The consumption of energy accounts for around 60 percent of total global greenhouse gas emissions.
As a leader in advanced materials and clean technology research, Dalhousie researchers working to develop clean, carbon-free technologies that will support and enable the transition to a more sustainable future.
High-impact research
Seeing the light: clean technology’s stellar future
It is a question that researchers everywhere are grappling with: how can we meet an increasing global demand for energy and how can we do it in ways that eliminate dangerous carbon emissions? For Dalhousie researchers like Dr. Mita Dasog, one way is as clear as day: solar energy. Read the DAL Magazine story about clean technology at Dal.
Long‑lasting impact: Battery research icon earns top international award
Dalhousie’s Dr. Jeff Dahn has been named the 2023 recipient of the Olin Palladium Award — a top international science prize — for his pioneering work in the development of lithium-ion battery technology. Read the Dal News story about Dr. Dahn's work.
From the ground up: How heat recycling could help keep Nova Scotians warmer each winter
A study led by Dal researcher Sussanne Benz, a Banting postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Water Resources Studies, found that shallow subsurface heat recycling offers a viable alternative to entirely heating spaces with fossil fuels like oil. Read the Dal News story about heat recycling.
Getting ready for the next energy revolution
Dr. Freund’s project, the Leaders in Energy Sustainability training program, will produce highly qualified energy and sustainability professionals ready to ensure Canada’s role as a global leader in the emerging energy revolution. Read the Dal News story about this energy leadership program.
Supporting research and education in sustainable development
The Clean Technologies Research Institute (CTRI) was established in June 2017 to advance clean technologies research at Dalhousie University. It is one facet of the university's support of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We facilitate collaboration, promotion, and administration of clean tech research projects at Dalhousie University.
Battery pioneers charge up with $6M NSERC Alliance Grant, the largest grant of its kind ever at Dal
Faculty of Science researchers Jeff Dahn, Chongyin Yang and Michael Metzger are the recipients of $2.9 million in funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and an additional $3.1 million from Tesla to help develop advanced batteries for electric vehicles and grid energy storage. Read the Dal News story about the battery research grant.
Exceptional student experience
How an award-winning Halifax professor nurtured a network of battery entrepreneurs
They call themselves the "Dahn lab" graduates, and they're powering an unlikely, Halifax-based research hub for batteries designed to replace fossil fuels. At the tightly wired network's heart is Jeff Dahn, a professor of chemistry and physics at Dalhousie University, who on Oct. 9 was presented with the Olin Palladium Award from the Electrochemical Society for a lifetime of working to improve rechargeable batteries. The prestigious prize has previously been won by Nobel laureates. Read the full story about the Dahn lab on CBC.ca
Two Dal PhD students heading to global Falling Walls Lab finals in Berlin
Alternative energy was the big winner at the inaugural Falling Walls Lab – Atlantic Canada pitch competition, with Dal PhD researchers focused on advancing hydrogen and battery science taking first and second place. Read the Dal News story about the Falling Walls research.
Emera sponsorship helps student race‑car design team go electric
The Faculty’s Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) student team is building the university’s first electric-powered competition car thanks to a new sponsorship from Emera, which is building on its $10-million investment in the Emera ideaHUB. Read the Dal News story about the FSAE race car.
Civic university with global impact
Dal lab explores how to unlock the power of green hydrogen in Nova Scotia
A new lab established at Dalhousie this week has partnered with a local energy provider to explore applications of hydrogen that could assist Nova Scotia in its efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Read the Dal News story about how this new Dal lab will enable work on new energy solutions.
Sharing practices and technologies
Dalhousie hosted a Carbon Neutrality Forum in April 2023. The Forum brought together provincial and federal governments, along with industry and academia, to develop the best practices and review the latest technical developments on reducing emissions and related impacts.
Open Dialogue Live to discuss clean energy for the next generation
The United Nations estimates that energy production in the world’s cities accounts for 60 per cent of the total global greenhouse gas emissions. How can Dalhousie help transition our fossil fuel-driven economy, into a ‘clean-tech’ economy, powered by renewable energy? This Open Dialogue Live event (no cost, streamed and in person) tackled this very question. Read the Dal New story about the clean-tech conversation and watch the clean energy discussion on YouTube.
Dal Innovates is pleased to announce the winners of the Ready2Launch Pitch Day.
Ready2Launch is a three-month summer accelerator for early-stage startups. The 2022 program concluded with eleven teams competing for a chance to win three cash prizes. In first place was Zen Electric Bikes Inc. winning $6,000. Zen E-Bikes is a clean tech company building electric vehicles with advanced battery technology.
“What Do Scientists Do?” Podcast kicks off Season 2 by featuring Dalhousie's Dr. Michael Metzger
From “What Do Scientists Do?”: Supernova’s family-friendly STEM podcast, What Do Battery Scientists Do? featuring Dr. Michael Metzger, Herzberg-Dahn Chair in Advanced Battery Research, as he teaches us all about building better batteries for electric vehicles. Listen to the battery science episode on YouTube.
Supporting the clean technology job market
The certificate in Sustainable Energy Technologies offered by the Faculty of Open Learning and Career Development introduces students to renewable energy, smart cities, and the clean technologies that are shaping the future.
Foundation for inclusion and distinction
Systems overhaul of Dal’s biggest library to shrink environmental footprint
The Killam Library deep energy retrofit project fits into the work Dalhousie is doing to improve the energy and water efficiency of existing buildings. As a deep energy retrofit, the project aims to achieve greater energy efficiency by looking at the whole building and incorporating upgrades and maintenance to multiple systems at once. Read the Dal News story about the deep energy retrofit.
Innovative energy efficiency practices on campus lead the way for the wider community
Many of the energy efficiency practices used on campus are leading the way within our communities. This includes the Howe and Shirreff Halls retrofit projects, which are among the first in Atlantic Canada to receive Investor Ready Energy Efficiency™ (IREE) certification from the Canada Green Building Council. Read the Dal News story about energy efficiency on campus.
Accessible and equitable spaces that are functional, resilient, energy efficient, and ecologically and socially centered
Dalhousie's Energy and Green Buildings Plan is positioning the university to meet the next set of targets by ensuring decision-making and investments consider climate and carbon costs, life cycle costing, and longer-term planning horizons in keeping with the university ambitions.
