Faculty of Applied Science

UBC engineers want to save whales from drowning…in noise

Chronic ship noise can lead to stress, hearing loss and feeding problems for marine mammals like whales, dolphins and porpoises. UBC researchers are diving in to help address the issue.

Dec 15, 2022

The stories men tell themselves after getting dumped

When a partner breaks up with them, men often try to make sense of it by telling themselves stories about how it happened.

Nov 30, 2022

Dr. John Frostad, Cody Rector and Dr. Roxanne Fournier. Credit: Martin Dee/UBC

UBC research could help astronauts eat well on future Mars missions

If space is the final frontier, it’s food that will get us there in good shape, and UBC researchers are making sure that our food will be up to the task.

Nov 9, 2022

UBC experts on Great BC ShakeOut and disaster preparedness

UBC experts are available to comment on the Great BC ShakeOut exercise, earthquakes and other natural disasters, and emergency preparation and management.

Oct 18, 2022

A team of researchers at UBC and Western University are offering a suite of tools and strategies to ensure that people who experience substance use stigma can receive better care in the future.

New tools aim to improve care for people experiencing substance use stigma

Due to widespread negative attitudes towards substance use issues, people are often treated in disrespectful or discriminatory ways in health care settings.

Sep 20, 2022

PLUME will be used to measure concentrations of air pollutants across the city. Photo: Paul Joseph/UBC Mechanical Engineering

UBC team deploys pollution-sniffing mobile lab

Watch out, Vancouver. The PLUME van is coming soon to a location near you.

Aug 11, 2022

A previous engineering physics robot competition featuring "Uber bots". Photo: Clare Kiernan/UBC

Event: Treasure-hunting robots gear up for a showdown

Once again, UBC engineering physics students are building robots for an in-person robot showdown to be held on Thursday, August 11.

Aug 10, 2022

The e-bikes are all right

Metro Vancouver can safely integrate most new electric-powered mobility devices, UBC study finds

Jun 2, 2022

Dr. John Madden and Yuta Dobashi with one of the hydrogel sensors. Photo by Kai Jacobson/UBC Faculty of Applied Science

Engineers at UBC get under the skin of ionic skin

In the quest to build smart skin that mimics the sensing capabilities of natural skin, ionic skins have shown significant advantages.

Apr 28, 2022

UBC Thunderbird hockey players are wearing special mouthguards to capture data for UBC researchers who study concussions. Credit: Kai Jacobson

High-tech mouthguard tracks head impacts during varsity hockey playoffs

A high-tech mouthguard worn by UBC Thunderbird hockey players will capture data for UBC researchers who study concussions.

Mar 17, 2022

The Mend the Gap project will develop soft gels that can help regrow nerve fibres in an injured spinal cord. Photo credit: Martin Dee

UBC researchers lead $24 million project to treat spinal cord injury

A UBC-led team is working on a new treatment that can bring hope to people with spinal cord injuries.

Jan 12, 2022

Dr. Ngoc Tan Nguyen and his colleagues have created a battery that is both flexible and washable. It works even when twisted or stretched to twice its normal length, or after being washed multiple times. Photo credit: Kai Jacobson

Stretchy, washable battery brings wearable devices closer to reality

UBC researchers have created what could be the first battery that is both flexible and washable. This zinc-manganese dioxide cell can be integrated into wearable devices like watches and patches for measuring vital signs.

Dec 9, 2021

Heightened food worries linked to worse mental health during COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns may have worsened worries over food insecurity among many Canadians and negatively impacted their mental health, according to a nationwide survey conducted during the first wave.

Sep 23, 2021

New tool estimates how much affordable housing a city needs

A UBC team led by housing expert Dr. Penny Gurstein developed a new tool to assess people’s housing needs and set realistic targets for housing supply.

Aug 31, 2021

New book helps readers spot online health scams

Internet health scams have increased in recent years, often spread through social media and causing untold harm, according to a new book by UBC nursing professor, Dr. Bernie Garrett.

Jul 28, 2021

Glasses engraved with 'Too bets`huna,' meaning ‘We live by water’ celebrate the new treatment system. Photo: Nicole Marie Johnston/UBC

Lhoosk’uz Dené village taps into clean water after a 20-year wait

After decades of relying on bottled water, a remote Lhoosk’uz Dené community now has a steady supply of clean drinking water thanks to a new water treatment plant crafted to their unique needs.

Jul 13, 2021

RES’EAU Centre for Mobilizing Innovation is partnering up with the Italy-based symphony Bazzini Consort.

Innovating action on climate change and water quality through classical music

Dr. Madjid Mohseni, the scientific director at UBC-based RES’EAU Centre for Mobilizing Innovation, is partnering up with the Italy-based symphony Bazzini Consort in an innovative approach towards tackling climate change and its impact on water.

Mar 22, 2021

Seismic guidelines underestimate impact of ‘The Big One’ on Metro Vancouver buildings

Scientists examining the effects of a megathrust earthquake in the Pacific Northwest say tall buildings across Metro Vancouver will experience greater shaking than currently accounted for by Canada’s national seismic hazard model.

Nov 30, 2020

Better housing policies needed in a post-COVID world

UBC report highlights gains but calls for longer-term solutions to improve housing supply

Nov 24, 2020

Exterior of Cold Tube demonstration pavilion. Credit: Lea Ruefenacht

This ‘Cold Tube’ can beat the summer heat without relying on air conditioning

The “Cold Tube” can offer relief from the summer heat without relying on air conditioning. It uses half the energy of conventional air conditioners and can be used in open spaces.

Aug 18, 2020