Projets novateurs réalisés

“Miniaturization events or island effect” – Investigating the evolution of sizes in bristly milliped

1D-Graphenelike electrospun nanofibers for electrode materials for hydrogen fuel cells

Étude des stratégies d’écoconception dans les entreprises manufacturières de Sherbrooke comme levier dans leur transition socio écologique

La Ville de Sherbrooke s’est dotée d’une vision de développement économique qui aspire notamment à une communauté durable et innovante. Ainsi, le Service du développement économique (SDE) de la Ville vise à accélérer la transition écologique des entreprises sherbrookoises pour réduire leur empreinte sur l’environnement et pour augmenter leur compétitivité sur le marché.

Le SDE a lancé en 2024 un projet de recherche visant à identifier des solutions pour que les entreprises manufacturières de son territoire adoptent des stratégies d’écoconception. La phase 1 du projet de recherche se déroule à l’hiver 2025 où une équipe d’étudiants à la maîtrise du CUFE de l’UdeS a pour mandat de réaliser un portrait de la situation sur l’écoconception dans un contexte d’entreprise manufacturière sur le territoire de Sherbrooke. L’objectif principal de la phase 2 du projet qui fait l’objet de cette demande Mitacs est d’identifier et de structurer des mandats relatifs à l’écoconception pour les entreprises du secteur industriel et technologique à Sherbrooke.

Ultimement, le but de cette démarche est d’illustrer aux entreprises manufacturières la valeur de la création d’emplois structurants et du déploiement de ressources en écoconception pour leur développement et pour réduire leurs impacts socioécologiques.

SailSwarm: Designing a Swarm of Autonomous Sailboats

Nutrient Recovery of Spent Biomass and Lipid-Extraction from Wastewater in the Production of Thraustochytrids

This project aims to explore the novel concept of nutrient recycling within the production process of microalgae biomass for biofuels and bioproducts. After extraction of primary products, the remaining waste materials which contain potential nutritional value will be evaluated for potential recycling as feedstocks into the production of additional microalgae biomass. Completion of this project will provide extensive information regarding the physicochemical composition of the waste products, thereby shedding light on its potential value for multiple applications. The outcomes of this project will enable the industrial partner to appropriately manage this waste stream and maximize the efficiency of their production process

Application of Microbial Induced Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) in Civil Engineering

Stage de recherche en robotique

Le projet de recherche proposé se concentre sur le développement de robots capables d’interagir de manière sécurisée et efficace avec des humains et avec leur environnement. Le stagiaire travaillera sur la réduction de l’inertie des bras robotiques en utilisant des mécanismes innovants. Les résultats attendus de ce projet incluent une meilleure sécurité et performance des robots dans des applications variées, telles que la santé, l’agriculture et la fabrication. En intégrant ces technologies, le projet vise à créer des robots plus réactifs et adaptatifs, capables de travailler aux côtés des humains dans des environnements non structurés.

Engineered Biopolymer Scaffolds for Pulp-Dentin Complex Regeneration

Dental caries can increase in severity if left untreated and result in deep carious lesions. Repairing these deep carious lesions routinely involves pulp capping, a procedure during which the tooth pulp can be accidentally exposed, allowing bacteria to enter the pulp and cause infection. Pulp capping failure rates are high, and retreatment may involve root canal or tooth extraction. This project aims to develop a bioactive, biocompatible, and cost-effective biomaterial for pulp-dentin complex regeneration. For that, porous scaffold using natural biopolymers—chitosan and nanocellulose—to support tissue regeneration will be developed using advanced manufacture methods of tissue engineering. Its bioactivity will be enhanced by incorporating calcium/phosphate-rich bioceramics, known for inducing odontogenic differentiation. By integrating tissue engineering principles, this study will advance next-generation strategies for pulp-dentin regeneration, bridging material science and clinical dentistry to improve patient outcomes.

Investigating the influence of surface chemistry on microplastic binding potential and structure of microbial biofilm

It is estimated that over 12 million tons of plastic enter our oceans annually, which slowly break down creating microplastics less than 5mm in size. In the past decade, the role microbes play in this degradation has been explored as they possess the ability to metabolize plastic, using it as an energy source. In this process, they first colonize the plastic working together to form a biofilm. This formation is important for degradation and is seen to be influenced by the surface chemistry the biofilm adheres to. To investigate these effects, the proposed research will use a flow cell device to mimic the ocean environment, and a plastic-degrading biofilm will be exposed to various types of organic and inorganic surfaces. Biofilm formation and structure will then be characterized while measuring how the biofilm surface affects its ability to uptake surrounding microplastics. The microbial biofilm used in the research originates from Vancouver, worked on by the home lab thus allowing new functions of the community to be known. Combining this with the host institutions’ flow cell technology and expertise will offer novel insights on the most efficient surface for microbial plastic degradation as well as begin international collaborations between labs.

Propelling the Maturation of Marine Renewable Energy Technology Through a Transatlantic Collaboration to Develop a Resource to Wire Modelling and Simulation Framework

Marine renewable energy (MRE) has the potential to play a transformative role in the global transition to clean energy, with Canada uniquely positioned to benefit from its vast ocean resources. However, MRE technologies remain in the early stages of development, requiring significant innovation to become commercially viable. This project aims to accelerate MRE advancement by enhancing the Ocean Engineering Toolbox (OET)—a fully open-source software platform designed to model and simulate wave and tidal energy systems. By providing researchers and engineers with an accessible, medium-fidelity numerical tool, the OET will enable more efficient technology design, reduce reliance on costly physical testing, and accelerate innovation in the field.

Through a collaboration between the University of New Brunswick, Queen’s University Belfast, and Maynooth University, this project will bring together leading international experts to develop and refine the OET’s capabilities in advanced control strategies and tidal energy system modeling. By fostering international collaboration and advancing cutting-edge simulation tools, this initiative will contribute to unlocking the immense power of Canada’s marine resources, helping drive the country toward a net-zero future while positioning it as a global leader in MRE innovation.

Advanced Methods in Neuroimaging and Applications to Reward Processing and Stress Reactivity

Cost-efficient and environmentally friendly extraction of valuable seaweed components.

(1) The partner, PhyCo, is a marine biotechnology startup specializing in the development of sustainable, seaweedbased bioplastics for agricultural applications. The company collaborates with the Verschuren Centre for product development, including seaweed bioprocessing and extrusion methods for seaweed-derived biomaterials. The main activity of the partner involves exploring proprietary biorefinery (multi-step extraction) technologies, developing bioplastic formulations, and transitioning benchwork methods to scalable processes. Additional activities include the development of novel, bioactive biopolymer blends, conducting analytical analyses, pilot-scale trials, and biodegradability assessments.
(2) The partner aims to achieve efficient extraction of valuable seaweed components using environmentally friendly methods while minimizing operational costs. These components must integrate seamlessly into bioplastic production methods like twin-screw extrusion and 3D printing. Additionally, there is a need to enhance mechanical properties (e.g., flexibility, tensile strength), scalability of thin-film bioplastics to meet market demands, and rapid biodegradation preventing residual microplastics.
(3) The project is anticipated to yield significant economic and social benefits, including the development of innovative, eco-friendly plastic alternatives, increased scalability of production processes, and reduced environmental footprints (GHG emissions). It will support the partner in creating jobs and market reach. The collaboration will contribute to advancements in biopolymer science, improving the partner’s IP and commercial capabilities.