Projets novateurs réalisés

L2M Lensx AI wearable glass for the visually impaired

LensX: Empowering Independence for the Blind through AI Wearable Smart Glasses

LensX is an AI-powered assistive technology designed to support blind and low-vision individuals in navigating the world more independently. The project uses a combination of real-time computer vision and voice-based AI to help users identify their surroundings, read text, recognize objects, and receive auditory guidance all hands-free.

This project aims to develop and test a mobile-based MVP that will later integrate with wearable hardware. By collaborating with the visually impaired community, we hope to create a solution that is not only technically advanced, but also practical, respectful, and truly useful.

LensX is built with the belief that vision loss shouldn’t limit independence and this project is a step toward making that belief a reality.

Bridging the Gap Between High and Low Pressure Pyrolysis of Fluorinated Pollutants

Considerable scientific research is oriented towards providing answers to the disturbing effects of the impacts of global change. There is a growing need to introduce new methodologies to explore the often very complex and interconnected chemistry of the atmosphere. This research program aims to advance our current mass spectrometry-based studies on halogenated atmospheric pollutants with the spectroscopic tools employed in Cordoba to better understand the fate of these species at higher pressure.

Commande flexible de convertisseurs statiques pour applications en mobilité électrique

L’objectif de ce projet de stage de recherche est de réaliser une étude de méthodes de commande flexible des convertisseurs statiques en technologie de semiconducteur GaN pour la mobilité électrique. Le projet vise spécifiquement la proposition d’une stratégie de génération des signaux de commande flexible pour permettre l’optimisation simultanée du contenu harmonique de courant fourni par les convertisseurs statiques multiniveaux, l’optimisation du rendement global et l’application pour un système de traction; Il vise également, la proposition d’une architecture d’implémentation en FPGA la stratégie de commande proposée en vue de la valider expérimentalement sur un convertisseur multiniveau en technologie GaN; et enfin, il vise la proposition et la validation par simulation des algorithmes pour technologies de calcul quantique permettant la génération des signaux de commande optimisés. Le projet, en partenariat entre l’UQTR et les universités de Pamplona (Unipamplona) et Industrielle de Santander (UIS) en Colombie, permettra la formation de deux stagiaires, le premier de niveau doctorat d’Unipamplona, et le deuxième de niveau maîtrise de l’UIS en Colombie.

Deciphering the role of plant mitochondrial alternative oxidase (mtAOX) isoforms by protein carbonylation profiling

Plant cells naturally express enzymes that remove the reactive oxygen species (ROS) or prevent their production to a detrimental level under stress conditions. One such protective enzyme is the alternative oxidase enzyme (AOX) that is unique to plants among all other eukaryotes. There exist five AOX enzyme isoforms, AOX1a, AOX1b, AOX1c, AOX1d and AOX2, in the model plant species Arabidopsis thaliana. While AOX1a was found to be the most abundant and stress-responsive isoform, redundancy in the expression of the AOX isoforms has so far made it difficult to understand the biological function of the other isoforms and to disentangle the functional specificity of each isoform. The proposed research for the internship will leverage the profiling of proteins modified by ROS (by carbonylation) to investigate the function of individual AOX isoforms of A. thaliana. New protein targets could thus be found for breeding crops of high economic importance to Canada, including canola, maize, and wheat, with a focus on enhancing stress tolerance. The internship will also enable the training of a student from India and advance research in the two laboratories, thereby contributing to the research partnerships between India and Canada.

Integration of traditional and telematics data via mass imputation

While telematics data with measurements of specific driving behaviors such as speeding, breaking, and turning, have shown significant predictive power in modeling accident risk, its usability has been challenged due to the low proportion of auto insurance policyholders that agree to provide their telematics data to the insurance companies. In this regard, we propose a novel method to create the unobserved telematics features out of the observed traditional features and insurance claim experience based on the so-called mass-imputation method for handling both telematics data scarcity and selection bias. It is also expected that by blending methodological expertise from the home institution with the host’s access to Canadian insurance applications, this partnership will set the stage for joint student supervision, co-authored publications, and mutual visiting scholar opportunities.

Understanding Counsellors’ Perspectives on the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Farmers: A Descriptive Qualitative Study

SaskAgMatters (SAM) Mental Health Network Inc. is a support network created to offer a farm-culture friendly mental health support system for Saskatchewan (SK) Agricultural Producers (hereafter collectively called ‘farmers’). SAM offers six free counselling sessions with registered mental health professionals who have backgrounds in agriculture. SAM’s counsellors will be invited to semi-structured interviews focusing on assessing and improving SAM’s service model. This project aims to define the strengths and limitations of SAM’s services, along with recommendations for future actions, for the next iteration of SAM’s 5-year strategy. The reason for this investigation is to enhance and expand SAM’s services and support for SK farmers and reduce suicide.

Wearable ultrasound with machine learning for automated assessment of pneumothorax

The proposed research project will develop and validate a novel automated system that can continuously monitor for PTX (collapsed lungs). This system will integrate inexpensive, flexible, thin, and wearable ultrasonic sensors with machine learning. A hands-free and automated approach to assessing for PTX allows clinicians, or even personnel with less specialized training, to detect PTX earlier, make timely medical interventions, and manage multiple patients simultaneously. This project will help Deep Breathe Inc. develop and advance a new category of hands-free ultrasound technology that has the potential to revolutionize respiratory care, reduce the strain on healthcare resources, and improve the accessibility of lung ultrasound.

Towards Trustworthy AI in Dementia Care: Enhancing Anomaly Detection with Uncertainty-Aware Modeling for Aging in Place

This project aims to improve a home-based reminder system that supports people living with dementia and their caregivers. The system, called Remindful, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect unusual changes in daily routines that may signal health concerns. This research will make the system more trustworthy by adding features that show how confident the AI is in its alerts and by designing clearer ways to share that information with caregivers. The work will provide valuable learning opportunities and technical training for the student, while strengthening knowledge exchange between the University of Toronto and the University of Oxford in the areas of dementia support and interpretable AI.

Enhancing Competitive Rowing Performance through Real-Time Telemetry and Analytics

Rowing Precision, a Canadian sports technology startup, in collaboration with Brock University, seeks to design and test a versatile, on-boat performance monitoring platform that integrates advanced sensor modules, energy-efficient wireless communication, and an intuitive analytics interface. The system will deliver real-time performance feedback to support informed training decisions and enhance competitive performance.

Analyse rétrospective des changements post-approbation

Quelle approche structurée et quel outil centralisé peuvent être développés pour structurer et rassembler l’analyse des changements postapprobation, afin d’optimiser l’efficience du processus d’évaluation de leur impact réglementaire et d’assurer leur conformité à l’international dans une entreprise pharmaceutique globale ?
Le projet permettra de structurer et de centraliser l’analyse des changements post-approbation afin d’assurer leur conformité réglementaire à l’international et d’optimiser les processus décisionnels. L’organisation partenaire est une entreprise pharmaceutique Italienne internationale (Bracco) spécialisée dans le développement, la fabrication et la mise en marché de produits de contraste en imagerie médicale. Elle fait face à un volume croissant de changements post-approbation (qualité, sécurité, efficacité, étiquetage, etc.) qui doivent être évalués selon des exigences réglementaires propres à chaque marché. Actuellement, l’absence d’un processus structuré et d’un outil centralisé complique l’évaluation uniforme de ces changements et ralentit la prise de décision. Le projet vise donc à catégoriser les changements, évaluer leur impact réglementaire, et analyser l’environnement réglementaire international afin de confirmer la conformité des décisions prises. Ce projet permettra de développer un outil facilitant l’accès à une synthèse claire des impacts réglementaires associés à chaque type de changement. Il améliorera la cohérence des évaluations, réduira les risques de non-conformité et les délais de mise en marché, tout en favorisant une meilleure allocation des ressources. Sur le plan social, le projetrenforcera la collaboration entre les départements et soutiendra une culture de rigueur et d’amélioration continue dans la gestion des changements réglementaires.

Assessment of the effectiveness of various temperature correction factors in the retrocalculation of stiffness moduli of pavement materials

This project focuses on improving how we evaluate the condition of asphalt roads by studying how temperature affects the results of deflection tests, a common method for checking pavement strength. Since asphalt reacts differently depending on the temperature, ignoring this factor can lead to incorrect conclusions about road quality. The research will compare current methods with improved ones that take temperature into account, using real field data and simulations. The collaboration between ÉTS in Canada and UFPE in Brazil will benefit both institutions by combining their strengths—ÉTS’s experience with cold-climate pavements and UFPE’s expertise in modeling and analysis. The project will also help train a graduate student, promote international knowledge sharing, and support better, more cost-effective road maintenance strategies.

Eelgrass monitoring and management

Net Zero Atlantic is a non-profit organization, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, that is seeking to advance a sustainable and inclusive transition to a carbon-neutral Atlantic Canada through the provision of credible and objective data and support services. In service of this objective, Net Zero Atlantic leads applied research projects designed to help inform Atlantic Canada’s transition to net zero emissions. There are still significant knowledge and technology gaps that must be identified and addressed and the Emerging Concepts and Technologies (ECT) Research Program will make R&D investments to foster early-stage genesis of novel technologies in the region, and to evaluate the suitability of technologies emerging from other jurisdictions for application in the region. The economic potential for current emerging technologies in Canada is significant. By the 2060s, the market for net-zero solutions for the steel, cement, and chemicals sectors, for example, could reach almost $100 billion USD per year. Net Zero Atlantic is the umbrella holder for this project. In addition to the project activities and resources listed above in 2.5, NZA will track deliverables and scope changes, review interim and final submissions, attend presentations, disburse and track funding and report Program outcomes and expenditures to funders and NZA’s Board of Directors. The outcomes of the project will be leveraged by NZA ECT program to support Nova Scotia’s net zero emissions goals. COVE is a not-for-profit high-tech industry-leading innovation hub that helps leaders develop solutions for a better and sustainable world. COVE’s facilities, technology, programs, and services help innovators commercialize advanced products and services. COVE has a waterfront facility and is providing the ocean ecosystem through technical, logistical, and infrastructural support. The primary challenge addressed by this project is the lack of comprehensive data on the distribution, health, and carbon removal and sequestration capacity of eelgrass meadows in NS and the potential economic benefit to the province. With COVE’s expertise in the local ocean ecosystem, COVE is overseeing the drafting and publishing of a White Paper that aims to describe best practices for eelgrass monitoring and how this natural carbon capture method can support the province’s net-zero 2050 target while providing insights and advise to support Atlantic Canada in the global carbon market. COVE is further providing overall project management as the project lead of the NetZero Eelgrass project.