Projets novateurs réalisés

On-board gaseous fuel compression for low greenhouse gas commercial vehicles

To reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from goods transportation low-carbon fuels can be combined with high-efficiency engine systems. Gaseous fuels such renewable natural gas and hydrogen offer low net GHG emissions from efficient direct-injection engines. These engines use high fuel injection pressures that need to be supplied during operation by a compressor on the vehicle. This project will investigate the technical pathways that could provide the desired fuel pressures. The objectives of the work include identifying the best way to drive the compressor; preparation of models to guide the design of the compressor system; and development and evaluation of two prototype compressors that can operate on a range of gaseous fuels including NG and H2. A successful outcome from this project will allow high-efficient low-GHG engine technology to be applied to transport truck applications worldwide.

Challenge of detecting deep infrastructures

The raw materials that support and accompany the development of society will always be essential beyond the technological evolution. The challenge is to renew the reserve of natural resources at great depth. For new exploitation of these resources, the borrowing of old infrastructure of mining camps above and below the ground makes it possible to reduce investments by minimizing the new environmental impact, especially for mature and urbanized mining districts like the Abitibi greenstone belt. Knowledge of the condition of the soil before (accessibility), during (stability) and after (reusability) mining exploitation is therefore important. By carrying out a research project, we wish to advance our knowledge of the detection capacity of underground infrastructures in order to aid future operations in a more secure, profitable and sustainable manner.

Forex data gathering and analysis acceleration

A prototype Forex currency trading system has demonstrated a proof of concept on a static data set. The current project proposes to implement the trading system for real-time applications.

Foreign currency trading (Forex) is a high risk activity where low stakes multiply out to large gains and large losses.The trading activity is time dependent and very small time differences can result in gains or losses. By analyzing trading activity CTSForex aims to provide a strategy thatgives the trader an advantage over a sequence of trades.The strategy depends on an algorithm that requires data gathering and analysis in close to real time. The internship proposed therefore includes fast data gathering from the web, the rapid execution ofpredictive analysis of the data and the automatic execution of Forex trades on the basis of the CTSForex algorithmic analysis.

Weakly Supervised Behavioral Modeling for Controllable AI Agents in Video Games

The project aims at developing a new type of Reinforcement Learning algorithm that would allow to retain more control over the artificial agent once its training is completed. This framework would combine modern unsupervised modeling techniques to capture the variability of a set of demonstrations and user-defined programmatic functions that can characterise particularly important factors of variations. Ultimately, the user would be able to specify to the learned agent what type of behavior should be executed at test-time. While this contribution could benefit many AI applications involving sequential decision making, it is particularly interesting for the video game industry as such a tool would allow game designers to make better use of machine learning approaches for in-house testing.

Opportunities for Sino-Canadian Collaboration in Global Health Governance and Multilateral Pandemic Response

The coronavirus pandemic has elevated global health governance from a “low politics” position in foreign policy practice to an economic and security priority of international importance. Conventional foreign policy approaches to pandemic management have proven ineffective in the time of Covid-19, as states struggle to fulfil public health obligations in an increasingly globalized world. Canada’s inability to contain and manage the coronavirus is further complicated by its challenge of navigating a global order shifting to multipolarity as a middle power with close ties to the United States. This project will review recent epidemics and pandemics to determine the limitations of conventional foreign policy approaches in managing highly contagious viruses following the 2008 Global Financial Crisis. It will suggest the advancement of global health as a non-traditional security (NTS) issue, and identify realistic opportunities for improved Sino-Canadian health diplomacy. The project will address political-economic factors un/favourable to effective health diplomacy as a sub-objective to strengthen its findings.
The partner organization, the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy, will benefit from the publication of a rigorous research report on a topic at the forefront of nearly all current foreign policy issues. Findings of this project will be publicly available to the Canadian foreign policy research community. IPD welcomes the opportunity to forge a relationship with the University of Waterloo and Balsillie School of International Affairs and enter more collaborative projects that benefit students.

The effects of a nature-based mindfulness-compassion intervention for older adults delivered using virtual reality

Mental health problems in older adults (>65 years old) are becoming increasingly prevalent in Canada, with high rates of depression, anxiety, and social isolation found in long-term care facility residents. These psychological challenges are being exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. There is thus a need for effective and innovative health strategies to help support older adults’ psychological well-being. The proposed research project is a partnership between Dr. Khoury’s mindfulness research lab at McGill (PhD Intern: Isabel Sadowski) and Super Splendide. We seek to investigate the acceptability and effectiveness of a multi-user 360-HD video virtual reality (VR) application, Excursion VR, that aims to support older adult mental health and well-being through incorporating elements of nature, mindfulness, compassion and social connection. If successful, ExcursionVR has the potential to promote geriatric health utilizing a technology that is accessible and safe, given the current global context. This project will also support Super Splendide in the effective development, market validation, commercialization and scaling of ExcursionVR.

Post-harvesting biodiversity recovery curves for the boreal forest

Canada’s boreal forests are dynamic landscapes whose forest structure and biodiversity are altered by both natural and anthropogenic disturbance. Timber harvest is one of the dominant anthropogenic disturbances in these forests. We need to better understand how the biodiversity within these forests recovers after harvest. In this study we develop biodiversity recovery curves for harvested forests, considering various biotic groups (e.g., birds, mammals, vascular and non-vascular understory plants, invertebrates, fungi). We expect recovery trajectories to vary among forest types and natural regions, requiring both local understanding and broader landscape pattern discernment. We will use species richness and community composition to assess biodiversity recovery among taxa, following published methods and employing identified sources of relevant ground data to produce curves that generalize biodiversity recovery post-harvest. Our findings can be used, including by ABMI, to inform the Biodiversity Management Framework, sustainable resource development, land use planning, and cumulative effects management.

Intern

iGen Education is an innovative approach to education, which includes offering outdoor courses and integrating STEAM principles into curriculums. The vision behind iGen Education is “Learning beyond the walls of the classroom.” The intern will have the opportunity to promote how our programs can benefit students and their families as well as the greater community, and consider the different communication methods we can utilize to retain more clients and amplify the message of our company values. This will be done by creating a website and digital marketing plan, business development strategy, conducting online campaigns, and ongoing brand promotion.

Marketing Intern

I will be doing a marketing internship at Riahi Patents, Inc. This is a company that works on helping businesses with research understanding the validity, scope and legality of their intellectual property. I will be working to help develop the company’s marketing strategy, to uncover the best customer acquisition strategies, and help the company increase their traction online.

Bioprocessing strategies for enhanced production of heme in Escherichia coli

Ardra Inc. has sustainably produced many high-purity chemicals that are used for various flavor, perfume, and cosmetic applications. Combining industrial/business expertise provided by Ardra with academic/research skills provided by Dr. C. Perry Chou’s lab, we are aiming to effectively produce high-value heme compound using engineered E. coli host organism. Major efforts will be dedicated toward engineering of this bacterium by adopting synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and bioprocessing strategies to facilitate large-scale bio-based production of heme. As a long-term goal, it will provide innovative strategies for the production of heme in a clean, sustainable, and cheap way. Lastly, it will enhance world biomass economy and biomanufacturing capacity, leading to the improvement in the quality of life.

Enterprise4Good – Social Media Marketing Intern

To develop and implement a comprehensive Social Media strategy for the entire organization with a special emphasis on the Good4U social enterprise. The Good4U store relies on sales of donated new and used merchandise to budget minded customers. The revenues from this business activity will support our programs and services to vulnerable children, adults and seniors.

Étude de la compostabilité d’une pâte cellulosique constituée d’une biomasse de microalgues

Des emballages thermoformés constitués de pâtes cellulosiques prennent leur envol. Ce projet entend incorporer une biomasse microalgale dans une pâte cellulosique pour fabriquer un contenant écologique. Dans une perspective d’économie circulaire, cette biomasse microalgale serait produite dans un mélange d’eaux usées du parc industriel où se situe l’entreprise qui utiliserait le contenant en question.