For project, the intern will assist with the development of a new software package for a product line of hyperspectral imaging devices for Channel Systems Inc, a developer of technologies for scientific and industrial imaging and measurement. The general purpose of this research is to implement mathematical, statistical, and chemometric tools as software algorithms in order to enhance quality of data and explore both qualitative and quantitative information contained in the hyperspectral data sets. The proposed research is two-fold.

During the last few years, Breast Microwave imaging (BMI) has shown its potential as an alternative technique for breast cancer detection. BMI offers a variety of features, such as a high contrast between cancer and breast tissue and non-compressive image acquisition procedures which would make its use desirable in a clinical environment. Due to the fact that target reflections present different travel times and the collected data is a function of the arrival time and scan location, the recorded responses must be reconstructed in order to be properly visualized and interpreted.

Frantic Films, headquartered in Winnipeg, MB, has developed a reputation for creating innovative, custom built R&D solutions. The intern’s research project will straddle both the worlds of microbiology and physical simulation in order to create a dynamic, physically-based model of the cytoskeleton within a cell.

Vidir Machine Inc. is a manufacturer of custom agricultural and industrial machinery in rural Manitoba with a keen interest in green energy and environmental applications. Thus, a gasifier bed model will be developed to predict the oxidizing reactions occurring inside a straw gasifier. This model will then be integrated into an overall gasifier model to predict the process parameters inside a two-stage gasifier. This model will be used to optimize the air control system and provide a method to develop a feedback control loop on the primary and secondary air system.

Data mining refers to non-trivial extraction of implicit, previously unknown, and potentially useful information from data. In this project, the intern will apply data mining techniques to agro-meteorological data provided by Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI). Specifically, he plans to develop mathematical solutions to analyze both current and historic weather data as well as related information such as crop yields, soil inventories, and crop management practices.

Existing screening techniques for detecting breast cancer like X-ray Mammography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Computer Assisted Tomography (CT) have some drawbacks, such as the inability to detect cancer at early stage, over sensitivity or requirement of breast compression. A new approach that has the potential to overcome these shortcomings is Ultra Wide Band (UWB) microwave imaging. This imaging method is based on solving Maxwell’s equation to determine dielectric properties profile with known electric field measured by antennas surrounding the breast.

This research involves mathematical analysis of the recorded brain electrical signals in epilepsy patients with the aim of developing a seizure prediction and classification system. The seizure is an abnormal activity of the brain cells that requires immediate medical attention. The process of recording brain signals is performed for clinical and diagnosis purposes by the medical staff while the intern will be responsible for analysis of the recorded signals to design a predication algorithm and he will not be involved in data recording.

Several vehicle component modules will be developed as part of this project to validate if the proposed approach can be used to develop a comprehensive vehicle simulator that can meet expected design criteria. The proof-of-concept simulator will be developed to be able to address all requirements. Furthermore, the proposed vehicle simulator libraries will be developed to enable the use of the simulator to model various vehicle configurations, including plug-in hybrid in parallel configuration.