Bill Van Heyst

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Instrumentation
FTIR, NO/NO2/NOx/NH3 chemiluminescent analyzers, DustTrak particle counters.
Capabilities
- Efficacy assessments for air pollution control devices (in the lab and in situ)
- Air emission estimates from agricultural sources
- Dispersion modelling of downwind concentrations from sources
Education and Employment Background
Dr. Bill Van Heyst, PhD, P.Eng., received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo in 1997, after which he worked for five years with a major Toronto-based air quality consulting firm. Van Heyst joined the School of Engineering in 2002 at the University of Guelph and is currently a Professor in Environmental Engineering.
Research Themes
Van Heyst’s research focuses on estimating and mitigating air pollution from a variety of agricultural sources including ammonia and particulate matter from animal housing units, especially in the poultry sector. Recently, Van Heyst has been developing innovative products that can reduce the emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from mobile and stationary sources in partnership with Envision SQ, a local clean technology company. Recently, Van Heyst has pivoted his research and development of the photocatalyst air pollution control system to address the spread of the Covid-19 disease. Van Heyst’s research focuses on the following major themes:
- Impact of agriculture on air quality. This research is primarily concerned with size fractionated particulate matter, ammonia, and greenhouse gases. Agricultural sources studied include: composting, incineration, land application of manure, manure storage facilities, poultry barns, and dairy barns.
- Air quality modeling. This research involves dispersion models, emission inventory models, and regulatory compliance issues.
- Industrial collaborations. Working with various industrial partners, this research looks at new ways to control air pollution such as the SmogStop noise barrier designed to reduce NO and NO2 emissions along highways, using photocatalysts powered by LEDs to clean indoor air, and testing HVAC filters composed of compostable fibers.
Highlights
- Chair, Senate Committee on Student Petitions, University of Guelph, 2019-2020
- Associate Dean – External Relations, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, 2018-2020
- Advisory Board Member, John F. Wood Centre for Business and Student Enterprise, Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics, 2018-2020
- Research Program Director – Environmental Sustainability under the OMAFRA & University of Guelph Agreement, 2009-2018
- Associate Director – Research and External Partners, School of Engineering, 2012-2015
- Associate Director – Undergraduate Studies, School of Engineering, 2010-2012
- Scientific Advisory Committee Member for Canadian Poultry Research Council, 2010-2012
- OMAFRA Theme Advisory Group for Environmental Sustainability, Guelph, 2009-2010
Media Coverage
NanoCleanSQ self-sterilizing surface coating
- University of Guelph News: U of G Research Behind Surface Coating That Kills COVID-19 Virus
- CTV News: Guelph-made self-sanitizing spray gets gov't funding
- CHCH: New product that can kill bacteria and viruses on surfaces for up to a year
- Waterloo Chronicle: Guelph-developed coronavirus-killing, self-sanitizing coating receives federal funds
- Guelph Mercury: Guelph-developed coronavirus-killing, self-sanitizing coating receives federal funds
- Radio Canada Internacional: Desarrollo canadiense elimina al Covid-19 de las superficies
- iHeart Radio: Guelph-made self-sanitizing spray gets gov't funding
- Guelph Today: U of G receives funding to develop self-sterilizing nano-coating
- Canadian Manufacturing: Advanced manufacturing supercluster innovators battle COVID-19
- MaRS: Amazing ways Canadian startups are tackling the COVID-19 crisis
- In The Hammer: Hamilton firm is hub for manufacturing innovations supporting front lines in COVID-19 battle
SmogStop Noise Barrier
- Guelph Today: Urban Cowboy: New technology aims to render smog harmless
- Durhamregion.com: Durham’s UOIT collaborates to fight traffic pollution
Agriculture and Air Quality
- University of Guelph Office of Research News: Environmental Sustainability: Innovative research helping to sustain Ontario's environment