The rapid detection of high energy materials (i.e., explosives) and chemical, biological and radioactive (CBR) agents have received substantial attention because of its obvious importance to security and forensics. Applied Quantum Materials Inc. (AQM) is developing a straightforward luminescent quantum dot paper- and/or cloth-based detection system that shows instantaneous optical detection of nitro-based explosives in solution and solid phases at nanogram levels by monitoring the luminescence quenching after being exposed to explosive residues.

As technology continues to make smaller and more flexible devices possible manufacturers of these devices need ways to hold them together. Normal methods of bonding two thin pieces of metal together no longer meet all the depends placed on them by the relatively small size of the devices. In order to meet this challenge this research project will make a glue that is stable to high temperatures and can glue two thin metal pieces together, while remaining flexible and allowing electricity to pass through it.

Immunomagnetic cell isolation particles are widely used to separate cells from complex, biological environments, such as blood, urine, or bone marrow. Cell isolation particles are typically decorated with specialized antibodies to bind to targeted cell surfaces via specific antibody–antigen interactions. These interactions can be disturbed by the presence of serum proteins, which are common constituents of cell isolation buffers to prevent cell aggregation.

The general aim of this proposal is to discover new natural products with antibacterial activity of relevance to companion animal health. While numerous discoveries of natural products have been made, the rate of discovery of new natural products has declined in recent years. The strategy outlined in this project aims to provide a streamlined approach to the discovery of new bioactive natural products. Nautilus Biosciences is the partner organization that will benefit directly from this project.

Despite advances in biotechnology and organic synthesis, plants remain the main source of many of high-value bioactive compounds used in the medical, fragrance and food industries. Increasing demand for bioactive plants (e.g., cannabis and extracts thereof) require robust authentication approaches to verify feedstock, identify product adulteration and ensure product safety for consumers.

Urinary tract infections caused by indwelling catheters (CAUTIs) employed for the treatment of urinary flow are very common. Almost 100 million of these devices are sold on an annual basis with around 25% of these being marketed in the USA. In addition to the cost of catheters and their insertion, hospital treatment of CAUITs runs into the hundreds of millions of dollars every year.

The goal of this project is to use naturally occurring bacterial partners to improve the flavour and nutritional properties of plants grown in hydroponic and aquaponics systems. This study will investigate ability of plant associated bacteria to alter the metabolic profile of select vegetables and leafy greens. Vertical farming is an increasingly popular solution for the production of plant produce year-round at a local level. However, it involves the growth of plants in engineered systems without natural soils.

Synthetic chemistry is used to assemble the small organic molecules that comprise many of the important consumer products used by society every day. Such fine chemicals are used to assemble drugs, agrochemicals, electronics, materials, dyes, etc.. Metal catalysts are part of the arsenal that the synthetic chemist uses to make such prized small molecules and Total Synthesis Ltd. (TSL), the sponsor of this research, is a globally recognized leader in catalyst invention and sales.

The stability of commercial ingredient emulsions is hugely important to the end-user. To that end, Botaneco’s oleosome-containing emulsions are characterized by the absence of changes over time in physical parameters such as particle size, pH and colour. Botaneco’s Hydresia® and CapsolTM products, which contain safflower and almond oleosomes, exhibit proven physical stabilities of up to two years.

We propose to perform detailed studies that characterize chemically and biologically and the unaltered ancestral plant species of the Cannabis genus. Chemically, these studies will provide the chemotype profiles for each parental species for a spectrum of non-tetrahydrocannabinoid compounds. Biologically, these studies will provide the pharmacological profiles for each parental species.