Projets novateurs réalisés

Semantic Matching Applied to Relationship Matching

The on-line dating industry currently has over 1400 different sites, including known sites such as eHarmony, Match.com and LavaLife, however, research indicates a general dissatisfaction in the quality of relationship matches generated by these sites. The research proposal will investigate the use of new semantic technologies in providing a higher quality matching service. The commercial partner, Atwood Technology Inc., is expecting to leverage this technology to gain a competitive edge over the existing competition.

Continuous calibration, interpolation and predictive analytics using Machine Learning

The company provides devices to measure quality of curing light used in dental procedures. These devices produce high volume and high velocity data. This data is then used to forecast a future state and to make a well informed business/operation decision according to an expected future state. One of the challenges in application of such technology is to improve prediction accuracy of the forecast. The company has developed prediction models based on physical chemistry that have been very useful to both the vendors and dentists. This project will design a generalized framework based on machine learning and artificial intelligence methodologies to improve prediction accuracy that will ultimately result in reduced operating costs and higher yields in dental procedures.

Hydrogen-diesel dual fuel engines for heavy-duty commercial vehicles: modelling and analysis

Modern commercial trucks are crucial for economic activity. The diesel engines in these vehicles emit about 8% of all CO2 emissions in Canada. To reduce the environmental impact of current trucks, Hydra Energy Inc. is developing an approach to replace some of the diesel fuel with excess hydrogen generated in industrial processes. To maximize the benefits of this approach, Hydra and SFU are working together to develop a model of the vehicle system. Using the model, the team will study how the vehicle will behave under different uses and will find ways to increase the amount of hydrogen used. The model will be added to SFU’s FleetLCA life cycle tool to quantify the total environmental benefits of the Hydra system.

False Data Injection Attacks on AC Power System State Estimation Using Cosimulation

The secure and reliable operation of an electric power grid is critical to national security. Power grid components such as the state estimator used to monitor the operating state of a power system are subject to cyber-attacks. Previous works show that an intruder can compromise the state estimation by injecting the pre-designed false data into meters without being detected if the detailed knowledge of a transmission grid is known. In this project, we show that the FDIA on AC state estimation can even be successfully launched using phasor measurement units (PMU) data without knowing the topology and line parameters of a power grid. The designed FDIA attack will be implemented using a cosimulation platform (with both power system simulator and communication network
simulator) to evaluate its impacts on power systems. The project will provide a better understanding about the attack behaviors on generic AC state estimation and important guidance regarding the design of mitigation measures to ensure the secure operation of power systems.

Marketing Intern

At Florists Supply, the intern will be working on two marketing-related projects. The first project will be to develop a marketing initiative around Florists supplies 85th anniversary. Here, the intern, with help from the partner, the organization will create a streamlined marketing strategy for this project, which the intern is to implement. The intern then will develop content related to the 85th anniversary, which may require research and interviews. Once the content is created, the intern will post it through mediums such as website blogs and social media. The second similar project will have the intern develop content related to its Fairtrade initiative and implementing it through those same channels. The expected benefits of the partner organization, Florist supply, are increased brand awareness and increased brand attachment, which can boost sales and engagement with the brand.

COVID Sports Solutions

Project Overview.
The COVID Sports Solutions project links Vancouver based Econic with an Emily Carr Universtiy MDes graduate student to support research and development of patent pending mask and droplet guard products targeted for use in sport. Work planned for this project include: review of existing designs; exploratory market research; SWOT analysis; iterative design development; raw material sourcing; communication with manufacturers; packaging design. Work connected to sales, marketing and logistics may also be touched upon.

Goals of this Mitacs Internship Opportunity:
• Provide the student with the opportunity to apply research skills and theories to real-world context
• Support Global Sports communities in their efforts to provide a safe return to play environment
• Build and strengthen connections and collaborations between the external partner and Emily Carr University.
• Build student’s skills (communication, problem solving, innovation, resilience, managing complexity, navigating change) and apply their education through an experiential learning opportunity
• Provide new and broadened training and career opportunities for the student by expanding their network with faculty, external partners and community

Integration of Electromagnetics in Potash Mining Geohazard Analysis

Potash is a mineral that is mined for use as fertilizer in agriculture. Potash accounted for $6.4 billion in exports from Saskatchewan in 2018 and potash mining represents a large fraction of the economy of Saskatchewan. When mining potash, it is important to avoid mining into areas near water-filled porous rocks since this can cause flooding. As a result, the ability to detect water-bearing regions at a distance, using geophysical techniques, would be highly desirable. In this project, the intern will extend research on the use of time-domain electromagnetics to detect these water-filled layers. His previous work showed that time-domain electromagnetics could detect water-filled layers directly above the transmitter-receiver pair in geological settings similar to mines in southern Saskatchewan. The current project will consider mines near Saskatoon and will examine the ability of the technique to detect water that is not directly overhead.

Organic cathode materials for alkali-ion batteries

Clean renewal energy sources, such as hydro, wind, and solar energies, have been receiving increasing demands for sustainable societal developments. Due to their intermittent nature, rechargeable batteries are required for the storage of these renewal energy sources. Current rechargeable batteries constructed with conventional inorganic cathode materials have restricted energy densities, along with sustainability issues. The proposed MITACS project aims at maturing and commercializing an organic cathode materials technology that discloses a new family of organic cathode materials featured with a unique redox functionality. The accomplishment of this project will enable the industry partner to further the commercialization activities of this technology and to add data for strengthening the Patent at the upcoming PCT filing stage.

Associate Media Buyer

In this project, I would be assisting with compiling of periodic reporting analysis of campaign performance metrics. Also, I would be involved in day-to-day digital media buying and conducting market research. This project is a key driver in management of client investments and will enable growth of clients and company.

Development of Computational Fluid Dynamics Methodology to predict the two-phase flow in Aero-Engine Bearing Chamber

The primary role of the lubrication system of aero-engines is to remove the excess heat generated by the movement of the bearings, gears and shafts. As a part of the lubrication system, an aero-engine has bearing chambers whose principal function is containing oil and preventing oil leakages. Inside the bearing chamber is found a mixture of air-oil. The analysis of this air-oil mixture inside bearing chambers is of great interest to reduce the oil consumption, avoids oil leakages and overheating. The overheating of bearing chambers might be generated due to long oil residence time. The overheating might cause oil degradation, and leads to oil-air exothermic reactions. Thus, ability to model such bearing chambers computationally is desirable to predict the oil distribution and oil-air interaction to avoid overheating and an efficient oil distribution. The aim of this research is investigate models to improve the current Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) methodologies and to predict the bearing chamber oil patterns such as ligament formation, ligament breakup, oil droplets trajectories, oil droplets impact, thin film formation and recirculation zones formed in the gas phase.

Optimization of logistics (transport, accommodation, relief) for breast cancer patients during their treatments

Transportation to treatment centers is a major concern for cancer patients. In this proposal, we offer four projects as an integrated approach to study different aspects of the implementation of a volunteer ride and lodging service for breast cancer patients in Quebec province, Canada. The first project considers the simulation of this system to evaluate its feasibility. The second one aims to provide optimization models for matching clients with available transportation and accommodation. The third project is focused on pricing issues which are critical for the sustainability of such system. Lastly, the fourth project is defined to investigate and provide databases that could be shared with treatment centers. The contribution of the proposed work is to utilize a combination of up-to-date methodologies for a real case. The non-profit-partner will benefit using the results as decision-making tools in the feasibility study of establishing a volunteer-based ride service and accommodation plans to breast cancer patients.

Methods for Polymorphic Screening

Many chemical compounds can exist in multiple crystalline forms, which are called polymorphs. Polymorphs have the same composition, but their properties can vary markedly. In many fields, conditions for crystallization are screened exhaustively to generate as many polymorphs as possible, from which the most advantageous form can be selected. In the pharmaceutical industry, for example, the most desirable polymorphs may be those with the highest solubility in water (to maximize bioavailability), the greatest thermodynamic stability (to ensure that conversion into a more stable form cannot occur), or a tendency to crystallize in particular shapes (to facilitate handling or formulation). When a previously unknown polymorph is discovered and found to have superior properties, it can be patented as a new form of matter. We have devised new ways to screen for polymorphs, using techniques we call mixed-crystal seeding and suspended-melt crystallization. In new work, we will further explore the scope of these methods, define the best ways to employ them, and use them to screen for new polymorphs of pharmaceutically active compounds of particular interest to adMare.