News 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.

The post appeared first on Faculty of Engineering and Design.

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.

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From Classroom to Construction Site: An Engineering Practicum Journey

Adam Landry — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:58:56 +0000

From Classroom to Construction Site: An Engineering Practicum Journey

Published on June 30, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

When Parth Chauhan arrived in Ottawa to begin the��Master of Engineering Practice (EP)��program at �Ӱ�ԭ�� University,��he was driven by��a clear vision��– to��build the skills and experience needed to launch a career in Canada’s engineering sector. What he��didn’t��anticipate��was how quickly that goal would��connect��him��with��one of��the��capital’s most complex and high-profile infrastructure projects��in its history.��Today, Parth is a Building Systems intern with��, working on Ottawa’s Light Rail Transit (LRT) project. The role puts him directly inside an active construction environment, where engineering decisions have immediate, tangible impact — exactly the kind of real-world experience he had hoped to gain when he chose the EP program.��

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�Ӱ�ԭ�� Researcher Named Canada’s 2026 Frontiers Planet Prize National Champion

Nick Arcuri — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 20:37:58 +0000

�Ӱ�ԭ�� Researcher Named Canada’s 2026 Frontiers Planet Prize National Champion

Published on June 30, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

�Ӱ�ԭ�� University’s engineering researcher��Ahmed Abdulla��has been named Canada’s 2026 National Champion by the��Frontiers Planet Prize��for his research on direct air capture, a technology that removes carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air to address climate change.

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From problems to solutions

Alejandra Fernandez Aguilar — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:42:43 +0000

From problems to solutions

Published on June 30, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

The refreshed��Bachelor of��Environmental Engineering strengthens��the program’s��focus on climate change��and complex environmental challenges��

From thawing permafrost to hundred-year floods that seem to happen every few years, climate change poses all kinds of engineering problems. And environmental engineers are at the forefront in solving them.

“Environmental engineers��are the��people��who deliver a solution,” says Cole Van De Ven,��an Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering��at �Ӱ�ԭ�� University.��

�Ӱ�ԭ��’s Bachelor of Environmental Engineering��equips students to tackle emerging environmental issues.��And this year, the program has been refreshed to focus more strongly on the engineering challenges��the modern world faces.��

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Two Journeys, One Commitment: Volunteering that Transforms Engineering

Alejandra Fernandez Aguilar — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Two Journeys, One Commitment: Volunteering that Transforms Engineering

Published on June 30, 2026

Time to read: 1 minutes

Since its creation in 2012, the annual Adrian D. C. Chan Award for Volunteer and Community Service has recognized undergraduate and graduate students from the Faculty of Engineering and Design who demonstrate outstanding commitment to both the university and the broader community. This award recognizes that engineering is practiced not only in classrooms and laboratories but also wherever knowledge is put to work in the service of others.

This year, the award was presented to two students whose paths reflect purpose-driven leadership, social awareness and a deep dedication to building community.

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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