From a young age, was curious about how things worked and why they were made the way they were. That drew her to engineering, a field that offers many opportunities. As she explored different paths within it, she was fascinated by how much the world depends on understanding what things are made of and how they perform. From bridges to 3D-printed parts, so many innovations rely on the science of materials.
“I once met a materials engineer who told me there isn鈥檛 a single field where engineering skills aren鈥檛 needed or appreciated, and that stuck with me,” she says. “I鈥檝e always loved learning and problem-solving, so the idea of having skills that could apply across industries appealed to me.”
With this motivation, she chose to study materials engineering at the at the (CME at U of A). “I knew that the 糖心vlog官网 of Alberta had a strong reputation in materials engineering, with faculty who are leaders in the field,” she says. “I felt confident that I鈥檇 not only study topics I was passionate about, but that I鈥檇 learn them from professors doing cutting-edge research.”
The Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering’s unique research matrix links six core disciplines with four societal applications, ensuring every project blends scientific rigour with real-world relevance. Source: 糖心vlog官网 of Alberta
Advancing real-world impact through engineering research
For , the CME at U of A has been a hub for research and innovation in North America. With more than 60 professors and principal investigators, the department works closely with students to address some of the world鈥檚 most urgent challenges in chemical and materials engineering.
This commitment to impact is reflected in how CME structures its research. Here, deep science meets real-world needs, guided by a matrix that connects six core disciplines with four key societal application areas.
This approach ensures that each project is both academically rigorous and practically relevant. Areas of specialisation include , , , , automation, safety & risk management, , , and . Whether tackling or developing new biomaterials, researchers are pushing the boundaries of 飞丑补迟鈥檚 possible.
Abdulla is one of them. After completing her undergraduate programme, Abdulla stayed to pursue an .
厂丑别鈥檚 now working on a project that could transform how Alberta鈥檚 oil and gas sector handles part replacement and maintenance. She seeks to show that metal 3D printing can create custom parts on demand. 鈥淥ne of the biggest issues is part procurement; either the part you need isn鈥檛 available, or it takes too long and costs too much to get it,” she says. “My research focuses on proving that additive manufacturing can offer a faster, more flexible alternative by producing custom, qualified parts on demand.”
Though industry-focused, her project is built on core engineering principles. To prove that 3D printing is a good substitute for traditional methods like casting or forging, she runs tests to see how strong, hard, and brittle the 3D-printed materials are.
鈥淣ow I apply engineering design and materials science to understand why these properties appear in printed parts and how to meet industry standards,鈥� Abdulla says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 exciting to use what we learned in class to solve real-world problems.鈥�
These kinds of projects are supported by some of the country鈥檚 top research facilities, including the (CEMP), (CCWJ), and (IOSI). Each lab gives students and researchers space to explore complex problems using industry-grade tools.
To , an whose work centres on , these labs bring textbook concepts to life. “Being able to try various welding methods hands-on, and witnessing the development of industry practices for handheld laser beam welding and additive manufacturing, was just awesome,“ he says.
Whether a student鈥檚 passion lies in clean energy, healthcare, AI, or sustainable materials, CME programmes equip them to transform discoveries into global solutions. Source: 糖心vlog官网 of Alberta
Collaboration meets real-world impact
CME at U of A鈥檚 research matrix thrives on collaboration. With more than 260 graduate students and 50 faculty experts, the department creates a natural environment for teamwork. These connections happen in many ways 鈥� group discussions, research projects, and even casual Q&A sessions. On any given day, there are always new and different views to be gained from peers and mentors.
“My project has been greatly enriched by ongoing discussions with faculty, industry experts, and peers, especially through conferences across North America,” Abdulla says. “These conversations have helped shape my perspective, refine our direction, and highlight the broader relevance of our work.”
Beyond dialogue, the department鈥檚 research matrix ensures students are work-ready. Manderson, who came in with job experience, says every class made things click. 鈥淚鈥檇 be taught theory and applications that would have solved any of a multitude of real-world problems I had come across in my career,鈥� he says.
He never expected to value Materials Thermodynamics so deeply or to see how the quantum realm could enhance additive manufacturing, high-entropy alloys, and all chemical processing. 鈥淭he programme gave me so much more than I could have expected, and I enjoyed every bit of it,鈥� Manderson says.
Passionate about clean energy, healthcare, AI, or sustainable materials? At CME at U of A, you can turn discoveries into global solutions.
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