Researchers used AI to speed up the search for a key material in a new catalyst that converts carbon dioxide into ethylene with record efficiency. The resulting electrocatalyst has an 80% faradaic efficiency, a new record for this reaction, and shows promise for clean energy storage and carbon capture.
A new platform has been developed to deliver molecules that target specific genes within cells, showing promise in treating glioblastoma brain cancer. The system uses a modified form of diphtheria toxin to escape the cell's endosome and deliver therapeutic vehicles.
Researchers from the University of Toronto and KAUST have created a highly efficient and stable tandem solar cell by combining perovskites with silicon. The tandem solar cell achieved an efficiency of 25.7% and was stable for over 400 hours at high temperatures.
Researchers developed a pill-sized 'heater' that regulates temperature of biological samples through different stages of diagnostic testing, increasing accuracy and accessibility. The device can be used in various settings to detect viruses without electricity, reducing the need for specialized training and costly lab equipment.
Researchers develop enhanced device to transform CO2 into valuable chemicals by harnessing electricity. The new design enables gas reactants to reach the catalyst surface fast enough to significantly increase the rate of reaction.
A new handheld 3D skin printer has been developed to accelerate wound healing of large, severe burns. The device deposits sheets of skin using 'bio ink' made from mesenchymal stem cells, which promotes skin regeneration and reduces scarring.
Researchers found graphene can withstand more than a billion cycles of high stress without breaking. The material's unique structure is attributed to its regular and simple lattice, making it highly resistant to fatigue.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a super-stretchy, transparent and self-powering sensor that records complex human sensations. The 'artificial ionic skin' can measure strain, humidity and temperature changes, generating controlled ion movements that can be measured as electrical signals.
A new system converts CO2, water, and renewable energy into ethylene under neutral conditions, offering a carbon-neutral alternative to fossil fuels. The improved catalyst reduces side products and increases selectivity for ethylene production.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have created a miniature soft robot that can crawl with inchworm-like motion using electrothermal actuators. The technology could revolutionize industries such as manufacturing, security, and wearable electronics.
A new paper proposes a simple yet powerful model to understand why some water suppliers turn off their supply at certain times, highlighting both benefits and drawbacks of intermittent systems. The model can help guide global efforts to meet UN's Sustainable Development Goals and its Human Right to Water.
Researchers at U of T Engineering have developed an electrochemical path to transform CO2 into valuable products, increasing energy efficiency by avoiding some energy-intensive losses. The technology achieves 100% carbon utilization and generates syngas as a single product.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered a way to combine perovskite crystals and quantum dots to create a stable hybrid material that can increase the efficiency of solar cells. The resulting material remains stable under ambient conditions for six months, significantly longer than similar materials without stabilization.
A study of a tiny grain of stardust older than our solar system has provided new insights into planetary system formation. The presolar graphite grain contained oxygen-rich silicates, contradicting the scientific hypothesis on two types of stardust material.
A new research paper proposes an alternative technology - renewable electrosynthesis - to replace fossil fuels in the production of chemicals, plastics, clothing, and fertilizers. The process uses CO2 from the air, renewable electricity, and innovative catalysts to create carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative products.
Researchers at University of Toronto have developed an automated method to design and 3D print magnetized microrobots, reducing assembly time from hours to minutes. The new technique allows for the creation of smaller and more complex robots with potential applications in targeted drug delivery, assisted fertilization, and biopsies.
Researchers created a nano-bot with magnetic 'tweezers' that can position a bead inside a human cell in three dimensions with unprecedented precision. The technology has been used to study cancer cells, showing the nucleus is not equally stiff in all directions and providing new insights for diagnosis.
Researchers at U of T Engineering created a 3D hydrogel to mimic lung cancer environments, selectively allowing cancer cells to invade. This technology enables rapid screening of hundreds of potential drugs for their ability to fight invasive cancers.
Researchers have demonstrated proof-of-principle for an all-photonic quantum repeater, a critical step in long-distance quantum communication. This technology could enable faster and more secure global quantum Internet applications.
Engineering researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a new platform called Biowire II that uses a rigorous training regimen to grow small amounts of cardiac tissue. The device measures how strongly it beats, allowing for testing of potential drug molecules and advancing personalized medicine.
A University of Toronto Engineering study found that dust in Fort McMurray homes contained normal levels of contaminants comparable to Canadian homes. The team collected dust from over 60 homes and reported lower levels of toxic substances than health guidelines, with some chemicals even higher in Toronto homes.
Researchers have discovered how gulls configure their wing shape to stabilize flight by adjusting elbow joints. This technique could inform the design of future aircraft, including fixed-wing drones that can coast on thermal updrafts.
A new low-cost catalyst made of copper, nickel and chromium enhances hydrogen production from water under neutral pH conditions. This breakthrough enables the use of renewable electricity to produce hydrogen, which can be stored for clean power on demand.
A two-year study in Vancouver and Toronto reveals large trucks are the greatest contributors to black carbon emissions close to major roadways. The study suggests retrofitting older diesel trucks with better emission treatment systems can improve air quality in cities.
Researchers tracked drivers' eye movements at busy Toronto intersections and found that more than half failed to scan for pedestrians or cyclists during right turns. The study highlights the need for road infrastructure changes, such as consistent bike lane implementation, to improve traffic safety.
Researchers developed an AI tool to automate radiation therapy planning, reducing treatment development time from days to hours. The software achieves comparable results to conventional methods and has the potential to improve patient care and outcomes.
Researchers at U of T Engineering propose a simple and effective way to minimize food contamination by trapping cooking oil in microscopic scrapes and cracks. The method results in a 1,000x reduction in bacterial levels, making it a safer alternative to harsh chemicals and disinfectants.
A new approach uses machine learning to generate computer-generated X-rays to supplement real images, increasing the size of training sets for AI systems. This method improves classification accuracy for common and rare conditions by up to 40%, overcoming a challenge in applying artificial intelligence to medicine.
Researchers at University of Toronto design an algorithm to dynamically disrupt facial recognition systems, protecting users' privacy. The 'privacy filter' alters specific pixels in images to make changes imperceptible to the human eye, fooling facial detection AI.
A University of Toronto engineering team has designed a most efficient and stable process to convert climate-warming carbon dioxide into ethylene, a key chemical building block for plastics. The breakthrough catalyst uses a thin copper-based material and improves energy efficiency and selectivity.
A team of researchers from the University of Toronto has developed a portable, reconfigurable lab-on-a-chip diagnostic platform that can gauge immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases among vulnerable populations. The platform was validated at a refugee camp in Kenya and showed promising results in detecting measles and rubella.
Researchers at U of T Engineering found that optimizing for autonomous vehicles can increase parking lot capacity by 62%. A well-designed AV parking lot can accommodate more cars than a conventional one, with square-shaped lots capable of increasing capacity up to 87%.
Researchers at U of T have designed a new antimicrobial material to minimize recurrent caries under fillings, affecting 100 million patients annually. The novel material packs 50 times more bacteria-fighting drugs than traditional options, offering a potential solution to this common dental problem.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a new catalyst that increases the efficiency of artificial photosynthesis to 64%, converting electrical energy into chemical energy. This innovation addresses two major challenges in renewable energy production, capturing carbon emissions and storing energy from solar or wind power.
University of Toronto researchers successfully transplanted healthy pancreatic cells under the skin to produce insulin, restoring normal blood sugar levels in a short period. The study's findings suggest that this method could provide a more manageable and efficient way to treat type 1 diabetes.
Researchers at University of Toronto have developed an injectable tissue patch that can be delivered through minimally invasive surgery to repair damaged organs. The patch uses lab-grown heart cells and has been shown to improve cardiac function after a heart attack in rat models.
A new study found that Toronto's subways have the highest levels of airborne particulate matter in Canada, with average values up to 100 micrograms per cubic metre, compared to Montreal's 36 micrograms and Vancouver's 17 micrograms. The high metal content and abrasive wear on steel wheels may be contributing factors.
A research team has developed a new method for fabricating lasers using nanoparticles known as quantum dots. By carefully controlling the size of the quantum dots, they can 'tune' the frequency or color of the emitted light to any desired value.
Researchers created a list of prime spots to place AEDs in high-risk businesses. Coffee shops and ATMs were found to be ideal locations due to their accessibility and universal recognition.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a new chemical reaction that enables the growth of an electron-selective layer made of nanoparticles in solution, directly on top of the electrode. This breakthrough reduces the manufacturing temperature and improves efficiency, paving the way for low-cost, printable solar panels.
A new study from the University of Toronto finds that diesel trains can emit nine times higher levels of black carbon and ultrafine particles in cars directly behind locomotives compared to busy city streets. Practical steps for passengers include avoiding front cars during peak emissions periods.
A team of researchers from the University of Toronto has developed a proprietary peptide-hydrogel biomaterial that promotes skin cells to 'crawl' together, closing chronic, non-healing wounds caused by diabetes. The treatment closed wounds 200% faster than no treatment and 60% faster than existing collagen-based products.
Researchers at U of T Engineering developed an AI algorithm that learns directly from human instructions, exceeding conventional training methods by 160% and outperforming its own training by 9%. The algorithm's potential lies in applying heuristic training to fields like medicine and transportation.
A study by U of T Engineering researchers found that up to 30% of AEDs are locked inside closed buildings, leading to a 21.5% coverage loss during evenings, nights, and weekends. The researchers propose a model to optimize AED placement considering location and availability, which could improve accessibility by an average 25%.
Researchers at U of T have developed a technique to convert climate-warming carbon dioxide into useful chemicals, such as methanol and ethanol, by consuming the greenhouse gas. The breakthrough uses nanoneedles to catalyze the reaction, producing CO2 reduction faster than any catalyst previously reported.
A new study from University of Toronto researchers reveals that gasoline-direct injection (GDI) engines, touted for their fuel efficiency, may actually emit more climate-warming black carbon and toxic pollutants than conventional engines. The study found that GDI engines ranked in the 73rd percentile for black carbon emissions, while v...
A U of T Engineering team has designed a simpler way to keep therapeutic proteins localized for long periods. They found that proteins can be released over several weeks without encapsulation by controlling electrostatic interactions between proteins and nanoparticles.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have designed the world's most efficient catalyst for storing energy in chemical form. The new catalyst enables the efficient conversion of sunlight into hydrogen, which can be converted back into energy using hydrogen fuel cells. The study demonstrates a more efficient and highly scalable means...
Biomedical engineers at the University of Toronto have identified an up-and-coming technique called affinity-controlled release, which allows proteins to stay at treatment sites for longer periods. This technology has potential applications in treating a range of medical conditions, including diabetes and stroke.
Researchers at U of T Engineering have developed a new way of growing realistic human tissues outside the body, called AngioChip. The technology uses a three-dimensional structure complete with internal blood vessels and can be used to test drugs on lab-grown human tissues, providing a realistic model at a fraction of the cost.