The ability to detect light at low signal levels is advantageous for numerous applications in defence, health, secure communication, imaging and sensing. The lowest light signal that we can detect are single particles of light (i.e., photons). However, portable single-photon detectors have limited efficiencies in the mid-wave infrared, which are colours (frequencies) we can’t see with our eye.

Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) can 3D print final parts from continuous carbon fiber composites with high structural and thermal performance. In this project, a custom-built 3D printing head with feeding and cutting capabilities will be designed and manufactured. It will be installed on a robotic 3D printer to manufacture parts from high-temperature continuous fiber composites. To show the robotic 3D printing manufacturing capabilities, complex 3D parts will be fabricated.

Cost estimation within mold manufacturing is critical for maintaining profitability and competitiveness. This project will look at a data-driven estimating method for accurate cost and labor assessment for quoting of complex molds. We will first analyze the features of molds and manufacturing processes. Next, investigate different methods for cost estimation, such as variant-based (case-based, and parametric), generative (activity-based, feature-based) and hybrid.

Industrial robotics (i.e. using robots for manufacturing processes) is one of the fastest growing industry sectors today. Traditionally, the process to program industrial robots has been laborious and time-consuming, with each robot having to be taken off-line for setup. Offline programming allows the robot users to program, simulate and generate code for multiple robots at the same time without disrupting the manufacturing process.

Moulded pulp, is a packaging material, made from recycled papers. It is used for protective packaging such as egg packaging, fruit trays and coffee cup carriers. For many applications moulded pulp is less expensive and environmentally friendly than plastics and styrofoams, however, due to their high water absorption and low strength, these products are limited to only few packaging products. Biobinder, a biobased binder, has been developed from University of Toronto to imparts water repellency and improves the strength of moulded pulp products.

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.

This project explores incorporation of artificial intelligence tools for advanced control techniques in order to improve quality on industrial production lines. Particularly, the novelty of this project suggests the use of the recent embedded computer systems and icloud computer assistance. This strategy is currently used for commercial products (i.e., application related to communication). However, this project explores how to use AI and dynamic optimization tools by identifying both dynamic structure and parameters.

In the steelmaking industry, process control models need to be based on a sound physical understanding of the process but should also account for many uncertainties due to the nature and complexity of the environment in which the process is carried out. As a result, it is crucial to extract useful process control information from the raw data stream acquired by the industrial sensors.

During External-Beam Radiotherapy in cancer therapy, Bolus, a thick sheet of flexible material, is used to cover the skin surface in order to minimize damage healthy tissues. A significant problem of using bolus is air gaps generated between the bolus and patient’s skin if an inaccurate shape of bolus was made. In this research, an efficient process of shaping and cutting bolus will be developed to improve the efficiency and efficacy of bolus forming in order to minimize the air gap. This new approach utilizes an unfolding and folding method.

To develop parts from an initial design to the final product is a very tedious process in the mold manufacturing industry. Computer Numerical Control (CNC) plays a major role in the mold manufacturing industry to create products in a fast and efficient manner. The goal of this project is to automate the CAD to CNC program code generation. A customized CAD tool will be developed that reads a three-dimensional (3D) CAD file specification for a part, and automatically synthesize optimized G-code that will be used to program the CNC machine to manufacture the given part.