Automated speech enabled human-computer interfaces have become essential for the competiveness of many Canadian industries. The demand for more natural, simplified, and low cost user interfaces has made voice enabling of telecommunications, automotive, and consumer electronics devices nearly ubiquitous. Commercially available automated intelligent assistants have been developed to guide customers through problem solving scenarios.

Cable systems play an important role in many large scale simulation applications. Examples include marine systems, mining machinery, and cranes. The high fidelity and efficient modelling and simulation of these systems can enhance the applications and usability dynamic modelling environments. In this project we particularly target to develop models and efficient algorithms based on nonlinear finite element representation of the cables in largescale multibody simulation models. We will investigate core modeling and implementation aspects that are directly related to practical applications.

The proposed project complements the current work of the partner organization with polymeric materials. The evaluation of ultrashort laser interaction with solid matter of surface textured metal-like materials would help the partner organization obtain detailed process knowledge; a distinct advantage for broadening its service offering to address a different market segment.

Plastic packaging materials are needed in many food products to prevent spoilage and to extend shelf-life. This project focuses on developing plastic packaging materials that will not permit bacteria and fungi to grow on the surface of the plastic in contact with the food , bread in this particular case.

Two types of color changes occur in potato, raw potato darkening and after cooking darkening. We are investigating the factors behind each type of darkening in three potato cultivars (Chieftain, Goldrush, and Yukon Gold). Effect of digging method (hand/mechanical) and storage time (after 3,5, and 7 mo) were studies to find if the digging method and/or storage has any effect on darkening. In addition we are developing a digital photography system and color intensity measuring software to use in industry as inexpensive, quick, and more accurate determination of potato discoloration.

Long checkout lines at the grocery stores and wholesales are one of the biggest complaints about the shopping experience. Soon these lines could disappear when te ubiquitous universal product code barcode is replaced by smart labels, also called radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. RFID tags are intelligent barcodes that can talk to a networked system to track every product that you put in your shopping cart. In this project, Graphene, the wonder material of the century, will be integrated into RFID devices to increase its reliability and reduce its product cost.

Virtual environments represented by multibody system models play an important role in many applications. Adding the possibility of the user directly interacting with such environments via physical touch using haptics can significantly enhance the usability and range of application of simulated environments.

Canada’s municipal water suppliers are facing challenges from population growth, ageing infrastructure, and climate change. We can no longer rely on finding new water sources or increasing our abstraction rates; we must implement demand management approaches that reduce our need for water. This project will focus on the use of price reforms in Canadian municipal water-providing entities to reduce public water consumption. The data collection phase will take place at Econics, a company that provides environmental and financial services to water providers.

Big data is a collection of data sets so large and complex that it becomes difficult to process using on-hand database management tools or traditional data processing applications. The challenges include capture, curation, storage, search, sharing, transfer, analysis, and visualization. In this internship, we analyze a real-world big data set(s) to make sensible inferences by taking into account a selected range of criteria. A number of methods and algorithms are investigated, evaluated and evolved to advance the development of specialized tools and processes.