Projets novateurs réalisés

A Machine Learning-based Tool for Generation and Evaluation of Product Design Concepts

The global competitive market requires products to meet the high customer satisfaction, low production cost and short development cycle. Product design searches for potential solutions of products to meet customer requirements based on design constraints and technical details. As a large number of possible concepts have to be explored in the design process, applying the existing approaches and tools is a costly and time-consuming process. To overcome the limitations, a novel approach is proposed based on reinforcement learning to train intelligent agents for learning design. The approach will apply the existing design knowledge and available resources for product functions to generate the optimal design solution for reduced cost and time in the product design. A case study of the hand rehabilitation device design will be used to test the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed tool.

Inferring Subjective Ratings for In-car Speech Using Objective Measures

This project explores how computer algorithms will be used to predict the intelligibility and quality of in-car speech processed by hearing aids. Hearing impaired listeners graded in-car speech for a set of conditions. The conditions include seating position of talker, seating position of speaker, levels of background noise, and hearing aid processing methods. Each hearing impaired participant graded processed speech using multiple criteria. For each assessment criteria, a function is generated that maps the assessed criteria to the result of each computer algorithm. These functions are then used to predict human gradings for new speech signals.

Development of a functionalized clay-biochar from agricultural waste for improving crop water-use efficiency

Climatic and soil conditions played a crucial role in crop productivity, and thus impacted the economic benefits of the entire industry, especially in Canada. Biochar is widely known as a sustainable material as soil amendment. However, conventional biochar lacks the ability to improve water-use efficiency. A new type of biochar is being developed by co-pyrolyzing locally sourced clay materials and native agricultural wastes to solve this problem while maintaining a low cost. Such biochar can help provide a number of positive effects on crop yields, such as conservation of soil moisture and enrichment of soil-mineral nutrients. Such improvement will benefit the producers by reducing the amount of irrigation water while enhancing crop yields under changing climatic conditions. The biochar in the soil can also help to enhance the strength of the ecosystem, decreasing the risk of fertility loss and soil erosion, thus enhancing the stability of Canada’s ecosystem.

Transcriptomic analysis of follicular somatic cells after vitamin supplementation using Vicomb® feed additive in bovine Year Two

In cattle, energy requirements after parturition increase exponentially, primarily, due to increase in milk production. Negative energy balance hampers reproductive efficiency, inflicting heavy economic losses to dairy industry. Poor reproduction is the most important cause of culling dairy cows. Feed supplementation with vitamins improves energy balance. Also, observations in humans indicate that folic acid and vitamin B12 improve oocyte quality and pregnancy establishment. Unfortunately, these vitamins are degraded to large extent while their passage through rumen, making oral supplementation practically inefficient in cattle. Recently, JEFO® has developed a rumen-non-degradable vitamin feed supplement called “Vicomb®” for cattle. Initial studies showed that Vicomb® improves serum concentrations of various vitamins. However, there is no information available about the impact of Vicomb® on reproductive efficiency. Our objectives are to evaluate Vicomb® effects on reproductive efficiency through gene expression and metabolic analyses. Vicomb®, if found effective, would result in great economic gains for dairy industry.

Neutrino luminosity constraints on first-order quark-hadron transition densities

In this research, we investigate what neutron stars are made of: matter as we know it, such as neutrons and protons, or a plasma of matter’s most fundamental particles, quarks and gluons? We study the possibility that these two phases of matter are present in the center of neutron stars and try to predict the transition point between them, known as the quark-hadron phase transition density. To do that, we compare predictions of different models for luminosity, mass, radius and deformability of a neutron star to the most recent astrophysical data. With these comparisons, we hope to establish limits on the quark-hadron phase transition density, which could be used to inform more accurate theoretical models in the future. We will also investigate how sensitive our conclusions are to the models with which we are working. In the current era of multi-messenger astronomy, research like ours is a crucial bridge between theoretical and observational fields.

Transformation of healthcare data management using blockchain technology

The healthcare industry is focusing on utilizing emerging technologies to make healthcare systems secure, interoperable, and efficient. Blockchain technology offers promising features, such as immutability, security, traceability and decentralization, appropriate for clinical healthcare interoperability and data sharing.
This project is part of Lab2Market program, which provides a commercial opportunity to utilize blockchain technology, a new promising decentralized technology, in the healthcare sector. The proposed framework is backed by one of the existing blockchain platforms and automated smart contracts to enhance collaboration between multiple parties for medical data sharing and access management. It also provides a unified perspective for both patients and healthcare providers.

Dynamique du transport sédimentaire dans la Rivière Saint-Jean Saguenay – Restauration des processus naturels

Les rivières du Saguenay ont été grandement affectées par la crue de juillet 1996. Suite à cet évènement majeur, des enrochements massifs de berges ont été réalisés. Ces enrochements contribuent aux problèmes de déconnexions des bandes riveraines engendrant des modifications aux systèmes fluviaux et à la diminution des sédiments nécessaires au maintien des processus naturels. Ce projet se réalisera sur la rivière Saint-Jean, L’Anse-Saint-Jean, où 71% des berges ont été enrochées depuis 1996, où un barrage a été érigés en 1957 et où les modifications dans le cours d’eau ont provoqué un déficit sédimentaire. Ces modifications de la dynamique naturelle ont mené à la diminution de la qualité de l’habitat pour le saumon et la truite de mer. Ces ajustements survenus et leurs impacts sur la dynamique naturelle expliquent la réduction de la superficie et la quantité de secteurs potentiels de fraies qui sont en diminution dans la rivière. L’objectif de ce projet est de quantifier la dynamique hydrosédimentaire de la rivière Saint-Jean afin de restaurer les processus hydrogéomorphologiques naturels.

Injection and Ignition Characteristics of Gaseous Fuels

Greenhouse gas emissions from commercial vehicles are a major contributor to climate change worldwide and need to be reduced to meet net-zero GHG targets. High-efficiency engines will continue to be used in many countries for the foreseeable future; switching the fuel to low-carbon methane blended with renewably generated Hydrogen offers a pathway to low net GHG emissions. This project aims to develop underpinning understanding of the injection and ignition of methane and hydrogen and their blends. The work includes optical assessment of fuel injection and ignition processes with a conventional glow-plug as an ignition source. This knowledge will allow Westport to develop better engine systems that can run at maximum efficiency over a range of low carbon fuels.

Accessing Greenspace: Barriers and Solutions in a Deprived area

The purpose of this research is to gain a greater understanding of current levels of nature connectedness and barriers to accessing local greenspace within the deprived area of Workington, England.

Research Aims
The aim of this piece of research would be to work closely with local organisations and community groups to assess existing levels of nature connection and access to local greenspace, with a focus especially on young people, those in the older demographic and people experiencing mental health issues and physical conditions which limit ability to access nature.

Using the principles of nature connectiveness and collaborative co-production, the research would investigate barriers and solutions to increasing connectivity with nature at a local level. The resulting research would put forward solutions for tackling local barriers and proposals for activities that would inspire and engage people to connect in a meaningful and relevant way with nature.

Engineering Sustainability Policies within the Building Sector in Ontario as a Basis for Impact on Equity Seeking Groups

Currently, the building sector accounds of 36% of end-use energy consumption in Ontario. With the rise of appeal towards green energy, the government has focused greatly on developing sustainability policies. Additionally, Ontario has seen a rise in the equity-seeking communities’ population over the last few decades. Aknowlegding the success of sustainability policies is greatly depends in the participation of the entire population leads to the question of inclusivity of inclusive population. The proposed research will investigate the overarching perceived impacts of sustainability movement on equity-seeking groups in Ontario. This research will be completed via conducting comprehensive literature review, interviews with sustainability experts and data analysis.

Development of Twin Slice TRASE MRI

A new Magnetic Resonance Imager (MRI) design, Twin Slice TRASE MRI, will be verified. The new MRI design is suitable for use in space, on the Moon and in the Canadian north where the operating environments are extremely rugged and demanding. The design will be verified by modifying a basic TRASE MRI ankle-size prototype that has flown in zero-g on an NRC jet. The verification of the MRI design with clear test images, along with the ruggedness already proved by the zero-g flight, will position Pelican MRI. Inc. to develop a head-size version for deployment to northern Canadian health clinics.

Dataset Building for climate change cloud application

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are used to document the climate impact of construction and other materials. The Company is working with nonprofit BuildingTransparency.org to digitize EPDs and make them available in a free, open-access database. The company uses scripts and AI to read the PDF-based EPDs and digitize them. The project involves reviewing partly-digitized EPDs, correcting errors, and using the fixed EPDs to train and refine the digitization procedure.