Science & Technology

Making light work

McMaster and Harvard researchers create “intelligent” interaction between light and material, establishing a promising new platform for computing.

Spin doctors: Astrophysicists find that when galaxies rotate, size matters

Sky survey provides clues to how galaxies change over time.

Student collaboration results in new technique for bone research

Working together, two PhD candidates have developed a new technique that could make it easier for researchers to study how crucial bone building cells respond to aging, trauma and implants.

Nuclear reactor forms partnership with Netherlands group to provide global market with medical isotopes

The partnership between the McMaster Nuclear Reactor and the Nuclear Research Consultancy Group creates a single point of contact for the production and delivery of radioiodine (I-125) – the isotope used in the treatment of prostate and other types of cancers.

Life and death of the stars: Researchers investigate extreme galaxy environments

An international team of 30 scientists—led by researchers at McMaster University—is using one of the world’s largest telescopes to investigate and map extreme galaxy environments in brilliant detail.

Getting by with a little help from (fishy) friends

Fish that interact with their social group after being stressed recover better than fish who recover alone, says a new study.

Dean of engineering appointed member of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council

Ishwar K. Puri will serve a three-year term with the largest funder of scientific research in Canada.

Using light patterns and a translucent cube to create a new form of computing

The simple and highly novel form of computing works by shining patterned bands of light and shadow through different facets of a polymer cube and reading the combined results that emerge.

McMaster statistician awarded prestigious Steacie Fellowship

McMaster researcher Paul McNicholas – a statistician and world leader in developing cutting edge methods of analysing data – has been awarded NSERC’s E.W.R Steacie Memorial Fellowship.

What happens when nature hits rewind?

Research predicts what makes evolution go backwards.

Three outstanding researchers named inaugural Science Research Chairs

Kari Dalnoki-Veress, Allison Williams, and Michael Brook have been named Science Research Chairs, a new program developed by the Faculty of Science to highlight the achievements of its researchers and more directly support their work.

Heather Sheardown elected fellow of the American Institute of Biological and Medical Engineers

Chemical Engineering professor Heather Sheardown, who has been elected a Fellow of the American Institute of Biological and Medical Engineers (AIMBE), answers 15 questions in a rapid-fire video interview.

Researchers use the “science of sway” to examine how musicians communicate non-verbally during performance

A team of researchers from McMaster University has discovered a new technique to examine how musicians intuitively coordinate with one another during a performance, silently predicting how each will express the music.

Most Canadians are concerned about their privacy in smart cities, and want more control of their personal information, researchers find

As Toronto considers its smart-city project, McMaster researchers have found that Canadians have strong concerns about how their digital information may be used.

McMaster researcher recognized for pioneering work on visual development in infants

Daphne Maurer, emeritus professor in McMaster’s Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for her pioneering research on the development of vision in human infants.

Ground-breaking lab poised to unlock the mystery of the origins of life on Earth and beyond

McMaster researchers have pioneered one-of-a-kind, new technology that could, for the first time, provide experimental evidence to explain how life was formed on the early Earth, and show whether the emergence of life is possible elsewhere in the universe.

Engineering researchers named to 2018 Class of Influential Researchers

Three researchers in McMaster’s Department of Chemical Engineering have been selected by the editors of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, a publication of the American Chemical Society, as members of the 2018 Class of Influential Researchers.

McMaster Engineering researchers awarded funding to advance software safety for next-generation vehicles

McMaster Engineering researchers have initiated a $2 million project to work with General Motors Canada (GM Canada) to develop methods to help ensure the safety and reliability of autonomous and electrified vehicles.

Strands of hair provide clues into mystery surrounding doomed voyage

Because hair grows incrementally, researchers could specifically measure changes in exposure to lead during the last weeks of one Franklin expedition crew member's life.

Study shows smartphones harm the environment

Data centres and smartphones will be the most damaging information and communications technologies to the environment by 2040, according to new research from W Booth School’s Lotfi Belkhir.

McMaster researchers win prize for ground-breaking paper exploring origins of life on Earth

Two McMaster researchers have received the prestigious Cozzarelli Prize from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science for their ground-breaking paper connecting the delivery, by meteorites, of the building blocks of RNA, the first genetic material found in all life today, to warm little ponds on Earth.

McMaster philosopher leads the creation of principles to guide genetic modification

The science is advancing quickly, and there is international concern about making sure it proceeds transparently, responsibly and beneficially.

Engineering researchers receive $1.9 million in federal funding 

Five McMaster research projects have been awarded more than $1.9 million combined for infrastructure funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

MP Tassi tours McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute

Filomena Tassi, Member of Parliament for Hamilton West – Ancaster – Dundas was on campus July 18 to tour the McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI).

Inside the Lab: Bearings support bridges, but how long can they last?

Inside the Lab is McMaster Engineering’s new Instagram story series that gives a behind-the-scenes look at how our students are working towards tackling the grand challenges facing our world through innovative research projects.

Federal government launches Strategic Innovation Fund during Mac visit

The federal government unveiled its new $1.26-billion strategic innovation fund today at McMaster Innovation Park.

Dean Puri inducted as Canadian Academy of Engineering Fellow

McMaster’s dean of engineering has been elected by his peers to join a distinguished academy that offers key advice on matters of critical importance to Canada.

Kathryn Grandfield and Karen Balcom recognized with MacPherson Institute awards

Kathryn Grandfield, assistant Materials Science and Engineering professor, awarded the Petro-Canada-McMaster University Young Innovator Award. Karen Balcom, Associate Professor in McMaster's Department of History, is the 2017/2018 recipient of the MacPherson Teaching Fellowship.

hitchBOT creators to study how AI and robots can help patients

McMaster and Ryerson universities have announced the Smart Robots for Health Communication project, a joint research initiative designed to introduce social robotics and artificial intelligence into clinical health care.

Five global research leaders named University Scholars

Recipients are considered global leaders in a number of diverse research areas and academic disciplines.

‘Distinguished University Professor’ title to be conferred on five McMaster faculty members

Five outstanding faculty members have been recognized as ‘complete scholars’ with the title of Distinguished University Professor.

Five McMaster scholars recognized as among Canada’s brightest young researchers

Five McMaster researchers will take on everything from senior isolation to antimicrobial resistance as Vanier Canada Graduate Scholars and a Banting Fellow.

New medals display sheds light on the extraordinary life and career of Henry Thode

He was a world-renowned scientist, a pioneer in harnessing atomic energy for peaceful purposes, and one of McMaster’s most visionary leaders. Now medals belonging to former McMaster president Henry G. Thode are on display in Thode Library.

Strengthening the Foundations of Canadian Research:  New Federal Science Review Released

Strengthening the foundations of Canadian research is the focus of a new report by a federal advisory panel released April 10^th commissioned by Federal Minister of Science Kirsty Duncan.

McMaster students build innovative projects for the future

Final year engineering students will be showcasing their stellar cutting-edge technological capstone projects during three popular annual expos at McMaster University.

$100,000 awarded in student startup competition

On March 23, The Forge held it's third annual Forge@MAC Student Startup Competition. The event was attended by over 200 guests including students and individuals interested in the Hamilton entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Federal investments focus on building Canada’s prosperity

This Fund is in addition to ongoing support for cluster funding to accelerate economic growth in key sectors including advanced manufacturing and health and bio-sciences.

Ontario invests more than $9M in McMaster research

Two research projects – one focused on electric vehicles, the other on eye disease – have each received a $4 million boost from the Ontario Research Fund.

Federal government invests $1.37 million in leading-edge facilities

Seven McMaster researchers received nearly $1.37 million combined for infrastructure funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

Students, staff, faculty can now harness the power of IBM’s Watson

The technology – best known for powering the computer that beat human challengers on the game show Jeopardy! – allows users to better understand their own data.

Federal government invests in McMaster technologies

Three McMaster research projects have received a combined investment of nearly $1.7M over three years from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada.

Renowned McMaster expert recognized for his contribution to silicone science

Michael Brook, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and School of Interdisciplinary Science, is the winner of this year’s Chemical Institute of Canada’s Macromolecular Science and Engineering Award.

McMaster researchers receive funding to pursue international partnerships

16 projects, spanning four continents and representing all six Faculties have been funded in the latest round of the International Initiatives Micro Fund (IIMF).

University leaders look to expand international partnerships with visit to India

A team of McMaster leaders is in India this week meeting university representatives, policymakers and alumni in and around New Delhi.

McMaster-based institutes receive nearly $10M from Canada Foundation for Innovation

The awards, funded through CFI’s Major Science Initiative Fund, were announced today by Canada’s Minister of Science.

Hybrid powertrain expert named Fellow of National Academy of Inventors

Election to NAI Fellow status is a high professional distinction awarded to academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions.

McMaster awarded six new CRCs, $8.9M to support research excellence

McMaster has been awarded six new Canada Research Chairs and three renewals, bringing a total of $8.9M in new funding from a federal program aimed at retaining and attracting research leaders.

Innovation Showcase highlights growing impact of student-entrepreneurs

This year's Innovation Showcase focused on the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity exhibited by students, graduate students, post doctoral fellows and researchers from across campus.

McMaster strengthens ties with leading global post-secondary institutions, industry

McMaster's Associate Vice-President, International Affairs, Peter Mascher, is in Thailand to discuss university-private sector collaboration and share best practices in research and innovation.

McMaster provost earns award from professional society

Contributions to a key professional society has earned a McMaster materials engineer recognition from his peers.

Nine researchers named Vanier Scholars, Banting Fellows

Nine grad students and post-doctoral fellows have been have been recognized as some of Canada’s most promising young researchers.

New app for stroke survivors receives $250,000 in funding

A $250,000 donation will allow McMaster researchers to test a new app designed to help stroke survivors and their care providers.

More than $4.2M for Early Research Awards and research infrastructure

McMaster's David Harris Smith is one of four researchers awarded $140,000 each by the provincial government's Early Researcher Award program, which recognizes early career researchers for their potential to become world-class innovators.

Rising McMaster chemical engineering star recognized with an award for her research on renewable materials

Cranston’s research work explores the use of trees and materials from nature and how to reuse them in a wide range of sustainable and renewable products.

Federal government investing $12M towards Biomedical Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing centre

The McMaster Fraunhofer Project Centre for Biomedical Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing (BEAM) research facility will be home to several of McMaster’s leading researchers.

Averting disaster: Manish Verma awarded $245K to further rail safety research

Manish Verma, an Associate Professor at the DeGroote School of Business, has received NSERC funding to further his research involving rail safety and the overland movement of dangerous goods.

More than 100 researchers awarded total of $15.7M from NSERC

More than one hundred McMaster researchers, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows have received a total of $15.7M from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council.

McMaster strengthens ties with universities in the Netherlands

McMaster’s Acting Vice-President of Research, Allison Sekuler was recently in the Netherlands to explore and expand partnership opportunities and share best practices in university research and innovation.

McMaster to learn from Israel’s “start-up” expertise

McMaster is exploring Research and Development and commercialization opportunities in Israel as part of a week-long business mission to the Middle East led by Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne.

This year’s University Scholars tackling some of health’s biggest questions

Among the recipients are two researchers taking on infectious diseases in two very different ways.