Innovative Projects Realized

Solar harvesting textiles for self-powered health monitoring and human-machine interactions – Year two

Wearable electronics has become one of the most intensive research fields due to the ability to improve human life, enable interaction in the virtual world and the demand for portable electronics. Textiles with embedded electronic elements hold great potential for the next generation of health monitoring and human-machine interaction devices. Flexible sensors built on textiles convert physical movements of the human body into measurable signals, which allows real-time monitoring and precise measurement. However, a power source is needed to support the operation of the devices. Flexible photovoltaic devices fabricated from polymers have the advantages of being light-weight, low-cost, and scalable in manufacturing. By integrating flexible photovoltaic devices with sensors, it is possible to develop a self-powered sensing textile that allows continuous highly sensitive monitoring without external power supply. TO BE CONT’D

Solar harvesting textiles for self-powered health monitoring and human-machine interactions

Wearable electronics has become one of the most intensive research fields due to the ability to improve human life, enable interaction in the virtual world and the demand for portable electronics. Textiles with embedded electronic elements hold great potential for the next generation of health monitoring and human-machine interaction devices. Flexible sensors built on textiles convert physical movements of the human body into measurable signals, which allows real-time monitoring and precise measurement. However, a power source is needed to support the operation of the devices. Flexible photovoltaic devices fabricated from polymers have the advantages of being light-weight, low-cost, and scalable in manufacturing. By integrating flexible photovoltaic devices with sensors, it is possible to develop a self-powered sensing textile that allows continuous highly sensitive monitoring without external power supply. TO BE CONT’D

Roles des technologies langagieres dans les organisations

La stagiaire se propose d’explorer systematiquement I’offre de technologies langagieres au

Canada et de mettre en parallele cette offre avec les roles des systemes d’information dans

les organisations tels qu’ils sont presentes par Gurbaxani et Whang (1991).

Megalexis, cabinet linguistique multiservice situe a Montreal, est bien place pour formuler des

preoccupations et des questions relativement au marche des technologies langagieres,

auxquelles la stagiaire s’efforcera de repondre en dressant Ie panorama de ce marche. En

outre, Megalexis, pourrait tirer de la description detaillee des fonctions et des caracteristiques

de chaque outil des indications sur la maniere d’optimiser I’adequation des outils en place et

d’autres outils avec ses besoins. Par ailleurs, Ie fait de disposer d’un panorama complet et

actuel de I’offre en technologies langagieres constitue un moyen de promotion des acteurs

de !’industrie de la langue et des membres de “AILIA (Association canadienne des industries

de la langue).

Global dynamics of descending interneuron function in free-moving Caenorhabditis elegans

Enacting complex behaviours, such as locomotion, involves network-wide integration of information at the level of the nervous system. This understanding highlights the need for appropriate technologies to monitor the global dynamics of neurons in these networks. However, previous studies employing model organisms have been limited to low resolution imaging, few neurons and/or immobilized specimens. In order to systematically correlate the generalities of behavior to neuronal and neural circuit function, concurrent brain-wide monitoring of the activities of many neurons in unperturbed animals is required. The current study will employ advanced microscopy methods in conjunction with sophisticated genetic tools and computational analysis algorithms utilized in a relatively recently developed experimental paradigm to monitor head neuron dynamics on a global scale in free-moving Caenorhabditis elegans. In so doing, our overarching objectives are to 1) describe on a network-wide level how neuron function contributes to forward and backward locomotion and 2) characterize how descending input from higher-level interneurons, themselves often poorly characterized in the context of locomotion, contribute to general and goal-oriented behavior. We anticipate that our findings will underscore a network density in C. elegans analogous to that of large organisms, including vertebrate spinal cords. To Be Cont’d.

Mapping forest structure using multi-frequency RADAR data

The goal of this research is to map forest structure (height, plant cover) in the rain forest region of Queensland, Australia. This requires the use of RADAR data as it is not weather dependent, i.e., can see through clouds in a region that experiences 1,424 mm of rain annually. This work builds upon my undergraduate thesis (completion date May 2019) results which developed automated methods (Python code) to include multi-frequency RADAR data which should improve our ability to discriminate forest structure (tree height, plant cover). If our project is successful at improving the ability to map forest structure in a rain forest, than the future of the project will be to apply the automated methods to a synoptic region for operational applications. Expected outcomes include (a) the completion of a manuscript for publication based on thesis results (Murray, Storie and Sims, 2019); (b) better understanding of how L- and S-band data interact with forest structure; and (c) the potential improvement in the ability to map forest structure using multi-frequency RADAR data.

Brazing Metallurgies and Processes for Attaching Sintered Carbide Tiles – Year two

A two-year study on brazing technologies used for sintered tungsten carbide tiles is proposed to address the following technical objectives: 1) brazing metallurgy for sintered tungsten carbide and substrate high strength steel, 2) adherence mechanisms between different braze compositions and carbide tiles, 3) brazing parameters for optimized brazed joint performance, and 4) the mechanical stresses developed through the brazing process. The goals of the project will be 1) a full understanding of the current technologies used to braze carbide tiles, and 2) recommendations for the selection of braze metallurgies for optimum brazed tungsten carbide performance. The findings in this project will be used as a foundation for a guideline on brazing technologies. InnoTech Alberta, our funding partner, will use the findings to oil companies and equipment manufactures, leading to increased durability and reliability of mining equipment.

Brazing Metallurgies and Processes for Attaching Sintered Carbide Tiles

A two-year study on brazing technologies used for sintered tungsten carbide tiles is proposed to address the following technical objectives: 1) brazing metallurgy for sintered tungsten carbide and substrate high strength steel, 2) adherence mechanisms between different braze compositions and carbide tiles, 3) brazing parameters for optimized brazed joint performance, and 4) the mechanical stresses developed through the brazing process. The goals of the project will be 1) a full understanding of the current technologies used to braze carbide tiles, and 2) recommendations for the selection of braze metallurgies for optimum brazed tungsten carbide performance. The findings in this project will be used as a foundation for a guideline on brazing technologies. InnoTech Alberta, our funding partner, will use the findings to oil companies and equipment manufactures, leading to increased durability and reliability of mining equipment.

Monitoring of Thermal Treatments

Treatments generating ablation and coagulation of tissues by applying lasers, microwaves, radiofrequency currents or focused ultrasound have many advantages over scalpel-based and other mechanistic surgical methods. These advantages have consequently motivated the clinical application of the various ablation techniques in a myriad of medical specialities, such as oncology, electrophysiology, and ophthalmology. Despite these advances, most procedures are not done with an appropriate feedback control, resulting in difficulties discerning the critical parameters of the created lesion during the ablation process. The project goal is focused on the development of appropriate imaging and dynamic feedback approaches that can precisely monitor and control the ablation parameters with high temporal and spatial resolution during the treatment. This will ultimately increase efficacy and safety of these treatments and reduce the number of redo procedures.

Valuation of an oil processing facility

The development of Canada’s energy infrastructure requires significant investment at all

levels. Energy companies considering such investments require a complete understanding of

the projected value of the prospective asset, as well as the associated risks. Often, a

significant portion of the value comes from the flexibility provided by the asset. This project

will use option pricing techniques to value transportation assets for crude oil in Western

Canada. In this case, the flexibility consists of the ability to market the oil to different locations

around the world. The model developed in this project will allow Nexen to assess the value of

this optionality under different market conditions.

Process Development of Atomic Layer Deposition Cobalt and Ruthenium Metal Films – Year two

Next-generation integrated circuits require the innovation of new interconnect materials in order to maintain the performance improvements of Moore’s Law scaling. Cobalt (Co) and ruthenium (Ru) are two specific metals that are garnering strong interest for use in the filling of interconnects because of their better electrical performance and reliability at the extremely scaled dimensions required by sub-10 nm technology nodes. Hence, through the collaboration between Synthergy and the University of Alberta, this research fellowship aims to exploit the high conformality and precise film thickness control capabilities of atomic layer deposition (ALD) to deposit thin Co and Ru metal films suitable for these semiconductor applications and Synthergy’s potential end customers. To that end, the main objectives will be to develop improved, robust ALD Co and Ru processes with an emphasis on realising thin metal films with high purity, good conformality, and low resistivity.

Process Development of Atomic Layer Deposition Cobalt and Ruthenium Metal Films

Next-generation integrated circuits require the innovation of new interconnect materials in order to maintain the performance improvements of Moore’s Law scaling. Cobalt (Co) and ruthenium (Ru) are two specific metals that are garnering strong interest for use in the filling of interconnects because of their better electrical performance and reliability at the extremely scaled dimensions required by sub-10 nm technology nodes. Hence, through the collaboration between Synthergy and the University of Alberta, this research fellowship aims to exploit the high conformality and precise film thickness control capabilities of atomic layer deposition (ALD) to deposit thin Co and Ru metal films suitable for these semiconductor applications and Synthergy’s potential end customers. To that end, the main objectives will be to develop improved, robust ALD Co and Ru processes with an emphasis on realising thin metal films with high purity, good conformality, and low resistivity.

Tinnitus alleviation by activation of dendritic IA channels

Chronic tinnitus, a constant ringing in the ear, is a major cause of disability in modern society. In particular, hearing loss-induced tinnitus is often present with various comorbidities including insomnia, deficits in attention, anxiety and depression which severely affect the quality of life. Unfortunately, there are limited therapeutic treatments to alleviate tinnitus. Currently, it is known that tinnitus is involved in neuronal excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance which is largely modulated by ion channels and receptors along the auditory pathway. Here, we propose a strategy for tinnitus treatment by activating A-type potassium channels (IA) localized along the dendrites of cortical neurons. Our preliminary data in animals with hearing loss-induced tinnitus indicates a down-regulation of IA channels in auditory cortical neurons. These channels can shape neuronal excitability and therefore the circuits underlying tinnitus. We will employ advanced techniques including two-photon calcium imaging, glutamate uncaging, virus transfusion, and tinnitus animal models; these tools will identify the functional role of IA on tinnitus. This result will provide a thorough mechanistic account of tinnitus and insight into the possible pharmaceutical benefit of an IA enhancer to alleviate tinnitus.