Investment in iconic Bay Building preserves city’s heritage while creating a vibrant hub for innovation The City of Edmonton is in the midst of a major drive to breathe new life into its downtown core, investing $4.7 billion since 2015 in new residential, office, cultural, educational and entertainment space. A key part of that revitalization…
Fabric could be used to produce protective uniforms for soldiers, hospital workers, firefighters and paramedics Clothing that can kill viruses and bacteria on contact helps protect the people who protect us, but getting that type of protective finish onto the uniforms first responders wear is a big challenge. University of Alberta researchers are working to…
University of Alberta and Infosys will continue to collaborate on research projects in energy, machine learning and climate change
Austin Fedoretz, a fifth-year engineering physics student, is no stranger to getting hands-on experience in his field of study. As an engineering co-op student, he has had work terms in construction, web development and sensor design. “Each drew on different aspects of the degree,” he explains. “You just never know what knowledge you’re going to…
We need to have more diversity in the data used in training AI databases
Artificial intelligence (AI) offers numerous benefits, but training with robust data is essential to developing quality AI systems. Our underwater database assists in developing recognition systems for ocean/sea search and rescue operations, our dental database helps train new dentists in accurate diagnosis of dental diseases, and our facial recognition database assists law enforcement in the…
Partnership with SVG Ventures|THRIVE will help researchers and startups move new technologies
The University of Alberta is partnering with a leading Silicon Valley firm to support innovation growth in Alberta’s agriculture and food sectors. An agreement with SVG Ventures|THRIVE, a venture capital firm investing in agricultural technology startups and supporting corporations with open innovation, powers the U of A to accelerate its development and adoption of technology-driven solutions…
RNA technology used to target gene defects in blood cells that lead to diseases like leukemia
A University of Alberta researcher is hot on the trail of a new drug to combat blood cancers. Based on RNA technology — best known for the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines — the drug targets specific gene defects in blood cells responsible for cancers such as leukemia. “With conventional cancer drugs, there is a…
Student clubs offer a taste of what it means to work together on a multifaceted design project
Engineering clubs are created by students and for students. They provide a sandbox that lets future engineers make new things, sometimes starting with mistakes. COVID-19 jeopardized the clubs, but they’re coming back strong and punching above their weight. “It’s not something that you expect a group of students to take on because of the technical…
Improving charge capacity could offer big advantages for manufacturers and consumers
Cruising down the highway in an electric car, who wouldn’t want to squeeze a few hundred extra kilometres out of a single battery charge? University of Alberta researcher Jasper Woodard is hoping to achieve just that. He’s working to improve a particular component in the lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles (EVs) – and everyday…
Faster drilling, alternative fuels, engine automation are just the beginning as industry keeps innovating
When Nicole Romanow looks at drilling rigs from 30 years ago, she’s impressed by the change and innovation that has occurred in Canada’s oil and gas industry – and what is yet to come. That’s because as team lead for sustainability strategy at Canadian drilling company Ensign Energy Services, she understands the level of equipment…
Federal funding supports intensive advanced training for future leaders in AI and diabetes research
In a global competition for talent, Canada is seeking to train the best graduate students to become “highly qualified personnel” – university-educated experts with the savvy and ingenuity to lead innovation in high-tech industries, government and academia. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada has announced two new programs at the University of…