The organic LED age is here: Meet the U of T engineers behind OTI Lumionics
Originally published in the 2015 issue of Impact Magazine. Google “OLED,” and you’ll find scores of articles confidently predicting that this is the year of the organic light-emitting diode. Some of those articles are ten years old. Still, there are reasons to believe the OLED age is finally dawning. In fact, engineering alumnus Michael Helander (EngSci 0T7, MSE PhD 1T2) is betting on […]
U of T Engineering alumni awarded $5.7 million to produce energy-efficient lighting solutions in Toronto
It’s about to get a whole lot brighter in Toronto thanks to a significant investment from the Canadian government in a U of T Engineering alumnus’ sustainable lighting company. OTI Lumionics, a company co-founded by alumnus Michael Helander (EngSci 0T7, MSE PhD 1T2), has been awarded $5.7 million from Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) to […]
Engineering students’ futuristic ideas materialize into three sustainable innovations
Whether it’s mimicking ocean mussels to create powerful non-toxic glue, or designing energy technologies that can store power for a whole city block, U of T undergraduate engineering students have the opportunity to lead innovative research that improves both our communities and ecosystems. Here are three materials science and engineering students who are designing a […]
Engineering alumnus gives back to support solar cell research at U of T
U of T Engineering alumnus Shawn Qu (MSE PhD 9T5) believes in a bright future for home-grown solar technology—and he’s helping create it. Dr. Qu is founder, chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar, North America’s leading photovoltaic module manufacturer and one of the world’s largest solar power companies. Canadian Solar recently committed $400,000 to support […]
Crystal light: New family of light-converting materials points to cheaper, more efficient solar power and LEDs
Engineers are shining new light on an emerging family of solar-absorbing materials that could clear the way for cheaper and more efficient solar panels and LEDs. The materials, called perovskites, are particularly good at absorbing visible light, but had never been studied in their purest form: as perfect single crystals. Using a new technique, researchers […]
Generation generate: three engineering students who are passionate about sustainability
When it comes to tackling complex environmental challenges and fostering a culture of sustainability, these U of T Engineering students are generating more than just energy: they are cultivating passion, promoting change and stimulating new ideas. “Sustainability is a mindset,” said Engineering student Parisa Najafi (MSE 1T6). “It is a way of tackling problems that […]
Four ways U of T professors are engineering a greener future
From the plastic keys of your keyboard to the jet fuel that powers your flight home for the holidays, engineers are finding methods to make everyday life more affordable and more sustainable. “It is vital to closely examine the processes and infrastructure of our daily lives and ensure that they are efficient and sustainable,” said […]
Engineering students develop hydrogen-powered transportation startup
Originally published in the Winter 2015 issue of U of T Magazine. Ashrith Domun (ChemE 1T5), a third-year chemical engineering student, was learning about business plans in an entrepreneurship course when he stumbled across what he reckoned was a good market opportunity: business incentives meant to kickstart the sluggish hydrogen fuel cell industry. “It seemed like […]
Power players: How U of T engineers are building a smarter electricity grid
Originally published in the 2014 issue of ANNUM Magazine. A single unpruned tree was all it took. On Aug. 14, 2003, one hot day in a hot summer, a power line sagged onto some branches in the small village of Walton Hills, Ohio. The resulting cascading failure throughout Ontario and the northeastern United States shut down power […]
