Faculty of Applied Science

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

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. Photo: 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. Photo: Lou Corpuz-Bosshart/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