Projets novateurs réalisés

Nanostructured ceramic catalysts for fuel cells

Currently, burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas as a primary source of energy is a contributor to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide and climate change. Fuel cells are a promising environmentally friendly technology for sustainable clean energy, where the only byproduct is water. An important component of fuel cells for generating electricity is the ‘catalyst’, a material that allows for key chemical reactions to happen. Current difficulties in fuel cell technology are the cost-effectiveness and stability of these catalysts which deteriorate after long term use, these factors have hampered their widespread application in vehicles and homes. The proposed research aims to use the beneficial properties of polymers to make stable hard materials (ceramics) with lessexpensive and highly active catalysts embedded within. The potential benefits of the research are highly active, lower cost, and stable catalysts, furthering the commercial viability of fuel cells and a greener future.

Computer Vision Algorithms for USV mounted Real-Time Marine Vessel Detection Systems

This is a feasibility study for designing an automatic marine vessel detection system that can be used by an Unmanned Surface Vehicle. Following a thorough exploration of the challenges related to the video date acquired on the boat by our partner, we will come up with recommendations for the best camera hardware setup and preprocessing techniques that improve video quality. Next, state-of-art machine learning techniques for target detection will be applied to spot the marine vessels. We will design prototypes for both training our machine learning models on the server side and for testing it on the boat processor. The output of this system, along with the collected data from the other sensors of the boat may be interpreted and integrated by our partner to create a robust, real-time, boat-embedded autonomous marine vessel detection and tracking system.

Impact of Bioavailable Peptides Generated from Collagen Hydrolysates on Bone Remodeling

Genacol Canada Corporation Inc. manufactures a collagen hydrolysate (CH) product, sourced from bovine (Genacol® Original Formula), that has shown promising and positive results in three clinical trials for decreasing joint pain, as well as having a positive effect on articular cartilage. Following digestion, and first pass metabolism, CHs release peptides that have been shown to be the health promoting component of the supplement. New research trends have suggested that joint pain is a multi-tissue disease, and not only attributed to articular degradation. The bones that meet at are
still unclear. For this reason, our proposed study aims to identify the effects that CHs have on bone remodeling and inflammation using osteoblast and osteoclast cell culture. This approach will help establish the health promoting properties of Genacol CH and will also aid in the development of more potent and targeted product in the future.

Electrophysiological studies of medical cannabinoids on 3D human cerebral organoids and neuroglial cultures

Epilepsy, characterized by recurrent seizures, affects 1% of the population. More than 30% of patients are drug-resistant, a significant burden to their lives. New innovative ways to treat the disorder are needed. Cannabidiol (CBD), a nonpsychoactive compound derived from the cannabis plant, has been shown to be a promising new treatment for epilepsy. In collaboration with Avicanna, we will test the antiepileptic effects of CBD and other cannabinoids alone and in combination with common anticonvulsant drugs on both mouse and human brain tissue. In addition, we will also develop a high-throughput multi-well brain slice recording system.

Intégration et évaluation des performances d’un système d’échantillonnage embarqué sur drone pour le suivi de la qualité des eaux de surface.

L’objectif de cette recherche est d’intégrer un système d’échantillonnage (SE) de l’eau développé par l’INRS à la technologie de drone de DroneXperts. Le stagiaire devra adapter le système de fixation du SE au drone, intégrer son système de contrôle à celui du drone et effectuer les essais en milieu contrôlé et réel. La réalisation de ce projet permettra à l’entreprise partenaire (DroneXperts) de commercialiser ce nouveau système et également d’offrir son service d’échantillonnage par drone. DroneXperts a actuellement un système d’échantillonnage et de mesure de l’air ambiant par drone. Ce nouveau système viendra s’ajouter à cette expertise de l’entreprise en surveillance environnementale.

Développement d’une stratégie pancanadienne pour la gestion de la résilience des infrastructures naturelles

Face aux changements globaux, nos infrastructures naturelles, et donc les services qu’elles produisent, sont fortement menacées et le risque de les voir disparaître est de plus en plus inquiétant Ainsi, afin de maintenir – voire augmenter – les services rendus par nos infrastructures naturelles pour le bénéfices des 83% de canadiens vivant en milieux urbains, nous avons besoin d’une planification des aménagements intégrant les infrastructures naturelles au même titre que les infrastructures grises pour garantir la fourniture de certains services écosystémiques face à un futur imprévisible et incertain. Avec des ressources limitées, il est primordial de prioriser nos efforts de restauration, de conservation et d’amélioration de la résilience. Ainsi, afin de permettre aux gestionnaires d’aujourd’hui de prendre des décisions axées sur l’amélioration de la résilience des infrastructures vertes sur le long terme, ils ont besoin d’évaluer trois critères cruciaux de leurs milieux : i) les services écosystémiques, ii) la diversité biologique et iii) la connectivité écologique.

COVID-19 Prevention: Hybrid Polymer/Photoactive Ceramic Self-Disinfecting Coating

This twelve-month project aims to understand and propose a practical solution to prevent transmission of COVID-19 from contact with contaminated surfaces. It addresses a challenge of crucial importance for Canada and for Bioastra Technologies, a Canadian company specialising in smart materials for health, robotics and environmental applications. BioAstra was recently designated as an “essential service” by the Quebec government to repurpose existing smart coating and smart wearables technology towards the fight against COVID-19. The objective of this project is to functionalize various types of high-contact surfaces with a spray that creates a durable leave-on coating to inactivate COVID-19 and other viruses. Specifically, we will develop a composite based on Bioastra’s proprietary sol-gel formulation integrated with metal-oxide nanoparticle (NPs)-based photocatalysts. Due to the composite nature of the film, better anti-viral performance can be obtained coupled with long term-stability. We anticipate a synergist effect arising from the antiviral properties of photocatalyst materials combined with the intrinsic virus-inactivating properties of certain charged polymers and their ability to form a durable, fast-setting film when sprayed on a surface. A systematic study of the charge recombination and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation of the different polymer/NPs will be carried out. In particular, the structure-property relationships…

Digital Storytelling for Social Justice: Impact assessment, Producer Approach, and Strategic Communication in an age of New Media

This study aims to evaluate and measure the impact of a Canadian produced documentary, I am Rohingya, A Genocide in Four Acts. By critically analysing the intended and unintended outcomes of this award-winning documentary, producers whose aim is to enhance their socially minded production process, can learn how to improve their techniques through feedback and by comparing their experiences to scholarly literature. Additionally, through a comparative analysis of Canada’s market of funding for social justice themed digital stories, producers and scholars can gain a better understanding of what requirements and accountability structures exist within a Canadian context that focus on the relationship between media practitioners and vulnerable populations. This study will be mindful of the importance of communication, networks, and the political spheres surrounding social causes in an effort to better understand if building ownership throughout the production process can increase distribution and change.

Testing and optimizing the performance of a digital micromirror device (DMD) for mid-wavelength infrared imaging

Mass fever screening, as the most effective way to control the spread of these pandemic diseases, is vital to reduce the impact of COVID-19 to Canada. However, existing methods for mass fever screening is largely inefficient due to limited sensitivity in temperature measurement, which is attributed to easy interference by ambient parameters, low resolution, and incorrect ways of deployment.
This NSERC COVID-19 Alliance project aims to develop single-pixel infrared imaging thermometry (SPIRIT) for mass COVID-19 fever screening via an academia-industry collaboration between INRS and Ajile Light Industries Inc. (ALI). In particular, we propose to complete this objective by three specific Aims that involve the development of hardware and software of the SPIRIT system and the application of the SPIRIT system in measuring the temperature of humans. INRS and ALI will provide necessary and complementary expertise that encompasses all research tasks proposed in this application. Both sides are committed to frequent interaction and communication to ensure the on-time execution and fast progress of this project and to facilitate the technology transfer. ALI will continually invest in this direction to quickly commercialize the proposed technique.

Empowering Patients with Diabetes through Experience Design

This initiative is conducted with the Fraser Health Medicine Program, which provides
a wide range of integrated healthcare services in acute care hospitals and out-patient
services. This research will focus on various tools such as visual storytelling to engage staff
to empower patients with diabetes to take control of their diabetes health by providing them
with individualized education so that they can return home with the required diabetes
knowledge and follow-up resources.

Building Standards for Online Voting: Safeguarding the Industry

This goal of this project is to develop a Standards Proposal and initial framework to guide the use of online voting in municipal elections in Ontario. Elections in municipalities in Ontario are among the most digital in the world, yet there are no guidelines to shepherd use of the technology. Working with our partners we will develop a Standards Proposal to co-create online voting standards with stakeholders (i.e., municipalities, vendors, local associations). The project will focus on Ontario as a case study to establish proof of concept with the eventual objective of building a national framework.

Carbon sequestration through 3 novel biomass-based methods and opportunity for integration into carbon offset markets.

Biocoal is made from wood charcoal and a binder. Biocoal made by BC Biocarbon is made to replace coal in high temperature combustion uses. As biocoal is similar to coal, it is thought to be used to store carbon in the ground. This project hopes to demonstrate the carbon storage ability of biocoal, plastic-sealed wood, and bitumen-bound wood.

Experiment conditions for each product will include landfill, surface environment, indoor room temperature, and frozen for one year. The project business partner, BC Biocarbon, will also benefit from a research project on how to sell their carbon-based products in a carbon offset or carbon storage market.

Results after one year will better show the carbon storage ability of biocoal, plastic-sealed wood and bitumen-bound wood. Also, this research will help show how biocoal, plastic-sealed and bitumenbound wood waste may be used for large scale carbon reducing programs for limiting climate change.