About Us

The microscale chemical processes that underlie Canada's oil sands, such as the complex interaction of water and bitumen, and of sand and clay, determine whether the oil they hold can be successfully extracted and refined.

A world leader in the study of these complex processes, Dr. Thundat will develop new extraction technologies to improve oil sands processing. The tools he develops will eventually lead to extraction processes that are more energy-efficient, use less water, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Dr. Thundat's research program will further enhance the University of Alberta's existing expertise in oil sands research, bringing together leading-edge researchers in nanotechnology, biomedical engineering, information communications technologies, and natural and energy resource management.