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.

Dr. So Min Park (ECE) holds up a sample of the perovskite solar cell that she and her collaborators designed. When the new cell was measured continuously under solar illumination, it maintained 85% of its original performance even following 1,560 hours at 85 C and 50% relative humidity. (Photo: Tyler Irving)

Improved stability could help perovskite solar cells compete with silicon

July 13, 2023

U of T Engineering researchers increase the stability of this emerging solar technology under high temperatures, helping to overcome a key barrier to commercial application

Professor Seungjae Lee (CivMin) is using U of T buildings as models to design deep learning algorithms that could optimize the operations of building heating and cooling systems, significantly reducing energy use.

Can AI help make our buildings more sustainable?

May 23, 2023

New research explores the potential of artificial intelligence to optimize heating and cooling in buildings on the U of T campus

Left to right: Huazhong University of Science and Technology researchers Yuanhao Lou, Qiuhong Min, Jian Jin, Yuanjie Pang and Dan Wu gather around an electrolyzer to test a new catalyst that can convert CO from captured carbon into acetic acid. They are part of a global team that includes U of T Engineering researchers. (Photo: Jiayang Song)

New catalyst could increase the value of captured carbon by transforming it into acetic acid

May 3, 2023

Electrocatalyst achieves record-breaking selectivity toward the desired product, a key step toward industrial production

Professor David Sinton (MIE) is the nominated principal investigator of CANSTOREnergy and academic lead of the Climate Positive Energy institutional strategic initiative. (Photo: Lisa Lightbourn)

U of T-led collaboration to develop community-tailored clean energy technologies

April 25, 2023

Professor David Sinton (MIE) is principal investigator for the CANSTOREnergy project, which receives $24 million through New Frontiers in Research Fund’s 2022 Transformation Competition

U of T Engineering researchers growing microorganisms to recover nickel and clean up tailings ponds

April 18, 2023

A new academic-industry partnership aims to develop bio-leaching technologies to clean up contaminated material and extract valuable products

Researchers from U of T Engineering create triple-junction perovskite solar cell with record-breaking efficiency

March 31, 2023

Prototype device advances an emerging photovoltaic technology that provides an alternative to conventional silicon cells

A close up of the gloved hands of a professional car mechanic changing car wheel in auto repair service.

From tires to brakes, U of T researchers tackle ‘non-tailpipe’ air pollution from vehicles

March 17, 2023

U of T researchers conducting a three-year study to learn more about tailpipe vs. non-tailpipe emissions

Two women and two men stand in front of a white backdrop that says Vale and University of Toronto.

U of T partners with Vale Energy Transition Metals to accelerate sustainable mining solution

March 8, 2023

New industry-academic partnership includes sponsored research projects, training, professional development and community engagement initiatives

Four men stand together in a group, talking. The men are all wearing suits.

U of T Engineering professor’s startup receives federal funding to manufacture solar-energy-control windows

March 8, 2023

3E Nano Inc., co-founded by Professor Nazir Kherani and based on his research in photovoltaics and thermal systems, has received $5 million in funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada

Load more stories