MacDonald Lab

My research centres around solving the problems where I believe I can have the highest impact. I am also keen to develop technology that can be applied now, which can include field testing, prototyping, and some entrepreneurship. Currently, I'm focused on developing sustainable energy technology that can tackle climate change. The work in my lab features a multidisciplinary integration of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, physics, and chemistry. A combined theoretical and experimental approach is used.

At their core, many sustainable energy technologies are thermofluid systems governed by the principles of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. Often, we can come up with innovative designs by delving more deeply into the fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer, and we often combine theoretical understanding with experimentation.

My research has focused on Stirling engine design, biomimicry of human perspiration for efficient cooling, energy transport in evaporating sessile droplets, the development of microfluidic devices for water purification and point-of-care diagnostic devices for the developing world (in partnership with a hospital in Vietnam), paper-based tests for arsenic contamination in tubewells in Bangladesh, and hydrogen storage in metal hydrides. The research section of this website highlights the main projects currently being undertaken in my group.

Brayden completed his B.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering and Management in 2019 and his M.A.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering in 2021 at Ontario Tech University. As an undergraduate researcher in the MacDonald Lab in 2018, he received the best poster award for the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science for his work on Stirling engine regenerators. In his spare time he enjoys fitness, hockey, and keeping up with the world of tech.

Brayden is currently developing and testing prototype Stirling engines, and is focusing on developing a viable commercial product.

Ali completed his B.Eng degree in Chemical Engineering at Isfahan University in Iran. He has been driven by a deep passion for finding innovative solutions to industry and environmental challenges. In his spare time he enjoys playing football, reading books, and watching movies, finding balance and inspiration in these diverse interests.

Ali’s research project involves enhancing the performance of Stirling engines through the use of numerical models.

Umer is currently completing his B.Eng. (Hons., with Co-op) in Mechatronics Engineering at Ontario Tech University. He has a passion for learning about using sensors to develop automated systems for implementation in manufacturing and assembly processes. In his free time, he enjoys following the automotive industry and working with Arduinos to build remote-controlled cars.

Umer is developing a user-friendly program to write live readings from a range of sensors to an excel file and graph those readings in real-time to provide a better understanding of the performance of a prototype Stirling engine.