Self-folding paper created at UBC

UBC mechanical engineering master’s student Ata Sina has created a new kind of paper using a thermoplastic polymer that self-folds when exposed to heat; the idea came out of an interest in origami. This polymer is special because it will contract in the presence of heat, and fold itself along computer-cut origami designs. Along with its potential uses as a packing material, Sina is looking at the possibility of using the paper as pop-out art in children’s books.

With files from The Ubyssey

Enrolment numbers cause space issues at U of W

Students at the University of Waterloo have raised concerns about increasing enrolment rates and the resulting lack of space. The biggest issue is the loss of social space for students, which has been decreasing over the last 15 years.

Vice president, academic and provost Geoff McBoyle said that administration hopes to tackle this issue with initiatives like the new student residence and updates to UW Place, as well as efforts such as adding desks in the hallways.

With files from Imprint

Criticism for federally funded internships

The federal government is putting $40 million into 3,000 post-secondary internships centered around science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, including skilled trade jobs. The core criticism against this funding is that it doesn’t address the problem of the 300,000 unpaid internships that currently exist, and do not provide adequate compensation.

Claire Seaborn, president of the Canadian Intern Association, said “If the federal government wanted to address the issue federally, they would have amended the federal labour code and have gotten Statistics Canada to start tracking internships.”

With files from The Varsity