Design and development of a domestic wood-pellet furnace for integrating with a steam-powered micro-turbine for large-scale CHP applications

Biomass combustion, which is a growing business, is used to generate heat and power. It is a very attractive system because it provides energy at cheaper price compared to oil and gas fuels and also emits fewer pollutants into the atmosphere. As the name implies, the combustion system is fired using renewable fuels such as forest and agriculture residues. To date, the biomass combustion systems developed locally, as well as internationally, have been used mainly where there are heat demands. However, Myera Group, a Canadian company, is gradually increasing its share in the energy market.

Innovative Use of Compost at Brady Road Resource Management Facility

The proposed research aims to develop general design parameters needed to optimize a large-scale landfill biocover for countering landfill methane emissions at Brady Road Resource Management Facility (BRRMF). The intern will conduct column studies aimed at determining the optimum combination of yard waste and leaf compost and biosolids compost for facilitating the growth of methane oxidizing bacteria known as “methanotrophs” in the landfill cover.

Climate change and genotype variations impacts on human health properties of wheat

Recent consumer interest in controlling and preventing chronic diseases through improved diet has promoted research on the bioactive components of agricultural products. Wheat is an important component of the human diet, providing energy, due to its high content of carbohydrate, and protein. In addition, wheat contains high levels of secondary metabolite (bioactive) compounds such as antioxidants. Wheat genotype, the environment, and possibly interactions between the genotype and environment are known to strongly influence the levels of these bioactives.

Power Flow control in HVDC Grid and its effect on the underlying AC power system stability.

HVdc is the preferred approach for transmission of bulk power into existing AC network from point to point and from remote generation resources because of technical advantages, including low transmission losses. Integration of HVdc grid with existing AC grid provides considerable economic benefits while throwing up challenges for effective control of both the grids at the same time.

Postdoctoral fellows share program benefits at Mitacs Elevate retreat

Submitted by admin on 07/06/2015

Mitacs Elevate participants from Alberta, BC, and Manitoba came together recently for a three-day professional development workshop. Titled Leadership in Innovation, the unique and intensive retreat was designed for new Elevate PDFs as part of their Mitacs fellowship orientation. The event provided attendees with principles and concepts they can use to understand leading, mobilizing, and managing creativity and innovation.

Prototype of a CHP system based on an upgraded gravity-feed wood-pellet furnaceintegrated with a steam-powered micro turbine for small- to mid-scale applications using CFD simulation...

Biomass combustion is used to generate combined heat and power (CHP). The combustion furnace of this study (WiseWay) has been providing heat in small scales using wood pellets. The target of this project, however, is to upgrade the stove’s design (for larger scale purposes and other biomass types) and integrate it with a steam microturbine (NextGrid). The resulting system is attractive to the environment and economy because it provides heat and electricity in one package, at a cheaper price compared with oil and gas, with less pollutants emitted.

Identification of Blood Biomarkers for Diagnosis of Peripheral Arterial Disease

Persons with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and healthy individuals will be recruited for a study to identify novel blood biomarkers for the diagnosis of PAD. Participants will be matched for age and sex. They will have their Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) measured. They will then be asked to return to the clinic within two days to provide a fasting blood sample. The intern will conduct a literature review regarding potential biomarkers for PAD diagnosis and become familiar with the diagnostic capabilities and equipment developed by Koven Technology Canada.

Sensor Development for Intelligent Apiary

This project will design an Apiary Management System to control and study environmental conditions that affect beehive health and honey production. Several efforts will be undertaken in developing this intelligent hive concept. In-hive environmental sensors will be implemented and thermal backplane will be developed to regulate the temperature within the hive. Sensors will be installed for studying bee movement, activity, and population. In the environment surrounding the apiary, food type and availability will be studied.

Assessment of safety and efficacy of probiotics use in premature infants

Probiotics are suggested to greatly reduce the risk of mortality and risk of infection in the gut of preterm infants. However, probiotics are rarely given to babies in hospitals in North America. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of probiotics supplementation in improving intestinal heath and preventing gut complications in premature infants. In this study, 25 preterm infants in St. Boniface Hospital will receive the probiotic for four weeks and 25 infants in the Winnipeg Health Science Centre will not receive probiotics.

Advanced Computational Algorithms for Transient Stability Simulation Using Dynamic Phasors

The main objective of the proposed research project is to develop a new transient stability simulation method based on advanced computational and modeling techniques that is both fast and accurate. Transient stability studies are an important part of system planning and operation as they ensure that a system will maintain stable operation following severe disturbances. However, traditional simulation techniques were not designed for the size and complexity of modern power systems.

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