Seeing the road ahead

a message from Marketing and Strategic Communications.

The vehicles of tomorrow are taking shape today at the University of Waterloo — home to the largest concentration of automotive research of any Canadian university.

It’s just one of the stories of real-world impact that you’ll find in the Fall 2014 issue of University of Waterloo Magazine. Published in print and online, the magazine has gone out to more than 140,000 alumni and supporters around the globe. Extended content in the online edition offers an even deeper look at some of the innovations putting Waterloo on the map as a global research and education leader, including:

• Vehicles and technology that warn drivers of risks they can’t see, make more efficient use of resources and keep passengers safer than ever before, being developed in the Waterloo Centre for Automotive Research (WatCAR)
• Breakthrough research into the better sex positions offers hope to thousands of back pain sufferers
• Hands-on learning takes flight for students in Waterloo’s undergraduate aviation program — a demanding bachelor degree that puts student in the pilot seat

This issue also introduces readers to some of Waterloo’s most remarkable alumni:

• Alison Brooks (BArch, ’88), an award-winning, U.K.-based architect, recently named one of the 500 Most Influential People in Britain, who shared her vision for Future Heritage with students at the School of Architecture
• Jean Creighton (PhD, ’98, Astrophysics), the director of the Manfred Olson Planetarium at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and one of 24 Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors selected by NASA to fly aboard the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy
• Dr. Tom Chau (PhD ’98, Systems Design Engineering), who leads a team creating technologies to help children with severe disabilities communicate, as vice-president and director of research at the Bloorview Research Institute at the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital

That’s just the tip of the innovation iceberg. Find out more about how Waterloo research can help you — on the road, in the bedroom, in your career and more in the print edition or online with extended content at http://uwaterloomagazine.ca. We’re proud to share this content with our University of Waterloo family. We encourage you to share Waterloo Magazine with friends, colleagues and contacts, and to contact us with feedback or ideas for future issues.

Back to top

Police issue statement on restricted areas

The issue of campus security was the subject of a mass email sent to students, faculty and staff by Director of Police Services Dan Anderson last week.

"This is a reminder that controlled-access buildings and areas are put in place to ensure that only authorized people gain entrance," the statement says. "Over the last few months we have had a number of incidents where people entering these controlled-access buildings or areas have allowed others to “tailgate,” gaining entry without a fob or passcard. This has resulted in unauthorized people entering these areas, causing a security concern and putting other community members at risk."

"We ask that those of you who are authorized to enter controlled-access buildings or areas do so on a “one passcard, one person” basis."

Anyone with questions can contact Dan Anderson via email or by calling extension 32828.

Back to top

An ancient solution for a modern problem

by Victoria Van Cappellen.

Rainwater harvesting tanks that have been abandoned for modern canals and groundwater wells could become an important water source for people in southern India, according to a University of Waterloo researcher.

India’s ancient rainwater harvesting system forms one of the largest man-made wetland systems ever built, says Nandita Basu, a professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Climate change and the overuse of groundwater have governments concerned there won’t be enough water to support agriculture by 2050.

There is evidence that the storage “tanks,” constructed from natural depressions in the landscape, were used in the southern state of Tamil Nadu as far back as 150 B.C. The tanks fill with water during the annual monsoons and then sluices and shutters control the outflow of water to fields.

Michael Steiff, a graduate student in Civil and Environmental Engineering, is developing a computer model that shows the tanks can be part of a complex system that also includes groundwater, rivers, lakes and estuaries.

Today, these tanks are in a serious state of disrepair as local farmers were encouraged to abandon the tradition for modern canal networks, dams and groundwater wells. But with more than 1.8 million groundwater wells in Tamil Nadu, water is being pumped out faster than it can recharge. Approximately 12 per cent of wells are dried up, and in some areas this failure rate is as high as 40 per cent.

Kim Van Meter, a graduate student in Earth and Environmental Sciences, has developed a Coupled Human and Natural Systems (CHANS) framework to explore this complicated system. The CHANS framework, which was described in a recent paper, shows that the tanks can help with water distribution, but only if there is enough water to go around.

Basu says traditional rainwater harvesting systems should be part of an integrated water management plan beyond the village scale. More regional hydrological data is also needed in order to calculate the optimal numbers of tanks a watershed can support.

This work was funded by the US National Science Foundation.

Back to top

Environment's Holiday Message and so on

The Faculty of Environment released its 2014 Holiday video message on Friday (see above). Is your faculty, department or unit putting together a similar message? Send a link to the Daily Bulletin so we can help share it with campus.

Part of the Student Life Centre has been transformed into study space as the examination period continues. Tables and chairs have been set up in the SLC Great Hall to provide students with space to hit the books.

Looking ahead, Winter Orientation is scheduled to take place between Sunday, January 4 and Friday, January 9. Intended for all incoming students—first-year, transfer, exchange, undergraduate and graduate students—this interactive week-long program will help new students make friends, get to know campus and learn about life at Waterloo.

Here are today's "5 Days of Christmas Re-Gifting" clues:

• They are co-operative in this building
• We hope Santa shops here

Don't forget your passport! Check this document for more details.

Back to top