The Engineering Newsletter
Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering | University of Toronto

A Message from Dean Cristina Amon

With urban areas developing at an exponential rate around the world, U of T Engineering’s pioneering solutions for better construction, improved infrastructure systems and more efficient transportation have never been more relevant. This issue of The Engineering Newsletter highlights the ways U of T engineers are changing the landscape of sustainable city development and contributing to urban research at home and abroad.

Whether you are travelling to a different city over the holiday break or staying in Toronto, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the many ways our vibrant community is making an impact and to take pride in being a part of these achievements.

With warm wishes for a joyful holiday and a rewarding 2015.

– Cristina

Spotlight: Cities & Urban Issues

By land by air: U of T researchers are engineering transportation solutions How innovative partnerships with industry and government are improving the way we travel

U of T Engineering startup fortifies buildings to resist earthquakes
Alumnus Michael Gray (CivE PhD 1T1) sets new standards for building safety and aesthetics with Cast ConneX

Mobility 3.0: The future of urban travel in the palm of your hand
Exploring urban transportation solutions at the latest BizSkule event, moderated by Professor Eric Miller (CivE)

What's New

Sustainability

Power Players: How U of T Engineers are building a smarter electricity grid
Three Engineering professors partnered with Hydro One to improve smart grid technology

New technique offers spray-on solar power
Illan Kramer (ECE), post-doctoral fellow in the Sargent Group, develops new technology to make almost any surface a solar cell

New $5-million NSERC network uses enzymes for greener manufacturing
Elizabeth Edwards (ChemE) leads a new NSERC Industrial Biocatalysis Network to produce environmentally friendly plastics, chemicals and more

How organic LEDs are the future of sustainable, affordable lighting
Zheng-Hong Lu (MSE) searches for affordable, efficient and energy-friendly lighting in the form of organic LEDs

Entrepreneurship

No more poking at your smartphone: Students unveil ideas for new mobile user interfaces
Student-designed apps will be available on the App Store in the new year

U of T Engineering startups showcase creativity at Toronto Mini Maker Faire
U of T News explores Engineering alumnus startup Sojourn Lab's car-bike and David Johns' (ECE) Icewire Makerspace

Announcements & Appointments

A tribute to Dean Emeritus Anastasios (Tas) Venetsanopoulos
A memoriam to Dean Emeritus Venetsanopoulos, who passed away on November 17, 2014

Appointment of Susan McCahan as Vice-Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education
U of T Engineering's Vice Dean, Undergraduate appointed to newly-created position

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women: Letter from ONWiE & CODE
Joint letter from the chair of the Ontario Network of Women in Engineering (ONWiE) and chair of the Council of Ontario Deans of Engineering (CODE)

Peter Zandstra named Interim Scietific Director, Ted Rogers Program in Translational Biology and Engineering
Part of the newly launched Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Professor Zandstra (IBBME) will lead a team of researchers from Engineering and Physiology

Memorandum on advisory committee of a new Vice Dean, Undergraduate
Dean Cristina Amon announces committee membership for appointment of a Vice Dean, Undergraduate

Awards & Honours

Two U of T Engineering students honoured at Undergraduate Awards in Dublin
David Ding (ECE MASc 1T4) and Behrad Vatankhahghadim (EngSci 1T4) among nine U of T students to receive distinction (U of T News)

U of T Engineering student wins 2014 AUTO21 TestDrive competition
Turuna Seecharan (MIE PhD 1T5) wins competition for research on reducing carbon emissions through eco-driving techniques

Former U of T President and Engineering Dean inducted into the Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame
Professor James Ham (ElecE 4T3) recognized posthumously for his contributions to engineering, science and industry

Varsity men's water polo team reclaim OUA supremacy
The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's water polo team claim 2014 OUA championship banner. Michael Chapman (EngSci 1T5) and Sever Topan (TrackOne 1T8) named 2014 OUA all-stars

Engineering professor named Fellow in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Professor Hani E. Naguib (MIE) elected as Fellow of ASME for exceptional engineering achievements

Human Factors & Ergonomics Society Awards in MIE
Professor Birsen Donmez (MIE) received the Stephanie Binder Young Professional Award for outstanding contribution to transportation human factors

Call for nominations: 2015 Administrative Staff Awards
Submission deadline: January 30, 2015

Research

Grants and Opportunities

Discovery Frontiers call for proposals – New Materials for Clean Energy and Energy Efficiency
Internal deadline: Feb. 9, 2015
Sponsor deadline: March 2, 2015

Ontario Centres of Excellence – call for Expressions of Interest for Alberta-Ontario Innovation Program Round 2
Deadline: Feb. 13, 2015

Preliminary applications for NSERC 2015 Strategic Networks Grant competition
Internal Deadline: March 1, 2015
Application Deadline: April 1,2015

Ontario Centres for Excellence call for applications – David McFadden Energy Entrepreneur Challenge
Deadline: Feb. 3, 2015

2014-15 McLean Award competition
Deadline: Jan. 15, 2015

University of Toronto – Inventors of the Year 2015
Nomination deadline: March 2, 2015

Governance

Mark your calendar! Faculty council meeting dates for the 2014-15 year are as follows:

All meetings take place from 12:10 to 2 p.m. in the Michael E. Charles Council Chamber (GB202)

Engineering Events

Jan. 7 – Lectures at the Leading Edge: Margot Vigeant
Jan. 9 – MIE Seminar Series: Candace Yano
Jan. 14 – Lectures at the Leading Edge: Samir Mitragotri
Jan. 21 – Dean's Town Hall
Jan. 22 – ECE Distinguished Lecture Series: Gregory Wornell
Jan. 28 – Lectures at the Leading Edge: Linda Nazar

More Engineering events
To submit events, please contact Engineering Communications.

In the Media

Selected U of T Engineering-related news articles from over 426 media stories so far this month.

Illan Kramer's (ECE) spray-on solar cell featured on major news outlets
Learn more about research from the Sargent Group in Popular Science, Daily Mail UK, Metro News, Discovery News, Metro News and more

The future of innovation in Canada (CBC News)
CBC's Amanda Lang explores Engineering startup Bionym and other innovative Canadian projects

Review: Aerelight OLED lamp (Gizmag)
A look at Engineering alumni startup OTI lumionics organic LED light

Bulletin

Take a look at U of T Engineering's new graduate studies website

2015 Dean's Strategic Fund: Call for Proposals

The Engineering Bulletin is an area to share U of T Engineering community news and announcements not found on our news site or Faculty calendar. Please send all submissions to Engineering Communications.

Newsletter Archive

Did you miss a past issue of The Engineering Newsletter? Revisit past articles and catch up on Faculty news on the Engineering news site.

The Engineering Newsletter is a monthly summary of key headlines, events and opportunities for faculty and staff in the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering. If you have questions or comments, please contact: Engineering Communications.