Sustainability news

Sustainability programs and research at U of T Engineering are at the forefront of alternative technologies that can mitigate the impact of climate change.

Diatoms (Nitzchia palea), the most abundant algal taxa in the world’s oceans, stained with a fluorescent dye (Nile Red) to reveal the abundant neutral lipid (yellow) contained in these algal cells. (Photo: Professor Michael T. Arts, Ryerson University)

Food for thought: Climate change could impact omega-3 levels worldwide

Computer simulations suggests that warming ocean temperatures could limit the ability of algae to produce a key nutrient

A BikeShare Toronto station on U of T’s St. George campus. A new study from U of T Engineering researchers shows that Toronto’s cycling infrastructure is disconnected, creating barriers for people who might otherwise cycle to work. (Photo: Kevin Zolkiewicz, via Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons)

Why don’t more Torontonians cycle to work?

New U of T Engineering study maps cycling stress levels and accessibility across the city

Laura Burget (ChemE 1T6) created her own skincare company, NIU BODY, after discovering an untapped market for affordable all-natural skincare products in an engineering entrepreneurship course. (Photo: Roberta Baker)

This U of T Engineering alumna spotted a blemish in the skincare industry — and started her own company to tackle it

Laura Burget shares her experience launching natural beauty line NIU BODY and how a fourth-year class inspired her entrepreneurial journey

Oil sands in Fort McMurray, Alta. (Photo: Kris Krug via Flickr)

Researcher’s review of oil sands monitoring lays groundwork to reduce environmental impact

U of T Engineering professor Jeffrey Brook gives in-depth report on recent monitoring work in Alberta oil sands, highlighting gaps and challenges in current environmental monitoring efforts

Olugbenga Olubanjo holding two Reeddi Capsules. (Photo: Phill Snel, Civil and Mineral Engineering/ U of T)

Putting power in the hands of the people

Alumnus Olugbenga Olubanjo is the founder of Reeddi Inc., a startup that brings clean, affordable and portable power to the people of Nigeria

Professor David Sinton (MIE) is among four members of the U of T Engineering community to be inducted as fellows of the Canadian Academy of Engineering. (Photo: NSERC)

U of T Engineering professors and alumni honoured by Canadian Academy of Engineering

Professors Milos Popovic and David Sinton, along with alumni Jeffrey Karp and Halim Yanikomeroglu, are among the CAE’s 49 new fellows

Elizabeth Edwards, (ChemE, pictured left) gives federal science minister Kirsty Duncan a tour of her lab on June 5, 2018. Edwards was just appointed a University Professor, U of T's highest academic rank. (Credit: Laura Pedersen)

Elizabeth Edwards named University Professor, U of T’s highest academic rank

U of T’s highest academic rank is limited to 2% of the University’s tenured faculty

Geonhui Lee (ECE PhD candidate) operates an electrolyzer capable of transforming dissolved carbonate into CO2 and then into syngas. The device offers a new, shorter path for converting atmospheric carbon into commercially valuable products (Photo: Marit Mitchell)

Out of thin air: New electrochemical process shortens the path to capturing and recycling CO2

Professor Ted Sargent (ECE) and his team offer a promising technique for converting atmospheric CO2 into commercially valuable products

Mengxia Liu (ECE PhD 1T8) is the lead author on a new paper in Nature that describes a way to combine two promising solar technologies — perovskites and quantum dots — in order to enhance their stability. (Photo: Sanyang Han)

Quantum rebar: Quantum dots enhance stability of solar-harvesting perovskite crystals

U of T Engineering researchers demonstrate that perovskite crystals and quantum dots working together can increase stability of solar materials