91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ News - Dept. of Bioresource Engineering /channels/news_feeds/all/term/biores_engineering/rss en Study finds treating peanuts with cold plasma could make them less allergenic /channels/channels/news/study-finds-treating-peanuts-cold-plasma-could-make-them-less-allergenic-372647 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Researchers at 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµÂ have found that briefly treating peanuts with cold plasma, an ionically charged gas that triggers chemical changes, reduces their potential to cause allergic reactions. The researchers say this is probably because the process causes changes to the protein structure, the part of the peanut that can trigger an immune response. The technology was also shown to improve functional properties important for food manufacturing. </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-primary-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img class="no-float" src="/channels/files/channels/styles/wysiwyg_medium/public/channels/image/Peanuts?itok=i7yl8xD7" width="160" height="107" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-published-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="custom-multi-date"><div class="multi-date first"><span class="label">Published: </span><span class="day">22 </span><span class="month">April </span><span class="year">2026</span></div></div></div></div></div> Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:16:33 +0000 webfull 217774 at /channels 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ researchers optimize process for converting human urine into clean energy /channels/channels/news/mcgill-researchers-optimize-process-converting-human-urine-clean-energy-371215 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Researchers at 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ have improved the efficiency of a method for converting human urine into clean energy.</p> <p>The method employs microbial fuel cells (MFCs), which use bacteria to turn organic waste into electricity, providing a sustainable and low-cost means of treating wastewater while generating energy from an abundant source. The 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ research provides insights into which urine concentrations are optimal for this process.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-primary-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img class="no-float" src="/channels/files/channels/styles/wysiwyg_medium/public/channels/image/gettyimages-505209754.jpg?itok=exC1_6w_" width="160" height="107" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-published-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="custom-multi-date"><div class="multi-date first"><span class="label">Published: </span><span class="day">16 </span><span class="month">February </span><span class="year">2026</span></div></div></div></div></div> Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:07:32 +0000 webfull 215931 at /channels 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ researchers create shapeshifting materials that could power the next generation of soft robots /channels/channels/news/mcgill-researchers-create-shapeshifting-materials-could-power-next-generation-soft-robots-370543 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ engineers have developed new ultra-thin materials that can be programmed to move, fold and reshape themselves, much like animated origami. They open the door to softer, safer and more adaptable robots that could be used in medical tools that gently move inside the body, wearable devices that change shape on the skin or smart packaging that reacts to its environment.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-primary-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img class="no-float" src="/channels/files/channels/styles/wysiwyg_medium/public/channels/image/gettyimages-1088129634.jpg?itok=RzyN135a" width="160" height="107" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-published-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="custom-multi-date"><div class="multi-date first"><span class="label">Published: </span><span class="day">23 </span><span class="month">January </span><span class="year">2026</span></div></div></div></div></div> Fri, 23 Jan 2026 15:59:18 +0000 webfull 215107 at /channels Microencapsulated B-vitamins help dairy cows produce more milk with fewer emissions /channels/channels/news/microencapsulated-b-vitamins-help-dairy-cows-produce-more-milk-fewer-emissions-369734 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>A new international study led by 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ in collaboration with <a href="https://www.jefo.ca/">Jefo Nutrition</a> shows that supplementing dairy cow diets with microencapsulated B-vitamins can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing milk yield and quality. The use of the feed additive cut global warming potential, an internationally standardized measure of climate impact, by up to 18 per cent across seven countries.  </p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-primary-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img class="no-float" src="/channels/files/channels/styles/wysiwyg_medium/public/channels/image/gettyimages-1160802367.jpg?itok=SHvMGDr-" width="160" height="102" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-published-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="custom-multi-date"><div class="multi-date first"><span class="label">Published: </span><span class="day">11 </span><span class="month">December </span><span class="year">2025</span></div></div></div></div></div> Thu, 11 Dec 2025 16:38:40 +0000 webfull 214212 at /channels 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ study shows low-grade heat from renewable sources could be used to desalinate water /channels/channels/news/mcgill-study-shows-low-grade-heat-renewable-sources-could-be-used-desalinate-water-368914 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>A 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ-led research team has demonstrated the feasibility of a sustainable and cost-effective way to desalinate seawater. The method – thermally driven reverse osmosis (TDRO) – uses a piston-based system powered by low-grade heat from solar thermal, geothermal heat and other sources of renewable energy to produce fresh water.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-primary-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img class="no-float" src="/channels/files/channels/styles/wysiwyg_medium/public/channels/image/gettyimages-1443251273.jpg?itok=vvxAGEhT" width="160" height="107" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-published-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="custom-multi-date"><div class="multi-date first"><span class="label">Published: </span><span class="day">14 </span><span class="month">November </span><span class="year">2025</span></div></div></div></div></div> Fri, 14 Nov 2025 15:56:35 +0000 webfull 213246 at /channels Bioresource Engineering Ph.D. candidate pitches biogas to turn farm waste into renewable energy /channels/channels/news/bioresource-engineering-phd-candidate-pitches-biogas-turn-farm-waste-renewable-energy-366082 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>In her presentation at a scientific symposium hosted by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre in June, 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ Ph.D. candidate Anjaly Paul highlighted the potential for Canadian farms to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while generating renewable energy, by converting agricultural waste into biogas.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-primary-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img class="no-float" src="/channels/files/channels/styles/wysiwyg_medium/public/channels/image/pexels-joerg-hartmann-626385254-32738814.jpg?itok=NMEqqSbz" width="160" height="90" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-published-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="custom-multi-date"><div class="multi-date first"><span class="label">Published: </span><span class="day">21 </span><span class="month">July </span><span class="year">2025</span></div></div></div></div></div> Mon, 21 Jul 2025 19:36:13 +0000 webfull 210088 at /channels Professor Michael Ngadi calls for enhanced capacity of smallholder farmers in Nigeria /channels/channels/news/professor-michael-ngadi-calls-enhanced-capacity-smallholder-farmers-nigeria-366059 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ Bioresource Engineering Professor <a href="/macdonald/michael-ngadi">Michael Ngadi</a> called for urgent action to address the challenges facing stallholder farmers in Nigeria at a recent public lecture at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU).</p> <p>A specialist in developing advanced emerging technologies for monitoring and controlling agrifood processing systems, he discussed the critical role that smallholder farmers and processors play in global food systems, particularly in developing and transition countries.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-primary-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img class="no-float" src="/channels/files/channels/styles/wysiwyg_medium/public/channels/image/mngadi.jpg?itok=q_BzLP1z" width="160" height="107" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-published-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="custom-multi-date"><div class="multi-date first"><span class="label">Published: </span><span class="day">17 </span><span class="month">July </span><span class="year">2025</span></div></div></div></div></div> Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:59:53 +0000 webfull 210063 at /channels Macdonald Campus valedictorians Andre Hadji-Thomas and Jennifer McDonald reflect on their journeys /channels/channels/news/macdonald-campus-valedictorians-andre-hadji-thomas-and-jennifer-mcdonald-reflect-their-journeys-365530 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>As 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµâ€™s Class of 2025 prepares to cross the stage, the 10 valedictorians from Faculties across the University—including Andre Hadji-Thomas and Jennifer McDonald in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences—have been drafting their speeches and, in the process, reflecting on much more than their academic success.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-primary-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img class="no-float" src="/channels/files/channels/styles/wysiwyg_medium/public/channels/image/valedictorians.png?itok=tKw1Q1O-" width="160" height="119" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-published-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="custom-multi-date"><div class="multi-date first"><span class="label">Published: </span><span class="day">27 </span><span class="month">May </span><span class="year">2025</span></div></div></div></div></div> Tue, 27 May 2025 19:28:43 +0000 webfull 209433 at /channels Is eating Canadian better for your health? /channels/channels/news/eating-canadian-better-your-health-364900 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>In a recent article, <a href="https://www.lapresse.ca/societe/2025-04-06/sante-et-bien-etre/manger-canadien-meilleur-pour-la-sante.php"><em>La Presse </em>investigates whether boycotting American products could improve our health.</a> Experts interviewed for the article said it's possible—but only if we change other eating habits in the process.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-primary-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img class="no-float" src="/channels/files/channels/styles/wysiwyg_medium/public/channels/image/pexels-asphotograpy-868110.jpg?itok=i5500DJh" width="160" height="107" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-published-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="custom-multi-date"><div class="multi-date first"><span class="label">Published: </span><span class="day">9 </span><span class="month">April </span><span class="year">2025</span></div></div></div></div></div> Wed, 09 Apr 2025 17:45:05 +0000 webfull 208708 at /channels 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ Bravo Gala honours eight Agricultural and Environmental Sciences researchers /channels/channels/news/mcgill-bravo-gala-honours-eight-agricultural-and-environmental-sciences-researchers-364675 <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>On March 27, 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ honoured 141 laureates at the 20th annual <a href="https://reporter.mcgill.ca/bravo-2025/">Bravo Gala</a>, celebrating researchers who received prestigious provincial, national or international awards in 2024, including eight researchers in the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.</p> <p>In his opening remarks, 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµ President and Vice-Chancellor, Deep Saini, applauded the honourees for their efforts, underlining the importance of 91Ë¿¹ÏÊÓÆµâ€™s research contributions.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-primary-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img class="no-float" src="/channels/files/channels/styles/wysiwyg_medium/public/channels/image/bravo-2025-oe-1536x932.jpg?itok=5c741M5s" width="160" height="97" alt="" /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-published-date field-type-datestamp field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="custom-multi-date"><div class="multi-date first"><span class="label">Published: </span><span class="day">2 </span><span class="month">April </span><span class="year">2025</span></div></div></div></div></div> Wed, 02 Apr 2025 17:15:25 +0000 webfull 208467 at /channels