Projets novateurs réalisés

Generation of integration-free, high-quality iPS cell lines from a non-invasive, accessible tissue source, the plucked hair follicle

In theory, hair cells will be reverted back into stem cells and then pushed towards pancreatic progenitor cells to create pancreatic organoids. The goal of the project is to pluck hair follicles from individuals across Canada, cryogenically preserve them and use those follicles towards reprogramming. We want to determine whether or not we can create high quality iPS cell lines using a tissue source which can be obtained anywhere in the world, without a painful procedure. If successful, this would mitigate the burden of cell collection with respect to autologous iPS- based therapies. It would also generate a research biobank of iPS cell lines, which can be further evaluated to determine the effects of donor age and the quality of the starting material on iPS generation. This in turn would validate Acorn Biolab’s commercial services of biobanking as well as provide a possible end-use case for the stored samples.

Pilot testing the recovery of gold from mine tailings using a novel clean technology

AJ Min Inc. is developing a novel technology to recover gold from tailings material. The technology requires little energy, little to no reagents, and little to no additional water. Past testwork has indicated that this technology can recover significant amounts of gold from some tailings material, and that the recovered gold can be upgraded. This project will build on previous testwork to assemble and test a pilot unit to evaluate if the recovered gold can be upgraded sufficiently to be commercially viable. In addition, empirical models will be developed from the testwork to describe the performance and capabilities of the technology.

Implementation of the Quality Management System in VIBRAINT Inc.

According to the World Health Organization, one in six people worldwide have a stroke. Two out of three survive, but up to 85% suffer from paralysis and only 5% fully restore. This is one of the reasons why the rehabilitation exercise equipment market reaches $2.2B in 2021, as published in Markets & Markets, REHAB EQUIPMENT MARKET – FORECASTS TO 2021, 2019. However, in this huge market there are almost no tools to help in case of large paralysis. VIBRAINT Inc., an Ontario corporation is developing a rehabilitation robotics device named VIBRAINT RehUp incorporating a brain-computer interface (BCI) and purposed to help paralyzed people in regaining motion. BCI helps the largely paralyzed and also provides opportunities for personalized, including at-home, rehabilitation starting from the 2nd-3rd day after stroke, when it is the most effective. VIBRAINT RehUp was successfully clinically piloted and is now being prepared for industrial manufacturing. Through this Mitacs Business Strategy Internship funding VIBRAINT, with Shaw Quality, the consultant firm that VIBRAINT has hired to help with developing the Quality Management System (QMS), two students from Seneca College’s Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs (RA) and Quality Assurance (QA) program, under the supervision of Professor Greg Staios, will work on developing QMS documents describing design, manufacturing and handling processes and risks from templates pre-developed by Shaw Quality, in coordination with VIBRAINT professionals.

Reduction of CO2 emissions using AI-based algorithms and optimization methods for the optimal control

The generation and supply of energy is the largest anthropogenic source of CO2 and thus contributes significantly to climate change and the associated global consequences. As a result, a reduction of CO2 emissions in energy generation and distribution is an unavoidable key issue that must be addressed. In this research project, the main focus is on deriving methods to reduce the CO2 emissions of energy generation, distribution and consumption. Our research directly addresses this issue by developing validated models of sector-coupled energy systems, ranging from household level to cities, and to optimize their energy systems using intelligent algorithms, including AI-based methods.
The research of the PhD students showed, that tremendous savings in emitted CO2 can be expected by optimally controlling the energy system. This knowledge is fueled by the opportunities offered at the University of Waterloo as one of the most prestigious universities in the field of energy research worldwide.

Integrated modelling system for the North Atlantic Right Whale

Our integrated modelling system for the North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW) will help predict the presence of this critically endangered species in the Northwest Atlantic shelf, including the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Gulf of Maine. Our international consortium composed of partners from Canada, the United States and France will develop models based on high-resolution operational circulation models and satellite-derived bio-optical variables using NARW’s preferred prey (the Calanus sp. zooplankton species) as a sentinel species. Our novel tools will help decision-makers and mariners make more accurate recommendations when determining restriction zones for anthropogenic activities in areas likely to encounter NARW.

Connected Canadians – Feedback Coordinator

Connected Canadians is a non-profit organization that provides older adults with free technology support and training.
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for their services significantly, as our ways of connecting, interacting, and living have shifted online. Connected Canadians has been growing its volunteer mentor team significantly to help meet the rising needs of its clients. The proposed research project is to monitor and document the knowledge gained by senior clients through our training activities to improve training processes. The project would involve collecting feedback from our senior clients and analyzing it, utilizing research tools such as qualitative interviews and online surveys to gather information and translate them into key learnings and findings. The goal of this research project is to support the learning and growth of both the senior clients and the technology mentors and improve Connected Canadians’ future mentor onboarding processes and senior client learnings.

Stage d’analyse de marché

Depuis le début de la crise du Covid, Thales Digital Solutions tente d’adapater une partie de ses algorithmes d’optimisation et de prédiction au domaine médical.

Il y aura 2 trames de recherches principales :
– les hopitaux et la gestion des salles d’opération
– les pharmacies et la précision/gestion des commandes
L’objectif principal de la recherche sera d’étudier ces 2 marchés afin d’aider TDS à se positionner.

Pour ce qui est de la méthodologie, une première recherche sera basée sur les sources de données ouvertes comme google ou les bases de données universitaires auxquelles vous avez accés.
Cela sera compléter par des recherches plus qualitatives afin de confirmer ou infirmer nos hypothèses via la réalisation d’interviews de personnes du secteur.

L’étudiant travaillera en étroite collaboration avec l’équipe stratgie et marketing ainsi que le représentant des ventes du département Santé .

Biomechanical Factors as a Diagnostic Aid for Aortic Pathologies

We have developed a software tool that could be used as stand-alone software, or could be implemented in a vascular diagnostic suite (for example within the post-processing software that accompanies most CT and MR scanners). The tool would allow surgeons and radiologists to better evaluate the current state of the aorta under examination and the likelihood of rapid enlargement, rupture or dissection. This added tool would be used together with the existing vascular diagnostic tools, such as diameter and rate of growth providing an improved and more effective diagnosis. The suite enables a complete set of measurements from patient-specific data that includes 3D map of strain, 3D map of local material properties, and. 3D map of stress. We envision the use of this technology towards helping clinicians in evaluating individual aneurysms. The maps provide an index of rupture potential based on geometrical and structural factors, as well as tools to visualize and export 3D and 2D measurements. Specifically, local areas of high deformability, as well as areas of low stiffness and high stress will be illustrated.

Prise en compte de la couverture de glace sur la modélisation des émissions de gaz à effet de serre des réservoirs hydroélectriques nordiques

G-res est un outil utilisé par plusieurs organisations internationales pour estimer les émissions de gaz à effet de
serre (GES) produites par les réservoirs hydroélectriques. Malheureusement, il ne tient pas compte la couverture
de glace, qui a un effet barrière sur ces émissions plusieurs mois par année en milieu nordique. Le présent projet
vise à pallier cette lacune en intégrant à G-res un module simple simulant la période d’englacement du réservoir
en fonction de ses caractéristiques et des conditions climatiques. Dans le cadre du projet, nous caractériserons
d’abord la couverture de glace de multiples réservoirs hydroélectriques du Québec grâce à des campagnes de
carottage de glace et un suivi par télédétection. Ces données serviront à élaborer un module de croissance et de
fonte de glace, qui sera ensuite validé sur une base de données internationale. Ainsi, ce projet contribuera à une
meilleure estimation des émissions de GES de l’hydroélectricité en région froide.

Détermination de métriques pour l’évaluation de la performance et l’amélioration continue d’un exosquelette pour les travailleurs de la construction

Les blessures ou lésions au travail constituent la deuxième cause la plus importante d’invalidité au monde. Afin
d’aider les travailleurs dans leurs tâches et réduire l’exposition aux blessures, l’utilisation d’exosquelettes est une
avenue prometteuse. Il existe déjà plusieurs exosquelettes d’assistance pour la production automobile et les
industries manufacturières, mais ceux-ci ne sont pas adaptés aux travailleurs de la construction. Il devient donc
nécessaire de développer un exosquelette spécifique aux travailleurs de la construction sachant que juste au
Québec, plus de 138 000 salariés exerçant un métier manuel de la construction pourraient bénéficier d’un tel
exosquelette. Biolift ayant développé un premier prototype d’exosquelette pour les travailleurs de la construction
horizontale en collaboration avec des partenaires de ce secteur, le but de ce projet est d’établir des indicateurs
qui évaluent la performance et l’utilité d’un tel produit en situation réelle ainsi qu’une proposition de solution
technique pour évaluer ces indicateurs.

Investigating freshwater habitat conditions of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and subsequent effects on growth, condition, and marine survival

The Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) is an iconic species for the people of Eastern Canada, holding extensive economic, cultural, and ecological value to Canadian people and First Nations communities. As Atlantic salmon occupy freshwater streams during their juvenile life stages, the condition of this habitat can greatly impact their development and survival. These linkages however are currently poorly understood. Through a collaborative partnership between the Nova Scotia Salmon Association, the Gespe’gewaq Mi’gmaq Resource Council, and the Institut national de la recherche scientifique, the connective aspect of freshwater habitats and their effects on Atlantic salmon will be investigated through three studies: 1) simulating past and future freshwater conditions of several Atlantic salmon habitat rivers through modelling, 2) connecting trends in biological characteristics of juvenile Atlantic salmon to historical freshwater conditions using 50 years of historical data, and 3) investigating the impacts of high water temperature events and thermal refuge availability in rivers on Atlantic salmon growth, condition and marine survival. The findings of these projects will directly impact future conservation projects and management strategies for Atlantic salmon habitats.

Vers la carboneutralité de l’industrie minière; capture et revalorisation du CO2 nordique

Les règlementations des gouvernements et la pression sociétale grandissante obligent les grands émetteurs de
gaz à effets de serre (GES), principalement le dioxyde de carbone (CO2), à réviser leur empreinte
environnementale. Avec l’augmentation quasi exponentielle de la taxe carbone au Canada, l’incitatif au virage
vert devient non seulement environnemental, mais aussi économique.
Au travers d’une analyse technico-économique en collaboration avec CIRCUIT CO2 et Agnico Eagle,
différentes technologies de capture à la source, ainsi que diverses possibilités d’utilisation du CO2 capturé seront
évaluées et présentées à la direction du producteur d’or de classe mondiale. À l’aide de simulations de procédés
et de modèles économiques, les scénarios seront jugés selon leurs coûts et leur potentiel d’abattement
d’émissions produites lors de la génération d’électricité nécessaire aux opérations des sites nordiques de
l’entreprise.