News

IDEaS Component 1b officially awarded!

By kevin golovin | March 11, 2020

Our collaborative project with Dr. Zarifi and PRE Labs Inc. has been officially awarded an IDEaS Competitive Projects Component 1b for Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) Hazard Detection and Planning. We are developing the next generation of personal protective ensembles that can simultaneously protect and detect wearers from hazardous solids, liquids, and gases. More information… Read more »

Paper paper

By kevin golovin | March 6, 2020

Dr. Zhao‘s work on non-fluorinated omniphobic paper is published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. We (humans) are getting one step closer to eliminating the need for perfluoro-carbons in our daily lives. Great work Xiaoxiao and Arif! Non-fluorinated Omniphobic Paper with Ultra-low Contact Angle Hysteresis

Kamran becomes a PhD candidate!

By kevin golovin | February 11, 2020

Kamran successfully passed his candidacy and proposal defence with flying colours. Congratulations Kamran!

Holiday Curling Contest

By kevin golovin | December 24, 2019

The OPERA Lab challenged Dr. Zarifi’s MEAS Lab to a curling contest for the holidays. There was brushing, bruising, and lots of laughing by all. A re-match is guaranteed for 2020, and perhaps next year we’ll keep score!

Dr. Pillai joins OPERA as the Cluster Coordinator

By kevin golovin | December 9, 2019

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Anu Pillai to the OPERA Lab. Dr. Pillai will be coordinating our Eminence Fund Cluster in Comfort Enabling Technologies, as well as overseeing the project developing antimicrobial fabrics. We are very glad to have you Anu!

Eminence Fund Awarded

By kevin golovin | December 9, 2019

The OPERA Lab was awarded a UBC Eminence Fund for our Cluster of Research Excellence in Comfort-Enabling Technologies! This award is bringing together a handful of faculty and several industrial and municipal partners, with the following mission: This diverse team of researchers is working collaboratively with industrial partners to enhance human comfort in extreme and… Read more »

Dr. Im joins the OPERA Lab

By kevin golovin | November 12, 2019

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Wanhee Im as the latest edition to the OPERA Lab. Dr. Im comes to us from Seoul National University and will be developing high-strength, hydrophobic paper,  both here in Kelowna and at the Pointe-Claire location of FPInnovations in QC. Welcome Wanhee!

Behrooz and Kiana attended CSChE

By kevin golovin | October 26, 2019

Behrooz and Kiana attended CSChE 2019, presenting their works on developing omniphobic surfaces and ice sensors. Sounds like both projects were very well received!

MURPH funds our anti-mosquito paint project!

By kevin golovin | October 14, 2019

Our collaborative work with Dr. Rheault recently received funding from the Multidisciplinary Undergraduate Research Projects in Health (MURPH) program. MURPH is supporting two excellent undergraduate students, Helena Nunes and Giulia Rossi, on our project developing anti-mosquito paint for malaria prevention. Welcome to the group! https://mmri.ubc.ca/multidisciplinary-undergraduate-research-projects-in-health-murph/

COMFORTS Media Coverage

By kevin golovin | September 20, 2019

Global News did a story on the COMFORTS project: very impactful work!   ‘It could help save their lives,’ B.C. university helping develop new, high-tech body armour