Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador announced an energy deal this week that will triple the capacity of the Churchill Falls generating station. The deal was made in collaboration with the federal government: Ottawa is to contribute $10 billion toward upgrades, alongside related projects. The deal replaces the 1969 pact and the 2024 memorandum of understanding between Hydro-Québec and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, which jointly own the station. 

A McGill University expert is available to comment on this topic: 

Classified as: François Bouffard, Churchill Falls, clean energy
Published on: 18 Aug 2026

Municipal regulation of short-term rentals “is low-hanging fruit” that helps improve housing affordability, a new study by McGill researchers suggests. 

The study found that rents were relatively lower in Canadian municipalities that imposed restrictions on when and how principal residences can be offered as short-term rentals.  

The benefits also extended to neighbouring municipalities that did not adopt restrictions. 

Classified as: David Wachsmuth, Cloé St-Hilaire, affordable housing, Canadian housing market, rental markets, short-term rentals
Published on: 12 Aug 2026

A McGill University study recommends cold-climate cities increase their electric bus fleets and expand charging capacity so vehicles can be charged slowly, a process that draws less power from the grid than fast charging. 

Efficient energy use is particularly important in cold weather, when electric batteries drain more quickly and use more energy than in milder conditions, they noted. 

The researchers said their approach could help these cities fully electrify transit systems, eliminating reliance on diesel. 

Classified as: Luis Miranda Moreno, Jonatas Augusto Manzolli, public transit, electrification, Electric vehicles, climate
Published on: 11 Aug 2026

McGill researchers have found that dangerous crowd conditions leading to surges and stampedes may not emerge suddenly, but instead develop gradually, as repeated physical contact and pushing may accumulate and become synchronized among nearby individuals. 

Recognizing how these conditions arise could help organizers strengthen security, site management and evacuation planning, reducing the likelihood of injuries during large-scale public events. 

Classified as: Shanwei Liu, Jiangbo Lu, crowds, safety planning
Published on: 20 Jul 2026

A new paper from last year's Biodesign team has been published. We are pleased to see that the publication includes acknowledgements for BIEN 390, the course instructor, and the lab staff for their support and inspiration during the early ideation and development of the project. Congratulations to the team on this achievement! Read more here.

Published on: 14 Jul 2026

Funding supports bold ideas across natural sciences and engineering disciplines at McGill, in fields ranging from ophthalmology and physics to music research and electrical engineering.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has awarded 122 McGill research projects funding from its Discovery Grants competition for a total investment of $30 million.  

Published on: 7 Jul 2026

McGill University researchers have developed a light-detecting nanoscale structure that mimics how a neuron processes information. The neuron-like behaviour emerges from the materials themselves, reducing the energy demand associated with similar devices that rely on circuits or software.

Instead of capturing data first and processing it elsewhere, the device senses and interprets light in the same place, similarly to how the eye processes visual information.

Classified as: Songrui Zhao, artificial neurons, artificial retina
Published on: 25 Jun 2026

We are delighted to share the inaugural edition of The McGill Department of Bioengineering Newsletter. From groundbreaking research and student achievements, to new programs and community initiatives, this issue highlights the many ways our department continues to grow and innovate.

Future editions will be shared annually each June.

Published on: 18 Jun 2026

The department is delighted to announce that three faculty members: professors Codruta Ignea, Natalie Reznikov and Caroline Wagner, have been awarded tenure and promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, effective June 1, 2026.

Published on: 2 Jun 2026

McGill University researchers have discovered a new way to fold flat sheets into smooth, curved shells that can switch from floppy and flexible to stiff and load-bearing on demand. By designing a special origami pattern and threading cable-like elements through it, they can control the material’s final three-dimensional shape and how rigid it becomes. The result, a “doubly curved lens box,” could advance the technology of such objects as temporary emergency tents, morphing robots and smart fabrics, the researchers said.

Classified as: Damiano Pasini, Morad Mirzajanzadeh, origami, advanced materials and manufacturing processes
Published on: 21 May 2026

On April 24th and May 8th, the Department of Bioengineering welcomed Quebec CEGEP students interested in Bioengineering for a lab workshop and recruitment event held at our teaching laboratory. Students gained hands-on experience through experiments led by our Lab technician team and graduate students from Professor Caroline Wagner's research team.

Published on: 14 May 2026

At event honouring 116 winners of major awards, keynote speaker and SSHRC Gold Medal recipient Myriam Denov emphasized the importance of listening.

McGill celebrated more than 100 researchers at the 21st edition of Bravo, a gala event May 7 honouring the winners of major provincial, national and international research prizes and awards in 2025.

Classified as: bravo gala
Published on: 14 May 2026

The 2026 cohort of Distinguished James McGill Professors, James McGill Professors and William Dawson Scholars embody ‘the very best of our academic community’.

Provost and Executive Vice-President (Academic) Angela Campbell has named 31 McGill professors as Distinguished James McGill Professors, James McGill Professors or William Dawson Scholars. The internal awards recognize exceptional research achievements.

Published on: 13 May 2026

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