News
Read the latest announcements, media mentions and news for the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Media Mention: Dr. Naomi Zimmerman on the poor air quality of wildfire season and how to stay safe
July 13, 2021
CBC: As more than 200 wildfires continue to burn in British Columbia, experts are advising residents to start preparing for wildfire smoke and poor air quality. Air quality warnings are already in place for most of B.C.’s southern Interior, and fire risk in the province is very high. The warnings come after a record-breaking heat wave […]
Media Mention: Dr. Walter Mérida on standards for renewable cities
July 12, 2021
VANCOUVER SUN: As much of the world switches over to electric transportation, the “What about this?” and “What about that?” questions are popping up from those people who are saying, “Not possible.” On the other side of that discussion is UBC Prof. Walter Mérida, who prefers to ask “What if?”, as in: “What if there […]
Top Finish for UBC AeroDesign at the 2021 SAE Aero Design Knowledge Competition
June 30, 2021
Render of Wailord (left), Mantine and Remoraids (right) Amid a challenging design year affected by pandemic restrictions, globally displaced members, and another virtual academic session, UBC AeroDesign has once again demonstrated its resiliency and technical aptitude at the 2021 SAE Aero Design Knowledge competition held earlier this March. For competition, the team designed two […]
How to beat the heat — indoors and out
June 29, 2021
Mechanical Engineering associate faculty member Dr. Adam Rysanek shares some tips on how to beat the heat. | Staying cool and safe in the heat may be challenging over the next few days. Here, two UBC experts share some tips and practices for warm weather safety. Dr. Sarah Henderson is an associate professor of population and […]
New paper solves the soft solid puncture problem
June 24, 2021
When Assistant Professor Mattia Bacca is trying to figure out a mechanical engineering problem, he inquires into how the natural world has already solved it. Bioinspired engineering is an approach that examines abilities plants and animals have evolved over millions of years, like the way a gecko can cling to a surface with the pads […]
APSC Profile: Mechanical Engineering Design + Innovation Day Award-winners
June 21, 2021
Design + Innovation Day is UBC Engineering’s annual showcase for student engineering design projects. Carried out in small groups over the previous academic year, the projects enable students to improve their technical, teamwork and management skills while designing solutions to real-world problems. The most outstanding projects of the year are recognized with UBC Applied Science […]
APSC Rising Star: Liz Vasilkovs, Bachelor of Applied Science
June 16, 2021
Engineering: an exercise in failing, and learning from it. “Advocate for yourself and be confident — you are smart, talented, and your ideas deserve to be heard.” Seven years and one pandemic ago, I was on the cusp of beginning my university adventure. I was a hot shot high schooler ready to cruise through my […]
Dr. Walter Mérida elected fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering
June 15, 2021
Department of Mechanical Engineering professor and Faculty Applied Science associate dean of research and industrial partnerships, Dr. Walter Mérida, has been named a fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE). This prestigious honour recognizes Canadian engineers whose contributions to engineering and impact on society has been significant. Dr. Mérida is one of three professors in […]
New undergraduate research program CREATE-U kicks off in 2021
June 14, 2021
This summer the Department of Mechanical Engineering launches its innovative CREATE-U program, which provides participating students with paid lab research experience paired with instruction on research fundamentals. Originally set to launch the summer of 2020, the program was put on hold due to COVID-19. The program is intended to give students a taste of what […]
APSC Rising Star: Carlie Owen, MEL in Clean Energy Engineering
June 10, 2021
From oil and gasoline to thinking clean “The UBC learning environment including the professors, the students, the campus, the coursework contributed to a lifestyle shift that I hadn’t realized I was after. Sustainability has become a lifestyle and my career, a passion.”