Projets novateurs réalisés

L2M – Antioxidant-rich Functional Fiber Developed from Co-products of Cereals and Legumes

Antioxidant dietary fiber is an emerging concept that combines the health benefits of dietary fiber and natural polyphenolic antioxidants into a single functional ingredient. Dietary fiber supports gut and heart health, blood sugar regulation, weight management, and digestive well-being. Phenolic compounds, commonly found in colorful fruits and vegetables, help protect the body from oxidative damage that can lead to serious diseases such as cancer and heart disease. In addition, there is a growing demand for natural alternatives to synthetic food additives. While antioxidant-rich dietary fiber from fruits and vegetables has been widely studied, less attention has been paid to similar compounds found in cereal and legume by-products, such as wheat and oat bran, as well as faba bean and lentil hulls. These by-products are generated in large quantities by the food industry and are often discarded or used as low-value animal feed, contributing to environmental waste and greenhouse gas emissions. These agricultural residues are rich in both dietary fiber and antioxidant compounds, but 35-65% of the polyphenols are bound within the fiber and cannot be used by the body. This project aims to transform these underutilized by-products into high-value, health-promoting ingredients. By applying special heat-based and non-heat-based processing methods, we will release these polyphenolic antioxidants and improve the way dietary fiber works in our body. This approach offers a dual benefit of improving the health effects of both antioxidants and dietary fiber. The result is a novel natural ingredient that can serve as functional food ingredients, supplements, and even pet food, supporting better health in people and animals alike. By upcycling these by-products, we aim to build a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable food system for everyone.

Green Strategies for the Urban Design and Development of a Public Square for The City of Kitchener’s Intermodal Transit Hub

The research project will use a case study approach at the proposed Transit Hub for the City of Kitchener. In its objectives, the research will focus on the opportunities for a high quality green public space/square to better integrate a new LRT line and a new GO/VIA rail station into the surrounding city. It will look at how to create a healthy people oriented public environment that will also transfer people from one mode of transit to another. With the surrounding new mixed use developments and heritage architecture of Kitchener’s industrial past, the case study is typical of the situation facing most urban centres undertaking transit expansion in Ontario. Masri O Architects will benefit from the research undertaken in the Mitacs partnership by acquiring a better understanding of the potential of new ideas in green urbanism and sustainable materials strategies which they will then be able to incorporate into their architectural and urban design in the future.

L2M – Forge Climate Business Development

Cement manufacturing is responsible for approximately 8% of global CO2 emissions, equivalent to all gas-powered passenger vehicles on the road today. The primary emissions source is the high-temperature decomposition of limestone, a process deeply embedded in traditional cement production. Forge Climate is tackling this challenge with a novel, electricity-driven solution: the cement electrolyzer. Powered by renewable energy, our system produces key cement precursors at room temperature. This approach not only avoids combustion-related emissions but also releases a pure stream of CO2, enabling low-cost carbon capture without the energy penalties of current technologies. Forge Climate’s process is projected to maintain cost parity with today’s cement, a stark contrast to post-combustion capture methods, which may double or triple costs. To move toward commercialization, Forge aims to build a pilot plant to support third-party certification and small-scale deployment, proving technical viability and product-market fit. This Mitacs project supports the development of a business strategy to bring the cement electrolyzer to market. It will assess customer needs, market segmentation, policy impact, financial models, and environmental benefits. The goal: to position Forge Climate for successful capital raising and ultimately, industry-scale deployment of clean cement production.

L2M – Modular Hybrid Air Purification System

Indoor air pollution has become a growing concern, especially in homes, schools, offices, and healthcare facilities where people spend most of their time. Existing commercial air purifiers are often limited in function, focusing on removing specific pollutants while requiring frequent manual filter replacements. Many are not compatible with HVAC systems and often produce noise and airflow that can disrupt comfortable environments. This project proposes the development of a modular hybrid air purification system that solves these issues by combining multiple purification methods into a single, smart, low-maintenance device.

The system integrates mechanical filtration, activated carbon adsorption, bipolar ionization, and photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) to target a wide range of air pollutants, including particulate matter, odors, volatile organic compounds, and airborne pathogens. What makes this system unique is the use of regenerable filters with embedded Joule heating elements that allow self-cleaning, extending the filter life and reducing waste and maintenance costs. It also features wind-free air dispersion for silent, draft-free operation and can function as either a standalone unit or integrate directly into HVAC systems. Smart sensors monitor air quality in real-time and automatically control the purifier’s operation and cleaning cycles.

This project will benefit potential industry partners by offering a sustainable, scalable air purification solution that can meet diverse customer needs in residential and commercial settings. Through Lab2Market Validate, we will explore customer requirements, validate the market opportunity, and build a commercialization strategy that connects real-world needs with an innovative, practical, and manufacturable product.

L2M Validation / Qc Automne 2025 / Sécurisation des ordinateurs quantiques contre des cybermenaces

La concrétisation des ordinateurs quantiques introduit de nouveaux vecteurs d’attaque tels que les virus quantiques, les cyberattaques quantiques. Les outils actuels de détection des virus informatiques ou des menaces cyber n’ont pas été conçus pour les ordinateurs quantiques, les exposant ainsi à des nouvelles vulnérabilités qui peuvent être exploitées par les acteurs malicieux. Les fournisseurs des services quantiques sur le cloud, les institutions financières et de recherche, les gouvernements et les firmes de cybersécurité utilisent les services quantiques aussi bien sur le cloud que sur place et ces services peuvent être compromis si rien n’est fait. Nous proposons de développer un pare-feu couplé à un antivirus quantique pour détecter et neutraliser les virus et cybermenaces dans les environnements de calcul quantique.

L2M –Sustainable alternative supplementary cementitious materials using oat husk

This project explores innovative ways to convert agricultural residues (i.e., oat husks) into sustainable construction materials. Specifically, the research focuses on developing and validating cement replacement products derived from agro-waste, which can help reduce the carbon footprint of concrete, a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions.
The intern will work closely with both academic researchers and industry partners to assess the market potential of these alternative materials. The project aims to support the commercialization of a low-carbon supplementary cementitious material (SCM) by refining the product’s value proposition, identifying key stakeholders, and developing a go-to-market strategy.
By combining scientific testing with business strategy development, this initiative supports Canada’s clean technology sector and contributes to more sustainable infrastructure development.

L2M – Validate, ComfiDam

This project will help evaluate the market for ComfiDam, a breathable rubber dam that makes dental procedures safer and more comfortable for patients. Rubber dams are considered mandatory for root canal procedures, which are performed over 15 million times each year in the United States, essential for infection control and patient safety. However, their adoption remains low due to discomfort caused by restricted mouth breathing. By talking to dentists, industry experts, and other stakeholders, we will test whether ComfiDam addresses this issue effectively, identify the best market segments, and build a plan for launching the product. The expected benefit to the partner organization, DMZ Ventures Inc., is the development of a commercialization strategy for a promising dental innovation, contributing to its goal of supporting startups with high-impact technologies.

Testing the relationships between balancing selection and deleterious genetic mutations in four endangered species of whale

Although small and isolated populations experience increased extinction risk, recent research shows that not all small populations are doomed to extinction. The ability to predict the probability of extinction in nature could therefore direct conservation resources to those populations most in need. One theory is that small populations can evade extinction when directional selection removes deleterious genetic mutations from populations. However, this understanding has been developed through laboratory experiments, which manipulate directional selection and ignore balancing selection. In nature, genomic diversity, including deleterious mutation, is shaped by both directional and balancing selection. To accurately predict extinction risk in natural populations, it may thus be valuable to understand the relationship between balancing selection and deleterious genetic mutations. Through a collaborative effort with Dr. Andrew D. Foote and his lab at The University of Oslo (UiO), I propose to quantify the relationships between balancing selection and mutation load across four species of endangered whale using bioinformatics methods and conservation genomics approaches. Working with colleagues at UiO will enable the cooperative development of bioinformatics code and the sharing of ideas that could then foster future research projects inclusive of international partnership in the spirit of knowledge and conservation.

L2M Launch: Development of screening tool for Cardiovascular Disease risk and the semi-quantification of salivary proteins.

Over 30% of deaths globally are reported to be caused by cardiovascular disease (CVD), making CVDs recognized as one of the leading causes of death annually by the World Health Organization.1 The high prevalence of CVD, in combination with the demographic shift towards an ageing population with high incidence of chronic diseases, make CVD a significant threat for society, necessitating accessible screening for CVD and early diagnosis of the disease. Toward that end, the development of affordable, accurate, and timely CVD screening is critical. The industry partner organization, Sparked Inc, has developed a rapid test using an instrument-free microfluidic paper-based analytical device. The device offers a semi-quantitative determination of a target salivary protein and indicates the users level of risk for CVD conditions such as vascular inflammation, endothelial injury, and heart disease. The current device capabilities would be extended through the partnership with Mitacs, allowing the device to capture additional salivary target biomarkers and improving the risk score associated with CVD that is provided to users.

L2M – Scalable and Green Nano-manufacturing of Graphene and 2D Nanomaterials for Energy and Consumer Technologies

The proposed project focuses on developing and commercializing a novel method called Compressible Flow Exfoliation (CFE) for producing high-quality 2D materials like graphene and boron nitride. Traditional production methods are expensive, inefficient, and environmentally harmful, limiting their widespread use in industries such as electronics, energy storage, and composites. The CFE method offers a scalable, cost-effective, and chemical-free alternative that enhances yield while maintaining material quality. This project will assess its market potential, optimize production, and develop a business strategy for industry adoption.

L2M – DePerio: Deep Learning-Based Oral Inflammatory Load Quantification for Periodontal Application

We are developing DePerio, a fast, non-invasive test that uses saliva and artificial intelligence to detect early signs of gum disease. Traditional dental methods are slow and only find problems after damage has occurred. Our solution uses a small chip and smart software to analyze immune cells in saliva, giving results in seconds. This tool can help dentists catch disease early, improve patient care, and make dental testing easier and more accessible, even at home.

L2M – Commercialization Strategy for a Dual-Function Ship Stabilization and Wave Energy Harvesting Module

This project will explore how to bring a new clean technology called Propel to market. Propel is a device that helps ships use less fuel by reducing how much they rock and move on the waves, while also turning that motion into clean electricity. The intern will talk to people in the shipping industry to better understand their needs, gather feedback, and see if this solution would work for them. By the end of the project, the partner organization (Lab2Market) will have a clearer idea of whether the technology is ready for real-world use and how to move forward with making it available to ship operators.