Innovative Projects Realized

Detection of human presence integrated into a manipulator robot

To be safe, collaborative robots must be able to detect human presence in their workspace. Different technologies exist to detect intrusions within a predetermined perimeter (physical barriers with switches, light curtains, etc.). However, these technologies require considerable modifications to the workspace, thus hampering their integration. We propose to integrate this functionality into a collaborative robot manipulator in order to minimize the necessary modifications to the workspace and thus reduce the costs of its integration. We will explore the various existing sensing technologies (laser, ultrasound, vision, etc.) to determine which sensors are able to meet existing detection standards (for example, ISO 13849 cat. 3 level D). The complete system will be demonstrated on a robot integrating the selected sensors and an on-board processing system that will be able to modulate the speed and trajectory of the robot according to the human presence in its workspace.

Milksta Moms Inc- Marketing and Business Development

Milksta Moms Inc is a startup company that manufactures and supplies decaf-coffee and tea powder designed to boost milk supply for nursing mothers. The company is planning to introduce a new line of products in the upcoming year. Milksta also aims to take its products into large retail chains like Walmart, Costco, and Target in the USA and Canada. Likewise, the company is looking to get the products into lactation clinics, natural and organic product stores.
The primary focus of the internship is on the growth of the company through marketing and business development activities. Our main goal is to increase brand awareness, increase networking, secure retailers in the USA and Canada, and market penetration in Europe. The arrangements with a few investors to take the products to retailers are underway. As operational activities will be moving fast in the upcoming year, there will be an equal need for rigorous marketing and business development activities. These activities will comprise developing ideas for promotional activities, identifying the most effective channel for promotions, monitoring, and measurement activities. Moreover, the focus will also be on strategies for business development, producing valuable and engaging content for the website and social media accounts, and many more. We will be developing policies and procedures for branding, customer service, and social media marketing to support the implementation of the aforementioned activities. Through this project, we aim to help Milksta grow their business, build the brand, and reach a large number of audiences in the USA and Canada.

Primeau Inc. – Executive Apprentice

For IMPACT SOCIETY: Development of the business processes required to be a sustainable and growing organization. Focus will be on the development of the plans and implementation of key activities to expand the organizations reach, refine information systems, improve operations, and grow revenues.

For GoodPin, the strategic analysis will focus on refining the sales cycle, onboarding, and implementation of the platform for corporate and charity clients.

The intern will contribute key growth and sustainability plans and supports for both Goodpin and IMPACT SOCIETY which in turn will benefit Canadian Youth through the work of IMPACT, and support a variety of charities and causes across the country through the Goodpin clients.

Étude de la revalorisation de la dorure dans une ligne de production alimentaire

Le projet de revalorisation de la dorure va permettre à l’entreprise de changer ses méthodes de production afin d’atteindre
un niveau plus élevé et une meilleure standardisation de la gestion de leurs déchets d’origine alimentaire. En plus, de
diminuer leur impact sur l’environnement en optimisant l’utilisation de matières premières et leur valorisation en fin de
conception, le projet a pour but de diminuer les dépenses liées à cet enjeu. En effet, à l’heure actuelle, La Boulangerie
Lanthier jette des tonnes de dorure due à sa production et doit payer une société pour pouvoir disposer convenablement
de cette dorure.
Les contributions attendues sont donc à la fois une diminution de cette dépense, dans le meilleur des cas une génération
de revenus avec les résidus de dorure, et une réduction conséquente des déchets enfouis sous terre dans les sites prévus
à cet effet.
Pour la collectivité du Canada, il s’agit d’un volume potentiel en moins à traiter par de l’enfouissement ou autre méthode de
gestion des déchets en plus de faire profiter des industries évoluant sur le sol canadien d’un co-produit gratuit ou à bas prix.

That Planted LIfe Internship

That Planted Life provides plant-based nutrition and wellness services to British Columbians. This project will identify COVID-19 related challenges to business, recommend potential solutions and update the business plan accordingly. It will examine options to geographically expand its services, identify opportunities for new projects and create a pathway to publishing a resource for sustainable living that focuses on a holistic approach to diet and health.

Toronto Ambient Air Quality Impacts from COVID-19

The use and burning of fossil fuels, such as oil and gas for transportation and industrial activities, are sources of both air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. While air pollution affects human health, greenhouse gas contributes to climate change. Therefore, reducing fossil fuel use can improve air quality as well as help fight climate change. The restrictions on transportation and industrial activities put in place in Toronto to limit the spread of COVID-19 provide a unique opportunity to help identify the sources of air pollution in the area. The proposed project will study variations of air pollutants concentrations before, during, and after the implementation of movement restrictions to understand the relative contributions of local sources to air pollution and their relationships with human behavior and activity. Further, as there may be a possible link between air pollution exposure and higher incidences of contracting COVID-19, this study will also help inform the City for the implementation of a recovery and rebuild scenario post COVID-19.

Ecosystem management of the forests of Central Quebec

The deciduous forests of southern Quebec have been heavily impacted by centuries of human disturbances and now bear little resemblance to the forests initially encountered by European settlers. In the coming decades, the climate in this region is expected to change considerably, thus facilitating novel insect pest and disease attacks in these forests. However, not all forests are equally susceptible to these potential threats; certain forest types could prove more resilient than others. In the proposed study, we will evaluate the resilience of dominant forest types to climate change and insect and disease attacks in the Centre du Quebec region. We will also identify areas within this region that are particularly vulnerable to these disturbances. The expected results of the proposed study will contribute to the development of forest management strategies that will enhance the resilience of forests in the Centre du Quebec region to future disturbances.

Development of Durable Ultra-low-Pt-loading Catalyst Layers for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Catalyst layers (CLs) determine the performance, durability, and cost of PEM fuel cells. The proposed research will focus on developing durable ultra-low-Pt-loading CLs with high performance and durability. The novel CLs will be fabricated by sputtering Pt onto a thin layer of carbon particles, pre-deposited on the membrane. The CL structure will be investigated by SEM, TEM, and the method of standard porosimetry. Electrochemical and mass transport properties will be characterized by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and Loschmidt Cell. The CL performance and durability will be investigated both experimentally and numerically. The intended impact of the proposed research will be on the improvement of cell performance and durability with reduced cost. The benefit to StarPower is in the generation of new knowledge and technology, as well as in the improvement of their products’ competitiveness.

Approche systématique d’identification et de prévision des incidents

La recherche vise à identifier les sources primaires d’incidents liés aux systèmes d’avions Bombardier, ainsi qu’à prévoir ces incidents à partir de données tirées des relevés de capteurs et des interventions de maintenance. Le projet a pour objectif le développement d’une approche systématique d’interprétation de l’ensemble de ces données temporelles et événementielles. Ce travail permettra également de soutenir la recherche dans les domaines connexes comme l’optimisation des programmes d’entretien d’avions et d’inventaires de pièces.

STRAT: Efficient Expander Data Center Network Architecture

Today, data centers are playing an essential role in the explosion of cloud computing services and the Internet. However, the current architectures of data center networks have not been optimized to transport traffic dynamically. In this project, we will develop a new architecture, which is based on the theoretical concept of Expander graph, for data center networks. We will build a hardware prototype, and mathematical simulation models for this new architecture, to measure it performance. We will also implement the algorithms to control the proposed data center network architecture efficiently, taking into account the state-of-the-art data transmission protocols.

Apprentissage Machine pour la Planification et la Gestion Optimale de Ressources et la Reconnaissance d’Événements Malveillants

Ce projet vise le développement de modèles d’apprentissage automatique capables de détecter des inefficiences dans le fonctionnement des systèmes informatiques critiques, de prédire les instabilités applicatives, de fournir des recommandations pour une utilisation optimale des ressources, et d’améliorer l’estimation des besoins de rehaussement des systèmes informatique du Mouvement Desjardins. Ce projet s’attaque à trois secteurs distincts, mais proche en termes d’outils, il permettra d’apporter rapidement de la valeur à l’organisation. Les trois secteurs visés sont l’étude d’identificateurs avancés de panne, l’optimisation de l’utilisation des ressources, et l’amélioration du prévisionnel pour l’ensemble des serveurs.

Maintien de la productivité du pin gris sur sable

Bien que les causes qui mènent à (et qui maintiennent) l’état improductif des pinèdes grises à lichens ont fait l’objet de nombreuses études, nous ne possédons à ce jour aucune stratégie d’aménagement durable des pinèdes sur sable. Les objectifs de ce projet sont 1) d’identifier les variables et processus (e.g. stress physiologiques liés à la disponibilité de l’eau et des nutriments, composition des communautés microbiennes et mycorhization, allélopathie) en cause dans le maintien des pinèdes grises improductives et dans le rétablissement de leur productivité et 2) d’émettre des lignes directrices pour assurer le maintien ou le rétablissement de leur productivité.