Projets novateurs réalisés

Hydrogel Ionotronic Solar Cell

Solar power currently makes up a tiny fraction of all global energy needs. The current silicon based solar cell technologies which on average operate at around 15-17% efficiency have low likelihood of being a total fossil fuel replacement. They have very slow energy payback, their mass production cost savings are hitting a wall, and they are being manufactured with large amounts of Green House Gases.
The collaboration between Callisto Integration Ltd., and Integrated Quantum Optoelectronics Laboratory at the University of Waterloo led by Majedi has been already established in the framework of initiating research program on transformative solar cell technology over the last two years prior to this application. The goal of this research to come up with a step change in the efficiency and cost equation in solar cell technology that it is so compelling that it rapidly transforms the world-wide energy industry. By exploring new device physics and engineering designs, the research program aims at integrating the bioinspired light absorbers based on structural color such as black butterfly wings with bioinspired ionotronic systems specifically to electric eel based on flexible, regenerative and low-cost hydrogel materials.

Prédiction précoces des comportements suicidaires en population générale: Méthodes novatrices de grandes dimensions

Selon les théories développementales du risque suicidaire, les évènements précoces (début de la vie) peuvent avoir un impact considérable sur le risque suicidaire à long terme. Ce projet contribuera à la compréhension de l’impact des facteurs précoces sur les comportements suicidaires à l’adolescence en utilisant des techniques novatrices de machine learning sur les données de l’Étude Longitudinale du Développement des Enfants du Québec (suivi naissance-20 ans). Cela nous permettra de (1) prendre en compte un nombre élevé de variables, (2) tester leurs interactions, et (3) tester les interactions entre les facteurs génétiques et environnementaux. Ces analyses permettront d’estimer la prédiction des comportements suicidaires, dépasseront donc les limites des études épidémiologiques classiques -qui estiment des associations entre un nombre limité de facteurs de risque et comportements suicidaires. Identifier les prédicteurs précoces permettra une amélioration des stratégies précoces de prévention débutant dans une période de développement essentielle de la vie de l’enfant.

Système d’aide à la décision interactif pour la réfection de navires

La planification de la réfection d’un navire est une tâche difficile qui requiert un effort considérable en termes de ressources qu’il faut gérer. Elle comprend plusieurs centaines d’activités d’inspection, de désassemblage, de réparation, de remplacement, de reconversion, de modernisation et de réassemblage. De plus, il faut prendre en compte les contraintes d’espace qui limitent le nombre de ressources employées dans chaque zone de travail.
À notre connaissance, les logiciels commerciaux connus de planification de projet sont très génériques et ne répondent pas aux besoins spécifiques de la réfection des navires. Le planificateur doit tester lui-même différents scénarios manuellement afin de construire/reconstruire un plan de projet acceptable. Pour remédier à ce besoin, nous proposons dans cette demande le développement d’un système d’aide à la décision interactif profitant des dernières percées en machine learning et programmation mathématique primale (exacte et heuristique).

Monitor and Improve Transit Service Reliability Using Automatic Data Collection System

Unreliability is regarded as a widespread problem associated with transit services, while

automatic data collection (ADC) systems pose as an opportunity to monitor and improve this

problem. The proposed research is expected to develop an ADC-based reliability

measurement framework usable for operations planning, strategic planning and

benchmarking at different levels; and apply the ADC-based measurement framework to

transit service reliability monitoring, improvement and information provision in the context of

Translink in metro Vancouver. The results of this research will provide Canadian transit

agencies such as Translink with a multi-level, multi-perspective, multi-modal reliability

measurement framework. The ability to quantify reliability continuously and ubiquitously will

enable agencies to examine reliability variations within the system and pinpoint the most

unreliable services and their contributing factors; design a reliability-oriented service planning

process, and provide customer information on service reliability. Finally these measures will

be aggregated into the Key Performance Indicators so that service reliability can be more

directly fed into transit agencies’ decision-making process.

Schubert’s manuscripts and its interpretations

To share music with others can prove to be a challenge. Throughout time, humans have managed in different ways. First, it was transmitted orally. The downside of it is that the receiver must be physically present in order to capture the information. With the apparition of musical notation around 1400 BC, the previous requirement is no longer mandatory. Nevertheless, how precise can written down instructions be? Many eras later, in the time where Franz Schubert lived (1797-1828), one can find in Europe a general consensus on the musical notation system. However, there are limits in what one can write down. That’s why I would like to conduct a research on Schubert’s manuscript of the Piano Sonata in G major, D894. There are still quarrels to be had with the way one should interpret it. Schubert was a very prolific composer and did not always have the best handwriting. Therefore, it is often difficult and sometimes impossible to determine with exactitude his wish. I am hoping that with the analysis of the score I will gain a deeper understanding of Schubert’s thought process, thus granting me more tools for a more authentic performance of his work.

Selective Dissolution of Alloys 400 and 800 in CANDU Steam Generator Environments: Thermodynamic and Kinetic Studies

This project will study the corrosion of two nickel alloys commonly used in nuclear reactors: Monel 400 and Alloy 800. In the steam generator section of nuclear reactors, the chemistry is complex and may lead to the formation of ammoniacal species such as soluble ammonia (NH3). Ammonia may accelerate the corrosion of these alloys. The project will first study the thermodynamics (the possible chemical reactions) that are occurring within the steam generator, then it will use this information to study the corrosion rate of the nickel alloys. Finally, alterations to the chemistry or the alloy will be recommended based on this project with the end objective of reducing costs and improving reactor performance.

Building the capacity of mainstream services to support newcomers to Alberta

Canada welcomes approximately 300,000 immigrants and refugees each year. In order for these newcomers to be successful in Canada, it is important that service providers are able to support the unique needs and contributions of this diverse population. This research is aimed at understanding how specific service providers support immigrant and refugee clients. This includes focusing on sectors that are not traditionally viewed as immigrant-serving organizations, such as the health care, criminal justice, child welfare and family violence sectors. The MITACS intern will work with one of Alberta’s largest immigrant serving organizations, Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) to better understand the role that these sectors play in supporting newcomers to Alberta. This internship will produce two beneficial research reports for CCIS to help them work more effectively with these other organizations, in turn improving the outcomes for immigrants and refugees in Alberta.

Identifying and Prioritizing Difficult Systemic Sclerosis Health Care Decisions to Inform the Development of Patient Decision Aids

When faced with complicated treatment decisions, patients and health care providers can use patient decision aids to gain information about options and potential outcomes. Treatment for rare autoimmune diseases like systemic sclerosis can be overwhelming as there may be more than one treatment option, without one being clearly better than another. There are currently no patient decision aids for those with systemic sclerosis so this project aims at working together with individuals with systemic sclerosis and health care providers to develop one that can be distributed to members within the community by the Scleroderma Society of Ontario and the Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network.

Les critères d’éligibilité à l’aide médicale à mourir au Québec et au Canada, suite au jugement de la Cour supérieure du Québec de 2019 : quels impacts et enjeux en éthique des soins de fin de vie?

Les lois québécoises et canadiennes encadrant la pratique de l’aide médicale à mourir ont été respectivement adoptées en 2014 et en 2016. Quelques modifications mineures à ces lois – et aux critères d’éligibilité – peuvent avoir des impacts significatifs en éthique des soins de fin de vie. La recherche vise à effectuer un suivi des cadres éthiques, dans un contexte de consultation publique. De plus, entre 2017 et 2020, plusieurs rapports d’experts ou avis d’experts ont été publiés dans la littérature canadienne et internationale. Il est nécessaire de scruter toute cette littérature afin de comprendre les expériences étrangères, ce qui peut avoir un impact significatif dans les délibérations et l’élaboration de cadres éthiques au Québec et au Canada.

La recherche est chapeautée par le Centre justice et foi, un centre d’analyse sociale, de recherche et de réflexion posant un regard critique sur les structures sociales, politiques, économiques, culturelles et religieuses. Cet organisme partenaire bénéficiera de la recherche de pointe sur cet enjeu médical, ayant une portée politico-sociale.

Automated Parametric Design of Custom Hydraulic Fittings

Digital manufacturing and industry 4.0 are recognised as critical contexts for remaining competitive in the manufacturing sector. Unfortunately, small and medium sized enterprises (SME) have not been able to exploit new opportunities to their full potential due to the high costs and complex implementation processes required. This project proposes to develop a flexible manufacturing system with the objective of implementation by SMEs for the purpose of custom manufacturing. This is done through the automation of the design and process planning of metallic fixtures meant for use within hydraulics and instrumentation systems. This system will reduce the resources required for repetitive tasks and build capacity for further implementation of flexible, intelligent manufacturing within SMEs.

Le riborégulateur guanine comme nouvelle cible antibiotique contre les infections au Clostridium difficile

Les antibiotiques utilises de nos jours reposent en grande partie sur des architectures

chimiques mises au point il y a plusieurs decennies. Le probleme de resistance aux

antibiotiques crolt a un rythme alarmant, ce qui laisse presager que les antibiotiques courants

pourraient bient6t devenir inefficaces. Notre equipe de recherche a recemment elabore une

nouvelle famille d’antibiotiques ciblant des elements de regulation genetique, les

riboregulateurs. Le present projet de recherche propose d’optimiser une molecule prototype

(PC1), ainsi que plusieurs analogues, dans Ie but d’ameliorer Ie profil antimicrobien. Au cours

du projet, nous proposons aussi d’identifier de nouvelles families de composes de maniare a

renforcer la propriete intellectuelle entourant Ie projet. Un stagiaire de recherche est

demande afin de participer a un criblage virtuel a haut debit pour identifier des nouvelles

classes de composes. Trois autres stagiaires sont demandes dans Ie but de faire la synthase

chimique de molecules dont les proprietes antibacteriennes seront ulterieurement testees…

Key standards, Industry Best Practices, Future Development for Cyber Security Strategy on BC Hydro’s Industrial Control Systems

Cyber security is fundamental to guarantee the reliable operation of the electric power systems. As the energy industry migrates to the digital space with information and communication technology (ICT), managing the electricity delivery is becoming complex and increasingly dependent on industrial control systems (ICS). The heavy reliance on ICT and the rapid penetration of ICS devices, however, have exposed the power systems to new cyber security challenges. In this project, we aim to investigate the key standards and industry best practices for BC Hydro to develop its cyber security strategy that can continuously improve its ability to detect and respond to cyber security threats to ICS. Based on the risk assessments and security requirements of BC Hydro’s ICS, we aim to provide customized solutions for BC Hydro to implement cyber security technologies and processes that comply with existing and future legal requirements to enhance the cyber resilience of its ICS.