Projets novateurs réalisés

Computational and experimental characterization of mechanical performance of cross laminated timber (CLT)

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is an engineered wood panel typically consisting of multiple layers of glued timber stacked in a cross-ply layup. Timber shows a strong anisotropic mechanical behavior due to its microstructure. With a cross lamination, the CLT possesses superior dimensional stability, strength and rigidity, in comparison to traditional wood products. In Canada, CLT is gaining increasing recognition as a high-performance material for structural systems, as well as a new opportunity for wood in non-traditional applications. In order to fulfill its potential applications, the mechanical performance of the CLT needs to be studied in details, especially the failure mechanisms. The objective of this project is to systematically investigate and characterize the mechanical performance of the CLT through both numerical modelling and experimental methods. Successful completion of this project will provide innovative solutions for the industry partner, Guardian Structures, to help them achieve their desired mechanical performance of CLT and pave the path to new applications.

Development of an information theory-based mutation detector for a commercial bioinformatics genome server

I have recently developed a piece of software that can be used to interpret the effects of DNA sequence differences in human genomes. The analysis produces results that predict disease mutations. Dr. Rogan’s laboratory has developed approaches of visualizing DNA sequence data, which I will incorporate into this software. I will modify the existing visualization software to run Java and integrate this Java code in to my previously developed mutation detection software. This proposal will also improve the performance of the software I developed. This is important because analysis of large numbers of mutations currently takes many hours on a typical computer server, and the user expects these results more quickly. The software currently analyzes variants that alter gene expression. The capabilities of this software will also be extended to analyze others types of mutations. This software will allow researchers to focus their efforts on confirming only genetic variants….

Distant Pointing in Virtual Environments

No Project Overview was submitted for this so here is me rambling on to finnish the wordcount.

Improving Powder Performance by Development and Optimization of Industrial Lubricants and Mixing Technology for Powder Metallurgy – Year two

Ideal flow, high-volume Powder Metallurgy (PM) manufacturing can achieve uniform, consistent filling of die cavities, leading to high productivity, low rejection rates, improved part integrity and consistent part dimensions. The type and amount of lubricant, size and shape of lubricant particles, mixing parameters and certain environmental conditions all significantly influence the flow characteristics and apparent density (AD) of powder mixtures. Lubricants also affect part integrity and strength after compaction, and must be chosen carefully to ensure high part material density after pressing. Properly controlling delubrication and sintering conditions helps avoid stain formation and improves the mechanical properties of final products.
Industrial lubricants produced by H.L. Blachford are mixed with iron powder produced by Rio-Tinto to make “press-ready” powder mixtures for PM parts. TO BE CONT’D

Improving Powder Performance by Development and Optimization of Industrial Lubricants and Mixing Technology for Powder Metallurgy

Ideal flow, high-volume Powder Metallurgy (PM) manufacturing can achieve uniform, consistent filling of die cavities, leading to high productivity, low rejection rates, improved part integrity and consistent part dimensions. The type and amount of lubricant, size and shape of lubricant particles, mixing parameters and certain environmental conditions all significantly influence the flow characteristics and apparent density (AD) of powder mixtures. Lubricants also affect part integrity and strength after compaction, and must be chosen carefully to ensure high part material density after pressing. Properly controlling delubrication and sintering conditions helps avoid stain formation and improves the mechanical properties of final products.
Industrial lubricants produced by H.L. Blachford are mixed with iron powder produced by Rio-Tinto to make “press-ready” powder mixtures for PM parts. TO BE CONT’D

Integrated Far- and Near-Field Human Exposure Modelling for Organic Substances – Year two

Thousands of organic chemicals have been synthesized and commercialized for industrial and consumer uses. However, an increasing number of organic chemicals are revealed to be “hazardous” because of their potential adverse environmental and/or health effects. The project seeks to identify the primary route(s) that humans take up these organic substances, e.g., use of personal care products, through inhalation of contaminated indoor air and dust, or consumption of contaminated animal- and vegetable-based food. We develop integrated mechanistic models that combine both near- and far-field exposure pathways in an explicit, coherent manner, and apply these tools to help establish a comprehensive, integrated understanding of human exposure to chemicals in products. TO BE CONT’D

Integrated Far- and Near-Field Human Exposure Modelling for Organic Substances

While we enjoy the modern convenience brought by a multitude of man-made organic chemicals, such as surfactants and flame retardants, the exposure to these compounds, some of which are bio-accumulative, persistent and even toxic, may endanger our health. Humans are exposed to chemicals in consumer products during both product use in the indoor environment (near-field exposure), and consumption of contaminated animal- and vegetable-based foods (far-field exposure). The proposed research will use mechanistic models as powerful tools to systematically explore two fundamental but poorly understood questions: (i) What are the relative contributions of the two general chemical exposure fields to overall human exposure? And (ii) what factors influence these relative exposures the most. The proposed research will build upon the steady-state mechanistic human exposure models RAIDAR and RAIDAR-ICE. Batch simulation will be conducted to systematically investigate the influence of selected key parameters. TO BE CONT’D

The Effects Of Road Reclamation Method On Woodland Caribou And Other Boreal Species

This study will examine the relationship between reclamation methods and when deactivated roads become suitable for caribou, using developing UAV technology to monitor caribou while testing UAV effectiveness in the field. This will be done by establishing long-term cameras along reclaimed road sites, monitoring wildlife movement through the study areas and by completing aerial wildlife surveys with UAVs and different sensors to establish a baseline count of the animals within the area and aid in tracking their movements. Various stages of recovery will help develop chronological sequences of events, measuring the time between reclamation, the rate and quality of forest recovery and the activities of different wildlife species. This is important in protecting forest biodiversity and to look for more effective and efficient ways to regenerate the forests after harvest; adding to the knowledge of interspecies dynamics and how human induced forest disturbance affects the long-term ecology of boreal ecosystems.

Investigating the Non-linear characteristics of EVestG signals in healthy controls andthose of Meniere’s Disease.

Dizziness is among the top three reasons that patients seek medical attention, and one of the

most common disabling conditions that humans face. One of the diseases that may cause

dizziness is Meniere’s disease, which its correct and timely diagnosis and separation from

other causes of dizziness with current techniques are quite challenging. On the other hand,

Electrovestibulography (EVestG) is a new technique for recording vestibular responses in the

ear, and has shown very encouraging results for to show EVestG signals being capable of

discerning Meniere’s disease for both bilateral and unilateral impairments. This study is a

pilot study on the use of EVestG for diagnosis of Meniere’s disease by analyzing the EVestG

nonlinear fractal dimension characteristics. We will validate the fractal dimension

characteristics by statistical analysis between two groups of individuals with no dizziness and

those suspected of Meniere’s.

Development of a High Power Picosecond Infrared Laser for Medical Applications – Year two

This project will focus on furthering the development of a compact picosecond infrared laser (PIRL) system for use in surgical applications. This laser system, which represents a new paradigm for laser surgery, is unique in its ability to provide high-speed cutting of biological tissue without the collateral damage to surrounding tissues inherent in current surgical laser technologies. Furthermore, this laser allows for the possibility of real-time diagnostics, as molecular fragments of the ablated tissue are left intact and can be analyzed through mass spectrometry. As an intern, I will be working on furthering the development of the existing PIRL system to raise the output power by an order of magnitude compared to existing designs. Our industrial partner will benefit from our group’s substantial capabilities in rapid optical prototyping and our group’s extensive knowledge in ultrafast laser technology, with the ultimate goal of bringing the PIRL technology into clinical practice.

Development of a High Power Picosecond Infrared Laser for Medical Applications

This project will focus on furthering the development of a compact picosecond infrared laser (PIRL) system for use in surgical applications. This laser system, which represents a new paradigm for laser surgery, is unique in its ability to provide high-speed cutting of biological tissue without the collateral damage to surrounding tissues inherent in current surgical laser technologies. Furthermore, this laser allows for the possibility of real-time diagnostics, as molecular fragments of the ablated tissue are left intact and can be analyzed through mass spectrometry. As an intern, I will be working on furthering the development of the existing PIRL system to raise the output power by an order of magnitude compared to existing designs. Additionally, I will be working on a fibre-optic delivery system to be used as the surgeon’s “scalpel”. TO BE CONT’D

Validation of novel neurofeedback training engine for improving brain health in aging and neurodevelopmental disorders – Year two

Memory impairment is the most common complaint associated with aging. Promising interventions based on research are generally reserved for clinical settings. Technological advancement has now made it possible to administer neurofeedback, an established technique for self-regulating brain waves, using portable technology. xSensa Labs, the partner organization, has developed a digital solution that translates research protocols for neurofeedback into portable technology for improving cognition. Over the past year, the partner has sought validation of their mobile application by conducting a randomized control trial (RCT) to extend prior research by using wearable brain-sensing technology (e.g. BrainLink). At present, the partner aims to extend the original RCT to include 100 more samples to increase the sensitivity and generalizability of its neurofeedback engine. This scaling-up phase will allow digital health products developed by xSensa Labs to be launched to the general public with the goal of improving memory and attention in older adults.