Among various types of graphitic nanomaterials, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have ignited tremendous interest in the past few years owing to their small lateral size, quantum confinement, and large perimeter per mass. GQDs are categorized based on their emitting colors (e.g. blue, green, yellow, red and white). Among various emitting colors, GQDs with blue and red emission are of paramount importance and used in a wide array of applications, such as bioimaging, LEDs, transistors, waste-water treatment, solar cells, biosensors and drug delivery.

When waste rocks generated by mining activities are exposed to the air and water, various toxic elements may be released to receiving waters and soils. Arsenic (As) is known as one of the most toxic pollutants which can cause damage to the environment and human health. To implement effective source control, it is essential to identify key factors that control the leaching process. The main objective of this research is to determine the rate-controlling steps in the release of toxic elements, with the initial focus on arsenic release.

Microplastic pollution is becoming an emerging environmental issue in developed countries. The tire wearing particles (TWP) have also been categorized as microplastic pollution. TWP size range from a few nanometers to several hundred micrometers and are emitted into the environment. Tire industry is now inclined towards increasing knowledge of TWP origin, mechanism, transmission, and fate in the environment along with their impacts on receiving water bodies.

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) and its fibres being durable are used in fabrics, sail making and papermaking. Its seed is a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3, 6) and its oil is used for cooking and for medicinal purposes. Cannabis contains cannabinoids, of which, ?9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have been identified as the most active and responsible for psychotic and medicinal properties.

The proposed research investigates an opportunity of monitor, measure, and model the role of carbon sequestration and emission of carbon dioxide from agricultural soils of Atlantic Canada. Precision agricultural practices will be designed to promote sustainable agriculture in Atlantic Canada.

Crushing and grinding rock is the largest consumer of energy at a mining operation. Ball Mill grinding is the main technology that is used for fine grinding, yet it is known to be very inefficient with respect to energy consumptions; estimates are that less than 2% of energy input to ball mills translate into particle breakage. The High-Pressure Grinding Roll (HPGR) is known to be much more energy efficient for breaking coarse particles and the present proposal is aimed at demonstrating that the HPGR is more energy efficient than ball mill grinding of fine particles.

The hatchery industries are faced with huge economic losses in millions of dollars, resulting from incubating nonfertile eggs that will never become chickens. There is therefore an urgent need for non-destructive techniques to predict the fertility chicken eggs early enough (especially prior to incubation). The project seeks to solve the identified problem via optimizing modelling parameters and performances of new and existing egg models using state-of-the-art hyperspectral imaging technology in conjunction with pattern recognition and multivariate analyses.

Penetration testing is a key security tactic, where defenders thinks like an attacker to predict the latter’s actions and develop effective defense. However, for large-scale cyber-physical infrastructures like the smart grid, traditional penetration tests on individual devices or networks are insufficient to exhaust all potential exploits or to reveal infrastructure-level vulnerabilities invisible to the local system.

Bio-heap-leaching is a hydrometallurgical process used to process low grade chalcopyrite ore as the cost of alternative routes of processing and refining are not economically viable. However, a viable solution has been found: to add a catalyst that dramatically enhances the kinetics of leaching while not being too expensive, environmentally detrimental or affecting downstream processes. Jetti resources is using this technology to enhance the heap-leaching rate of chalcopyrite.
This new catalyzed leaching technology can also be applied in tanks and other reactor configurations.

The overall goal of the proposed program is the co-development of education programs and academic research with opportunities to apply this understanding in context of SEF/industry activities. The outcomes will benefit SEF’s business activities in Mongolia and other developing countries with significant mineral resource potential. The program will also support investment and business opportunities for Canadian companies that are working in Mongolia.