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.

The electrochemical splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen gas is a technology of growing importance in the clean energy sector. Emerging technologies are employing membranes to provide physical separation of the cathode and anode compartments, thereby separating the product gases, while allowing ions to flow between the compartments to maintain the electrochemical reactions taking place.

Cellulose is a commercially important biopolymer. Due to its abundance, biocompatibility and renewability it has shown important commercial applications in food, pharmaceuticals, biomedical. Depending on the origin and the processing methods used, the resulting fiber dimensions, structure, crystallinity and molecular weight (MW) can vary over a broad range. MW is one of the most important parameters in polymer characterization as many of its properties depend on it. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) has been the technique of choice for determining these properties.

Vineyards, as with many other agriculture-based industries, often deal with time-sensitive decisions regarding how to manage their grapes to ensure the production of high-quality crops. Similarly, wineries need information quickly during fermentation to help guide winemaker interventions. Existing methods of obtaining the information needed by grape growers and winemakers is often time-intensive to collect.

SeeO2 energy and the Birss group (UCalgary) have developed world-leading catalysts for RSOFC systems with promising performance for the production of syngas and power from H2O/CO2 feeds. Today, the company is aiming to scale-up this technology and move towards commercialization by building larger cells, up to 5 x 5 cm2 (16 cm2 electrode area). However, the process of scaling-up RSOFCs presents many challenges in understanding the effects of fabrication and operation parameters on the cell performance at larger scale.

Beer production is only as good as the yeast that make it. When yeast are first pitched for brewing, they produce the desired fermentation product—beer. But, after numerous cycles of fermentation, the yeast become exhausted and produce beer with unwanted flavors and alcohol content. As such, the beer is no longer fit for consumption. Over time, the stress of fermentation causes unwanted effects on the yeast’s genes, which ultimately compromises their beer-producing abilities. This project focuses on finding identifiers of exhausted yeast prior to their production of bad beer.

To sustain its leadership in the world marketplace, the Canadian pulp industry must continue to increase pulp quality, while it improves manufacturing efficiency, reduces energy consumption and decreases impact on the environment. Properties of a manufactured pulp vary with production parameters and characteristics of the feedstock. To produce pulps of the highest quality at lowest cost, a manufacturing process must continually optimize its conditions to fit the feedstock.

Frequency Selective Surfaces/Structures (FSSs) have great potential to be a mean for improving the capability of communication with Radio Frequency (RF) signals. Although the printed circuit board (PCB) technique is widely available for fabricating FSS, it is difficult to implement using flexible substrates. Its routine process is tedious, costly and environmentally harmful. Other emerging techniques using nano-particle inks also inherently involve large challenges, such as pre- and post-processing, dispersion, agglomeration, and final cost.

Inspired by patterns in the eye of the moth, nanostructures can be created on the surface of glass, allowing all light to transmit through the glass without any interference. Applied on lenses, low light photography is enhanced. Applied on electronic displays, the technology enables sunlight readable screens. Applied on photovoltaics, more light enters the solar panels, enhancing energy conversion.

As lithium-ion batteries continue to expand in use, new applications such as electric vehicles have increasing demands for higher energy density and longer life batteries. Improvements beyond the industry standards will be achieved using new, innovative materials that will result in increased performance. Through this project, the intern will work on synthesis and processing new anode and cathode materials and work to demonstrate improved performance of those materials in full Li-ion batteries.