In this project, we propose an intelligent conversational agents prototype that provides meaningful, playful exchanges in different interactive settings. By taking advantage of the latest advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and creating a model founded on knowledge from social and cognitive sciences, we will build a series of digital avatars to test their interaction ability. This research-creation project connects to other disciplines like Human Computer Interactions (HCI).

The objective of the proposed project is to develop the fibre properties of the common cattail, Typha latifolia, and to investigate the effect of harvest time on fibre quality as it relates to nonwoven applications, such as composites and packaging industries. Recent study has revealed that cattails contain fibres with properties that suggest applications in industrial applications, and Typha co., which is a Winnipeg based company, intends on finding market applications of these common wetland plants otherwise left unused.

Modern commercial trucks are crucial for economic activity. The diesel engines in these vehicles emit about 8% of all CO2 emissions in Canada. To reduce the environmental impact of current trucks, Hydra Energy Inc. is developing an approach to replace some of the diesel fuel with excess hydrogen generated in industrial processes. To maximize the benefits of this approach, Hydra and SFU are working together to develop a model of the vehicle system. Using the model, the team will study how the vehicle will behave under different uses and will find ways to increase the amount of hydrogen used.

Business to Consumer (B2C) market is facing rising complexities in customer acquisition, retention, and engagement, particularly in dealing with younger generations. One of the primary causes of this problem is the significant changes in consumers' behavior and their developing habits that differ from those of the older generations. This project develops an AI-driven behavior recognition platform that recognizes the decisions that are driven by the subconscious mind.

The Paris Agreement, which was signed in December 2015 and went into effect in November 2016, outlines a framework for a new market mechanism that could to incentivize countries to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions: internationally transferred mitigation outcomes (ITMOs). ITMOs enable countries to transfer emissions reduction credits between countries to efficiently find those areas where emissions could be reduced most efficiently and cost-effectively, thus resulting in greater net reductions globally.

Carbon capture and storage is a feasible, reliable and economic approach to reduce CO2 emission. Llydiminster area on the boarder of the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta is an area with significant heavy oil production and a large amount of CO2 resources from thermal operated heavy oil production facilities and oil upgraders. Deploying CCU technology in this area can significant reduce the CO2 emission in the oil industry in this area. This study focus on feasibility of carbon geo-sequestration in those heavy oil reservoirs and underlying aquifers in this area.

Our space-based radio-frequency communication is suffering from the use of simple phase shifters. Its bandwidth capability is limited, ultimately reducing the satellite’s capacity and the system’s service availability. Most electronic beamforming implementations are bulky, frequency dependent and they consume a significant amount of power. To replace those electronic components, structures which guide light on microchips have been suggested and demonstrated to work similarly to how light inside of fiber-optic cables now all brings TV and internet to our homes.

This project consists of three subprojects. In the first subproject, an ammonia-fueled a power generator will be developed and experimentally tested. Thus, the emission released from the generator such as CO2, NOX, and SOX, will be reduced substantially. The second subproject of the project is to investigate the ammonia economy starting from production to last use in various sectors. Evaluating a microgrid system and compatible electrical vehicle, and their economic benefits, advantages or disadvantages will be researched extensively.

District energy systems are specialized and sophisticated energy solutions that require detailed design and analysis. Their integration with existing utility infrastructure strengthens the resiliency and reliability of the energy services as it enables cities to achieve their energy savings targets and greenhouse gas emission targets. This research will investigate and model the use of distributed energy resources like combined cooling heat and power generators, heat pumps, thermal storage units, thermal and PV solar and waste heat to determine optimal system operation.

The rate of discovery of new, large mineral deposits has slowed, yet significant opportunity exists in many world-class belts where post-mineral cover obscures bedrock and can potentially hide world-class deposits beyond the reach of traditional geochemical tools. However, locating mineral deposits in areas of thick or transported overburden is challenging.