Projets novateurs réalisés

Nutrient Recovery of Spent Biomass and Lipid-Extraction from Wastewater in the Production of Thraustochytrids

This project aims to explore the novel concept of nutrient recycling within the production process of microalgae biomass for biofuels and bioproducts. After extraction of primary products, the remaining waste materials which contain potential nutritional value will be evaluated for potential recycling as feedstocks into the production of additional microalgae biomass. Completion of this project will provide extensive information regarding the physicochemical composition of the waste products, thereby shedding light on its potential value for multiple applications. The outcomes of this project will enable the industrial partner to appropriately manage this waste stream and maximize the efficiency of their production process

Application of Microbial Induced Carbonate Precipitation (MICP) in Civil Engineering

Stage de recherche en robotique

Le projet de recherche proposé se concentre sur le développement de robots capables d’interagir de manière sécurisée et efficace avec des humains et avec leur environnement. Le stagiaire travaillera sur la réduction de l’inertie des bras robotiques en utilisant des mécanismes innovants. Les résultats attendus de ce projet incluent une meilleure sécurité et performance des robots dans des applications variées, telles que la santé, l’agriculture et la fabrication. En intégrant ces technologies, le projet vise à créer des robots plus réactifs et adaptatifs, capables de travailler aux côtés des humains dans des environnements non structurés.

Engineered Biopolymer Scaffolds for Pulp-Dentin Complex Regeneration

Dental caries can increase in severity if left untreated and result in deep carious lesions. Repairing these deep carious lesions routinely involves pulp capping, a procedure during which the tooth pulp can be accidentally exposed, allowing bacteria to enter the pulp and cause infection. Pulp capping failure rates are high, and retreatment may involve root canal or tooth extraction. This project aims to develop a bioactive, biocompatible, and cost-effective biomaterial for pulp-dentin complex regeneration. For that, porous scaffold using natural biopolymers—chitosan and nanocellulose—to support tissue regeneration will be developed using advanced manufacture methods of tissue engineering. Its bioactivity will be enhanced by incorporating calcium/phosphate-rich bioceramics, known for inducing odontogenic differentiation. By integrating tissue engineering principles, this study will advance next-generation strategies for pulp-dentin regeneration, bridging material science and clinical dentistry to improve patient outcomes.

Investigating the influence of surface chemistry on microplastic binding potential and structure of microbial biofilm

It is estimated that over 12 million tons of plastic enter our oceans annually, which slowly break down creating microplastics less than 5mm in size. In the past decade, the role microbes play in this degradation has been explored as they possess the ability to metabolize plastic, using it as an energy source. In this process, they first colonize the plastic working together to form a biofilm. This formation is important for degradation and is seen to be influenced by the surface chemistry the biofilm adheres to. To investigate these effects, the proposed research will use a flow cell device to mimic the ocean environment, and a plastic-degrading biofilm will be exposed to various types of organic and inorganic surfaces. Biofilm formation and structure will then be characterized while measuring how the biofilm surface affects its ability to uptake surrounding microplastics. The microbial biofilm used in the research originates from Vancouver, worked on by the home lab thus allowing new functions of the community to be known. Combining this with the host institutions’ flow cell technology and expertise will offer novel insights on the most efficient surface for microbial plastic degradation as well as begin international collaborations between labs.

Propelling the Maturation of Marine Renewable Energy Technology Through a Transatlantic Collaboration to Develop a Resource to Wire Modelling and Simulation Framework

Marine renewable energy (MRE) has the potential to play a transformative role in the global transition to clean energy, with Canada uniquely positioned to benefit from its vast ocean resources. However, MRE technologies remain in the early stages of development, requiring significant innovation to become commercially viable. This project aims to accelerate MRE advancement by enhancing the Ocean Engineering Toolbox (OET)—a fully open-source software platform designed to model and simulate wave and tidal energy systems. By providing researchers and engineers with an accessible, medium-fidelity numerical tool, the OET will enable more efficient technology design, reduce reliance on costly physical testing, and accelerate innovation in the field.

Through a collaboration between the University of New Brunswick, Queen’s University Belfast, and Maynooth University, this project will bring together leading international experts to develop and refine the OET’s capabilities in advanced control strategies and tidal energy system modeling. By fostering international collaboration and advancing cutting-edge simulation tools, this initiative will contribute to unlocking the immense power of Canada’s marine resources, helping drive the country toward a net-zero future while positioning it as a global leader in MRE innovation.

Advanced Methods in Neuroimaging and Applications to Reward Processing and Stress Reactivity

Cost-efficient and environmentally friendly extraction of valuable seaweed components.

(1) The partner, PhyCo, is a marine biotechnology startup specializing in the development of sustainable, seaweedbased bioplastics for agricultural applications. The company collaborates with the Verschuren Centre for product development, including seaweed bioprocessing and extrusion methods for seaweed-derived biomaterials. The main activity of the partner involves exploring proprietary biorefinery (multi-step extraction) technologies, developing bioplastic formulations, and transitioning benchwork methods to scalable processes. Additional activities include the development of novel, bioactive biopolymer blends, conducting analytical analyses, pilot-scale trials, and biodegradability assessments.
(2) The partner aims to achieve efficient extraction of valuable seaweed components using environmentally friendly methods while minimizing operational costs. These components must integrate seamlessly into bioplastic production methods like twin-screw extrusion and 3D printing. Additionally, there is a need to enhance mechanical properties (e.g., flexibility, tensile strength), scalability of thin-film bioplastics to meet market demands, and rapid biodegradation preventing residual microplastics.
(3) The project is anticipated to yield significant economic and social benefits, including the development of innovative, eco-friendly plastic alternatives, increased scalability of production processes, and reduced environmental footprints (GHG emissions). It will support the partner in creating jobs and market reach. The collaboration will contribute to advancements in biopolymer science, improving the partner’s IP and commercial capabilities.

Processing of Fibreglass Wind Turbine Blade Waste

The wind energy industry is good for the environment, but one aspect is not: lack of recycling of fiberglass from end-of-life wind turbine blades. This projects develops an important step in the recycling process being promoted by FibeCycle. Sorted of recycled fiberglass from the blades is a difficult process that must be performed carefully in order to maximize the benefits from the recycling process. This project scientifically examines and improves this sorting process to maximize recycling output.

Field Tests of Seed Openers and Data Analysis

Openers are the major components of a seeder, and the performance of openers affects the performance of the seeding operation and crop yield. Atom-Jet Industries manufactures hoe type openers, the most popular openers in Western Canada. For the past 20 years, Atom-Jet has been continuously improving the performance of their openers to provide farmers with high precision and long lasting openers. In the proposed project, field tests will be conducted to evaluate the performance of Atom-Jet openers, and to compare the performance of Atom-Jet openers with other openers on the market. Field tests will involve different soil types (sandy, loam, and clay soils) to examine whether those openers will perform the same in these contrasting soil conditions. Field tests will also involve different crop types (canola, wheat, pea, etc.). These crops are contrasting crops in terms of their seed sizes, seeding rate, and seeding depth. Field measurements will be performed on soil disturbance, force/power requirement, and crop response resulting from different openers under different types of soils and crops. The results will be used by Atom-Jet to improve the design of their openers and to market their openers as well.

Production durable de cuir non animal par culture de mycélium

Le projet de HYPHTECH Inc. consiste à développer une alternative écologique au cuir traditionnel en utilisant le mycélium, une partie végétative des champignons. Ce cuir innovant sera fabriqué de manière durable, sans utilisation d’animaux, et pourrait révolutionner l’industrie du textile. En plus de réduire l’empreinte écologique de la production de cuir, ce projet pourrait également offrir des produits plus économiques et accessibles. Les stagiaires impliqués auront l’occasion de participer à un projet à la pointe de la technologie, contribuant à une innovation significative pour l’environnement et l’industrie textile.

Supermassive Black Hole Masses in Lensed Galaxies

The past decade has revolutionized the astronomical observation of black holes. In 2015, the gravitational waves generated by the merger of two black holes were detected, which confirmed the predictions of general relativity and led to a Nobel prize. In 2019, an array of telescopes spread across the globe took the first image of a black hole, and in 2022 this imaging feat was repeated for the black hole at the center of our own galaxy. These advances were made possible by increasingly complex instruments and telescopes; meanwhile, the torrent of data unleashed by this instrumentation has become a testbed for cutting-edge machine learning methodology. Through this Mitacs project, we aim to contribute to this scientific journey by attempting the first-ever mass measurement of a black hole dating to the first billion years of the universe. This measurement will rely on the gravitational effect known as strong lensing, whereby a galaxy’s gravity causes light from a distant galaxy to be deflected, which magnifies the distant galaxy. The machine learning and strong lensing expertise at the University of Montreal will be combined with the dynamical modeling expertise at the University of Oxford; this will forge a lasting interdisciplinary astrophysics collaboration.