Projets novateurs réalisés

Evaluating the potential of using a combination of bioremediation and phytoremediation for a hydrocarbon and metal contaminated site

The main aim of this research project is to develop and test a sustainable green remediation technology to bring down the contaminant levels in a hydrocarbon and heavy metal contaminated site so that it can be used for public use. Anthropogenic industrial activities can lead to accumulation of harmful hydrocarbons and heavy metals in soil environment which can have human health impact and may enter food chain affecting ecosystem as well. If these contaminations happen at a public site, then the space cannot be used by public unless the contaminant levels are brought down below the maximum allowable concentration

Engaging youth in a developmental evaluation of Raising the Grade

Raising the Grade is an innovative after-school program launched this year by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada (BGCC) in 25 clubs across Canada. Through the use of online learning tools, mentorship, and the early promise of a scholarship, the program hopes to engage youth at risk of dropping out of high school and help them graduate from high school and enroll in post-secondary education. The proposed internship is part of a long-term developmental evaluation of Raising the Grade being conducted by the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC). The internship will support the evaluation with a comprehensive review of the literature on the use of technology to promote student engagement, and engaging youth at one Club in the development of an electronic magazine about the early results of the evaluation. Both activities will help SRDC and BGCC learn more about engaging youth in the program and its evaluation.

Fonctionnement scolaire des enfants vivant en contexte pandémique et contribution du tutorat pour soutenir la réussite scolaire des enfants 6-17 ans.

Le 11 mars 2020, l’Organisation mondiale pour la Santé déclare que l’éclosion de la COVID-19 est désormais une pandémie. Face à la propagation du virus et à la mortalité qui l’accompagne, le gouvernement Québécois met en place les mesures de confinement strict. Les premières études établissent que l’adaptation globale des enfants est peu compromise par la pandémie, mais que certains groupes d’enfants s’adaptent moins bien que d’autres. Alors que la seconde vague sévit et que de nouvelles restrictions sont mises, l’adaptation des enfants peut avoir changée depuis mai 2020. Ce projet vise à comparer les niveaux d’adaptation psychosociale et scolaire des enfants 6-17 ans vivant en contexte de pandémie à court, moyen et long terme. Il est attendu que les enfants puissent démontrer des niveaux d’adaptation psychosociale et scolaire variables selon la durée de la pandémie et les mesures qui sont associées mais aussi selon leur niveau de vulnérabilité et leurs caractéristiques.

Battery lifetime optimization for AI @ Edge devices

Optimizing energy consumption of Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) devices is mandatory and challenging. Energy Harvesting (EH) from RF, solar, thermal, wind, and kinetic energy sources can be a good substitute for traditional batteries. EH is expected to have abundant applications in future AIoT and self-powered micro-systems such as wireless sensor networks and wearable devices. The combination of different sources of energy with harvesting capabilities is considered as a viable option to develop autonomous or AIoT devices with reduced dependency on batteries. Since the output voltage of the different energy harvesting mechanisms varies significantly depending on the strength of the ambient power source, they need to be converted into a suitable and stable voltage level using a power conditioning circuit. However, power conditioning of the harvested energy is very challenging. On the other hand, stringent requirements for low-power intelligent devices at the edge require the study and development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms and suitable hardware support to mitigate the computational demand of these systems.
In this research proposal, our main objective is to develop autonomous devices featuring AI algorithms with reduced battery dependence.

Summer-season streamflow prediction model for the Oldman River Basin (Phase 2)

Reliable monthly and seasonal streamflow predictions are essential for optimal planning of water resources, particularly for reservoir operation and planning applications. In addition, reliable streamflow forecasts can improve the capability of water use efficiency, along with early drought and flood warning, and its importance is rising with climate change, causing more frequent extreme drought events. Current streamflow forecasts in the Oldman River Basin are uncertain. It poses a risk is irrigators relied on them to plan for the next irrigation season.
Our project uses models that rely on input data rather than simulating physical processes and machine learning techniques to develop reliable summer-season streamflow predictions for Waterton and Belly Rivers in Alberta. Further, we study the risks associated with issuing the forecasts earlier in the wintertime. Reliable summer-season forecasts in Alberta can help water managers and stakeholders make better-informed decisions on seasonal water allocation, drought mitigation strategies, and environmental flow management.

Development of an automatic recruitment system using machine learning techniques

Computerization of tasks, adaptation to future skills, new training techniques, and cultural diversity are the main challenges that today’s employers face on a daily basis when recruiting new candidates. The increasing complexity of the process of searching for qualified candidates and the high turnover of talent are issues that arise from this new reality. In this project, and with the collaboration of two industrial partners, Thallo and Reelcruit, we propose to create a technological tool that optimizes the recruitment process. Specifically, we use machine learning, natural language processing and big data analysis techniques in order to match the right candidate with the right role. This project directly aligns with Thallo and Reelcruit mission and will expands their actual platforms to provide relevant recommendations for both recruiters and job seekers.

Évaluation d’une formation interactive en ligne pour soutenir les intervenants en camps de jour qui travaillent avec des enfants en situation de handicap

L’Association québécoise pour le loisir des personnes handicapées (AQLPH) est un organisme dont la mission implique notamment de favoriser l’intégration des enfants en camps de jour et en camps de vacances. Le projet de recherche vise à évaluer une formation en ligne conçue par l’AQLPH pour enseigner aux intervenants comment intervenir auprès des enfants en situation de handicap dans ce contexte. Les résultats de la recherche permettront d’identifier les meilleures pratiques pour soutenir ces intervenants tout en documentant leurs compétences et leur bien-être. En améliorant les pratiques, ce projet devrait avoir une répercussion positive sur la qualité des interventions offertes en camps auprès des enfants en situation de handicap.

Molecular decomposition of localizable Hardy spaces and applications

The theory of real Hardy spaces, denoted by Hp, and its local version hp, has been extensively developed since the 1960s. Among the countless important properties of these spaces, one can make note the atomic and molecular decomposition, which allows to describe a distribution on this space in terms of particular functions called atoms and molecules. These latter objects represent the basic building blocks of Hardy spaces and it turns out that some important properties of the space itself and operators acting on them can be obtained looking at this particular decomposition, which is plenty easier to handle. Although the molecular theory for Hp is fully developed, for the local version this structure is not completely understood yet. The goal of this project is to investigate and propose the right molecular decomposition for hp and apply it to get the boundedness of some classical operators in Harmonic Analysis, such as strongly singular Calderón-Zygmund operators.

Clearsum

Dans le cadre d’un Stage en stratégie d’entreprise, l’étudiant aura pour rôle de catalyser initiatives de développement des affaires dans le contexte particulier de la Covid-19.

La pandémie actuelle a eu un impact important sur l’entreprise en démarrage ainsi que sur ces clients, requérant de revoir des aspects importants des modèles d’affaires respectifs. Quels changements sont requis à court-moyen-long terme? Comment créer de la valeur de manière durable? Comment établir des partenariats d’affaires et positionner Clearsum en tant que joueur-clé dans la transition économique Canadienne et Globale?

L’étudiant devra mettre à jour la stratégie de développement d’affaires et d’engagement client et soutenir l’équipe de direction dans son implémentation.

Business Process Automation / Data Analytics

I will be working on a series of use-cases focused on task automation and data analysis. The goal is to increase efficiency by removing low-value-added work from employees, to free up their time for high-value-added work. The ultimate goal is to improve Spartan’s excellent standards of customer service and experience.

Surrey-North Delta Division Family Practice

The goal of this project to improve on the operations and processes effecting services at the clinics that are continuing to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently the offices are experiencing difficulty operating and seeing patients with the new restrictions. Clients are frustrated and dissatisfied with service at the clinic as a result of the difficulties affecting office staff.
With this project we hope to improve the experience of the patients and the physicians while working within the confines of the COVID-19 regulations. The intern in this project will assess current issues with operations in the office and research alternatives. They will then present their findings and recommendations to the project committee. Once solutions have been selected by the committee, the intern will begin implementing changes to operations while also assessing new office effectiveness.

Développement d’un amortisseur de motoneige semi-actif ajustable à commande électromécanique

La nouvelle suspension des motoneiges Ski-Doo de l’entreprise Bombardier Produits Récréatifs (BRP), le R-motion, présente un amortisseur passif dimensionné pour un type spécifique de motoneige. L’objectif est maintenant de concevoir un amortisseur semi-actif couvrant la vaste plage de fonctionnement de trois amortisseurs KYB présents sur les modèles de motoneiges GSX, MXZ-X et MXZ-XRS et, ainsi, d’avoir un seul amortisseur pour la suspension R-motion. Les caractéristiques d’amortissement devront être modifiables au niveau du volant en fonction du type de terrain et du mode de conduite choisi par le pilote. Pendant la durée du premier stage, un modèle de déflexion de cales a été créé pour déterminer la raideur d’un calibre (empilement de cales) en fonction de la pression d’huile. Ce modèle est actuellement utilisé dans le modèle d’amortisseur et permet de corréler les courbes expérimentales obtenues sur une machine hydraulique aux courbes théoriques.