How UBCO’s Campus Security team became campus guardians during a wildfire threat

UBC super-black wood can improve telescopes, optical devices and consumer goods

Thanks to an accidental discovery, researchers at UBC have created a new super-black material that absorbs almost all light, opening potential applications in fine jewellery, solar cells and precision optical devices.  Dr. Philip Evans and PhD student Kenny Cheng were experimenting with high-energy plasma to make wood more water-repellent, like a lotus leaf. However, when they applied the technique to the cut ends of wood cells, the surfaces turned extremely black.  

Why your kids should take risks while playing outdoors this summer

The carbon costs of the construction industry

When it comes to climate change, it’s easy to believe that the burning of fossil fuels is mainly responsible for high global carbon emissions. We’re told we need to drive less, fly less and generally rely less on the non-renewable energy sources that have sustained our society’s way of life for over a century.

How to protect your hearing at summer concerts

As music lovers flock to outdoor festivals and concerts this summer, many may not realize the noise levels could be high enough to cause hearing damage.Dr. Navid Shahnaz, an associate professor at the School of Audiology and Speech Sciences, discusses the impact loud music can have on our hearing, and how we can protect ourselves while enjoying live performances.Learn more