Sensorealâs patented technology allows them to perform complicated laboratory health testing procedures on a plastic microchip the same size as a credit card. The testing is done through the use of passive microfluidics, in much the same way as trees transport water to their leaves. A blood sample is placed in the loading port of the microchip and allowed to pass through the different regions of the device. Doing so reproduces the procedures that a blood sample would go through when tested in a laboratory, however the whole process takes place in only 30 minutes.
Shale reservoirs have become a very important source of hydrocarbons, especially in North America. Shales are rocks with very low permeability and therefore, produce the hydrocarbons stored in them is difficult. In order to do it, oil companies have to inject high pressurized fluids to break the rock. But, by using this unique strategy, most hydrocarbons are being left in the subsurface. This work aims to use mathematical and numerical models to investigate different methods that can lead to recover a bigger portion of the hydrocarbons stored in shale reservoirs.
Shale reservoirs store gigantic volumes of petroleum (oil and gas). However, because of the complex nature of the reservoir rock, it is difficult to recover the oil and/or gas stored in shales. Under normal conditions, it is possible to extract only as much as 10% of the resources in place, thus leaving behind a huge potential that promises to satisfy the energy needs of Canada for several decades.
In this project, a series of highly efficient and highly selective multifunctional Guerbet catalysts are developed and will be investigated for the condensation of low alcohols to high alcohols in a continuous-flow reactor. Low energy density bioethanol and methanol will be upgraded to n-butanol and iso-butanol with high energy content comparable to gasoline with high octane number and good miscibility with gasoline. Long chain linear alcohols C6-C10 will also be converted to branched primary alcohols C12-20 with high value application as additives, lubricants and surfactants.
This research will develop an easy to implement compounding process to produce thermoplastic composites containing delaminated graphene platelets, starting from a proprietary exfoliated graphite product (MesographTM). MesoGraf is a highly-exfoliated product that contains near defect-free, few-layered and multi-layered graphene. Graphene nanoplatelets have high mechanical and conductive properties and can thus impart high strength, electrical and thermal conductivity when combined with suitable polymer matrices.
The research problem to be addressed is the diversion of organic waste from landfills which, currently, in addition of using the limited space available, generate polluting leachate and greenhouse gases. On the other hand, landfilling organics represent a wasted opportunity to recover valuable chemical and energy resources. The internship will focus on the investigation of the potential of pyrolysis technology to address such problems, by creating opportunities to convert the waste into value-added chemicals and fuels.
Organic light emitting diodes, or OLEDs have become a common technology in everyday displays such as mobile phones, laptops, and televisions. These types of devices rely on an OLED structure that uses bottom-emission, meaning that the top of the device consists of a non-transparent backplane, and the light and colours generated in the device are emitted through the transparent, bottom side of the device.
Global population growth, urbanization and changing climate patterns have increased the demand for potable water, wastewater reuse and value recovery from wastewater, and treatment of industrial process water. Population growth also results in increased demand for the shipping of goods by ocean freight, with the associated risk of the transport of unwanted marine life from one location to another by the discharge of ballast water.
The intern will support the Canadian Bobsleigh Team in its efforts to reduce ice friction between a bobsleigh and the race track. Therefore, a numerical heat transfer model will be developed, and novel procedures to attain the smoothest possible runner surfaces will be researched. Furthermore, we will apply concepts underlying lubrication theory to runner surfaces bycombining hard and soft coatings through micromachining. All these efforts will result in a better understanding for the variables that are most relevant to ice friction in the context of international bobsleigh competitions.
There have been great interests on the utilization of biomass as a potentially renewable and sustainable energy source for greenhouse gas mitigation. In British Columbia and Quebec, abundantly available biomass residues are potential renewable energy sources if effectively utilized.
