Faculty of Applied Science

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

UBC students design low-cost ventilator for COVID-19

UBC engineering students have developed a simple, low-cost COVID-19 ventilator that may very well save lives.

Apr 23, 2020

UBC study highlights need to improve health care access in Vancouver, Portland and Seattle

UBC researchers have developed a data science method that analyzes how easily citizens can access hospitals and walk-in health clinics – and it’s a tool that could eventually help city planners and policymakers build smarter, more equitable cities.

Sep 30, 2019

Mandatory water meters supported by most Metro Vancouver councillors

UBC researchers surveyed elected councillors and mayors in the region and found that 68 per cent are in favour of mandatory water metering.

Sep 19, 2019

Toyota Mirai. © M 93 / Wikimedia Commons

UBC researchers design roadmap for hydrogen supply network across B.C.

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed a hydrogen supply chain model that can enable the adoption of zero-emission, hydrogen-powered cars—transforming them from a novelty into everyday transportation in just 30 years.

Sep 12, 2019

Smart meters are critical components of the smart grid, sometimes called the Internet of Things, with more than 588 million units projected to be installed worldwide by 2022.

UBC researchers find ways to hackproof smart meters

Smart electricity meters are useful because they allow utility companies to efficiently track energy use and allocate energy production. But because they’re connected to a grid, they can also serve as back doors for malicious hackers.

Jun 6, 2019

Combing through someone’s phone could lead to end of relationship – or not

For some people, the thought of their partner, friend or colleague snooping through their phone, reading their texts and emails, is an automatic deal breaker. However, some relationships can survive the snooping, a new study examining the motivations behind phone snooping has found.

May 30, 2019

UBC’s School of Biomedical Engineering nears student gender parity

UBC’s new school of biomedical engineering (BME) is closing in on a milestone of student gender parity.

May 14, 2019

Cellulose nanocrystals used for bone implants. Credit: Clare Kiernan/UBC

From foam to bone: Plant cellulose can pave the way for healthy bone implants

Researchers from the University of British Columbia and McMaster University have developed what could be the bone implant material of the future: an airy, foamlike substance that can be injected into the body and provide scaffolding for the growth of new bone.

Mar 19, 2019

VardMarine designs icebreakersand ice-capable ships such as the Polar Icebreaker, currently proposed to be built by Seaspan. Credit: Vard

Vard $1.5 million gift advances marine engineering research and learning at UBC

The University of British Columbia has received a $1.5 million donation that is expected to advance naval architecture and marine engineering education and promote innovative technologies in Canada’s shipbuilding industry.

Mar 15, 2019

Optical probe for skin cancer screening developed at UBC. Credit: UBC

Low-cost ‘cancer probe’ could spot deadly melanoma early

Work is being done at UBC on a tool to help in the early detection of melanoma: a simple, compact laser probe that can distinguish between harmless moles and cancerous ones – in a matter of seconds.

Mar 6, 2019

Bat flight model can inspire smarter, nimbler drones

Engineers at UBC have captured the full complexity of bat flight in a three-dimensional computer model for the first time, potentially inspiring the future design of better drones and other aerial vehicles.

Feb 27, 2019

New China and US studies back use of pulse oximeters for assessing blood pressure

Fast and easy blood pressure monitoring could soon be at your fingertips thanks to new UBC research that showed BP can be assessed by a fingertip oximeter, a tool not generally used for that purpose

Nov 21, 2018

UBC to launch connected vehicle test bed

UBC researchers will unveil a test bed for connected vehicles on campus on Thursday, Nov. 15.

Nov 14, 2018

Students show off Star Wars-style rescue robots in competition at UBC

In a scene reminiscent of Star Wars, 16 student-designed robots will attempt to rescue the good guys—Ewoks and Chewbacca, represented by plush dolls—from the evil Empire stronghold.

Aug 8, 2018

Breaking up ‘fatbergs’: UBC engineers develop technique to break down fats, oil and grease

Cooking oil and similar waste can clog pipes, harm fish and even grow into solid deposits like the “fatbergs” that recently blocked London’s sewage system. But UBC researchers may have found a way to treat these fats, oils and grease—collectively called FOG—and turn them into energy.

Aug 1, 2018

New moms need better support easing back into exercise after birth

Getting enough exercise is crucial to the health of new moms, yet most programs designed to increase postnatal physical activity are only somewhat effective.

Mar 8, 2018

Christine Nesbitt in downtown Vancouver.

Olympic speed skating champion now going for academic gold

Vancouver, Calgary and Sochi. Beijing, London and Rio. How does an Olympic host city fare after the fanfare fades and the stars and their adoring crowds go home? It’s a question that has fascinated Canadian long-track speed skating champion Christine Nesbitt for years.

Jan 18, 2018