Projets novateurs réalisés

Étude et optimisation des flux de marchandises dans un centre de distribution

Dans un objectif d’accroissement des ventes au courant des cinq prochaines années, Lowe’s-Rona a pour objectifs de doubler les ventes et de conquérir de nouvelles parts de marché en proposant à la vente de l’électroménager. Pour cela, il est nécessaire de réaliser une étude afin de voir si dans le processus actuel, une telle charge de travail supplémentaire est supportable. Au cours de ce projet, nous allons donc réaliser une étude afin de déceler les goulots et éventuels points bloquants lors d’une augmentation de la charge du centre.
Dans un premier temps nous allons réaliser une cartographie précise du processus. Ce travail nécessitera l’analyse de données historiques accessibles via le système de gestion d’entrepôt, ainsi que l’expertise des responsables et superviseurs présents sur le plancher. A la suite de cela, des travaux d’ordonnancement, d’ingénierie inversée et de modélisation pourront être réalisés. TO BE CONT’D

Exfoliation of graphite within polypropylene compounds by melt compounding

In this project we will employ melt compounding to obtain finely delaminated graphite/polypropylene composites, suitable for automotive applications. The targeted applications involve composites having electrostatic dissipative properties and high flexural modulus. High purity graphite, prepared by a proprietary method developed by the sponsoring organization, Grafoid, will be melt compounded with polypropylene and polypropylene-based thermoplastic olefin blends. Suitable compatibilizers will be chosen to enhance the interfacial interactions between the graphite platelets and the polymer matrix, thus improving the dispersion, and the mechanical properties. The resulting composites will be characterized in detail to assess their morphology, physical properties and electrical conductivity. Optimum conditions for melt compounding will be identified, including temperature, rotation speed, and residence time, with the purpose to optimize the formulations to suit the needs of the industrial partner. TO BE CONT’D

Exploring the Physical Education-Related Needs and Self-Efficacy of Elementary School Teachers

The objective of the proposed internship is to conduct a needs assessment to identify the challenges of teaching physical education in elementary school, and determine supports/resources to improve teachers’ confidence to instruct physical education. As the GoodLife Kids Foundation supports national, provincial, and local programs that provide ongoing physical activity opportunities for kids, findings from this project will be used to inform future program planning and evaluation of prior initiatives.

Mechanistic Characterization of Shredded Tire Stress Dissipation and Drainage Sublayers in Roads to Mitigate Frost Heave in Canadian Field State Conditions

Annually over a million scrap tires are generated in Saskatchewan which in the past have

been disposed of in landfills and streams. At the same time, Saskatchewan has also

experienced a drastic increase in truck traffic on roadway infrastructure that is ageing. This

has resulted in the need for the construction of new roads and the rehabilitation of existing

ones. In addition, significant changes in climatic conditions have also been recorded including

high road substructure moisture problems and an increased number of freeze thaw cycles,

both of which can cause cracks and ruts on road surfaces. Previous research work adopted

the use of shredded tire material as a drainage layer to mitigate frost and moisture problems.

Test sections built using this technology performed well in drainage and frost insulation but

performed poorly in providing structural support. This research examines the possibility of

improving the structural performance of shredded tire road systems through laboratory and

field evaluation.

Development of innovative rock mass mapping techniques in underground mining

Considerable advances in geological and rock engineering mapping methods using both conventional and remote sensing techniques have occurred over the last decade. The primary objective of the proposed research is to develop the use Virtual and Mixed Reality (VR/MR), techniques in improving structural geological and rock mass field data acquisition. New uses of MR and Virtual Reality, VR, methods will be explored in combined field and office settings. The research will enhance the use of existing mine datasets both during mapping and subsequently in office data interpretation and mine design use. The internee will gain expertise in a wide variety of mine and office based rock engineering techniques including state-of-the-art VR/MR and remote sensing methods. A major benefit to SRK will be the development of improved state-of-the-art mapping techniques and optimized exploitation and communication of mine datasets through the use of virtual reality platforms and mixed reality holographic image sets.

Data-driven Adaptive Model Predictive Control of Heat produced by Resistive Heating Elements in Enhanced Oil Recovery

NEXEN has proposed a novel and advanced thermal EOR technique for oil sands recovery, which is both economically efficient and environmentally sustainable as compared to current thermal oil recovery method (SAGD). The focus of this research project is to investigate, analyze, improve, and design heat transfer modeling and control strategies for proposed enhanced oil sands recovery so that it could be commercialized in future. Rate of heat transfer in proposed technique is low as compared to SAGD, which is directly proportional to rate of oil recovery. Therefore, various ways will be investigated to improve heat transfer rate to improve oil recovery. Moreover, adaptive control system will be developed to regulate the temperature of resistive heating elements and medium.

Development of a Quantitative Reliability-based Analysis (QRA) Framework for Pipelines Exposed to Geotechnical Threats

Pipelines are a common means to transport oil, gas, and other petroleum products used by citizens in everyday life. These pipelines sometimes traverse slopes, where soil movement caused by erosion or excessive precipitation can lead to pipeline damage which may result in release of product to the environment. The results of this study will allow pipeline operators to better assess the potential for this damage to occur to ensure that the pipe can be repaired or the soil movement prevented before any safety concern arises. This will help to maintain pipeline integrity to ensure the protection of the environment and community while continuing to provide effective and reliable transportation of critical resources.

Conductive nanocomposite Leak Detection System (LDS) for oil pipeline applications

Transportation of the oil and gas through pipelines network remains a crucial infrastructure for sustaining the economic growth of Canada. A major concern has been the frequent incidents of oil spills which can cause catastrophic failures if remained undetected. Despite a plethora of Leak Detection Systems being used with state-of-the-art technologies, these monitoring systems can only detect a small fraction of oil spills. The main objective of this project is therefore to manufacture an electrically conductive polymer based leak detection system that can overcome the shortcomings of the existing ones by possessing high reliability and sensitivity to crude oil while being cost effective and manufacturable. This project will benefit the company as adding leakage sensing technology integrated with current oil-pipeline technologies can allow the elimination of expensive oil Leak Detection Systems. The cost-savings can also be realized with the quick detection, high sensitivity, and fast response in potential oil-leakage failures.

Development and validation of a machine learning predictor for the early detection of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the third leading cause of death from cancer in men in Canada. However, prostate cancer is highly treatable if diagnosed early. Unfortunately, due to lack of cost-effective and meaning test detecting the early presence of the cancer. Most prostate cancer (92%) are found when the career is spreading to nearby organs. This project aims to address the gap by using machine learning methods to build a classifier for the early detection of prostate cancer which has higher accuracy and higher sensitivity than PSA testing (the current standard).Our partner organization, Metabolomics Technologies Inc. (MTI), has conducted a clinical trial and generated metabolomics data on Prostate cancer and health-control serum samples. If this test is more meaningful to currently used PSA test, it will increase the survival rate for prostate cancer.

Reversing the ‘brain drain’: Where is Canadian STEM talent going and why?

Human capital migration, or “brain drain” as it is more commonly known, is a long-debated subject in Canadian public policy. This process involves large-scale emigration of talented individuals, educated in one country, but who choose to work in other countries to seek out higher salaries, prestige or greater occupational mobility. While this phenomenon has been long debated and discussed – mostly in relation to doctors and other medical professionals – policymakers in Canada are still often left wondering why highly skilled Canadians opt to work abroad. This issue is becoming of increasing importance for Canada’s growing technology and innovation sector as businesses are looking to grow and find talent to support this expansion. Foreign destinations, such as Silicon Valley, are attracting a growing number of Canadian graduates hoping to work at one of the region’s large technology firms, such as Google. What is driving this decision-making? TO BE CONT’D

Development of a Real Time Bioelectric BOD Sensor for Wastewater Effluent Compliance Monitoring

The necessity of cost-efficient and reliable wastewater treatment processes has increased in order to meet more stringent levels of environmental regulations, increased system reliability requirements and tightening operational budgets. To aid in meeting these operational goals, a strong market for low-cost, high-fidelity sensor technology that can relay real-time information to system operators on all aspects of wastewater treatment system performance has developed. This project looks to advance an existing prototype biosensor to the point of marketable as an end-of-pipe regulatory Biochemical Oxygen Demand monitoring device. The success of this project will produce a technology with the capability of reducing the duration/incidence of environmental contamination events, and future development of the biosensor and platform would allow for improved management of wastewater infrastructure and treatment processes. This sensor technology will well support the aforementioned goals and reduce the impact on ecosystem and human health from incompletely treated wastewater.

Communication multi-FPGA émetteur-récepteur incluant les modèles des composantes de puissances

La simulation en temps réel de système d’électronique de puissance et de réseau électrique exige de faibles pas de calcul afin d’obtenir une précision sur les phénomènes transitoires. Pour répondre au besoin de sa clientèle, OPAL-RT technologies offre des produits de pointe qui sont contraints par un problème non trivial, les délais de communication. La problématique porte sur les communications entre plateformes Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) dédié à la simulation temps-réel. Ce projet permettra de proposer des méthodes permettant de diminuer la latence de communication inter-FPGA ainsi que des techniques d’implémentation d’algorithmes de résolution de systèmes d’électronique de puissance et des réseaux électriques.