Projets novateurs réalisés

Estimation and exploration of latency data to optimize network function deployment in 5G networks

The project will aim at collecting and studying 5G wireless network data latency to a) find ways to improve latency results (reduction, avoidance of peaks, etc.) and b) identify methods to optimize the distribution of network or application function within the network (i.e. find the optimal location of a function in a network ranging from the device, the edge, the core or the cloud).

Development of a polishing treatment process (PTP) for anaerobic digester centrate

The production of biogas via the anaerobic digestion of organic waste is a growing industry in Canada. One benefit of this approach is that the resultant organic waste (digestate) can be dewatered and used as fertilizer; however, the removed water fraction remains rich in organic compounds and must be adequately treated before being discharged from the plant, which can be quite costly. This research, conducted in partnership with Anaergia, will investigate the use of a novel dissolved air flotation-nanofiltration process (DAF-NF) as an additional treatment step to supplement Anaergia’s current approach of using a membrane bioreactor (MBR) to treat wastewater. Since no prior research has explored the treatment of MBR effluent produced via anaerobic digestion, and since the treatability of wastewater via this new process depends on the characteristics of the wastewater, we will use lab- and pilot-scale studies to assess the proposed process’ viability

Sustainable Management of Abandoned, Lost, or Discarded Fishing Gear in British Columbia: Through the Lens of Local Stakeholders

A review of current literature will be used to develop an enhanced record of knowledge on the topic of lost fishing gear in British Columbia; specifically looking at the socio-economic and ecological impacts, regionally applicable case study solutions, best practice framework recommendations, and current policies on environmental management of marine debris in Canada. Results will be utilized to develop a regional best management practices for BC ALDFG that can be applied by local stakeholders. The ideas will be developed on the basis of sustainability principles and regional community action, where an all-hands-on-deck approach will be required to tackle this problem and therefore, a recognition of different approaches to engagement needs to be understood. Shared knowledge and perspectives of local stakeholder groups (particularly fisheries and extended fisheries industries) should be valued and integrated into all subsequent planning for the reduction of regionally lost BC fishing gear.

Application and optimization of molecular methods as an early predictor of cannabinoid content through the growing process of select cannabis cultivars in an industrial starter plant production

This project will allow Apollogreen and Loyalist College’s Applied Research Centre (ARC) to establish expertise based on a new analytical approach of cannabinoids at an early growth stage, allowing them to analyse and select cultivars to be commercially grown based on the sought after components for specific applications of licenced producers. This analytical process uses the leaves of vegetative cannabis plants instead of the common method of using mature flowers.

Fall and Head Impact Acceleration Monitoring of Short Track Speed Skaters – Year two

Short track speed skating is a fast-paced sport where athletes routinely reach speed above 50 km/h. It is one of the leading Canadian sports for medal count at the Olympic games. Unfortunately, given the fast-paced and pack-style skating, athletes often fall on the ice, which may lead to concussion. There is no clear data on the incidence of falls in short track speed skating, nor is there a clear understanding of the mechanism of head impact.

Therefore, this project will track the incidence of falls and measure head impacts that may lead to concussion using ‘smart’ mouth guards. These mouth guards have sensors that can quantify the force, location, direction, and number of impacts an athlete sustains during practice or in competition. In addition to using mouth guards to further understand head impacts, we will perform comprehensive concussion assessments to correlate head impacts to the incidence of concussion. This project will be highly beneficial to INS Québec and the Olympic Canadian short track speed skating team as it will help coaches and medical staff better understand how their athletes get concussions. This project will also help inform guidelines for the future development of helmets to keep athletes safe and healthy.

Système de gestion intelligente des déplacements d’usagers en fonction de mesures environnementales exploitées via une infrastructure 5G

Le secteur du transport représente le plus important contributeur d’émissions de gaz à effet de serre (Hoornweg et al., 2011; United Nations, 2020). Parmi l’ensemble des moyens de transport (routier, aérien, maritime), c’est le transport routier qui pèse le plus dans la balance en matière de quantités de CO2 émises dans l’atmosphère. Dans une démarche vers le développement des « villes intelligentes » et durables et pour assurer et améliorer la santé de la population, il est primordial de reconsidérer notre façon d’exploiter les différents moyens de transport pour nos déplacements quotidiens vers le lieu travail ou encore pour le loisir afin minimiser les émissions de polluants et de GES. Certaines applications pour téléphones intelligents permettent à l’heure actuelle de proposer des itinéraires de trajets dans le but d’optimiser l’Émission de GES. Cependant, ces applications ont des limites notamment dues au manque des données environnementales et au manque de multimodalité concernant les moyens de transport (vélo, marche, course, automobile, covoiturage, l’autobus, le métro, etc.). Le présent projet vise à adresser ces limites en proposant un système de gestion intelligente des déplacements d’usagers en fonction de mesures environnementales issues de réseau de capteurs exploitées via une infrastructure 5G.

Modelisation du comportement des sables ameliores par vibroremplacement

Le vibro-remplacement est une technique d’amelioration des sols proposee par Geopac Inc. qui consiste a
inserer dans Ie sol des colonnes ballastees pour les renforcer. L’utilisation de cette technique est relativement
recente au Quebec, OU I’on peut trouver des sols difficiles a traiter. L’objet de ce projet est I’etude theorique du
processus de vibro-remplacement, afin de mieux com prendre et interpreter ses effets sur Ie sol. Le stagiaire
memera une revue de litterature portant sur la modelisation numerique et analytique du vibro-remplacement. La
majeure partie du projet repose sur une campagne de modelisation numerique du vibro-remplacement. Enfin,
les donnees seront completees par des observations sur des chantiers de vibro-remplacement. Le projet permet
a Geopac Inc. d’approfondir son etude du vibro-remplacement a un niveau de recherche, et ainsi d’en prouver
eventuellement son applicabilite a de nouveaux marches.

Fall and Head Impact Acceleration Monitoring of Short Track Speed Skaters

Short track speed skating is a fast-paced sport where athletes routinely reach speed above 50 km/h. It is one of the leading Canadian sports for medal count at the Olympic games. Unfortunately, given the fast-paced and pack-style skating, athletes often fall on the ice, which may lead to concussion. There is no clear data on the incidence of falls in short track speed skating, nor is there a clear understanding of the mechanism of head impact.

Therefore, this project will track the incidence of falls and measure head impacts that may lead to concussion using ‘smart’ mouth guards. These mouth guards have sensors that can quantify the force, location, direction, and number of impacts an athlete sustains during practice or in competition. In addition to using mouth guards to further understand head impacts, we will perform comprehensive concussion assessments to correlate head impacts to the incidence of concussion. This project will be highly beneficial to INS Québec and the Olympic Canadian short track speed skating team as it will help coaches and medical staff better understand how their athletes get concussions. This project will also help inform guidelines for the future development of helmets to keep athletes safe and healthy.

Research and Data Analysis of Aycoutay Wellness Device user scans

The Aycoutay Health Screening Device is based on well-established EEG technology. It is a modern, computerized EDA based health monitoring/screening device that performs a comprehensive analysis of the bio-electrical activity of each organ and gland, as well as the critical interrelationship between them, using algorithms that translate this electrical data into diagnostic information. It is designed for wellness consumers and provides a primary diagnostic estimation or an opinion about state of internal organ systems. During a session, a user would perform a 30 second scan, this simple, affordable, cost-effective, painless, non-invasive and radiation free test can monitor all body systems at once to determine if they are functioning properly.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Canada

Global biodiversity is declining due to habitat loss and protected areas provide an opportunity to prevent this. While governments create and manage most protected areas in the world, non-governmental organizations can also play a significant role in the acquisition and management of properties for the purpose of conserving biodiversity. We propose to measure the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s contribution to the protection of biodiversity in Canada. To do this, we will compare various measures of biodiversity and connectivity over different NCC land management types (purchased vs donated and fee simple vs conservation agreement). We will also compare these metrics among NCC properties and other protected areas in Canada (e.g. areas managed by government).

Development of a New Family of Agri-based Flocculent for Optimized Water & Nutrient Recovery from Anaerobic Digestate

Anaerobic Digesters are used in farm-based, municipal and industrial settings to convert wastes (manure and crop residues) as well as other feedstock material (fat, grease, oil and food wastes) to biogas. Produced digestate is rich in nutrients such as phosphate, nitrogen, (and other minor nutrients) and is mixed with water that makes the transportation costly and can’t be land applied due to excess of phosphate, nitrate and ammonia. The majority of current flocculants contain petroleum solvents ?that remain in the organic solids after separation; rendering it unsuitable for subsequent use in farm fields. Some others are not efficient in removal of solid and nutrients. Developing an green and environmentally friendly solution to convert digestate into more concentrated and/or higher value product improves the economics of Anaerobic Digestion facilities. The present proposed project has been planned to develop an innovative technology for enhanced nutrient recovery. Developed agri-based polymer removes water and nutrients from digestate efficiently and cost-effectively, producing a nutrient-rich product that can be transported off-site and/or used as higher value product such as organic fertilizer. Using the proposed technique, anaerobic digestate can processed to generate a concentrated and higher value nutrient product while its recovered water can be land applied.

Deep Language models for Visual analytics of diversity and inclusion

The project will build an Artificial Intelligence-powered Bias Detection tool to identify bias and discrimination faced by employees of a company. The tool will take in free-text content from employee surveys, internal reviews and social media, and produce a score indicating whether the author of the content is likely facing or exhibiting bias. Algorithms will be trained to recognize bias against women, ethnic & cultural minorities, LGBTQ2+ folks, individuals with disabilities, and other special groups. The tool will help companies in improving their diversity and inclusion practices, and investors in focussing their funds on companies with a strong diversity and inclusion record. The results of the project will help Diversio achieve and maintain world-class status in this emerging IT industry sector.