News and Events

The next time you look at the Great Lakes or wonder about Arctic communities, you will think about them a little differently because of the research of engineering students Vrashesh Vipul Karkar and Kwaku Gyau Gyamfi.

Karkar examined the water in Great Lakes Basin watersheds to assess the amount of microplastics that are present in the water. His research focuses on the quantities of microplastics humans are releasing into rivers and the Great Lakes, developing cutting edge modelling tools to quantify the microplastics being released.

A competition challenging first-year engineering students to design and program an autonomous model locomotive gave them the chance to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world applications, says professor Rashid Rashidzadeh.

His course in Cornerstone Design is mandatory for first-year students and culminated in more than 70 teams competing for cash prizes April 1 and 2.

The class is highly praised by students for its hands-on approach, says Dr. Rashidzadeh.

“Students thoroughly enjoy the practical aspect of the course, allowing them to put their academic understanding into action.”

Tensions ran high as teams tested their design and programming skills by putting their railcars through a course with such obstacles as a functional drawbridge and customs communication booth.

Geotechnical engineering may not be the most visible aspect of infrastructure, but it plays a crucial role in preventing complications before they occur, says Mina Lee.

A professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Dr. Lee argues the approach is essential for the stability of buildings, roads, and foundations.

“We not only delve into the intersection of geotechnical engineering but also how it aligns with sustainable development, particularly focusing on Sustainable Development Goal 15 — Life on Land,” she says.

It takes a lot of juice to run a greenhouse, and a UWindsor researcher is leading a project exploring how to provide it.

Rupp Carriveau, a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and a team that includes partners from the agricultural and energy industries, have secured funds to investigate the use of hydrogen generated by wind power to supply power to both the electrical grid and the greenhouse sector.