Innovative Projects Realized

Experimental Assessment of the Optical Properties of Lanthanide-doped Upconverting Nanoparticles and their Interaction with Graphene

In the frame of this research project, lanthanide-doped nanoparticles will be synthesized that are able to convert low- to high-energy light in a process called upconversion. Given their outstanding optical properties, these upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) are promising candidates for applications ranging from biomedicine to optoelectronics and the energy sector. We will combine UCNPs with monolayers of graphene into novel UCNP@Graphene hybrids. Graphene is an excellent conductor of electricity and can absorb light with a wide range of wavelengths, though, most of the times the absorbed light is converted into heat. By combining the graphene sheets with the UCNPs it is believed that the emission properties (and thereby the upconversion efficiency) of the hybrids are significantly improved. The created hybrids are thus intensively studied by different analytical tools and techniques, such as transmission and scanning electron microscopy, hyperspectral imaging and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Ultimately, we aim at developing a whole new class of optoelectronic devices using the upconversion properties of the UCNPs and the strong light absorption and flexibility of graphene. One of the envisioned devices are flexible and highly efficient solar cell to reduce the need for carbon and nuclear power plants.

Interspecies competition between Bacillus and Pseudomonas on plants roots

Bacillus and Pseudomonas are ubiquitous bacteria found in the soil and are used as biofungicide in organic agriculture. Their beneficial effects include secretion of volatiles and phytohormones promoting growth and several antibacterial metabolites that suppress phytopathogens. Recently, it has been demonstrated that some Pseudomonas species affect Bacillus growth through the secretion of secondary metabolites, likely decreasing their beneficial effects on plants. Indeed, little is known regarding the resistance mechanism used by Bacillus to defend its ecological niche. To improve our understanding of the chemical exchange between those two species and with the help of the Dr. Traxler lab’s, this project will focus on characterizing the metabolic profile of both bacteria in competition in synthetic and environmental condition with cutting-edge imaging mass spectrometry, a technique that is currently not available in Quebec. This collaboration will allow us to acquire the knowledge necessary to understand the chemical language of both species to optimize the use of Bacillus in the field.

Mise à l’échelle de la vidéo en super-résolution (Super-R) grâce à l’apprentissage automatique

Ce projet consiste à appliquer des algorithmes d’apprentissage automatique AI pour mettre à l’échelle la vidéo standard (hors ligne et en temps réel) en super-résolution. La plupart des projets de super résolution vidéo actuels ciblent des scénarios d’application hors ligne. Nos projets optimiseront l’algorithme et sélectionneront l’ensemble de données approprié. Tout en prenant en charge les scénarios hors ligne, nous réaliserons plus de super résolution vidéo pour les scénarios en temps réel. Les algorithmes d’IA utilisés dans le projet sont: SRCNN et SRGAN. Ces deux algorithmes sont largement utilisés dans le traitement des images vidéo. Nous utiliserons ces deux algorithmes et d’autres algorithmes d’apprentissage machine connexes pour améliorer la résolution de la vidéo.

Towards Next Generation Translation Management with an adaptation to specialized and low-resource domains

This project fits into the strategic goal to accelerate transition to digital technology in working with universities to research and analyse industry trends. The second phase will help the Ciena Documentation team test ideas and to implement them in the Component Content Management System (CCMS) and Translation Management System (TMS) in order to improve their

ability to meet end-users’ expectations. The value proposition for Ciena is deliver exceptional user experience with the documentation and improving ease of use.
The outcomes of the project will contribute substantially to the progress of the Canadian ICT industry. Indeed, ENCQOR is the transformational Canada-Québec-Ontario partnership focused on research and innovation in the field of 5G disruptive technologies, on adoption initiatives and system uses. ENCQOR establishes the first Canadian pre-commercial corridor of 5G digital infrastructure — the key to making the digital economy a reality. ENCQOR’s five-year strategy and unique focus on providing access to 5G networks to SMEs, researchers and academia means it is purpose-built not just for unlocking the technological promise of 5G in the near term, but for driving long-term economic growth in Québec and Ontario and in the broader Canadian innovation ecosystem.

Robust Non-contact RF Sensing for Human Vital Sign and Activity Monitoring

Non-contact sensing for vital signs and human activities utilizing wireless signals has attracted a lot of attention in the last few years. Sensing using Ultra-wide-band or milli-meter wave radios is advantageous in its ability to penetrate garments or walls, operate under different lighting and weather conditions, and better preserve people’s privacy. Despite successful research demonstrations, there remain significant gaps in practical adoption and deployment. Many challenges need to be addressed to handle the presence of multiple subjects, subject diversity and environmental interferences. In this research program, we aim to develop robust non-contact sensing solutions to detecting vital signs and extracting high-level analytics of human activities in indoor and in-vehicle environments. The projects are expected to not only advance the state-of-the-art in algorithmic design for non-contact RF sensing but also develop proof-of-concept prototypes and demonstrative applications.

Injustices numériques et patrimoine archéologique autochtone en Basse-Côte-Nord: vers la création collaborative d’une éthique des nouvelles technologies.

Ce projet analyse les injustices épistémiques qui entrent en jeu dans la production de connaissances archéologiques par les communautés innues de la Basse-Côte-Nord (Unamen Shipu et Pakuashipi), et propose de former des principes éthiques permettant de corriger ces injustices. Le concept de préservation fournit une base de travail auquel des principes complémentaires viendront se greffer. Ces derniers sont élaborés à l’aide d’une démarche collaborative qui permet de travailler avec des communautés autochtones dans le respect de leurs valeurs, besoins, et pratiques culturelles. Un modèle de préservation numérique sera développé pour être appliqué en Basse-Côte-Nord. Il contribuera à préserver son patrimoine archéologique autochtone par ses communautés, il permettra aux jeunes de ces communautés de développer des compétences facilitant la recherche d’emplois futurs dans le domaine du numérique, et il aidera à développer une vitrine numérique et archéologique à même de redynamiser économiquement la région par l’augmentation de son flux touristique.

Etude expérimentale des décharges électriques en milieu liquide.

Le couplage d’un plasma avec un milieu liquide est un projet de recherche très original, en termes des applications dans différents domaines et en termes de physique fondamentale.
L’objectif du projet est de réaliser une étude expérimentale des décharges électriques dans ou en contact avec l’eau. Cela permettra d’identifier des caractéristiques physico-chimiques associées aux décharges électriques (composition chimique, température) grâce à des techniques expérimentales reposant sur la spectroscopie d’émission et l’imagerie rapide.
Les applications envisagées concernant la dépollution des eaux et traitements des déchets, notamment en termes de composés pharmaceutiques.

Développement d’agents de piégeage supportés sur chitosane pour utilisation en milieu organique

La chitine est un biopolymère entrant dans la composition de la carapace des crustacés. Ce faisant, il représente un coproduit important de l’industrie de la pêche pour lequel le développement de nouveaux débouchés demeure un enjeu. Or, le chitosane (un dérivé de la chitine) pourrait représenter une matrice de choix pour le développement d’outils permettant une transition vers une industrie chimique plus verte. En ce sens, ce projet vise le développement d’agents de piégeage supportés sur chitosane, soit des résines permettant d’éliminer les catalyseurs métalliques après leur utilisation. Ainsi, le stagiaire sera appelé à préparer les résines et à évaluer leur performance dans différents milieux organiques. Pour Merinov, ce projet sera l’occasion d’explorer une voie de débouché pour un coproduit marin abondant au Québec. Au sens large, ce projet s’inscrit dans une initiative visant à rétablir une production locale de chitosane, soutenue par le développement d’applications à haute valeur ajoutée.

Real-time Analytics and Decision Support for Patient Flow Management 2

Large community hospitals and teaching hospitals in Ontario operate at congestion levels most of the time. This translates into long wait times for the patients, cancelled procedures, undue stress for the clinical staff, and inefficiency in hospital operations. In order to address the bottlenecks in patient flows, decisions are made by the clinical staff based on incomplete data which may be several hours to several days old, manually, in an ad hoc manner. Furthermore, these decisions may be optimal for the Unit (the Emergency Department, or the Cardiology Department, for instance), but sub-optimal for the hospital as a whole. Our proposed research project is to investigate an information system to facilitate and guide the decision-making on patient flow management when needed, in order to address the root causes of the bottlenecks, and hence decrease the patient wait times, without increasing the burden on the Clinicians.

Ontario’s Digital Research Infrastructure Needs Assessment And Capacity Building

Researchers in Ontario use various digital tools, technologies, and services to help with their work. This includes software, hardware, and people with technical expertise. Compute Ontario helps ensure that researchers have access to the digital resources and services that they need to complete their research. The demand for these resources is growing in Canada, and it is important that researchers in Ontario have the tools they need to complete their studies and assist in discovery. This project aims to capture the technological needs of Ontario researchers and identify priority areas for Compute Ontario. This needs assessment will help inform Compute Ontario’s strategy moving forward and ensure that these gaps are targeted in a strategic manner.

Polysaccharides cell wall dynamics and wall-related resistance in the cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) / Phytophthora megakarya interaction disease

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is an important economical crop cultivated in tropical countries. Cocoa black pod disease, caused by Phytophthora megakarya, an oomycete, is the most economically important threat of cacao in Cameroon. Upon infection, oomycetes pathogens develop various strategies to gain access to the nutrients and eventually causing the death of the tissue, including the physical penetration through cell wall. To the best of our knowledge, cocoa pods cell wall polysaccharides have not been described so far. Therefore, this project aims to analyses the composition of cocoa pods cell wall polysaccharides. Secondly, in order to evaluate the possibility that cell wall structural features in cocoa pods may contribute to the resistance to P. megakarya infection and black pod formation, we would analyze the enzymatic systems associated to cell wall polysaccharides from pods of cocoa cultivars susceptible (SNK10) and resistant (SNK413) to infection by Phytophtora megakarya in healthy, infected pods or infected pods treated with calcium base formulation recently developped in our lab.

Green Construction Using Self-Consolidating Earth Concrete (SCEC) With Improved Multifunctional Performance

Rammed earth materials can bring many advantages regarding its low energy consuming and environment impacts and high thermal mass. To overcome the time consuming and labor-intensive process of construction, self-consolidating earth concrete (SCEC) can be an innovative solution to facilitate placement, consolidation, and achieve good performance. The Phase 1 will identify the optimum volume of paste, water-to-powder ratio (w/p), cement content, cement-to-clay ratio (c/c) and sand-to-total aggregate ratio (S/A) based on the targeted rheology properties and compressive strength development. This will be exploited to propose a a guideline for achieving SCEC with different soil types and achieved adapted properties given the application on hand. Moreover, no-cement mixture will be investigated in which only silt and clay are acting as binders. The Phase 2 of this investigation aims to evaluate the thermal performance of SCEC. The porosity, as a function of the microstructure of the material, and absorption of water play important roles in thermal performance of a building material since water has higher thermal conductivity than air.