Mechanical Engineering - News

91ɬ�� researchers engineer faster, more effective blood clots

91ɬ�� — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:32:13 +0000

Researchers at 91ɬ�� have developed a rapid way to engineer blood clots that stop severe bleeding and support tissue healing more effectively. Their technique, called “click clotting,” links red blood cell surface proteins through a chemical reaction, resulting in a biocompatible clot that is 13 times more resistant to fracturing and four times more adhesive than natural blood clots. The team said the method could be used to develop life-saving biomaterials to help control severe bleeding, as well as benefit people with clotting disorders.

Mosquitoes’ feeding tubes make ultrafine 3D-printing nozzles

91ɬ�� — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 17:39:14 +0000

Researchers in 91ɬ��’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and at Drexel University have developed an innovative manufacturing technique that makes female mosquito proboscides, or feeding tubes, into high-resolution 3D-printing nozzles. With its unique geometry, structure and mechanics, the proboscis enables printed line widths as fine as 20 microns, or a little smaller than a white blood cell. This is roughly twice as fine as what commercially available print

Prof. James Forbes and co-authors Zi Cong Guo and Tim Barfoot win Best Paper at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA)

91ɬ�� — Thu, 22 May 2025 20:13:42 +0000

Prof. James Forbes, Zi Cong Guo, and Tim Barfoot win Best Paper at top robotics conference, the International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA). Their paper, "Marginalizing and Conditioning Gaussians onto Linear Approximations of Smooth Manifolds with Applications in Robotics," was selected out of 1606 submissions.

Professor Jeffrey Bergthorson granted a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC)

91ɬ�� — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 15:25:43 +0000

Congratulations to Prof. Jeffrey Bergthorson on being granted a Tier 1 CRC in Carbon-Free Circular Fuels!

Academic Staff Posting: Tenure-Track Position in the Department of Mechanical Engineering

91ɬ�� — Tue, 21 Jan 2025 16:47:56 +0000

91ɬ��'s Department of Mechanical Engineering invites applications for one tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level. Areas of interest: (1) Thermal energy systems, and (2) Combustion and alternative fuels.

For more information and how to apply, please visit the Department's Employment page.

91ɬ�� has recently reopened (new deadline: May 15th) applications for the graduate program for domestic students (only for Fall 2020).

91ɬ�� — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 20:37:24 +0000

1. Doctoral and Masters (Thesis): If interested, we encourage that you first obtain approval from a Professor in the department who would be willing to supervise your research and then complete the application before May 15th.

2. Masters (None-Thesis or Aerospace): If you are interested in either the Masters (Non-Thesis) or Masters (Aerospace) degrees, please go ahead and apply before May 15th.

Note that the typical requirements for eligibility still hold and that admission will be competitive.

Publication in Journal Physical Review X by Professor Marco Amabili and Research Group

91ɬ�� — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 16:37:05 +0000

Professor Marco Amabili and his research group have published a paper in the prestigious Physical Review X journal. For details, see the 91ɬ�� Newsroom article at: /newsroom/channels/news/mcgill-researchers-lay-foundation-next-generation-aortic-grafts-319047

Professor Jeffrey Bergthorson and Research Group Launch Fuel Experiment into Space

91ɬ�� — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 19:58:58 +0000

Research Group Launches Zero-Carbon Fuel Experiment into Space

Professor Arun K. Misra winner of 2017 Dirk Brouwer Award

91ɬ�� — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 15:07:19 +0000

Professor Arun K. Misra recently received the Dirk Brouwer Award "for his outstanding and lasting contributions to astrodynamics of tethered satellite systems, flexible spacecraft, spacecraft orbiting asteroids, robotics for orbital assembly and debris capture." The Dirk Brouwer Award was established by the American Astronautical Society to honour significant technical contributions to space flight mechanics and astrodynamics. Professor Misra is the winner of this award for 2017. Dirk Brouwer Award.

Professor Marco Amabili member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (EASA)

91ɬ�� — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 14:59:53 +0000

Professor Marco Amabili has been elected to the European Academy of Sciences and Arts. This is an important achievement; until now the European Academy of Sciences and Arts included only nine Canadian members, including John Polyani, winner of the 1986 Nobel prize for Chemistry. Read more.

Professor Michael P. Païdoussis receives 2017 ASME Worcester Reed Warner Medal

91ɬ�� — Fri, 17 Nov 2017 21:20:00 +0000

Professor Michael P. Païdoussis recently received the ASME Worcester Reed Warner Medal for his “seminal contributions to the permanent literature of engineering research through highly praised books on fluid-structure interaction in axial and cross flows, and numerous breakthrough papers over the past 50 years.” The Department is proud to congratulate Professor Païdoussis for his ongoing contributions to the community and to the Department. Read more.

Canadian Astronauts Announced

91ɬ�� — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 16:06:22 +0000

On Canada Day, July 1, 2017, Canada's newest astronauts were announced: Dr. Jennifer Sidey (B.Eng. Honours '11) and Mr. Joshua Kutryk, both from Alberta. The Department of Mechanical Engineering at 91ɬ�� is very proud of Jennifer's achievement.

In the Running to be a Canadian Astronaut

91ɬ�� — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 16:00:24 +0000

Five 91ɬ�� graduates in Mechanical Engineering are candidates participating in the 2017 Canada Space Agency astronaut selection process. Vincent Beaudry (M.Eng. '09), Julie Bellerose (B.Eng. Honours '03), Shane Jacobs (B.Eng. '04), Jennifer Sidey (B.Eng. Honours '11) and Geneviève Vallières (B.Eng. '02) are running for the chance to be the next Canadian astronauts. Two individuals will be chosen among 70 exceptional candidates. Read more.

Macdonald Engineering Building on the big screen

91ɬ�� — Mon, 15 Aug 2016 21:26:39 +0000

91ɬ��'s venue for learning and discovery in mechanical engineering recently served as the backdrop for a pivotal cinematic moment in the Oscar-nominated film Brooklyn. Read the full story.

New book from Prof John H.S. Lee

91ɬ�� — Wed, 29 Jun 2016 17:52:28 +0000

The Gas Dynamics of Explosions, by Mechanical Engineering Professor John H.S. Lee, will be available from Cambridge University Press in July 2016. The book is based on Prof Lee's course in shock dynamics and focuses on the analytical methods used to determine non-steady shock propagation.

Paper-based biosensor to detect HIV-hepatitis C co-infections

91ɬ�� — Fri, 20 May 2016 20:59:19 +0000

The research group of Prof Xinyu Liu is developing a portable, paper-based biosensor for point-of-care diagnosis of HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infections. The research, led by graduate student Chen Zhao, has been published in the journal Biomicrofluidics. The article has been selected as an Editor’s Pick of the journal and has been featured by Science Daily, American Institute of Physics (AIP), the Electrochemical Society and other science news websites.

GAMES Inaugural Graduate Student Research Day

91ɬ�� — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 15:59:07 +0000

In honour of National Engineering Month, the Graduate Association of Mechanical Engineering Students at 91ɬ�� (GAMES-91ɬ��) contributed to National Engineering Month through the organization of a Graduate Research Day, an inaugural event of this type for the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Read more.

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Mecheng in Canada's top 5 for undergrad admissions standards

91ɬ�� — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 22:06:02 +0000

The mechanical engineering admissions standard at 91ɬ�� is among the five toughest among all undergraduate programs in Canada. The rankings, based on acceptance rates and entrance averages, come from University Hub and were published online by Yahoo Canada.

On the cover: Biomaterial breakthrough

91ɬ�� — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 20:36:32 +0000

Research led by Dr Hossein Heris of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Dr Jamal Daoud of the Department of Biomedical Engineering is featured on the cover of the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials. Their article describes the successful adhesion of human fibroblast cells to a scaffold biomaterial composed of hyaluronic acid and gelatin composite microgels.

Best presentation award for Payette

91ɬ�� — Wed, 27 Jan 2016 21:11:25 +0000

Steven Payette received the 2014-2015 best oral presentation award in the course MECH 609 for his master's thesis talk "Heated-Tool Processing of Out-of-Autoclave Composite Materials." Congratulations, Steven!

Mecheng students shine at AeroTech Conference

91ɬ�� — Sat, 06 Feb 2016 21:57:39 +0000

Mechanical Engineering majors Hussain Buxwala and Mikel Garcia-Poulin were part of the 11-student-strong "Gang from 91ɬ��," which shined at the 2015 SAE AeroTech Conference and Exhibition in Seattle, WA, and earned a feature story in the SAE International magazine "Momentum."

Quirks & Quarks features Bergthorson research

91ɬ�� — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 18:31:26 +0000

Don't miss the January 15, 2016, edition of CBC Radio's Quirks and Quarks to learn how Prof Jeff Bergthorson and colleagues are finding ways for energy to be stored and transported via iron and other metals, a novel and potentially important method for delivering fossil-fuel-free power.

Tips from a top student

91ɬ�� — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 04:09:47 +0000

Mechanical Engineering student, Da-Eun Kim, is one of five CEMF Engineering Ambassador Scholarship recipients this year. The scholarships, awarded by the Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation, recognize the achievements and community engagement of top female engineering students in Canada. Ms Kim represents the Québec region. In the following Q&A, she shares more about her volunteer activities, Mecheng experience and plans for the future.

Inna Sharf to speak at CANARIE Summit

91ɬ�� — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 23:45:10 +0000

Mechnanical Engineering Professor Inna Sharf will speak at the 2015 CANARIE National Summit on September 23-24 in Ottawa. The event, organized by the non-profit CANARIE, brings together leaders from Canada's government, industry and academic communities to share knowledge about technological innovation and explore opportunities for collaboration and development.

A parade of honours

91ɬ�� — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 09:42:44 +0000

The 2015 Wighton Fellowship Award was awarded to Dr Amar Sabih for his exceptional and innovative contribution to the instruction of laboratory-based, undergraduate engineering courses in Canada. The fellowship is funded by a generous endowment from the late Dr J.L. Wighton, a professor with a commitment to the laboratory component of engineering curricula. In cooperation with the National Council of Deans of Engineering and Applied Science (NCDEAS) and the Sandford Fleming Foundation, the fellowship was formed in 1986.

Michael Kokkolaras awarded tenure

91ɬ�� — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 13:41:33 +0000

Congratulations to Dr Michael Kokkolaras on being granted tenure! A member of 91ɬ��'s research community since 2012, Dr Kokkolaras studies multidisciplinary optimization, simulation-based engineering design, uncertainty quantification, decomposition and coordination methods, modeling and validation, systems of systems, product families and optimization applications in engineering. He has co-authored 46 articles in archival journals, 59 papers in conference proceedings and 5 book chapters and has given more than 40 invited talks at academic, industry and government seminars and workshops.

Mecheng alum featured in "91ɬ�� dans la ville"

91ɬ�� — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 12:42:37 +0000

Department of Mechanical Engineering alumnus Kieran Humphries is featured, along with electrical engineer Diego Mascarella, in the May 2015 edition of 91ɬ��'s French-language publication 91ɬ�� dans la ville. "Diego and Kieran are both young and bright 91ɬ��-trained research engineers," said Prof Benoit Boulet, who supervises their work on the e-drivetrain APC project, which engages industry partners such as Linamar, TM4, Infolytica and Purolator.

In memory of Prof Lucjan Kops

91ɬ�� — Sat, 23 May 2015 03:46:46 +0000

Professor of Mechanical Engineering Lucjan Kops died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, May 19, approximately one year after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. His friend and colleague Dr Helmi Attia was with Prof Kops at the time of his death. “He was in comfort and in the care of a doctor and nurse who were taking very good care of him,” Dr Attia said.

Microdevice papers gather accolades

91ɬ�� — Sat, 16 May 2015 07:52:24 +0000

Students Pengfei Song, Weize Zhang and Alexandre Sobolevski, under the supervision of Professor Xinyu Liu, won the Best Paper Award in the Microfluidics Symposium at the 2014 ASME IMECE conference. The team developed a microfluidic device for on-chip culture, chemical perfusion and phenotype identification of the nematode worm C. elegans, a promising development for worm-based, high-throughput chemical testing. The device can house single worms in microfluidic chambers, the chemical environment of which can be adjusted according to experimental needs.

Museum time for the Lessard team

91ɬ�� — Wed, 06 May 2015 08:58:02 +0000

Musical instruments created by students Steven Phillips and Ajith Damodaran, under the supervision of Prof Larry Lessard, were displayed at the Design Museum in Ghent, Belgium, during the month of April 2015. An exhibition called “Kunststof Natuurlijk,” or “Synthetic by Nature,” showcased 50 objects made from flax, hemp, bamboo and other biocomposites. Natural fiber composites are gaining interest in engineering design, and this exhibit featured the state-of-the-art and future possibilities for these materials.

New funding for biosensor research

91ɬ�� — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 22:19:27 +0000

Prof Xinyu Liu is one of 10 91ɬ�� researchers to receive a 2015 NSERC Strategic Project Grant. His proposal, entitled "Paper-based microfluidic devices intergrating inGaN/GaN semiconductor microtubes for ultrasensitive detection of disease markers," has been awarded $394,300 to investigate portable, ultrasensitive biosensors that can quickly detect disease markers.

Larry Lessard promoted to full professor

91ɬ�� — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 13:03:36 +0000

Congratulations to Dr Larry Lessard on his promotion from associate to full professor! A member of 91ɬ��'s research community since 1989, Prof Lessard studies composite materials and their structures, with applications in fields as diverse as aerospace engineering, sporting equipment and musical instrument design, and robotics. To learn more about Larry's research, please see his profile and the Structures and Composite Materials Laboratory website.

Leading the charge toward sustainability

91ɬ�� — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 08:15:25 +0000

Professor Jeffrey Bergthorson in the Department of Mechanical Engineering has been named the first Panda Faculty Scholar in Sustainable Engineering and Design at the Trottier Institute for Sustainability in Engineering and Design (TISED). Also recently appointed Associate Director of TISED, Prof Bergthorson began a 3-year term in both roles on January 1, 2015.

A place in the top 10

91ɬ�� — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 21:35:16 +0000

Research led by Prof François Barthelat in the Department of Mechanical Engineering earned a spot on Quebec's list of top 10 scientific discoveries in 2014. Inspired by natural structures like seashells, Barthelat and his team developed a technique to strengthen glass. They were able to make glass 200 times more resistant to breakage by engraving micro-cracks in wavy configurations on its surface. The pattern of micro-cracks guided larger cracks and absorbed impact energy.