Biomass is a key feedstock for the production of renewable fuels and chemicals with potential zero carbon emissions and at low cost. State of the art conversion of biomass to bio-fuels focuses on the pyrolysis of the feedstock at high temperature in conventional reactors. However, current technologies face many challenges to achieve lower costs than fossil fuels, higher yields, improved energy efficiency and product quality. This project aims to evaluate the production of renewable fuels from biomass using a dual spinning-disc reactor.

Most of the heavy oil and bitumen produced in Western Canada is transported through pipelines to refineries in North America. Prior to transportation, the high viscosity of those fluids must be reduced by either dilution with a light solvent or upgrading. The high costs associated with handling diluents has increased the interest in upgrading; that is, the thermal conversion of high viscosity heavy oil or bitumen into a less viscous product.

In order to improve the understanding and awareness for students about the management of energy efficiency and environmentally sustainable practices, this study will evaluate the effectiveness on changing children's awareness and behavior toward those aspects through of the implementation of educative material, previously developed by Nature's Ride, by way of scholastic workshops on primary school children. This study is foreseen helping students gain a clearer understanding of energy-saving practices in their everyday life, to achieve a greater awareness level.

The project investigates how collaborative tasks can be enhanced in AR environments. The intern will develop three approaches to present shared information in a co-located AR setting and conduct usability studies comparing these approaches.

We will develop advanced software toolkits for seismic inversion and imaging. These method are called Full Waveform Inversion and Reverse Time Migration (FWIIRTM). The FWIIRTM will be used to obtain accurate 30 images and elastic properties of subsurface complex structures.

For stem cell discoveries to translate into improved health solutions for Canadians, we must use engineering manufacturing practices to grow enough cells safely and efficiently. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have the unique ability to transform into any cell in the body when subjected to specified environmental conditions. They are invaluable in studying disease and gene functions and can be differentiated for potential use in transplantation.

Older adults are the largest growing segment of the Canadian population. Almost 40% of men and 59% of women aged 65 to 79 years experience sleep disturbances. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as educational programs and exercise, can improve quality of life of older individuals by enhancing sleep quality. Although strong evidence suggests that virtual reality (VR) programs are effective for improving mood, memory, and cognitive performance, little is known about the effect of VR exercises on sleep quality.

Shale reservoirs have become a very important source of hydrocarbons, especially in North America. Shales are rocks with very low permeability and therefore, produce the hydrocarbons stored in them is difficult. In order to do it, oil companies have to inject high pressurized fluids to break the rock. But, by using this unique strategy, most hydrocarbons are being left in the subsurface. This work aims to use mathematical and numerical models to investigate different methods that can lead to recover a bigger portion of the hydrocarbons stored in shale reservoirs.

Petroleum coke (PC) is a by-product of the extraction of crude oil from the Oil Sands in northern Alberta and has been shown to effectively remove total acid-extractable organics from oil sands process-affected water. This treatment may also lead to an increase in some heavy metals in the treated water and it is important to distinguish between coke-derived elements and those found naturally. The objective of the project is to develop an understanding of the sources and sinks of vanadium and molybdenum in the petroleum coke treated water in the Athabasca Oil Sands Region.