In Prof. Steven Thorpe’s course entitled “Nanotechnology in Alternate Energy Systems”, students tackle real-world energy challenges through multidisciplinary design.
A student team in this year’s hydrogen design competition has been recognized for developing a systems-level concept for a hydrogen-powered sailboat and supporting energy infrastructure. The project was developed as part of Nanotechnology in Alternate Energy Systems, a course designed and taught by Prof. Steven Thorpe that focuses on applying engineering concepts to real-world energy systems.
Thorpe, a recipient of the University of Toronto’s President’s Teaching Award, has built the course around active, experiential learning that connects engineering design with real-world impact.
Now in its twentieth year, the MSE458/1058 hydrogen design contest engages students from a range of disciplines in developing sustainable hydrogen infrastructure for niche applications. The competition creates a forum for students to apply their academic learning, creativity, and entrepreneurship across engineering, economics, environmental science, and business in addressing real-world energy challenges.
Unlike traditional design courses, MSE458 emphasizes the full pathway from concept to implementation. Students work in teams to develop open-ended energy systems—often centered on hydrogen—and pitch their solutions to a panel of industry professionals in a format inspired by “Dragon’s Den.”
Led by Jethro Tong, the winning team—alongside Max Wen, Eno Wang, and graduate student Lillian Kang—applied this approach to develop a hydrogen-powered sailboat that replaces diesel-based auxiliary systems while maintaining full onboard functionality. Their design extended beyond the vessel to include a broader energy ecosystem, including a wind-powered hydrogen production and refueling system. Tong noted that the design process required constant iteration and systems thinking under real-world constraints, reinforcing structured, multidisciplinary problem-solving.
Reflecting on the course, Tong highlighted its impact on his understanding of the hydrogen economy. “Understanding the past, present, and future developments in the hydrogen economy—and what the real-world bottlenecks are—was one of the most meaningful takeaways,” he said, adding that the final pitch to industry judges was the most engaging part of the experience.
Lillian Kang emphasized the collaborative and systems-oriented nature of the work, noting that dividing responsibilities across technical, economic, environmental, and safety domains closely mirrored real engineering practice. She highlighted how the course helped her better understand hydrogen technologies, including how different systems such as electrolysers and fuel cells interact within larger infrastructure designs, and how their constraints shape overall system performance.
The structure of MSE458 will now serve as the basis for MSE498Y Capstone Design, a new fourth year core course for all MSE students, along the theme areas of: (i) Biomaterials, (ii) Sustainable Energy Materials and Nanoengineering, (iii) Advanced Materials, Manufacturing, and Processing, and (iv) AI Driven Materials Design.
