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.

combine harvester

PURE green machine proves U of T engineers more than just design wizards

It may have hydrogen fuel cells, a solar panel and three lithium-ion batteries, but a new electric vehicle from students at U of T won’t be found on the highway – it’ll be working on the farm. A group of engineering students has proposed a new type of sustainable soybean harvester, recently winning first place […]

Angela Schoellig

Teaching flying robots to learn

A helicopter drone zooms along the shores of Boston’s Charles River, carefully flying back and forth to photograph algae growth for nearby researchers. And who’s at the controls? Nobody – thanks to autonomous algorithms developed by Angela Schoellig, an assistant professor at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS). Next month, Schoellig – […]

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A car that travels 1,152 kilometres on one litre of fuel

How much do you think it costs to drive from Toronto to Vancouver in the U of T Supermileage Team’s new eco-car? Hint: it’s less than a medium latte from your favourite coffee shop.Unveiled at the international Shell Eco-marathon this month, the tiny car from U of T engineering students is capable of traveling 1,152 kilometres on […]

pregnant woman

U of T engineers use “Sperm Olympics” to help couples get pregnant faster

In vitro fertility treatments can be intensely emotional and medically invasive, not to mention expensive. But technical developments from a research group at the University of Toronto may soon be able to shorten the journey to pregnancy – and that potential has piqued interest from international investors. The research group, QSperm, is looking to turn […]

U of T Supermileage Team

Engineering a more fuel-efficient engine from scratch

Last fall, eight engineering students from U of T crowded around a small leaf-blower engine and argued whether it could power the world’s most fuel-efficient vehicle. Then, they tossed it aside and started building a better one from scratch. Now – after their professors said it was impossible – that engine is at the heart […]

Penney Gilbert

Stiffness: a new piece of the breast cancer puzzle

A new study has linked the stiffness of breast tissue to the progression of a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer. Published in Nature Medicine this month, the study may help clinicians differentiate between aggressive forms of the disease, which tend to have a poor prognosis, and less deadly forms. University of Toronto Assistant Professor […]

Dentist Tools

Health grants advance research in dental disease and cancer therapy

From gum disease to new cancer therapy, health concerns that affect millions are at the heart of two new Collaborative Health Research Projects (CHRPs) involving Professors Warren Chan (IBBME) and Eli Sone (IBBME, MSE). Making recovery from gum disease “stick” Assistant Professor Sone and his collaborators, Associate Professor Bernhard Ganss and Professor Chris McCulloch, are […]

Doug Perovic

Could live-streaming black box data help prevent another Flight MH370 disaster?

Forensics engineer Doug Perovic, professor of materials science and engineering at U of T, recently shared his expertise with CBC and Global News about black box technology and its role in the Flight MH370 disaster. Malaysia Airlines MH370: Why airlines don’t live-stream black box data – CBC News (March 31, 2014) How live-streaming black box […]

Berj L. Bardakjian

Can epileptic seizures be predicted and prevented?

Every day, 42 Canadians learn they have epilepsy. This chronic disorder touches 50 million people worldwide, and in the past, it’s even affected geniuses like Napoleon Bonaparte, Beethoven and Vincent Van Gogh. For Epilepsy Awareness Month, U of T’s Erin Vollick sat down with a leading neurological researcher at the University of Toronto, Professor Berj […]