that aims to create better mechanisms for predicting how well promising drugs will work in patients

With his startup company Deep Genomics, Professor Brendan Frey (ECE) marries machine learning and genomic science to develop genetic medicines. (Photo: Johnny Guatto)

U of T Engineering spinoff Deep Genomics raises US$13 million to fund expansion

The startup, launched in 2015, combines artificial intelligence, or AI, and genomics research to help develop genetic medicines

Jason Jaewoo Park

Addressing unique patient needs with technology: U of T offers engineering training to medical students

Master of Engineering program gives MD students advanced tools to understand the design of medical technologies

City Logger Team

Better transportation planning? There’s an app for that — and it needs your help

New smartphone app designed by U of T Engineering researchers will track users’ movements to inform transportation planning across the Greater Golden Horseshoe

Research coordinator Stephanie Chow (left), IBBME MASc candidate Ben Kinsella (not pictured) and Professor Azadeh Kushki (centre) developed a Google Glass app as a social-skills coach for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). (Photo: Christina Gapic).

Google Glass app helps autistic children with social interactions

IBBME Azadeh Kushki and her team designed social-skills coach to help children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Human-Powered Vehicle Design Team

U of T Engineering students win global speedbike competition

Vehicle achieves speed of 127.6 kilometres per hour