Projets novateurs réalisés

Aggregation and removal of microplastics and nanoplastics using conventional and alternative coagulants

Small plastic particles (microplastics and nanoplastics) are found in oceans, lakes, and rivers. Their effects on organisms and human beings are still unknown. Microplastics and nanoplastics found in the environment will be weathered, coated, and/or fragmented. Yet, the effects of these modifications on microplastic and nanoplastic removal during water treatment are yet to be thoroughly understood.
The objective of this project is to understand how the efficacy of coagulants is affected by changes in the surface of microplastics and nanoplastics. We will induce these changes by coating the particles with organic matter as well as weathering the particles. Maximizing the removal of these more realistic plastic particles will allow our partner to assess their coagulants and thus recommend what products are best for targeting microplastics and nanoplastics.

Contribution à l’entraînement de modèles d’apprentissage statistique appliqué aux agents conversationnels en assurance

Les agents conversationnels ont révolutionné la manière d’interagir avec les fournisseurs de service, mais re-quièrent d’être correctement entraînés par rapport au domaine d’application visé. L’outil Olivo développé par Koïos Intelligence vise à offrir une expérience interactive, guidant l’utilisateur au travers des processus de pré-vente, de vente et d’après-vente pour tes les types d’assurances. Son amélioration se heurte cependant aux exigences computationnelles lourdes pour l’entraînement des modèles d’apprentissage automatique sous-jacent. Le projet vise à développer de nouvelles stratégies d’entraînement plus efficaces pour de tels pro-blèmes caractérisés par un jeu de données de très grande taille ainsi qu’un nombre de paramètres très impor-tant, rendant les outils usuels d’optimisation inapplicables ou très peu efficaces. Les nouvelles approches pro-posées aideront non seulement Koïos dans la mise au point de son outil, ainsi que la calibration de modèles avancés en apprentissage automatique.

Portail Web de la Société des sciences vasculaires du Québec comme outil à l’autonomisation : caractérisation de la population cible et motivations à son utilisation

La majorité des personnes atteintes de maladies chroniques souhaite participer activement dans la prise de décision concernant leur santé notamment en étant mieux informée. Un portail Web en santé peut être une des solutions. Ce projet a pour objectif de mieux connaître les utilisateurs d’un tel portail afin de l’adapter et de répondre pleinement aux besoins des utilisateurs. Ainsi deux questionnaires, seront construits, validés et distribués aux participants recrutés. Le premier questionnaire sera complété avant la consultation du portail et le second questionnaire après. De plus, deux entrevues de groupe seront effectuées afin de bonifier les données recueillies à la suite des questionnaires. L’analyse des données permettra d’une part d’optimiser le portail actuel afin de potentialiser son utilisation, et par la suite en poursuivre son développement d’une façon ciblée et éclairée.

Thiopurines as host-targeted antivirals

We discovered that thiopurine drugs have potent antiviral activities against respiratory viruses including influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2 and “common cold” coronaviruses. Inhibition of human GTPase enzymes is central to the antiviral mechanism of action of these thiopurines, but the precise target enzymes remain unknown. The primary goal of the current proposal is to work with Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation (API) to identify the molecular target(s) of these drugs, and to use this information to develop superior molecules with greater specificity, potency, and safety. This research will lay the groundwork for the development of a new class of broadly acting host-targeted antivirals that are not so easily undermined by rapid viral evolution.

Geospatial intelligence in support of an integrated energy pathways prediction in Quebec Province

The integration of new technologies, on both supply and demand sides, with the existing energy infrastructure, is always a challenging ta sk. First, the a mount of energy demand must be predicted to manage the needs of deploying in the future. Second, the predicted energy must be introduced to a simulation tool (e.g., PTDC) to model the utilization behavior of each technology with respect to the capacity of the existing power grid. These steps allow us to readjust the input information and tuning parameters for forecasting the energy demands a nd pathways to deeply decarbonize the energy sectors. Accordingly, the intern needs 1) to build a database to forecast the energy demand for Quebec province based on the historical information a nd contributing indicators (GIS information), 2) feed the energy demand to PTDC power system simulation tool by creating a data pipeline, 3) Automating the whole process for scenario analysis. These tasks ca n help the intern improve his skills in terms of multidisciplinary research and development, data production, and data analysis.

Aircraft optimization and sizing methodologies

The proposed research project concerns the development of optimization tools and sizing methodologies used to assess optimal structural airframe configurations and aerodynamic lines for given business cases. A PDF intern will be in charge of proposing improved optimization strategies, mainly related to composite material, and of adding specific capabilities inside the internally developed sizing tool (LibStress) with the aim to increase the reliability and accuracy of the optimization models. In addition to these tasks, the PDF will have to help coach Master’s students that are part of the development team. A PhD intern will work on the improvement of the efficiency and robustness of an optimization method used for aero-structural applications. One Master’s intern will be in charge of further developing an internal tool (WiSPER) related to the prediction of wingbox weight and stiffness used for the conceptual aircraft optimization phase. The second Master’s student will lead a comparative study highlighting the value of using alternative finite element method (FEM) tools that better address the optimization framework needs and constraints. The third Master’s student will take part in an optimization project related to specific wing components (i.e. ribs and spars). TOBECON’T

Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface for Practical Implementation of IoT Networks

The race to the Internet of things (IoT) paradigm is fueled by leading technological enterprises and governmental institutions for a fast transition into the Fourth Industrial Revolution where machines, sensors and actuators can communicate and process data to enable a more efficient production cycle. To pave the way for the advance in IoT, next-generation wireless networks, sixth generation (6G), will play a crucial role in bridging the gap between the current technologies and achieving the diverse requirements of different IoT use cases. The work, in this project, will provide a significant improvement of users’ energy efficiency, network security and network connectivity for a practical implementation of IoT in 6G networks. Specifically, we will investigate the role of the reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) technology in improving the performance of IoT networks. Nevertheless, the integration between 6G and IoT will bring various economic prosperity and opportunities and various digital services to Canada.

Impact des matières résiduelles fertilisantes (MRF) sur la santé et la sécurité des sols receveurs

Ce projet de recherche vise à évaluer l’effet de la valorisation agricole des différents types de MRF sur l’amélioration de la santé globale des sols. En effet, l’impact de l’apport de MRF sur la régénération de la MO du sol est bien connu. Cependant, la capacité de ses produits à créer des fractions organiques stables de carbone demeure peu documentée. Il est donc important de réaliser une spéciation du carbone pour déterminer ses différentes proportions, la taille de ses particules et sa composition biochimique. Ce fractionnement aidera à développer des indicateurs de la santé des sols basés sur le carbone permettant d’expliquer l’effet des composantes carbonées des MRF sur la croissance et l’activité des microorganismes et des systèmes racinaires. Outre une utilisation plus efficace des MRF, ceci contribuera à l’accroissement de la rentabilité des entreprises agricoles, et à la limitation des risques environnementaux.

The role of hybrid and online learning environments in fostering entrepreneurial intent: A Study of the ARTprenuers program

Using a participatory action approach, this research will examine the potential of the ARTpreneurs program to support social connection, knowledge sharing, and skill building among young artists in the Atlantic region.

Board Management and Configuration for Datacenter FPGAs

Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are a programmable technology that enable the implementation of hardware circuits. FPGAs are now being used as computing devices, but lack the capabilities and services provided by the operating systems used in all software-based computing systems. The goal of this project is to develop some fundamental operating system features for FPGAs that will provide the ability to build applications that are portable between different FPGA boards, make it possible to change the program in the FPGA boards without rebooting the host computer, and facilitate the management of the FPGA board by software running on the host.

Work improvement for the manual heavy structural workstations by using dynamic value stream mapping

The goal of the proposed research project is to improve the work productivity for the partner company (Ocean Steel) by identifying bottlenecks accurately in the steel fabrication workstations. This work included evaluating the current applied solutions in order to resolve the same problems encountered with Ocean Steel, which was done by conducting a literature review. However, many of the solutions that were found were not applicable to the Ocean Steel case, meaning that some improvement is required). The work will include activities such as time studies, simulation modelling, and lean-based optimization. Having accurate information about the productivity of their company as well as having a better opportunity of work improvement and production are all ways that will benefit the partner company from this project. Finally, Ocean Steel will be able to use the final deliverables from this research as a decision support system.

Large-scale land acquisitions, electoral democracy and rural citizenship in Senegal

My research examines the significance of opposition to large-scale land deals for electoral democracy and citizenship in Senegal. Since 2007, there has been a dramatic surge in land acquisitions in the Global South. These projects, because they often encroach on community farmland and pastures, can profoundly damage rural livelihoods. In Senegal, aggrieved populations across the country have mobilized to prevent the seizure of their land, most of which is managed by elected municipal councils. These protests denote changing representations about the respective rights and responsibilities of the state and individuals. This research project aims to understand rural citizens’ expectations toward their elected officials and measure whether contested land deals lead to party turnover at the local level.

During my stay at the University of Copenhagen, I will analyze qualitative data that I collected in Senegal as part of my postdoctoral fellowship and start drafting a policy report. As an eminent expert on land matters in West Africa, Professor Christian Lund will provide feedback and guidance on my findings, thereby enhancing the breadth of my analysis. The research stay will be the occasion to establish more extensive collaboration with Professor Lund, including the possibility of co-authoring an article.