The graduate student (Simon Byrns) will work closely with pancreas surgeons and experts in computer image manipulation to generate 3D models of the relevant anatomy in pancreas surgery. These models will then be printed on a 3D printer and used to investigate their utility in the preoperative planning phase prior to surgery. The use of augmented reality (superimposing computer generated images on live images) to enhance the visualization of internal structures within the 3D models will also be investigated.

The cleanliness of restroom drives people’s preferences. In places such as hotels, restaurants and hospitals, a dirty bathroom will drive away potential customers as it lead them to question the cleanliness of the whole facility. Visionstate Inc. developed WANDA (Washroom Attendant Notification Digital Aid), a LCD touch screen that display the time of most recent restroom service and a interactive interface to request restroom maintenance. The proposed study is to investigate whether features of WANDA enhance people’s perception of bathroom cleanliness.

Increasing global energy demand coupled with efforts to reduce our carbon emission has pushed for improved energy efficiency in many areas. One area in need of improvement is residential and commercial buildings. Specifically, the demand-side energy management of commercial buildings can be improved significantly with improved control. With the addition of on-site renewable energy generation such as Photo-Voltaic and energy storage, a large commercial building can be optimally controlled to provide reliable, stable power while maintaining minimal wasted energy.

This project aims to provide much needed evidence to service providers and program managers working in the field of early childhood development (ECD). Early childhood programs are required to provide evidence of tangible outcomes to validate the impacts of their programs. Organizations, though, do not always have the knowledge, resources, or capacity to support such processes and the intent of gathering such evidence is interpreted differently depending on the individual sector.

The goal of this Mitacs research proposal study is to develop and apply experimental methodology for transdermal delivery of bone-targeting peptide hormone drugs. We aim to deliver these compounds using an appropriate hydrophilic-hydrophobic Diffusimax liposomal drug delivery cream base to anatomically superficial bone, at the sites of stress fractures (also known as “shin-splints”) in order to trigger bone repair, reduce pain burden, and to minimize possible side effects if those drugs were used systemically.

Egg yolk contains IgY antibodies that target various infectious disease and food allergens. IGY Inc is a company focused on utilizing chicken immune system for antibody production. IgY antibody contains 0.64% of total wet egg yolk, after cracking each egg IGY Inc generates 60-70g of liquid egg white which has a low commercial value. Egg white is a rich source of dietary protein and also known for its biological activities. Therefore the primary objective of this study is to develop a pragmatic technique to hydrolyze egg white to produce peptides with biological activity.

Improving feed efficiency (FE) and meat quality (MQ) are Canadian swine industry priorities that will increase sustainability and competitiveness. It is difficult to improve these traits simultaneously by traditional breeding methods due to limited knowledge of genetic interactions, limitations on animals that can be measured and the high cost of measurement. High throughput genomic technology has the potential to positively impact these issues. Our overall purpose is to develop a genomic assisted breeding program to simultaneously improve FE and MQ.

Biosolids, the materials produced during treatment of sewage sludge, are produced in extremely large amounts each day in every town and city across the globe. This material contains significant amounts of bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can be detrimental to human heath and must be carefully disposed. Added to this, there are currently few uses for biosolids even after sterilization. Municipalities around the world, including our partners with The City of Edmonton, are eagerly looking for novel and innovative technologies that will consume biosolids.

Pipeline operators are required to make decisions for various complex pipeline integrity situations on a daily basis. These integrity situations often comprise a complex interaction between integrity threats such as corrosion, cracking, third party damage, dents, buckles, and wrinkles. A pipeline operator usually develops their own processes towards dealing with each specific integrity threat. In general, the processes are developed based on the stipulations by the Canadian Oil and Pipeline Systems Standard, the in-house experience, and the current up-to date integrity specific research.