Projets novateurs réalisés

Enhancing Pathways to Improved Shelter and Housing Outcomes for Newly Arrived Refugee Claimants

In Toronto, newly arriving refugee claimants have become the fastest-growing client group in the City’s shelter system, outpacing the rest by far. To support the City of Toronto in identifying effective strategies to address the refugee shelter crisis, Toronto Shelter & Support Services is interested in a comprehensive jurisdictional scan of shelter and housing supports available to refugee claimants across Canada, with a particular focus on the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). The study will include current and relevant historical data spanning the past 10 years and examine municipal supports along with provincial, and federal supports administered at the municipal level. The research will examine key factors including eligibility criteria, maximum length of stay, specialized programs, housing subsidies, and relevant metrics and outcomes. It will also include an analysis of policy gaps, evaluate the effectiveness of supports in meeting the shelter and housing needs of refugee claimants, identify inconsistencies in service delivery, and highlight best practices across jurisdictions. Based on the findings, evidence-based strategies and policy recommendations are to be developed for the City’s Toronto Shelter & Support Services to enhance outcomes for refugee claimant shelter clients.

How does macrophyte banks support early-phase fishes in Neotropical dams?

This project aims to understand how Small Hydropower Plants (SHPs) affects fish assemblages, especially vulnerable young individuals (larvae and juveniles). In this context, we are studying the role of aquatic plants (macrophytes) as their habitat . In addition to inventories of fish taxonomic diversity and we intend to examine how these fish use the environment and food resources. We will gain insights into how human-induced changes affect aquatic life and possible sustainable management actions. This collaboration will benefit both participating institutions by sharing knowledge, methods, and data between Neotropical and Canadian ecosystems, strengthening research capacity and creating new opportunities for innovation and learning.

Knowledge Graph based AI development

Knowledge graphs are a means of structuring semantic knowledge that can be used to increase AI reliability. In our applications, Large Language Model (LLM) chatbots are not on their own able to meet 100% accuracy goals for our scenarios, and we use the knowledge graph to reflectively validate answers before presenting them to the user. The development of the core technology, as well as specific user applications, is an ongoing research process that can benefit from the great students and faculty at the University of Victoria and allow us to bring AI scenarios to benefit Canada that would otherwise be impossible or unreliable.

Fonctionnalisation localisée pour un biocapteur plasmonique ultrasensible

Ce projet vise à développer un biocapteur capable de détecter en temps réel la réponse inflammatoire chez les donneurs en mort cérébrale afin d’améliorer la qualité des organes pour la transplantation. Cette inflammation, appelée tempête cytokinique, compromet la viabilité des organes et doit etre traitée “sur mesure”. Le capteur repose sur la technologie SPRI (Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging), qui permet une détection sensible et sans marquage de microARN, marqueurs précoces de l’inflammation.

Pour augmenter la sensibilité du capteur, deux approches de fonctionnalisation localisée des biopuces sont explorées : (1) une bi-fonctionnalisation sur des nanostructures d’or enterrées dans la silice, concentrant les sondes ADN dans les zones de champ électromagnétique maximal ; (2) un greffage photochimique activé par laser à deux photons, permettant une fixation covalente ciblée des sondes sur les « points chauds » de la surface.

La stagiaire contribuera à la mise en œuvre de ces stratégies à l’Université de Sherbrooke, en collaboration avec l’Institut des Nanotechnologies de Lyon. Ce projet renforce la coopération scientifique franco-canadienne et soutient l’innovation biomédicale en vue d’augmenter le nombre et la qualité des greffons disponibles.

Impacts of climate change on maple syrup production and mitigation measures

The maple syrup industry represents an important economic activity in Quebec. Sap production and annual syrup yield highly rely on climatic conditions, especially temperature, and harvesting methods. Due to climate change and warming, the sugaring season is expected to occur and stop earlier in spring. Consequently, maple syrup production could decline significantly, raising concerns among maple producers. Owing to the lack of experimental studies, active research on sap yield production at high temporal resolutions and in relation to environmental conditions, as well as comparing different harvesting methods, is crucial for the maple industry to adapt to the foreseen environmental challenges. This project will compare maple sap yields between two harvesting systems (gravity and vacuum systems), and examine how sap yields vary across hourly, daily, and yearly scales, as well as in relation to several key environmental drivers. Furthermore, vacuum pressure levels in the vacuum system will also be assessed. The project outcomes will be helpful to improve the capacity to forecast, understand and model sap exudation under different climate scenarios, which is essential for forestry and maple industry management. Finally, highlight the importance of the international collaboration this project represents, as it is crucial to ensure knowledge transfer among institutions.

Enhancing public participation and lived experience in City of Toronto advisory bodies

Advisory bodies are one of the many ways Toronto City Council and City staff receive input from the public and organizations to address priorities and inform decision-making, policy development and service delivery. This project will assess current approaches to advisory bodies in Toronto and other Canadian municipalities and, through jurisdictional research and participant interviews, identify municipal best practices and opportunities to improve the structures, processes and governance of advisory bodies for current and future Council terms.

Development of lignin-based dispersants for hybrid Alkyd/latex paint coatings: functionalization, stabilization, and performance evaluation

This project is a collaboration between Lakehead University in Ontario, Canada, and Åbo Academy in Finland. In this research, we focus on replacing harmful chemical ingredients, dispersants, with sustainable, renewable, plant-based materials to develop more environmentally friendly paints. Conventional paints, particularly those formulated with alkyd resins, often release pollutants or harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air and depend on synthetic chemicals that pose environmental risks and increase production costs. Our goal is to study the potential of lignin, a natural biopolymer found in plants and a byproduct of the pulp and paper industry, to be used as a safer, biodegradable alternative to help mix and stabilize paint components. By using lignin, we try to modify paints that are not only better for the planet but also affordable and high-performance. This research will benefit both academic and industrial partners by contributing to greener manufacturing practices and supporting innovation in sustainable materials.

Application of functionalised lignin nanoparticles as Pickering emulsifier in paper-coating

We are extremely excited about the collaboration between three leading research institutes-Lakehead University, KTH and RISE- driving innovation, skill development and shared expertise, all focused on transforming waste into value added products. We are pioneering a new approach for applying lignin, a biobased material in formulating a biodegradable, green and sustainable emulsifier. Lignin is a naturally occurring resource that is often considered a waste by-product of the pulp and paper industry, where it is typically burned or discarded. The final Pickering emulsion is to be used in paper-coating and printing application to improve the performance and durability of paper. On top of this, lignin will be chemically modified to be equipped with anti-bacterial, flame retardant, and barrier properties resulting in a multi-functional product with a wide range of application.

Digital-Twin Enhancement of Bruce Power Unit 7- Development of Digital Asset Library

This project will extend Bruce Power’s Unit 7 Digital Twin by developing a library of 3D digital assets comprised of digital models of nuclear plant components, each containing metadata referencing applicable technical specification data. Aligned with the CFI College Fund award that supports XR-enabled maintenance training, student interns, spanning computer science, web technology, nuclear engineering, physics/data analytics, and science education, will:
• create and animate selected 3D models in Unreal / Unity Engine,
• integrate metadata with relevant technical specifications,
• conduct data analytics and develop interactive dashboards, and
Investigate cutting-edge training applications in collaboration with Bruce Power staff and UofT OISE researchers.

Inh’âge – Impact des Composantes Olfactives et Trigéminales des Huiles Essentielles sur la Respiration : Étude Comparative chez les Personnes Jeunes et Âgées

Le projet Inh’âge vise à comprendre comment les substances odorantes influencent la respiration, en dissociant les composantes olfactives (floral, boisé…) et trigéminées (piquant, frais…) et en examinant l’impact du vieillissement sur ces interactions. L’expérimentation sera réalisée sur deux groupes (jeunes adultes et adultes âgés) et se déroulera en deux phases : la détermination des seuils de détection olfactive et trigéminée, puis l’enregistrement de la respiration dans différents environnements olfactifs (huiles essentielles à différentes concentrations modulant les perceptions olfactives et trigéminées). Le projet contribuera à développer des arguments concernant les interventions thérapeutiques non médicamenteuses utilisant les huiles essentielles pour des populations jeunes et âgées.

Real-Time Polymerization Kinetics and the Effects of Different Post Curing Protocols on the Elastic Modulus of 3D Printed Dental Resin

For decades, dentistry relied on manual processes to create restorations and appliances—methods that are prone to human error, inconsistency, and lengthy production times. 3D printing of dental resins is a transformative technology that is changing how restorations and prostheses are made.
3D printing can integrate with intraoral scanners and CAD/CAM systems to create end-to-end digital workflows for producing:
• Clear aligners for orthodontic treatment
• Crowns, bridges, and dentures
• Surgical guides that ensure precise implant placement
• Custom trays and splints for improved treatment outcomes
• Educational models that enhance patient understanding and surgical planning
What once required multiple appointments over weeks can now be accomplished in a single visit. However, do these 3D-printed resins match the mechanical properties of traditional materials? This project will examine the physiochemical properties of these 3D-printed resins to provide answers to this question.

Évaluation du programme d’intervention résidentielle – mérule

L’objectif général de la recherche consistera à évaluer l’efficacité du programme d’intervention résidentielle – mérule sur l’accessibilité des propriétaires québécois confrontés à cette problématique. Ce programme vise principalement à fournir un soutien financier aux propriétaires de bâtiments contaminés par la mérule, à assurer la durabilité des bâtiments et à suivre la situation au Québec (SHQ, 2024). L’étude permettra d’obtenir les premières données sur le programme recueillies dans un contexte rigoureux et scientifique. Mérule Québec pourra utiliser les conclusions de l’étude lors de ces différentes représentations auprès des élus et gestionnaires de programme.