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.

CAF-Enrique García

U of T Engineering signs agreement with CAF to advance sustainable development in Latin America

If emerging economies are to prosper and compete in the 21st century, Enrique García, president and CEO of Latin America’s largest development bank, says there are two areas in need of critical attention: “Education and infrastructure…that is why we are here at the University of Toronto.” Last Thursday, García and a delegation from CAF — the […]

LEDs light up Toronto's CN Tower (Photo: Amarpreet via Flickr).

Engineering energy-efficient lighting

Doing more with less is the future of lighting. As smart novel lighting technologies use less energy to shine brighter, it’s also a trend that flipping the switch in homes and businesses around the world. It’s known as smart sustainable lighting, and researchers from the University of Toronto are leading the charge in design and […]

Lumionics

Six ways sustainable lighting transforms cities, health, business and the environment

Walk into a hardware store these days and you’ll find more varieties of light bulbs than ever before. Some look strange and cost more than traditional incandescent bulbs, but these energy-efficient, “green” lighting solutions – and others still in development – are helping to drastically change our homes, our cities and our world. Light emitting […]

nano

The world’s most energy efficient light bulb now dims without a dimmer

What if you could dim the lights across your entire house without having to buy dimming switches – and save the environment too? Thanks to the latest invention from Nanoleaf, a startup from U of T Engineering alumni, you soon can. Nanoleaf, creators of the world’s most efficient light bulb, has released a new dimmable […]

UTokyo

UT2: U of T engineers explore sustainable materials at U Tokyo

Planning a flight during the winter holidays? Sometimes Canada’s frigid winters can leave you waiting in the airport for hours – or even days – longer than you anticipated. One of the biggest culprits for these delays is the additional time required to melt ice off airplane wings – something that Jason Tam (MSE 1T2 […]

Brent Sleep

NSERC invests $1.65 million to train engineering students in environmental decontamination

From former industrial sites to rail yards and abandoned gas stations, there are an estimated 22,000 environmentally contaminated sites across the country. These areas are polluted with hazardous chemicals that could impact human health, ecosystems and the drinking water supply. To help remediate these sites, the University of Toronto has been awarded $1.65 million from […]

Mining Building

Lassonde Mining Building wins Canadian Green Building Award

Tucked away in one of the University of Toronto’s oldest and most historic buildings, there’s an attic. This attic isn’t a place to store your grandmother’s old photo albums or records, it’s home to the Goldcorp Mining Innovation Suite – an eco-friendly design space for mineral and civil engineering students that was recognized this month […]

Zhijun-Ning–Solar-cells-story

New class of nanoparticle brings cheaper, lighter solar cells outdoors

Think those flat, glassy solar panels on your neighbour’s roof are the pinnacle of solar technology? Think again. Researchers in the University of Toronto’s Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering have designed and tested a new class of solar-sensitive nanoparticle that outshines what we currently consider state of the art. This […]

Heather Maclean

Heather MacLean recognized by CMHC for contributions to sustainability

8:07 AM: the Gardiner Expressway rumbles with thousands of vehicles driving downtown to work, each with its own combustion engine releasing a barely-visible trail of exhaust into the atmosphere. Is there a better way to move people around our city? If so, what is it? These are questions that Professor Heather MacLean (CivE) explores in […]