Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are bio-based, biodegradable polymers that have the most potential to replace conventional polymers used in food packaging. To this end, PHAs must be designed to achieve low cost and better performance, such as tunable mechanical properties, crystallinity, surface features, amphiphilicity, and degradation rate.
Shared e-scooters have recently emerged as a new form of micro-mobility. E-scooters offer an arguably environmentally sustainable transportation option that create an opportunity to replace some automobile trips. To date, most research focusing on e-scooters is situated in dense urban contexts, with little to no insights within suburban settings. The proposed project will explore the community benefits related to environmental sustainability and social equity, of the upcoming e-scooter pilot program in the City of Brampton.
Through our previous work, we’ve been able to take blood samples from patients with genetic epilepsy and make 3D miniature brains (organoids) from their own cells. These organoids then retain that patient’s genetic predisposition to epilepsy, which we can then study in a lab to find the best drug that could be recommended to the patient. This project will help refine the set of electrical properties of the organoids that can be used to make such a prediction.
UAVs are becoming essential solutions in a wide range of industries. In this market growth, the potential of UAVs to fly in indoor environments represents a massive opportunity for companies. In particular, for applications such as medical care, search and rescue operations, and industrial management and inspections. The main concern of UAVs flying indoors is damage to people and vital infrastructure on the ground. To address this concern, UAVs must be able to self-navigate at all times, which is the first objective of this project, and automatically detect people and objects.
Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) can 3D print final parts from continuous carbon fiber composites with high structural and thermal performance. In this project, a custom-built 3D printing head with feeding and cutting capabilities will be designed and manufactured. It will be installed on a robotic 3D printer to manufacture parts from high-temperature continuous fiber composites. To show the robotic 3D printing manufacturing capabilities, complex 3D parts will be fabricated.
Currently, the building sector accounds of 36% of end-use energy consumption in Ontario. With the rise of appeal towards green energy, the government has focused greatly on developing sustainability policies. Additionally, Ontario has seen a rise in the equity-seeking communities’ population over the last few decades. Aknowlegding the success of sustainability policies is greatly depends in the participation of the entire population leads to the question of inclusivity of inclusive population.
The main goal of this project is to digitalize food waste at home for a sustainable future using at-home composters. We will develop dedicated machine learning algorithms to detect, segment, and classify various food waste generated in the kitchen, making it possible for everyone to immediately estimate the quality and nutrients of the generated compost using a simple mobile App. The project will collaborate with VCycene Inc., a cleantech company dedicated to providing sustainable solutions to the food-waste problem.
In general, Canadians are proud of their universal health care system, but an often heard complaint is the slow and convoluted specialist referral process, and the lengthy wait times to see specialists. An Ontarian waits, on average, 11.3 weeks for a non-urgent specialist referral and 7 weeks for an urgent specialist referral.
Fire safety in polymers is critically important with products used in construction, aerospace, transportation, and furniture. Additives used as anti-dripping and flame-retardant agents impose acute human health issues and have negative environmental impacts. In our previous study, we developed an additive-free solution through the coextrusion of polymeric films, and we found that the multilayer configuration provides two significant advantages in the time to the first drip and reduction in the number of drips compared to the value for the melt blended samples with no additives.
Public procurement plays a crucial role in enabling governments to achieve their goals. Unsolicited proposals represent a departure from the usual procurement process used by governments, in that they involve a private firm submitting a proposal to develop a project or to deliver goods and services in the absence of a formal or informal request. Although the use of unsolicited proposals can present challenges, especially relating to transparency and competition, they can also spur business innovation, as well as provide social and/or environmental benefits.
