Projets novateurs réalisés

TRLUP – Photonic and electrical chip integration

The rapid rise in global telecommunications, fueled by artificial intelligence and edge computing, is placing unprecedented pressure on existing infrastructure. Data centers, in particular, are struggling to meet surging demands for bandwidth and energy efficiency, raising concerns about scalability and environmental impact. To address this, our team has developed a novel photonic telecom switch designed to overcome the performance and energy limitations of traditional electronic switches. These switches form the backbone of communication between service providers, internet exchanges, and hyperscale data centers but are increasingly bottlenecked by the limits of electronic processing. Our approach uses a passive optical computing architecture, allowing for significantly higher bandwidth and lower energy consumption than current electro-optic systems.
In addition to enhanced performance, our design emphasizes ease of integration and troubleshooting, which makes it more practical for real-world deployment. The switch offers two key advantages: it improves throughput while significantly reducing energy use. This not only enhances performance but also lowers capital and operating costs, making the infrastructure more scalable and sustainable.

We have successfully demonstrated the system in a laboratory setting using bulk and fiber-based components, and are transitioning from this lab-scale setup to a compact, chip-integrated version suitable for field deployment. A central challenge is integrating the PIC with control and RF electronics into a single, co-packaged system capable of active operation. This project will address that challenge by providing the micro-assembly expertise and system integration support needed to bridge the gap between lab demonstration and deployable hardware, ultimately enabling the commercialization of our energy-efficient photonic telecom switch.

Development of Earthquake Risk Scenerio for City of Burnaby

The City of Burnaby is developing the Burnaby Strategies and Actions for Earthquake Resilience (B-SAFER) to address the growing threat of seismic hazards through scenario-based risk modeling, planning, and policy development. Located in one of the most seismically active zones in Canada, Burnaby is exposed to both large-scale subduction events (e.g., Cascadia) and shallow crustal earthquakes (e.g., Georgia Strait). The need for localized, scientifically credible risk modeling is urgent, especially in light of the city’s aging infrastructure and rapid population growth.
This proposed MITACS-supported research will engage a student and faculty member from British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) in direct collaboration with Licker Geospatial, Thrive Consulting and Burnaby city staff. The project aims to develop two detailed earthquake risk scenarios using OpenQuake modeling software—one for a Cascadia Subduction Zone event and one for a Georgia Strait crustal earthquake. These scenarios will be informed by regional hazard models, seismic microzonation data, and Burnaby’s building inventory. The results will serve as core technical inputs for Burnaby’s earthquake risk reduction strategies and will enhance its ability to prioritize retrofits, zoning changes, emergency planning, and communication with equity-denied and high-risk communities. This will set a precedent for academic-institution-led research directly benefiting municipal disaster resilience.

TRLUP – Engineering Design and Manufacturing Readiness Strategy for a Brewery-Scale Carbon Capture System

This project aims to design a compact carbon capture system that can help small and mid-sized breweries reuse the CO2 they produce during fermentation. Over four months, the project will develop detailed system designs, technical drawings, and cost estimates to prepare the technology for real-world use. The work will also explore how the system can be protected through intellectual property and made cost-effective to build. With support from experts at SAIT’s applied research facilities, the project will lay the groundwork for future manufacturing and pilot testing, helping move this clean technology from the lab into everyday use.

Stablecoins

Stablecoins are an emerging application of blockchain technology that tether the value of a cryptocurrency token to a traditional, ‘real-world’ asset (most commonly the American dollar). As stablecoin adoption grows and this technology becomes increasingly interconnected with traditional finance infrastructure (banks, payment companies, federal reserves, etc.), this project will explore the current methodology for the development of the underlying blockchain technology used in stablecoins, with an emphasis on identifying who possesses control of this process and any associated security risks. Existing governance research in this space generally focuses on legal frameworks and monetary policy considerations, and there is a research gap on the governance of the development of the technology that is core to stablecoins. This research closely relates to the Digital Policy Hub’s core research areas of digital economy, governance frameworks, and national security and democracy, as stablecoin technology threatens to become a major part of the future digital economy. Ultimately, this work will help governments and governing bodies understand the risks associated with the current process of this technology development and may advise the future development of safe technology development standards for stablecoins.

International Touring Strategy and Cross-Cultural Market Development for 2b Theatre Company

This project supports 2b theatre company’s strategic expansion into international markets through comprehensive tour support and market research activities. Intern Rebecca Desmarais will provide production assistance for the company’s presentations at Edinburgh Festival Fringe and debut performances in Shanghai, whilst conducting in-depth analysis of international presenting networks and cultural programming opportunities. The project will develop scalable touring strategies for 2b theatre’s diverse repertoire, including cross-cultural collaborations, and create systematic frameworks for presenter relationship management and international market development. Through hands-on tour support combined with strategic research, this internship will position 2b theatre for sustained international growth whilst generating valuable market intelligence that benefits the broader Canadian performing arts sector’s global competitiveness.

Empowering Rural Communities through Climate Change Education and Training for Resilience and Sustainability

This research project will support rural communities in Mongolia by creating climate change education and training materials tailored to their unique environment and way of life. Many herders and farmers in Mongolia face serious challenges due to extreme weather and changing climates, which affect their land, water, and food. Working with the ECCO-FARM project, the intern will develop learning tools and a resilience plan that help local people—especially women and youth—gain the knowledge and skills they need to adapt. The research will combine local traditional knowledge with modern science to make sure the materials are relevant and easy to understand. The goal is to give communities the tools to make smart decisions for their future and to protect their natural resources. The partner organization, Alinea International Ltd., will benefit from research that supports its goals of promoting climate-smart farming and stronger community engagement across Mongolia.

The Potential of Regulatory Sandboxes in Minimizing Systemic Risks of Surveillance-Based Harms in AI Systems

This project will focus on the role of regulatory sandboxes in AI governance, exploring how privacy and AI oversight can work together through interviews and fieldwork in the EU and UK at a time when EU regulators are actively working to develop their AI sandboxes under the EU AI Act. The project will bridge the expertise of my thesis advisor, Prof. Teresa Scassa—an expert in privacy and AI regulation—and my hosting supervisor, Prof. Sofia Ranchordàs—an expert in administrative law and EU law. The findings will offer timely insights for Canada, where recent proposals to amend the Red Tape Reduction Act reflect a growing interest in regulatory sandboxes. By drawing on international experience, the project aims to inform Canadian policy-making while strengthening institutional ties between LUISS Guido Carli and the University of Ottawa.

Food and Nutrition Security in children with disabilities in schools in Gauteng: Perspectives of caregivers

This project explores food and nutrition security for children with disabilities in schools in Gauteng, South Africa, by working directly with caregivers. It aims to adapt and test a measurement tool that can help understand how well these children’s food needs are being met. By using inclusive communication methods, like Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to enhance research inclusivity for families with low literacy levels, the project ensures that families’ voices are heard. The partnership between the University of Ottawa and the University of Pretoria strengthens research on disability and nutrition and helps both institutions learn new, community-based ways to improve health for vulnerable groups.

Vers la réduction des impacts de l’acidification des océans dus à l’azote et au soufre

Ce projet de recherche vise à mieux comprendre l’impact de l’acidification des océans causée par les émissions d’azote et de soufre, en complément des effets déjà étudiés des gaz à effet de serre. Il développera un modèle global permettant d’évaluer ces effets sur la biodiversité marine et d’identifier les zones les plus vulnérables. Cette approche innovante comblera une lacune importante dans la méthode actuelle d’analyse du cycle de vie (ACV), utilisée pour orienter les politiques environnementales et les choix industriels. La collaboration entre l’ÉTS (Canada) et NTNU (Norvège) permettra de renforcer les expertises de chaque institution : l’ÉTS consolidera son rôle en modélisation environnementale et bénéficiera d’outils utiles pour la protection de ses écosystèmes marins, tandis que NTNU avancera ses travaux sur les impacts environnementaux à l’échelle mondiale. Ce partenariat favorisera également la formation de personnel hautement qualifié et stimulera de futures collaborations internationales. En fournissant aux chercheurs, décideurs et entreprises une meilleure compréhension des causes de la perte de biodiversité marine, ce projet contribuera directement à la transition écologique et au développement durable, tant au Canada qu’à l’échelle mondiale.

Optimizing mid-air haptics for the dorsal side of the hand

The proposed research explores the use of mid-air haptics using ultrasound waves on the dorsal side of the hand, with envisioned applications for the dynamic display of haptic cues while reading embossed braille or tactile graphics.

Biomass-waste derived Quantum Dots nanocomposite-based electrochemical sensor for detecting emerging pollutants

Emerging contaminants (ECs) have become a significant environmental concern due to their widespread presence and risks to health and ecosystems. Meanwhile, agricultural waste is also increasing, providing a valuable source for high-value materials. Traditional detection methods are costly, slow, and require specialized equipment and time-consuming laboratory analyses. Electrochemical sensors offer a low-cost, rapid, and sensitive alternative for EC detection and remediation. This project aims to develop innovative electrochemical sensors using carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and bacterial cellulose (BC), both sustainably derived from biomass waste. These nanomaterials together provide excellent conductivity, large surface area, and biocompatibility, improving sensor performance for detecting and degrading ECs. The research will tackle challenges in synthesizing quality carbon nanomaterials and integrating them into polymer matrices to create stable, efficient, and eco-friendly sensors. This sustainable project will benefit both host and home institutions by advancing their expertise in green synthesis and environmental sensing. By applying waste-derived nanomaterials, the collaboration will strengthen knowledge in sustainable technologies and circular economy principles. The partnership will also promote knowledge exchange, joint publications, and long-term cooperation, driving innovations to address global environmental challenges.

Integrated genetic and spatial network analyses for the St. Lawrence Estuary beluga population

The proposed project will address the research question: what is the role of relatedness in shaping spatial and social associations of St. Lawrence Estuary belugas? This work is proposed in partnership with the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM), which is a non-profit organization dedicated to both scientific research on the whales of the St. Lawrence and education for the sake of marine conservation. GREMM has been working with Dr. Tyler Bonnell et al. to quantify spatial structuring within this beluga population and with Dr. Tim Frasier to develop an archival genetic database for population monitoring purposes, but there has not yet been an opportunity to integrate these spatial and genetic data to better understand why the observed spatial associations exist; the proposed work aims to fill this gap. This project represents an important step in GREMM’s long-term beluga program. It will open new avenues for GREMM research and conservation actions and outreach programs.