Name: The Purolator–McMaster Sustainable Logistics Innovation Hackathon
Start: 2026-10-15T10:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-10-16T16:00:00-04:00
Location: MCCD 8120, Sustainable Futures Hub

The Purolator–McMaster Sustainable Logistics Innovation Hackathon

Join us for two-day interdisciplinary hackathon to design an AI-enabled decision system for sustainable battery lifecycle management!

MCCD 8120, Sustainable Futures Hub

<h2><strong><strong>Purolator-McMaster 2026 Edition Hackathon: The Second Life EV Battery Challange</strong></strong></h2><p>Join <a href="https://purolator.mcmaster.ca/" title="https://purolator.mcmaster.ca/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Purolator Chair in Sustainable Logistics and Supply Chain Managemen</a>t at the Sustainable Futures Hub (MCCD 8120) for a two-day hackathon focused on sustainable EV battery lifecycle management.</p><p>Working in interdisciplinary teams, participants will develop data-driven models, analytical tools, and actionable business insights to address a real-world EV battery lifecycle challenge.</p><p>Compete for an internship interview opportunity with Purolator, the chance to present to Purolator executives, and additional awards recognizing excellence in AI, sustainability, and real-world impact.</p>

<h3><strong><strong>The Challenge</strong></strong></h3><blockquote>How can Purolator use EV battery State of Health (SOH) to predict when a battery should be retired from active fleet service and determine whether its remaining capacity can be repurposed to support EV charging at a terminal?</blockquote><h4>About the Challenge</h4><p>As transportation fleets transition toward more sustainable technologies, organizations must make complex decisions about EV batteries and components reaching their end-of-life.</p><p>A battery that is no longer suitable for its existing vehicle may still have operational, financial, or environmental value. Depending on its condition, remaining capacity, safety profile, lifecycle cost, and potential applications.</p><p>During this two-day hackathon, students will work on developing a practical, data-driven battery lifecycle tool that estimates battery health and remaining useful fleet life, predicts when a battery will reach a defined fleet end-of-life threshold, and evaluates the value of repurposing eligible batteries as second-life stationary energy storage. The solution should quantify the potential operational and financial benefit to Purolator, including estimated electricity cost savings.</p><p>Teams will explore how operational data, AI, business insights, financial analysis, and sustainability criteria can help decision-makers evaluate end-of-cycle batteries and determine the most appropriate pathway.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<h3><strong><strong>Awards and Opportunities</strong></strong></h3><p>Participants will compete for awards and professional development opportunities recognizing innovation, practical impact, and thoughtful use of artificial intelligence.</p><h4>Purolator Innovation Fellowship</h4><p>The winning student will be offered an internship opportunity within the Purolator Research Chair program, providing an opportunity to gain practical industry experience and contribute to future-focused business initiatives.</p><h4>Leadership Presentation Opportunity</h4><p>The winning team will be invited to present its solution to Purolator Management. Team members will also have the opportunity to engage and network with Purolator leaders.</p><h4><strong><strong>Additional Awards:</strong></strong></h4><h4><strong><strong>Best Sustainability Solution</strong></strong></h4><p>Awarded to the team that supports sustainable fleet operations.</p><h4><strong><strong>Best Practical Solution</strong></strong></h4><p>Awarded to the team that develops the most practical and impactful solution for improving battery lifecycle management.</p><h4><strong><strong>Most User-Friendly Solution</strong></strong></h4><p>Awarded to the team that demonstrates the strongest application of artificial intelligence or advanced analytics within its proposed solution.</p><h4>DeGroote MBA Operations Management Excellence Award</h4><p>Awarded to the team with the strongest practical and scalable operating model.</p>

<h3><strong><strong>Team Formation</strong></strong></h3><p>Registration must be completed individually.</p><p>Participants can choose to register individually or as a team. A team can comprise upto 5 members but not less than 3.</p><p>Each team will be supported by a <strong><strong>Mentor from Purolator</strong></strong> and a <strong><strong>Group Manager</strong></strong>, who will be a graduate student from McMaster University's Smart Freight Centre, with subject matter experience.</p><p>If you <strong><strong>register as an individual</strong></strong>, you will be placed in a team at the discretion of the organizing committee, ensuring a diverse inter-disciplinary mix.</p><p>If you want to <strong><strong>participate as a team</strong></strong>, choose the <strong><strong>appropriate option in the registration form</strong></strong>. In case you are joining as a team, make sure:</p><ol><li>All members complete the registration form</li><li>In the registration form the names of the team members is mentioned.</li><li>The team has 3 to 5 members. If your team has less than 5 members, the organizing committee might include additional members.</li></ol><p><br></p><h3><strong><strong>Eligibility Statement</strong></strong></h3><p>This event is exclusively available to current McMaster University undergraduate and graduate students. Participants must register using their institutional McMaster email address.</p><p>Registrations are subject to eligibility verification and may be cancelled if the information provided cannot be verified. As participants will be assigned to interdisciplinary teams, full attendance on both October 15 and October 16 is expected.</p>

<h3><strong><strong>Selection Process</strong></strong></h3><p><strong><strong>Registration does not guarantee selection.</strong></strong> Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. Selection will be based on the responses provided in the registration form, with emphasis on a candidate's ability to collaborate effectively, demonstrate initiative, think creatively, communicate ideas clearly. The committee will seek to identify participants who are motivated, adaptable, and well-positioned to benefit from and contribute unique value to the program.</p><p><strong><strong>Have any questions? </strong></strong>Email us at <strong><strong>mbaopsmg@mcmaster.ca</strong></strong></p>

<h3><strong><strong>Presented in Collaboration With</strong></strong></h3><p>This interdisciplinary experiential-learning opportunity is made possible through the collaboration and support of:</p><ul><li>Sustainable Futures Hub</li><li>Purolator Digital Hub</li><li>Smart Freight Centre</li><li>DeGroote MBA Operations Management Club</li></ul>

The Purolator–McMaster Sustainable Logistics Innovation Hackathon

Purolator-McMaster 2026 Edition Hackathon: The Second Life EV Battery Challange

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MCCD 8120, Sustainable Futures Hub

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The Purolator–McMaster Sustainable Logistics Innovation Hackathon

Purolator-McMaster 2026 Edition Hackathon: The Second Life EV Battery Challange

Good to know

Location

MCCD 8120, Sustainable Futures Hub

How do you want to get there?

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