Innovative Projects Realized

Mathematical Model of Electrolytic Wastewater Treatment Cell

The purpose of this project is to mathematically model the process of electrochemical wastewater treatment in an effort to expedite the formulation of design parameters and increase the viability of such a treatment system. An electrochemical cell is a specific example of a physical system with multiple interfaces. These interfaces are characteristic of systems with phase boundaries or boundaries between insulators, conductors and semi conductors. Since these types of systems share so many similar features with one another, it should be possible to model all of them in a similar fashion.

There are two objectives of the proposal. The first is to develop a general, systematic framework for             modeling systems with interfaces. This is a crucial first step that must be completed before the second objective of the research may begin The second objective is to develop a robust mathematical model for an electrolytic treatment cell. This is because modeling a system with interfaces carries particular challenges. Far away from the interface one may make a number of approximations that significantly reduce the complexity of the model allowing one to obtain a reasonable solution. However, near the interface such approximations are no longer valid. Some of these are listed below.

Development of Environmentally-Benign Compressed Air Vehicles

The present project conducts a comprehensive thermodynamic analysis of the compressed air vehicle for its performance assessment and comparison with other types of vehicles, undertakes a life cycle assessment to study material, energy and environmental impact related aspects, investigates the physical limits of the compressed air technology, and develops a feasible conceptual design of the system for prototyping and implementation, covering all phases associated to research results to support follow on proof of concept work consisting of prototype development and financial resource engagement. The metrics generated by t he research project will strengthen Planet’s case for cooperation and financial support and ongoing work in building partnerships with public and private sector stakeholders, including a testing and evaluation phase, currently in the planning stage, to be carried out in partnership with amid sized municipality in Southern Ontario.

Design of a Collapsible Intermodal Shipping Container

By the end of the internship, the students should be able to provide Lancaster Sheet metal (sponsor company) with a valid design for a collapsible intermodal container in order to minimize their shipping costs. As understood from Lancaster Sheet Metal, the company ships its products in intermodal containers, and then the containers are sent back empty. Hence, if 2 or 3 containers can be collapses and sent back with cost of one, it will help Lancaster Sheet Metal reduce shipping costs and achieve higher profits.

A Distributed Storage Cache for Virtualized Environments

Whitebark Pine and Grizzly Bear Research and Recovery in Southwest BC

Whitebark pine is an important high elevation species in BC’s coastal mountains, but it is vulnerable to extinction due to threats such as pest outbreaks and climate change. The species is therefore in dire need of restoration and research to both sustain future populations, and improve scientific knowledge of its ecological functions. The internship involves assisting in an enhancement and research program being conducted by Keefer Ecological Services Ltd. and the Lillooet Tribal Council. The intern will be involved with cone collection, seed planting, conducting health and productivity surveys, mapping stands, and conducting public outreach regarding whitebark pine. In addition to these functions, the student will also lead and conduct wildlife surveys in stands to better understand habitat and forage values of whitebark pine. Information gathered on use and consumption by grizzly bears in the Lillooet area may provide novel and beneficial insight into the poorly understood relationship among these species in Canada. 

VARIANTS IN NFB-INDUCING KINASE GENE (NIK, MAP3K14) ASSOCIATED WITH MORTALITY IN SEPTIC SHOCK

Septic shock is the most common cause of death in critically ill patients in Intensive Care Units.  The development of septic shock is an extremely complex process involving many different cellular pathways of interacting proteins. One of the main proteins involved in these pathways is called nuclear factor kappa beta (NFκB). This protein controls the activities of other genes that are important to the survival of patients with septic shock. NFκB activity is controlled by another protein called NFκB inducing kinase (NIK).

Even though human DNA code is ~99.8% similar between people, small differences from person to person have been shown to affect outcome in disease and response to medicine, a field called pharmacogenetics. We have found an association with one of these DNA differences in NIK and increased mortality in approximately 1200 patients, meaning that depending on your genetic code in this gene you may have a better or worse chance of surviving sepsis. This research project would allow us to determine exactly how NIK genetic variation affects the NIK protein and thus the chance of dying from septic shock, which may also lead to better treatment for patients in intensive care units.

Developing a Quantitative Triangulation Method for Evaluating Sports Games in Production

The game user research field has been increasingly gaining popularity within the video game industry that is interested in applying scientific research to better understand their audiences and optimize the quality of their game experiences. Quantitative approaches are important due to their utility in generating non-biased data concerning emotional responses, engagement, and in-game behaviors. This project is a continuation of a project we started with our industry partner Electronic Arts to investigate such direction. We are looking at using and triangulating quantitative data including data from psychophysiological sensors (electromyography, heart rate, and galvanic skin response), eye tracker, and game telemetry (events log). We will employ qualitative methods, like interviews and surveys, as these methods will complement information.

An intelligent multi-modal decision support system for automatic diagnosis of active tuberculosis.

Automation of medical diagnosis/detection process is very important in terms of enhancing diagnostic accuracy, increasing throughput, reducing cost, and training new staff. In this project we are interested to investigate the usage of intelligent decision support techniques to automate the diagnosis/detection process of active tuberculosis. Smart tools for medical applications have high importance and increasing market demand.. Smart labs is aiming from this project to develop automatic diagnosis tools for medical applications which is required by a partner company. This project is considered a seed for a line of business in developing smart components for medical field. 

Assessing Alternative Options and Refinement of Biomass Combustion Systems for Energy Cost Reduction in Greenhouse Industries

AMCO requires improvements to the alternate energy systems that cannot be supported by operating profits alone. This project is essential to ensure the company remains viable and that the company does not shut down the Biomass Plant and absorb such debt in its current operations. The project will increase the amount of green energy production thereby reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and proactively reducing CO2 disbursed into the atmosphere.

However a number of technical hurdles associated with the conversion and management of biomass and other low grade fuels are the major issues that inhabit their use as potential fuels.

The intern with the support from all the partners will work on these issues. MITACS’s support will help with timeliness of the project, assist us to get and maintain the best available technical resources for crucial technology know-how and transfer to AMCO.

Use of acoustic telemetry to assess the potential effects of in-stream tidal power turbines on 3 fish species in Minas Passage, Bay of Fundy

Testing of in-stream tidal power devices in Minas Passage, NS began November 12, 2009 when the first of three prototype units was installed on the seabed. The Upper Bay of Fundy, including Minas Passage, is recognized as an area of high ecological importance, and is home to a diverse assemblage of fish, which includes several species of concern. Environmental monitoring requirements include assessments of the potential impacts and interactions of marine fish species with in-stream tidal power installations. This study will utilize an array of underwater acoustic telemetry receivers to track 3 fish species of concern (striped bass, Atlantic sturgeon, and American eel) through the turbine development area. It is the intent of this study to provide movement information regarding direction, depth, speed, and dispersion, as well as information regarding behavioral avoidance and reaction responses in close proximity to the Open Hydro turbine test site. 

IP Cores Integration for Fast AES and LZ77 Processsing

The goal of the project is to continue development started during a previous internship period, integrating hardware cores with production electronic gaming machine (EGM) systems. These cores will increase the performance of the EGM systems by accelerating the speed at which graphics can be rendered on the systems display.

Integrating these cores should prove to be an invaluable asset for this system and will increase the value and salability of the EGM’s. This will be accomplished by providing a much more enjoyable gaming experience for end users by increasing load times for games. It will allow Spielo to exceed market expectations for game load times and will increase the security of the system by allowing more data to be completely encrypted. Another benefit of this implementation is to free up EGM resources to perform other unrelated tasks which cannot be done now. In working with UNB on this project, MITACS Spielo will strengthen its relationship with UNB’s Faculty of Computer Science which should lead to further joint development projects.

Occupational exposure assessment in fishing vessel holds

Fisheries are dynamic, complex environments associated with high risk of occupational injury and fatality. A multitude of factors directly and indirectly mediate occupational risks in fisheries. This study addresses the area of air-related risks in enclosed spaces on board fishing vessels. In decked vessels, fishing vessel holds and sleeping and eating areas are enclosed spaces, which may pose significant threats to occupational health of harvesters. These threats can include exposure to poisonous gases cause by microbial activity, leakage of refrigerant gases, and leaking of Carbon monoxide from vessel engine, in addition to include the exposure to oxygen depletion, and biological hazards; allergens and toxins. These toxic gases, chemicals, allergens and toxins will be targeted in our study for monitoring the levels of each in different fisheries and vessels kinds along in Newfoundland.