This research project attempts to tackle the major issues experienced with crankshaft vibration in modern internal combustion engines through the use of tuned finite element model and optimized rubber dampers. The purpose of this project is to lay out a systematic approach for the design of torsional vibration dampers when given a set of engine parameters. Current industry development relies heavily on the trial and error method as well as past engineering experience.

A web task is defined as the set of services, sessions, and sequence of interactions that are required to perform a certain user objective. The current Web tasking model does not consider user preferences and context when executing a Web task. The proposed research project aims to improve the experience of Web users through personalization of Web tasks. Personalization integrates the user's personal context with the task execution plan to serve the user's interest at best.

Heart transplantation depends on being able to move a donor heart from the location of harvest to the hospital where it will be implanted, and having the heart work once it is implanted. The time between excision and implantation is called the ischemic time. The safe ischemic time is about 4 to 6 hrs; hearts implanted after this interval have much less chance of survival. This safe ischemic time has not changed in > 30 years.

A new load-bearing precast concrete wall panel system has been proposed that uses composite materials instead of steel for reinforcement to reduce the level of heat loss through them and increase their R-Value. The panels will undergo destructive structural testing to determine how well the composite material system compares to a similar wall design that uses steel reinforcement. Bending tests, axial tests, and combined bending/axial tests will be preformed.

Knee osteoarthritis is a disabling disease affecting millions of people worldwide. Knee braces have been adopted as a treatment strategy to help manage osteoarthritis pain. These braces apply a force to the knee, which, in theory, reduces the joint loads in the knee. They also however change the way people walk, which can also reduce pain. The purpose of this research is to determine whether the positive effects of the knee braces are due to the altered walking patterns, or the force they apply to the knee.

The research aims to develop a device technology and software to recover surface information from a handheld scanner. The idea is to combine pre-existing object analysis technologies with a local device capable of reconstructing an objects shape from data collected by simple (shelf component) electronics as the device is passed over the object in the absence of information from a separate imaging system or device. The idea is to create the necessary technology to include realistic imaging as part of a ‘tri-corder’ like device.

Numerous industries and government agencies carry out analyses every day using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) instruments that typically waste 95% of the sample. A greener approach would not generate any sample waste. During this project, an infrared heated pre-evaporation tube will be developed and coupled to nebulizers from the industrial partner so as to allow 100% sample introduction.

During the proposed Mitacs Accelerate program time period, the intern (student researcher) will electrically evaluate, revise, and improve the integrated circuits himself designed for Peraso Technologies in winter 2013. This project will also include the design and implementation of a die package that hosts Peraso’s wireless communication systems including the integrated circuits designed by the intern. This project is part of Peraso’s R&D effort to improve the performance of its existing wireless communication system.

Logging operations in British Columbia produce an estimated 15.5 megatonnes per year (MT/yr) (oven dry basis) of forest residues. Traditionally this logging slash has been piled and burnt on site. Due to the rising concerns around climate change and increasing demand for energy, these harvest residuals are becoming a desirable fuel source for sustainable bioenergy production.

In the modern world people want fast access to the right data at the right time. The facilitator of this data transmission and interconnection is the internet. People are sending and receiving data through their different devices. In this so called ubiquitous era service providers are moving from in shop servers to cloud environments and from “multiple implementations for different devices” to a “one application fit all devices” paradigm. These paradigm shifts while attractive, opens systems to previously unknown security risks.