Projets novateurs réalisés

Biodegradable Scaffolds with Enhanced Conductivity, EMI Shielding, and Mechanical Strength

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biocompatible material widely used in 3D printing. However, its application in bone tissue engineering is limited due to slow degradation and inadequate mechanical strength. To address this, we propose a conductive, biodegradable scaffold incorporating calcium carbonate (CaCO3) to improve mechanical properties. Conductive elements, such as carbon-based materials, are added to enhance electrical conductivity, which aids bone repair and regeneration by delivering electrical stimuli. A novel feature of this study is the integration of electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding into the scaffolds to ensure precise electrical stimulation, even in the presence of external electromagnetic fields. This composite mimics the natural conductivity of bone (0.07–0.02 S.m-1), while offering enhanced mechanical strength and EMI shielding. The scaffold will be fabricated using 3D printing, optimizing both mechanical and electrical performance for bone repair applications. The EMI shielding properties and conductivity of the composite will be studied through machine learning method. This research offers a sustainable approach to producing multifunctional materials, benefiting Northern Canada by fostering innovative, resource-efficient models for advanced healthcare solutions.

Continuous, Directed Evolution of Human Opioid Receptors in Yeast

Cell-based biosensors are living cells that have been genetically engineered to detect and measure different chemicals of interest. Similar to the cells in our nose that allow us to smell isoamyl-alcohol (banana), or allyl thiol (garlic), biosensors use protein receptors and produce a measurable read-out such as fluorescence to determine the amount of target molecule present. We have developed a biosensor in brewer’s yeast that is capable of detecting different opioids, such as morphine and codeine which are very important pain-medications. These sensors offer a reliable and low-cost method to screen through thousands of chemicals and can help identify promising candidates during drug design campaigns without relying on expensive analytical methods and animal testing. This project’s goal is to engineer these opioid receptors in yeast so that they can detect additional types of opioids at lower concentrations. In a partnership with a world-leading protein engineering group at the University of California, Irvine, we will modify the structures of the three human opioid receptors in our yeast sensors using advanced techniques and expand the capabilities of our drug-screening platform. This project stands to contribute to the development of safer, cheaper, and less addictive medicines.

Nourishment Nook Retail Collective

In September of 2023 a group of Capstone/Enactus NAIT students started work on a plan to reimagine the Glenrose corner store. Based on successful prototyping using a popup proof of concept model, Enactus NAIT, through a purpose built not-for-profit, ran a joint venture with Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (GRH) to pilot and refine the business model over an eight month period from May to December 2024.
To move this project forward, a full-time manager and business strategist was hired. This was a perfect role for a NAIT Bachelor of Business Administration Co-op student. This manager was responsible for scaling the project from pop-ups to full operations and guiding it through the pilot period to a permanent operation that meets the objectives outlined below. This student was guided and supported by GRH leadership, Enactus NAIT, the Mawji Centre for Student Entrepreneurship, and faculty advisors.
Starting in January ENAA (the not-for-profit) proposes to hire another Co-op student to continue innovating the operation by researching, developing, and implementing an e-commerce platform, expanding vendor relations, and enhancing volunteer participation.

Recommender Model Development

Popular content-driven websites like YouTube, Vimeo and Soundcloud receive a large amount of content annually and are visited by billions of users world-wide. However, the majority of the content on these sites has little to no structure. For example, many videos on YouTube are only found in the personal playlists and have virtually no user interaction or content data. Consequently, while many of these videos could be of high interest to the YouTubes community, a lack of reliable information makes it very difficult for recommender systems to surface them. This increasingly leads to the unwanted phenomenon where a tiny fraction of content goes viral, and the rest is never seen by anyone except the creator and his/her small network of friends. Milq aims to solve this problem through collaboration.
The intern is going to research and develop a recommender system by leveraging techniques from machine learning and information retrieval domains. The main goal of the project is to build and deploy a production-level system that would provide accurate personalized recommendations to every user on Milq, which is itself designed to be used by everyone seeking video or audio entertainment or to engage in a cultural experience.

Désarmer la désinformation climatique : une formation critique de terrain et en ligne pour les jeunes publics

Ce projet propose une formation en ligne axée sur l’esprit critique et la maîtrise de l’information, en mobilisant des disciplines comme la climatologie et les nouvelles technologies. À l’intersection des enjeux contemporains, il aborde des thèmes cruciaux tels que l’infobésité, l’impact de l’intelligence artificielle sur la désinformation, et les fausses informations touchant le climat et l’IA.

Ce projet allie des dimensions scientifiques, techniques et sociétales, conférant ainsi une grande originalité à sa démarche. Il s’adresse aux jeunes adultes et étudiant·es du postsecondaire, un public souvent confronté à ces enjeux mais rarement outillé pour en être acteur·rice. Le format numérique favorise une formation autonome, permettant un suivi à long terme et une collecte de données structurée. Bien qu’elle soit ponctuelle, cette formation se veut interactive et évolutive, avec des perspectives d’enrichissement par des formats complémentaires comme une exposition itinérante.

Ce projet s’inscrit dans la lignée de collaborations entre l’Agence Science-Presse et l’Université Concordia, avec pour ambition de renforcer la pensée critique et l’engagement des jeunes vis-à-vis des questions contemporaines, en développant leur capacité à naviguer dans un environnement informationnel complexe et en constante évolution.

Flame spray pyrolysis-induced direct deposition of plasmonic nanoparticles on TFBG optical fiber for sensing applications

The features of optical fibers and the fascinating properties of nanomaterials can be combined to result in an attractive new platform for chemical sensing. Flame Spray Pyrolysis (FSP) has distinct advantages for the assembly of chemoresistive gas sensors compared to their traditional synthesis methods. Modern photonic sensing devices such as tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) optical fibers couple light from the core to multiple cladding modes, each at a different wavelength, thus allowing multiple sensing and light manipulation opportunities. To reach superior performance and results, TFBGs can be combined with flame made nanoparticles obtained from various materials with specific sensitivities to gaseous compounds.

Comparing Georgia and Other Countries: Implementation of Social Media in Journalism Practice

The research project examines the role of social media in journalism practice. This research project can significantly contribute to journalism studies by providing insights into journalism practice in the country of Georgia related to the news production process. Thus, the research project goal is to write an article as part of the PhD dissertation. It aims to expand the literature review and figure out the research questions for the paper in terms of comparative research. This project is an opportunity for home and host supervisors to build new relationships. The host supervisor (Magda Konieczna) and home supervisor (Tinatini Matcharashvili) will discuss possible future joint research ideas that can bridge the two universities, Concordia University and Ivane Javakhishvli Tbilsi State University (TSU). The research project allows the intern to attend the GradProSkills workshops at CU, unavailable at her home university, and share the research findings with the Canadian scholarly community. The research will deepen academic understanding and provide practical applications that can benefit Canadian and Georgian media industries.

On-demand nanozyme system for rapid eradication of multidrug-resistant biofilms

Chronic wounds pose a significant threat to public health. The economic burden of wounds is projected to increase to $18.7 billion by 2027, with an annual growth rate of 6.6% from 2020 to 2027. By providing a fertile ground for the growth of infectious microorganisms, especially in immunocompromised patients, wounds lead to extended hospitalization and morbidity. Even the last-resort antbiotics are becoming ineffective due to the burgeoning antimicrobial resistance. Treatment of wound infections is further complicated by the highly spatiotemporally organized and adherent polymicrobial communities (biofilms) that are remarkably rapidly eradicate biofilms are highly desirable. We have developed a visible light-responsive nanozyme system based on FDA-approved metal oxides and a bioinspired acid. To further develop this on-demand nanozyme treatment for wound infections, the intern will develop biofilms of multidrug resistant bacteria and fungi that are known to infect skin wounds and treat them with the nanozyme. This MITACS Globalink Research Award will endow the intern with opportunities to gain high quality training in a variety of approaches to characterize biofilm viability, composition and biocompatibility to mammalian cells using 2D and organoid models. This will facilitate further development of this novel nanozyme-system for the treatment of recalcitrant wound infections.

Enhancement of MDAO Framework for Evaluating Fuel-Cell Propulsion and Impact on Aircraft ECS

The proposed project focuses on improving the design and analysis of sustainable aviation technologies by enhancing a Multi-disciplinary Design Analysis and Optimization (MDAO) framework. This framework will be used to evaluate alternative propulsion systems, such as hydrogen fuel cells and hybrid-electric solutions, and assess their impact on aircraft subsystems, including environmental control and thermal management systems. The goal is to support the development of greener propulsion technologies by optimizing performance and minimizing environmental impact. This project contributes to the aviation industry’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition towards more sustainable transportation. Through collaboration between Canadian and Italian institutions, the project will foster the exchange of expertise and help both countries advance their aerospace sectors, promoting innovation, cost savings, and a competitive edge in the growing field of sustainable aviation.

RTL Implemetation of an HDC accelerator

This project aims to develop an RTL model for a programmable accelerator for hyperdimensional computing (HDC), a brain-inspired approach that uses high-dimensional vectors for data processing. HDC is particularly suitable for resource-constrained environments because it avoids complex matrix multiplications, relying instead on efficient bitwise operations that can be implemented on hardware like FPGAs or ASICs. By optimizing the encoding process, which transforms input data into high-dimensional vectors, the accelerator will improve accuracy and adaptability across various applications, including image and voice recognition. The project’s benefits for the participating institutions include advancing their expertise in hardware acceleration for AI and embedded systems, and enhancing their capacity for innovative, sustainable computing solutions.

Development of an online rapid cognitive-motor assessment tool to monitor brain health.

This project aims to maximize the accessibility of an existing validated computer tablet-based brain health assessment tool. Specifically, we wish to expand the assessment tool to a web-based platform and improve its ability to rate a user’s performance in a personalized way. Currently, there are few choices for clinicians to test rule-based skilled performance needed to assess daily living function, and even fewer that can be administered rapidly and remotely. The system will provide a quick, accessible means to evaluate the integrity of brain networks associated with cognitive, sensory, and motor integration required for active daily living. This two-phase project will first convert the existing technology into one that can be used remotely with an at-home computer. We will then use anonymized data collected from the past and developed system to accurately classify – using deep learning methods – all aspects of an individual’s performance accounting for factors such as age, gender, physical activity history, and current neurological situation. The project outcome will assist clinicians in making individually-tailored brain health assessments. Importantly, this work will develop a new measurement useful in determining an individual’s risk of complications related to cognitive-motor function in a format that is accessible to remote communities.

Smarter Microelectronics Packaging for Performance Scaling

This research project will investigate materials and process behaviors in microelectronic packages that are become increasingly dense and explore novel alternatives to accommodate such densities. When more components are placed and interconnected with each other in smaller and smaller spaces, traditional materials and methods for package assembly become difficult, if not impossible, to replicate. By characterizing and understanding the changes that occur at these reduced dimensions, the interns will work to propose smarter approaches to using existing and replacement materials and processes in order to produce next generation packaging solutions with higher performance, higher reliability, lower energy consumption and more competitive costs, thus positioning the industrial partner IBM Canada, as well as other players in the Canadian microelectronics eco-system, to maintain or grow their global presence in the microelectronics field, a field which the world is becoming increasingly dependent upon in our day to day lives, be it for better smartphones, improved healthcare or analyzing massive amounts of information.