Innovative Projects Realized

Explore thousands of successful projects resulting from collaboration between organizations and post-secondary talent.

13270 Completed Projects

1072
AB
2795
BC
430
MB
106
NF
348
SK
4184
ON
2671
QC
43
PE
209
NB
474
NS

Projects by Category

10%
Computer science
9%
Engineering
1%
Engineering - biomedical
4%
Engineering - chemical / biological

2nd Generation Smartwatch Concept Development

 

Allerta is a brand new consumer electronics design firm, focused solely on creating cutting edge mobile accessories that mesh seamlessly with Smartphone’s and a mobile lifestyle. Allerta is currently working on the second generation of its flagship product, inPulse – a wristwatch that connects wirelessly to a Smartphone allowing the user to view important alerts and messages right on their wrist. In its commitment to providing cutting edge elegant design of its smartwatch, Allerta has recruited the help of the Advanced Interface Design Lab (AIDL), who specializes in advanced techniques for developing highly usable interfaces.  For this project, AIDL has proposed to run 2 concept generation cycles.  These cycles will begin by developing brand new ideas for the smartwatch using digital media, while taking an in-depth look at the latest trends in mobile technology, industrial design, fashion and experimental technology.  This research and development material will be fed into two focus group think-tank sessions attended by experts in the fields of engineering, business, architecture, and industrial design.  Each of the 2 focus group think-tank sessions will use participatory design methods intended provide the intern and Allerta with insights leading to two medium fidelity interface design prototypes and usage scenarios that may enter the hardware and software design stages in the Fall of 2010.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Catherine Burns

Student:

Adam Euerby

Partner:

Allerta

Discipline:

Engineering - other

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

University of Waterloo

Program:

Accelerate

Non-periodic Inspection Intervals for Condition Based Maintenance

 

To mitigate failures of large assets, companies sometimes practice condition-based maintenance. This involves inspecting a machine, gathering information on its health, and deciding whether it is more cost effective to perform some preventative maintenance on it, or to leave it alone until the next inspection. Condition-based maintenance is centered around the inspections that are made, and these inspections are often made on regular intervals. However, records can show that many of these inspections return a “do nothing” decision. I aim to research a method to return information about the next best time to inspect, along with a current “do nothing” or “perform preventive maintenance” result. This is, to return “do nothing, and inspect again in 100 machine hours,” for example. Condition-based inspection planning has yet to be researched in this field. The cost of regular inspections can accumulate to a significant amount, and cause downtime. This new method may reduce the number of inspections necessary and change the paradigm of inspections in the field of maintenance.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Andrew Jardine

Student:

Janet Sung

Partner:

Ontario Clean Water Agency

Discipline:

Engineering - mechanical

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

University of Toronto

Program:

Accelerate

Phase II – A Software Platform for Generation of Mutually Correlated Multi-Dimensional Stochastic Time Series Vectors

The project is aimed to establish and algorithm and computer software for generation of multiple time series of data which represent processes that are closely correlated and auto-correlated (i.e. data in time step i are correlated to the data in time steps i-1, i-2,i-3, etc.). This project is of significant importance to the company.  It represents significant improvement of our earlier developments in this field.  While this kind of algorithm has possible applications in many industries, our immediate interest is are application in the water resources sector, where this algorithm and the accompanying software would be able to generate stochastic hydrologic time series of hypothetical natural river flows for thousands of years  There is neither a universally recognized algorithm for generation of stochastic hydrologic time series that can meet all the needs in the water resources sector at present, nor is there a software package that could be used to achieve this. Use of stochastic hydrology is an important link in the process of studying river basin development and management, where stochastic hydrologic series are used as inputs into basin allocation studies that rely in the use of optimization algorithms, and the results of optimization studies are then reused is inputs into operational management tools.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Mahmood Moussavi

Student:

Ognjen Sobajic

Partner:

Optimal solutions

Discipline:

Engineering - computer / electrical

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

University of Calgary

Program:

Accelerate

Dynamic dune restoration for endangered species in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Ucluelet, British Columbia

 

As part of ongoing collaboration with Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, the intern will engage in the first phase of a 5-year dune restoration effort at Wickaninnish Beach near Ucluelet, B.C.  Invasive beach grass (Ammophila spp.) was introduced to stabilize the dunes in the 1940s and has since colonized the fore dunes, reduced active windblown sediment transport, and lowered species diversity. The research will assess morphological and sedimentological responses of the dunes to mechanical removal of the beach grasses using remotely sensed data (LIDAR), onsite experiments of wind flow and sand transport, and repeat topographic surveys within restored (mechanically cleared) vs. non-restored areas.  The ultimate objective of the larger program is to restore an active, dynamic fore dune ecosystem that will host viable populations of federally-recognized endangered species including Pink Sand-verbena (Abronia umbellata) and the Pink Sand-verbena Moth (Copablepharon fuscum). The research will provide a scientific assessment of the dynamic restoration strategy and will inform future restoration efforts by Parks Canada. 

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Ian Walker

Student:

Ian Darke

Partner:

Aruncus Consulting

Discipline:

Geography / Geology / Earth science

Sector:

Fisheries and wildlife

University:

University of Victoria

Program:

Accelerate

Supply Chain Demand Forecasting Improvements

 

The main objective of this research project is to determine if there are factors that can be used to predict future demand for StemCell Technologies products more accurately than current practices of extrapolated revenue growth.  This will require an in-depth study into StemCell’s demand management, forecasting and supply chain planning functions.  The completion of this project will allow StemCell Technologies to reduce inventories, improve customer service levels, increase revenues and supply chain efficiencies.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Harish Krishnan

Student:

Neil Simpson

Partner:

StemCell Technologies

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

Development of a Web-based Resource for Consumers of Vitamin/Mineral Supplements

 

The purpose of this proposed research is to determine a mechanism (i.e. information posted on an appropriate website) to assist consumers with the selection of a vitamin/mineral supplement.  The principles to be considered are: appropriate dosage, product quality, high benefit, and low risk. The Dietitians of Canada have agreed to contribute funds for this project as it feels the project is of value to consumers and in line with DC’s mission. The study will be carried out in three parts.  First, a literature review of currently available resources for helping consumers choose supplements will be conducted. Using these results, the student will prepare a number of scenarios related to helping consumers understand quality supplements, including risk and benefit of various nutrients at different doses.  Likely a few targeted supplements, such as folate and vitamin D, will be chosen initially as prototypes for supplements.  These scenarios will be evaluated in a focus group with participants representing vulnerable groups such as low income or older adults, for whom choosing appropriate supplements is a greater priority than higher socioeconomic groups, as we recently reported.  The internship will focus on Communication Plan development and implementation using social marketing principles, under the mentorship of an experienced dietitian. 

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Susan Whiting

Student:

Mgan McKay

Partner:

Dietitians of Canada

Discipline:

Pharmacy / Pharmacology

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program:

Accelerate

Innovative coagulator design for the production of advanced composite materials.

 

This unique approach to product and process design involves 2 intimately associated activities: development of novel structured composite materials (SCM) in the form of latexes; and the related design of a coagulator to tailor the final particle size distribution of the composite latex particles. If produced correctly, SCM can provide society with useful, valuable products at a reasonable price that are made in water-based reaction medium rather than in organic solvents. They allow us to synergistically combine the novel properties of nanocomposite material with the low price, ease of production and flexibility of polymeric materials. In the current project we will be focusing on nano and micro-fibre reinforced elastomers. Once produced in the reactor, these aqueous dispersions need to b coagulated in order to obtain them in a useful form, and this project will also contribute to the innovative design of efficient new continuous coagulators. 

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Timothy McKenna

Student:

N/A

Partner:

DuPont Canada

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

Chemicals

University:

Queen's University

Program:

Accelerate

EcoMeter: a web based meta sustainability rating system for consumer products.

 

This particular project pertains to the development of a proprietary algorithm that will source product reviews from sites like Goodguide.com, Ecologo.org, Gengreenlife.com and Zumer.com to breakdown a product’s environmental impact by analyzing and weighing variants such as social responsibility, materials, production facilities, location, transport, packaging and disposal.  EcoMeter will also allow consumers to customize the rating algorithm by defining what variants they value most.  The end result is a flexible meta rating system that combines the best sources of environmental information with personalization controls for each consumer. The information from three sources i.e. product, corporate and the consumer rating is used to provide the overall rating to the product. The desired rating system is developed through the use of a specific decision making algorithm. The research will result in the creation of a particular prototype (spreadsheet based) algorithm that will be given to EnviroSpeak Media to drive the companies eco rating system.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Amir Albadvi

Student:

Amritpal Singh Randhawa

Partner:

Envirospeak Media

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

University of Victoria

Program:

Accelerate

Measurement of the Absolute phase in the Mobile Channel

 

The absolute phase is a new mathematical concept that can provide new information about a wireless channel. It holds great promise for extracting new information such as the location of a user, such as a cell phone without the need for GPS, etc. New theoretical work has been published which describes the mathematics of the absolute phase. Newer works, concerning some applications of the absolute phase, are under review for publication. The absolute phase has never been measured before. This proposed project is to attempt this measurement. The measurement process is very challenging.  It requires state-of-the-art equipment, as recently acquired by SFU, and new measurement techniques, which will be developed and trialed in this project. If successful, the measurements will help establish the characteristics and usefulness of the absolute phase. The applications of such new technology are promising for commercialization. The supporting company will benefit by being part of developing the measurement techniques and experiencing the measurement attempts and (hopefully!) successes. 

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Rodney G. Vaughan

Student:

Jinyun Ren

Partner:

Nokia Products Ltd.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program:

Accelerate

Embracing 2030: Muslim Community Strategies and Priorities for the Future

Various waves of immigration have altered the profiles of Muslim communities in Alberta demanding a need for better data and information for both short and long term planning of services and infrastructure.  This need poses challenges not only to individual civil society organizations, but also to cross-organization coalitions seeking to build common ground upon which to facilitate more comprehensive service efforts.  To this end, using published demographic data, and information gathered from various focus group interviews, this project seeks to identify high-level issues across and between Islamic communities in Edmonton.  In considering these issues, this research aims to create a methodological template for the development of a more robust, sustainable program for the maintenance and further development of Edmonton Muslim community profiles.  In particular, this research will highlight various vulnerabilities, strengths, and needs facing the Edmonton Muslim community, and will propose recommendations for future research and planning.  

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Earle Waugh

Student:

Maryam Razavy

Partner:

AQL Management Consulting Inc.

Discipline:

Religion

Sector:

Construction and infrastructure

University:

University of Alberta

Program:

Accelerate

Methods of Approaches in ‘One Health’ Surveillance – Evaluation of CWD Surveillance

 

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is disease of importance to Alberta's cervid industry. Access to markets for Alberta cervids and cervid products has been denied because of CWD. Losing access to markets has severely affected the economic viability of the cervid industry, and continues to depress it today. Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) has been conducting CWD surveillance for many years at levels that far exceed those seen in most other jurisdictions in the world. This project will conduct a scientifically rigorous evaluation of ARD’s CWD surveillance system using stochastic scenario tree modeling (SSTM). SSTM is a relatively new methodology developed to assess the sensitivity of a surveillance system and quantify confidence in freedom from disease. As this is an important goal of many surveillance systems used throughout public health and animal health, this methodology will be tested for applicability to other surveillance systems within the “One Health” field.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Norman Neumann

Student:

Paul Clyburn

Partner:

AQL Management Consulting Inc.

Discipline:

Environmental sciences

Sector:

Fisheries and wildlife

University:

University of Alberta

Program:

Accelerate

Fire History of the Darkwoods: Quantifying the Past to Plan for the Future

 

This project involves UBC, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and Kalesnikoff Lumber Co. Ltd.  It aims to quantify the role of historic low-to-moderate severity fires on the forests of NCC's Darkwoods property in southeastern British Columbia.  In summer 2010, I will sample 30 forest stands that vary in elevation and slope aspect that were selected using a geographic information analysis and a stratified random approach.  By analyzing samples from fire-scarred trees, I will determine how frequently fires occurred during the past c.300 years, how fire frequency varied in the landscape, and how anthropogenic land use and fire exclusion may have influenced the fire regime.  The outcomes of this research have both fundamental and applied value. Improved knowledge of historic fire frequencies can guide NCC's decisions about restoration of forest structures and processes in relation to wildlife habitat and support Kalesnikoff's mission to use scientifically-based, certified sustainable forest management practices.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Lori Daniels

Student:

Gregory Greene

Partner:

Nature Conservancy Canada

Discipline:

Geography / Geology / Earth science

Sector:

Forestry

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

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