Faculty Archives - Faculty of Engineering and Design

After five decades at �Ӱ�ԭ�� University, Department of Electronics Chancellor’s Professor Jim Wight still walks into the classroom with the same energy that first brought him to Ottawa in the early 1970s.

Wight’s career spans from training generations of engineers and helping to shape the aerospace program to launching multiple successful startups, reflecting the evolution of the Canadian technology sector and the long-lasting value of hands-on learning.

“I come here and do my daily workout,” he says of teaching. “It’s a mental workout.”

The post Celebrating 50 Years of Teaching: Professor Jim Wight’s Legacy at �Ӱ�ԭ�� appeared first on Faculty of Engineering and Design.

�Ӱ�ԭ�� Researchers Rethink Treatment for Epidermolysis Bullosa

Nick Arcuri — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 18:07:45 +0000

�Ӱ�ԭ�� Researchers Rethink Treatment for Epidermolysis Bullosa

Published on June 30, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

For some children, everyday moments aren’t just routine — they’re a risk. Simple acts like a comforting hug from mom, getting dressed for school or going down a slide at the park can cause real harm.

That’s the reality for those living with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare condition where even the slightest friction can cause blisters and open wounds. The condition weakens the connection between layers of the skin, leaving it unable to perform its most important role: protecting the body.

Children are often wrapped in bandages to protect fragile skin and cover wounds that are painful, slow to heal and prone to infection. Over time, repeated damage and inflammation can lead to serious complications, including skin cancer.

The post �Ӱ�ԭ�� Researchers Rethink Treatment for Epidermolysis Bullosa appeared first on Faculty of Engineering and Design.

NSERC Funds �Ӱ�ԭ�� Researchers Advancing New Environmental Engineering Projects

Nick Arcuri — Thu, 21 May 2026 17:40:14 +0000

NSERC Funds �Ӱ�ԭ�� Researchers Advancing New Environmental Engineering Projects

Published on June 30, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is awarding �Ӱ�ԭ�� civil and environmental engineering researchers with new funding for their projects that examine the health impacts of micro- and nanoplastics and methods for improving low-carbon energy, notably for areas in Northern Canada.

NSERC is providing over $1 million in grants to the researchers through the and programs.

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Monitoring Underground Carbon Storage for a Net-Zero Future

Nick Arcuri — Wed, 20 May 2026 16:33:56 +0000

Monitoring Underground Carbon Storage for a Net-Zero Future

Published on June 30, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

As Canada accelerates towards its net-zero climate target, carbon capture and storage (CCS) is emerging as a critical part of the solution. The process captures carbon dioxide (CO₂) from industrial sources, compresses it and injects it deep underground into geological formations designed to trap the gas permanently.

But permanent storage relies on one crucial factor: ensuring the CO₂ stays put. Once it’s injected hundreds of metres below the surface, researchers and regulators must ensure it remains safely contained.

�Ӱ�ԭ�� University PhD student Isabella Hearne is researching how to detect possible leaks before they reach the surface.

The post Monitoring Underground Carbon Storage for a Net-Zero Future appeared first on Faculty of Engineering and Design.

Protecting People from Earthquakes: �Ӱ�ԭ�� Research Will Lead to More Resilient Buildings

Nick Arcuri — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 13:19:00 +0000

Protecting People from Earthquakes: �Ӱ�ԭ�� Research Will Lead to More Resilient Buildings

Published on June 30, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

Earthquakes are among the most destructive natural disasters on the planet. They typically happen when the tectonic plates that form the Earth’s outer shell, which are in constant motion, get stuck against each other. Pressure builds where these massive slabs of rock meet until it becomes too intense and the plates slip, releasing a massive amount of energy that creates seismic waves.

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�Ӱ�ԭ�� Researchers Lead $13.5 Million Project to Accelerate Canada’s Digital Future

Nick Arcuri — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:16:47 +0000

�Ӱ�ԭ�� Researchers Lead $13.5 Million Project to Accelerate Canada’s Digital Future

Published on June 30, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

Reliable mobile connectivity is essential to economic growth, public services and daily life. While today’s mobile networks can deliver coverage to urban centres within range of terrestrial towers and antennas, Canada’s vast geography and low population density make reliable connectivity difficult to maintain beyond them.

The post �Ӱ�ԭ�� Researchers Lead $13.5 Million Project to Accelerate Canada’s Digital Future appeared first on Faculty of Engineering and Design.

A Clearer Picture for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: Engineering Researchers Developing New Imaging Tool

Nick Arcuri — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000

A Clearer Picture for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: Engineering Researchers Developing New Imaging Tool

Published on June 30, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

As with all cancers, early detection can lead to less aggressive and more successful treatment, but current diagnostic methods are problematic. Men deemed at-risk undergo a series of tests, including bloodwork and an MRI. If the results are concerning, the next step is typically a targeted biopsy, during which doctors use an ultrasound probe to essentially “guess” where the MRI-identified lesion may be and insert a needle into the prostate to take a tissue sample for analysis.

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Wildfires in Canada: Researchers Work to Protect Canadians from Wildfire Smoke

Nick Arcuri — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 15:55:58 +0000

Wildfires in Canada: Researchers Work to Protect Canadians from Wildfire Smoke

Published on June 30, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

More than 6,000 wildfires burned across Canada in 2023, torching an area larger than England — the country’s most destructive fire season ever. In communities such as Yellowknife, Toronto and New York City, the sky turned an eerie orange in the middle of the day, whether there were fires nearby or hundreds of kilometres away.

The post appeared first on Faculty of Engineering and Design.

Reimagining the Mino’Weesini Grocery Program as a Place for Connection and Sharing

Nick Arcuri — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 19:51:14 +0000

Reimagining the Mino’Weesini Grocery Program as a Place for Connection and Sharing

Published on June 30, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes