Projets novateurs réalisés

Demande SSE | Hugo Tremblay

Ce projet nécessite une expertise en analyse de données, en architecture de systèmes et en stratégie marketing. Hugo devra travailler en étroite collaboration avec les équipes techniques de Click & Mortar pour définir les critères de performance, les mécanismes de collecte et de traitement des données, ainsi que les modalités d’intégration avec les outils marketing existants. En fournissant des recommandations basées sur une analyse approfondie, le projet d’Hugo aidera Click & Mortar à anticiper les besoins futurs du marché et à enrichir son portefeuille de services numériques.

Exploring the Viability and Impact of Hydrogen Blending in Energir’s Natural Gas Pipelines

The feasibility of blending hydrogen into its natural gas infrastructure to support global decarbonization efforts is currently being explored in Canada. With hydrogen emerging as a clean energy alternative, this project aims to integrate hydrogen into Energir’s gas infrastructure while addressing challenges related to material compatibility and safety.
The study involves laboratory experiments to assess the impact of hydrogen on infrastructure materials and explore potential refurbishment materials. Led by a PhD student from UQTR, under the supervision of Professor Jacques Huot and the supported of the Quebec Metallurgy Center, the research addresses technical challenges associated with hydrogen blending.
By leveraging hydrogen as an alternative energy carrier, this project aligns with global decarbonization goals. Collaboration with energy companies like Énergir, the project aims to gain insights into damage mechanisms, material properties, and measurement techniques for hydrogen blending.
The project contributes to Canada’s transition to a zero-emission economy, creating new green jobs and leveraging hydrogen as an export commodity. It aims to provide valuable knowledge on damage mechanisms and material properties susceptible to hydrogen blending, advancing sustainable energy solutions at SPIPB and beyond.

Understanding stakeholder perspectives on aquatic invasive species management in the Margaree Valley to support improved local watershed management

Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are of great to concern to fisheries managers and those who enjoy fisheries resources, such as anglers. In Nova Scotia, small mouth bass were introduced in the 1940s by provincial fisheries managers in the hopes of creating recreational fishing opportunities. These fish are efficient predators that predate upon and outcompete native species. Their growing populations threaten native species and aquatic biodiversity in the western portion of the province. In 2024, the province began require the mandatory retention (and humane euthanasia) of small mouth bass in the Margaree River watershed, an area prized for its Atlantic salmon fishing. But public reception of the retention policy is mixed, and it is unknown how people are using retained bass. This project will investigate perceptions of AIS management, control, and retention in the Margaree River watershed as held by anglers and other fisheries stakeholders. The insights gained will be the first of their kind in Nova Scotia, where human dimensions research on freshwater AIS is limited. They will also offer insights into how management approaches to AIS are received, how retained fish are used, and what next steps might be effective in preventing further spread of small mouth bass.

Integrating benchwork with generative AI development: deciphering cell size regulation while driving predictive AI

Artificial intelligence promises to dramatically accelerate preclinical biomedical research, yet ensuring it provides accurate and relevant information remains a challenge. Current approaches may fabricate references and often lack the context needed to fully address scientific questions. Consequently, AI has not been widely adopted for applications such as hit selection from biological screens or experiment design.
To address these challenges, BenchSci, a leader in AI-based solutions for preclinical research, is partnering with Dr. Moffat’s lab, renowned for its genome-wide genetic screens in human cell lines. In this collaboration, a postdoctoral fellow will test an advanced question-answering system under development at BenchSci. This tool aims to assist in hit selection, rapidly identifying relevant hits for understanding disease progression. It will also be used in ongoing studies on proteins responding to salt stress, exploring their links to certain cancers and metabolic diseases.
By collaborating directly with Dr. Moffat’s research group, BenchSci can quickly optimize the prototype for generating hypotheses and planning new experiments. As the postdoctoral fellow conducts research, the resulting data will help BenchSci develop more predictive systems, potentially enabling AI to forecast experimental outcomes. Moreover, the system will evolve to suggest subsequent experimental steps, enhancing its role as an effective research assistant.
This partnership aims to accelerate the development of cutting-edge AI systems for biologists and advance critical genetic interaction studies of disease pathways.

SiC-Based Universal Power Conversion System (UPCS)

The transition to sustainable energy has heightened the demand for advanced power conversion technologies, crucial for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly in Canada, where the transportation sector is a major contributor. Canada aims to achieve 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2040, but current projections suggest only 48% of the target will be met, largely due to challenges like insufficient EV charging infrastructure. In addition, low-voltage (LV) motor drives, vital for industrial applications, face inefficiencies and compliance issues due to a lack of adaptability. The proposed solution is a Universal Power Conversion System (UPCS), leveraging Silicon Carbide (SiC) technology to enhance efficiency, flexibility, and scalability. The proposed technology aims to improve power conversion in various applications, including renewable energy and EV infrastructure, offering a competitive edge through better thermal management and higher switching frequencies. The project promises to deliver more efficient and compact products, positioning Eaton to expand its market share.

Amélioration de l’autonomie de navigation des robots d’assistance via la cartographie et la compréhension sémantique de nuages de points 3D

Le projet de recherche vise à améliorer la navigation des robots d’assistance en utilisant la cartographie sémantique de nuages de points 3D. Les robots mobiles autonomes sont essentiels pour les premiers intervenants, car ils offrent des informations précieuses sur une scène de catastrophe sans mettre de vies humaines en danger. Actuellement, ces robots nécessitent une supervision constante, ce qui limite leur autonomie. Ce projet propose d’utiliser un modèle d’apprentissage automatique pour analyser et classer les nuages de points 3D, permettant ainsi aux robots de mieux comprendre leur environnement et de naviguer de manière plus autonome en situations d’urgence. Le travail inclut la collecte et le traitement des données, ainsi que l’implémentation d’algorithmes d’intelligence artificielle. Sous la supervision du Professeur Navarro, ce séjour de recherche offrira aux stagiaires une opportunité unique d’acquérir des compétences avancées en robotique et vision par ordinateur, tout en renforçant leurs connaissances dans le traitement des données spatiales.

Development of multifunctional and sustainable hybrid composites reinforced with asphaltene-based carbon fibers and natural fibers

The project will develop a multifunctional and sustainable hybrid thermoplastic composite reinforced with asphaltene-based short carbon fibres (CF) and continuous natural fibres. The fibre-matrix interface of the hybrid material will be characterized through tensile and fracture toughness tests and its multifunctionality in terms of enhanced electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding will also be investigated.

The proposed research will partner with BC Research Inc. (BCRI) and explore the industrial application of lower-cost short CF derived from Alberta Oilsands Asphaltenes. Through this project, BCRI aims to investigate the use of asphaltene-based short CF to enhance fibre-matrix interface in composites and potentially as sensors for damage monitoring owing to its electrical properties.

The research is anticipated to bring social benefits for BCRI by providing support to the technological advancement of asphaltene-based short CF to its clients by conceptualizing a hybrid composite material. Economically, the project utilizes lower-cost bitumen-derived short CF and aims to create a composite material with improved mechanical and electrical properties that can be used for real world applications in the future.

Journalism Representation Index (JeRI)

In partnership with NovaceneAI, computer science and journalism researchers from Toronto Metropolitan University will continue to develop an AI-powered product (Journalism Representation Index, or JeRI) that gives journalists and media consumers a tool with which to analyze the sources cited in journalism reports. The primary goal of the platform is to provide an evidenced-based structure for improved journalism that can show statistically significant under-representations of certain kinds of sources in journalism texts and corpi. Our tool, JeRI, exists in a prototype form, developed by the team with funding from a Google award to drive innovation related to equity and inclusion in the news ecosystem. Prototype testing of our pipeline, which was trained using a semi-supervised machine-learning approach with a BERT, case-base model at its core, achieved F1 scores for the aforementioned categories ranging from 0.58 to 0.78 but these scores need improving. In testing our platform, we hand-coded 60 articles for Indigenous sources in any one of our seven categories. That process yielded 24 articles with at least one identifiable Indigenous, First Nations or Métis source. Out of the 24 articles there are 30 identifiable such sources. JeRI categorized 5 out of
the 30 correctly. For example, the platform identified First Nations Chiefs in the authority category instead of the politician category in the story “Review critical of arrest of Indigenous man and granddaughter in opening bank account.” It Identified Marilyn Slett, chief councillor of the Heiltsuk Nation, asan Authority source. These miscategorizations need to be addressed specifically.

Architectures hétéropolymétalliques pour la photosynthèse artificielle et le stockage de l’information

Architectures hétéro polymétalliques pour la photosynthèse artificielle et le stockage de l’information Aperçu du projet : Veuillez donner, en un paragraphe d’environ 150 mots rédigé dans une langue claire et accessible au grand public (public non initié), une description générale du projet de recherche qui sera entrepris par l’étudiant(e) ainsi que des résultats visés. A l’heure actuelle, nombreuses applications sont basées sur les métaux dans les nouvelles technologies. En travaillant sur l’architecture que peuvent adopter ces centres métalliques, nous pouvons moduler les propriétés recherchées. Nous centrons notre projet sur les architectures dendritiques, architectures « à branches », du fait de la possibilité d’augmenter très rapidement le nombre de métaux impliqués. Certains métaux photo-sensibles peuvent faire partie d’une chaine catalytique de production de dihydrogène sous irradiation lumineuse. Il s’agit là d’étudier une éventuelle solution au problème énergétique actuel : la photosynthèse artificielle; utiliser l’énergie lumineuse pour la stocker dans une liaison chimique. Lorsque les métaux utilisés sont ceux possédant des électrons célibataires, ils peuvent alors être influencés de manière contrôlée par un champs magnétique à l’échelle non plus d’un domaine magnétique mais d’une molécule en elle même, pouvant alors potentiellement diminuer la taille des procédés de stockage de l’information.

StarDoc: Multimodal Document Understanding

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Elucidation des bases moléculaires des maladies amyloïdes et conception d’inhibiteurs d’agrégation à l’aide de systèmes biologiques complexes

De nombreuses pathologies et troubles dégénératifs sont caractérisés par l’accumulation de dépôts protéiques fibrillaires. Ces fibres amyloïdes se retrouvent dans plusieurs maladies, dont la maladie de Parkinson, d’Alzheimer et le diabète de type 2. Plusieurs mécanismes cellulaires contribuent aux voies cytotoxiques de ces protéines amyloïdogéniques, notamment la perturbation des membranes cellulaires.

Le mécanisme de perturbation membranaire par les amyloïdes a été étudié à l’aide de bicouches lipidiques simples, des modèles avantageux dû à leur préparation simple, leur uniformité et leur compatibilité avec de multiples analyses biophysiques. Cependant, ces vésicules sont déficientes en composantes biologiques importantes présentes dans les membranes plasmiques.

Dans ce projet, nous allons développer de nouvelles stratégies et de nouvelles approches expérimentales pour étudier la perturbation membranaire induite par les peptides amyloïdogéniques à l’aide de systèmes biologiquement pertinents : les vésicules géantes de membranes plasmiques (GPMV). Le stagiaire va entreprendre, dans les laboratoires des Profs Bourgault et Marcotte, la préparation des GPMV afin de déterminer l’impact de la composition naturelle de la membrane plasmique sur la perturbation induite par le peptide amyloïde ainsi que l’étude biophysique des interactions peptide amyloïde/GPMVs. Cette approche permettra d’atteindre une résolution jamais inégalée sur les mécanismes de perturbation membranaire par les amyloïdes.

Rooted Together: Addressing Food Insecurity at the Intersection Between Data Humanism and Participatory Design

The Parkdale Food Centre, a non-profit organization in Ottawa, provides social community programs and services that aim at inspiring and empowering individuals to address the root causes of food insecurity. Programs include a community kitchen, catchment-based grocery program, youth-run social enterprise and employment training program. The Centre seeks support in re-designing the existing Mino’Weesini Grocery Program, a free choice food bank, into a place of encounter where all community members, regardless of the economic situation, will meet to engage in grocery-related activities and in community-building ones. Unlike conventional approaches that focus on individual responsibility, the new program will address food insecurity as an intersectional, systemic and collective issue. This will happen through the design and implementation of an innovation process that brings together Participatory Design and Data Humanism to enable transformative justice. The process devised for the re-design could be beneficial to other community-based organizations addressing similar societal issues.