Nanotechnology Engineering involves materials science and engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, and medicine. Nanotechnology discoveries and innovations have advanced biomonitoring devices, medical diagnostic and drug delivery therapies, functional materials, sensors, computers, communications, and sustainable energy materials. Nanotechnology impacts many industries, ranging from medical to pharmaceuticals, electronics to automotive, and communications.
Fun Facts about our Nanotechnology Engineering Program.
- The Nanotechnology Engineering Program was launched in 2005
- This program at the University of Waterloo is the first accredited Nanotechnology Engineering Program in Canada
- There are more than 500 students currently enrolled in our program
- We have a dedicated clean room with multimillion-dollar cutting-edge equipment for hand-on experiential learning
Waterloo offers hands-on laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment to train students to undertake material strength testing, chemical synthesis and investigation, biological sensing, nanoscale object analysis, and work in cleanroom environments.
Nanotechnology Engineering is one of the most interdisciplinary engineering programs and graduates of this program go on to found companies, work in established industries, or continue to graduate studies in Engineering or Science. Nanotechnology offers many paths to a successful future!
Waterloo's Nanotechnology Engineering program is run collaboratively through the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering, and the Chemistry Department in the Faculty of Science.
The top five career sectors that our graduates are employed in are:
- semiconductors and electronics
- software
- healthcare and pharmaceuticals
- manufacturing
- entrepreneurship (start-ups)
Nanotechnology Engineering at UWaterloo
Have questions? Check out our 2024 Ask Me Anything Webinar!
Learn About our Facilities Watch our Lab Tour Video
Nanotechnology Engineers design integrated circuits
What is NE? Check Out this Animated Video!
Nanotechnology Engineering and the COVID mRNA Vaccine
News
NE alumni start-up secures $44K to advance women’s health
Nanotechnology Engineering alumna CT Murphy’s start-up CELLECT Laboratories is a finalist in the Odlum Brown Forum Pitch, a Canadian program for women entrepreneurs.
Murphy’s partner and COO, Ibukun Elebute presented at the event and secured $44K in winnings for CELLECT.
The initial idea for the menstrual product was part of Murphy’s fourth-year Capstone Project. She aims to create a menstrual pad infused with nanomaterials that could collect cervical and bacterial cells. The pad could then be sent to a lab to test for cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV).
Engineering the future through tear-based diagnostics
People say that tears can tell you about the emotions that people are feeling, but as Capstone Group 5 discovered, tears can also reveal a lot of other useful information.
Tears also contain rich biomarkers such as proteins and glucose, which are useful for diagnosing both ocular and systemic conditions like diabetic retinopathy.
Nanotechnology Engineering Capstone Group 5 explored the diagnostic potential of tears and embarked on a successful and exciting journey doing their Fourth-Year Design Project.
They won first place in the Nanotechnology Engineering Program, but they did not stop there. They also won the Engineer of the Future Award, the Bayliss Medical Award, and an award from the Sanford Fleming Foundation.
The group competed in the OEC Innovative Design Competition and won second place. They also took second place in the National Canadian Engineering Competition.
Shawn Benedict's Award-Winning Journey in Nanotechnology Engineering and AI
Fourth-year student Shawn Benedict has won the Peggy Jarvie Award, sponsored by the Cooperative Education and Internship Association!
Benedict entered the Nanotechnology Engineering Program with the aim of having a diverse co-op experience to explore multiple options and potential career pathways. Through a co-op in his third year, he attended the prestigious CES conference in Las Vegas, where he was entrusted to meet executives from international companies.
“My varied co-op experience has given me a better appreciation for my program and has really helped me to see all the doors my program opens for me. All these opportunities, connections, and tangible skills have helped solidify my confidence. I know that wherever I am, I will have the ability to thrive,” says Benedict.
The highlight of his co-op experiences was traveling to Norway and working at SINTEF, a nonprofit research organization that collaborates with industry to uncover new discoveries. SINTEF conducts research for industry partners and governments around Europe and beyond.
