Projets novateurs réalisés

Development of scaled-up patient-specific aneurysm models for accurate in vitro MRI

Designing a sensor fusion adaptive system for task load estimation in an Interactive Virtual Reality

Développement d’un dérivé aminostéroïde comme anticancéreux sélectif

Durant ce projet de recherche, nous proposons différentes expériences (in vitro et in vivo) qui aideront à mettre en évidence le potentiel d’une molécule de type aminostéroïde pour traiter le cancer de façon sélective. Une preuve de concept in vivo sur une molécule candidate sélectionnée, montrant une sélectivité d’action suite à des essais in vitro, viendra valider le potentiel de cette famille d’anticancéreux sélectifs et permettra de progresser vers les études cliniques en compagnie du partenaire pharmaceutique (Amplia Pharma Tek et NÉOMED).

Low cost air quality sensor measurements in indoor environments

Time spent in homes and in transport micro-environments contribute significantly the exposure to air pollutants. Air quality is significantly impacted by the increased green house gas emissions and effects of climate change. However, concentrations in many of these are poorly quantified and challenging to monitor due to limited space, power and Wifi accessibility. This project will help to adapt, develop and test battery operated sensors from commercially available manufacturers to optimize their use in different environments. Work will also include the development of machine learning models to predict concentrations to establish the influence of different sources. The expected benefits is being able to support public health and environment of large residential cities by developing sensors that enable concentration prediction to better analyze air quality.

Diagnostic du cycle de l’eau et sources de contamination en contexte de forçage anthropique extrême : cas du ruisseau Rousse, Québec

Les ressources en eau subissent des pressions croissantes mondialement en raison du changement climatique, de l’agriculture intensive et de la croissance démographique. D’ici 2050, la majorité des bassins versants pourraient être en situation critique et il devient crucial de développer des outils pour en faire le diagnostic. Dans les Basses-Laurentides, le bassin du Ruisseau Rousse est un exemple illustrant cette problématique. La dégradation de la Grande Baie, un marais dans le parc national d’Oka, témoigne des pressions en amont. Le ruisseau est influencé par des activités agricoles et agroalimentaires, réduisant le soutien des eaux souterraines et causant la pollution. Ce projet vise à diagnostiquer le cycle de l’eau et la pollution sur le bassin du ruisseau Rousse, en vue de proposer des solutions adaptées à l’échelle du bassin versant pour préserver la Grande Baie.

Evaluation of pharmacist’s prescription of topical skin medications.

A new minor ailment prescribing service was recently launched in Ontario community pharmacies to relieve healthcare system strain. Five of the nineteen minor ailments are skin-related. Importantly, prescriptions for topical skin disease treatment vary widely and constitute a major reason for visits to primary care. Quality prescribing in this area improves outcomes and reduces healthcare system burden. The latter was the goal of the expanded service’s scope. This project will provide early real-world data on pharmacist topical treatment prescribing, compare it to physician practices, and uncover any variation or gaps in prescribing using provincial health data. This collaboration between physicians, pharmacists, patients, and methodologists at the University of Toronto and Women’s College Hospital will leverage expertise to develop a strong evaluation framework for pharmacist-led prescribing for skin-related minor ailments, aiming at developing educational tools for pharmacists to improve prescribing practices and contribute to better patient care.

Innovation Studies To Enhance Testing Services

The project between Plato Testing Inc. and NBCC has been built to support
indigenous students of the software testing program to gain industry experience and utilize the skills they have
developed in class. The software testing industry is ever growing, and requires talented students with an
understanding of programming and software development to make software market ready. Interns will work with
companies software to further develop it and make it ready for application. As well, these interns are expected
to gain opportunity for future careers with these companies.

Enhancing EEG Data Analysis and Brain Health monitoring through Self-Supervised Learning and Corticothalamic Modeling

Sleep is a central function of many species, and is studied widely in neurophysiology and computational neuroscience, yet its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. The common method for recording brain activity during sleep is polysomnography (PSG) which is expensive to operate and can prove to be heavy and bothersome for the recording subjects. In recent years, low-cost and lightweight mobile EEG (mEEG) headsets have revolutionized sleep assessments by democratizing the access to sleep EEG. Another considerable development in the field has been the development of mathematical models of brain physiology that can, crucially, simulate EEG activity. In this project, we will combine the use of a semi-supervised learning method and a neurophysiological model of the corticothalamic circuitry to extract explainable representations of the sleep data and identify significant biomarkers of healthy and disordered states of the brain.

Population Survey and Mitigation of Amphibian Roadkill along Heart Lake Road

Heart Lake Road (Brampton, Ontario) bisects a Provincially Significant Wetland. Increases in traffic volumes on the road have led to large numbers of road kill during the spring migration. The TRCA has been monitoring the road kill for two years and has found that thousands of frogs and toads as well as hundreds of turtles, including species at risk (SAR) are killed every spring and early summer. The TRCA is looking to partner with York University to assess the significance of the mortality to the local population as well as mitigate the road kill by designing a wildlife passage under the road.

Development of advanced absorber/emitter for wireless power transfer thermophotovoltaic systems

The demand for wireless power transmission is growing due to the increasing costs of transporting conventional fuels for satellites, drones, and aerospace systems. A promising solution lies in Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) technology, with an impressive system efficiency of around 50%, converting heat from any high-temperature sources into electric power. TPV systems, which are lightweight and have no moving parts, are poised to play a crucial role in clean energy conversion. This project aims to integrate wireless power transmission and TPV technology, focusing on a novel monolithic absorber/emitter to capture specific wavelengths from laser sources and solar radiation. The absorber/emitters consist of tungsten substrates with thin films like YSZ, MgO, CaO, HfN, and AlN. Thorough thermal stability assessment and testing will ensure durability and efficiency. By making the PV cell independent of laser wavelengths, using low atmospheric attenuation lasers, and exploring diverse power transmission sources, this research pioneers a transformative solution, unlocking energy-efficient possibilities for aerospace missions. Our partners can benefit from these innovations by having access to lightweight and durable power solutions for their technologies, improving functionality and performance, and reducing reliance on traditional fuel sources.

Physics-informed Neural Networks for Time-Dependent Transport Equations

Companies can realize the cost-saving benefits of having access to large amounts of data provided they have digital tools that allow efficient and accurate extraction of information from the dataset. The goal of this project is
to conduct the research required for machine learning algorithms to provide reliable engineering predictions for industrial applications. To achieve the stated objectives, a diverse team of researchers will investigate several
fundamental questions about the interplay between neural networks and other simulation technologies currently used by the industrial sector. With its mandate to develop state-of-the-art tools for physics-based engineering
applications, SOTAES is well-positioned to develop an innovative product based on the outcomes of this research.

Hydrogen Embrittlement Susceptibility of Bainitic versus Martensitic High Strength Steels

The objective of this investigation is to systematically quantify and compare the hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of austempered (bainitic) steels to that of standard quenched and tempered (martensitic) steels used for manufacturing high strength mechanical fasteners. It has been shown that correctly high strength bainitic steels exhibit measurably superior ductility and toughness as compared to martensitic steels of the same chemistry. These improvements in mechanical properties have made bainitic steel a viable and attractive option for making ultrahigh strength fasteners (e.g., 1400 – 1800 MPa tensile strength). Standard tempered martensitic steel fasteners do not exceed 1400 MPa tensile strength. The improved mechanical properties of bainitic steels have led many in the fastener industry to assume that bainitic steels must also exhibit greater resistance to hydrogen embrittlement. However, thus far there have been are no systematic comparisons of both materials at equal strength and/or hardness.