Projets novateurs réalisés

Investigate machine learning algorithms to detect anomalies in computing infrastructures in real-time

Metafor is developing a new class of IT system management solution to monitor computer and application activities, and alert when anomalous behavior occurs. Current commercial tools for anomaly detection use simple statistical rules and thresholds to detect anomalies. These methods are failing for today’s dynamic cloud environment where change is constant. As a result, IT operators are flooded with false alerts; become overwhelmed with alert fatigue and learn to ignore the alerts. This research internship will help to identify and create appropriate anomaly detection algorithms for the IT environment and extend and improve the functionality of Metafor’s current suite of algorithms.

CRITAC : Modèles d’estimation de pose pour les arts du cirque

Les compagnies de cirque au Canada innovent en intégrant des technologies numériques comme la capture de
mouvement dans leurs spectacles, créant ainsi des expériences virtuelles et hybrides. Toutefois, les systèmes de
capture actuels avec marqueurs ne sont pas adaptés aux performances acrobatiques. Le projet vise donc à tester
différents modèles d’estimation de mouvement pour trouver ceux qui conviennent le mieux aux mouvements
uniques des artistes de cirque. Cette technologie pourrait ouvrir de nouvelles possibilités créatives pour
l’enseignement, la recherche et le divertissement, permettant aux compagnies et artistes québécois de se
démarquer par leur innovation dans le domaine du numérique.

Calcul des performances d’un fuselage intégré hybride en régime transsonique

En 2015, la NASA, Boeing et Pratt & Whitney ont entrepris des études expérimentales et numériques pour calculer les performances d’un fuselage intégré hybride (HWB), désigné N2A-EXTE 0009H1, pour tous les régimes de vol, dont celles en transsonique. Le but de ces études était de vérifier un concept d’intégration moteur avec cette cellule d’avion non-conventionnelle. Le but du stage est de reconstituer dans un modèle CAO (Catia V5) la maquette utilisée pour ces études antérieures en se basant sur les documents publiés par ces trois organisations. Le modèle doit être construit en partie sous forme paramétrique de façon à que le modèle soit prêt à une mise à jour automatique selon les choix de paramètres décidés par un utilisateur(trice) ou une boucle automatique d’optimisation de formes aérodynamiques autour des moteurs. Une fois le modèle CAO reconstitué, des simulations numériques de l’écoulement seront obtenues à l’aide d’un solveur fluide (StarCCM+ ou autre), suite à la discrétisation du volume fluide autour du modèle de l’avion à l’aide d’un générateur de maillage (Pointwise). L’objectif est de valider par itération que le modèle est fonctionnel côté aérodynamique, c’est-à-dire débarrassé de toute anomalie dans l’écoulement d’air autour de l’avion.

Large Language Models for Improving Quantum Communications and Networking

The aim of this research project is to explore the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) in quantum technologies for computer network system scenarios. The hypothesis is that we can easily comprehend and utilize quantum algorithms to propose solutions for networks by leveraging Large Language Models technologies in specific tasks. Moreover, another interesting question that we want to find the answer to is if we can safely transmit qbits of information between quantum network systems using the (QKD) paradigm with Large Language Models helping.

Analyzing and Reducing the Carbon Footprint in Concrete Block Manufacturing Processes

The proposed project for carbon footprint analysis of concrete block will benefit the community. Demand on concrete blocks is increasing dramatically and such massive production of these blocks contributes to an estimated 5% of Carbon emission of total carbon present in atmosphere. Thus, this analysis will help understanding and subsequently reducing carbon footprint of concrete blocks and thus help protecting the environment. As a researcher in this project, I would understand the production cycle of concrete blocks and its impact on environment. As for Day & Campbell Corporation, the project will benefit the company’s image and surge its contribution to society by promoting environmental sustainability. This project will not only benchmark the concrete block carbon footprint, but will also look for alternative materials to that can produce concrete blocks with similar quality but far less carbon emission.

Infection & Alzheimer’s Disease: Investigating Curli Fiber-Amyloid Beta Interactions Using Novel Inclusion Assay

As the general population ages the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, has dramatically increased in recent years. One of the main hallmarks of this disease is the buildup of amyloid beta peptides in the brain. This peptide is capable of damaging the cell membranes of neurons and aggregating into plaques that disrupt neural communication. As current therapies targeting amyloid beta peptide are mostly ineffective at halting the progression of cognitive decline, the investigation of novel pathways and drug targets is of utmost importance. Infection and/or changes in gut microbes have been linked as a risk factor for AD and could provide information into new targets or pathways for therapeutic development. These changes in gut microbes include increases in strains that produce curli fibers, a protein that enables the persistence of bacterial species in the host. Our proposed research aims to evaluate the ability of these bacterial curli fibers to bind to the well-known AD-associated amyloid-beta peptide and to affect the ability of the amyloid-beta to initiate its toxic AD disease mechanisms.

Feasibility Study for X-Ray Lithographic Fabrication of Diffractive X-Ray Optical Elements

The University of Saskatchewan (Dr. S. Achenbach), intern Danyil Dmytriiev, and the Oles Honchar Dnipro National University in Ukraine (Dr. Mykhailo Derhachov)/Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, engage in a MITACS-funded research project to innovate microfabrication processes for diffractive X-ray optics. Fresnel Zone Plates (FZPs) are miniaturized focusing and beam shaping elements with nanometer scale dimensions. Such plates are required in, e.g., spectromicroscopy using soft X-ray synchrotron radiation to advance basic and applied sciences, e.g. environmental and life sciences and material development. FZPs have typical overall dimensions between fingernail-size and the diameter of a human hair, with nanometer scale details, at costs comparable to a compact vehicle for a single FZP. Using X-ray lithography available at SyLMAND, the Synchrotron Laboratory for Micro and Nano Devices at the Canadian Light Source, Saskatoon, the research partnership aims at developing fabrication technologies for zone plates that allow for much reduced costs and increased availability. Both would enable more widespread use in academic and industrial research. Successful completion will much elevate Canada’s visibility and the university’s reputation in X-ray optics, serve Canadian companies, and foster international collaboration and student exchange with one of the leading research-intensive universities in the Ukraine.

Enhancing Assistive Robotics for Walking Impairments Through Human Motion Recognition

This research project aims to develop advanced robots and devices to help people with disabilities, like those with cerebral palsy or who have had strokes, move and live more independently. As people get older and the need for such assistive technology grows, it’s crucial to make sure these devices can accurately understand and predict human motion to be safe and effective. The project will focus on improving motion recognition systems by using a combination of muscle activity signals and mechanical sensors to predict a person’s movements before they even start. This could make interactions with robots feel more natural and reduce delays in how these devices respond. By tailoring these technologies to meet the specific needs of individuals with walking impairments, the project aims to make daily activities easier for them, enhancing their quality of life. The involvement of institutions in this research is expected to lead to the creation of more adaptable, safe, and effective assistive devices, contributing to significant advancements in the field of rehabilitation and assistive robotics.

Interrogating ‘Sustainable Mining’: Labour, Social Reproduction and Intergenerational Justice in Extraction-affected Communities

Mining affects communities and contributes to socio-ecological harms despite the proliferation of industry-led sustainability initiatives. These issues demand ongoing scrutiny given the intensification of ‘critical’ extractivism and its intersection with climate-change mitigation, action, and in/justice. The proposed project aims to interrogate the notion of sustainable mining as a source of ‘green’ jobs, community wellbeing, and climate action by considering how it manifests in the two mining-affected communities: Sudbury, Canada and Antonio Pereira, Brazil. We want to investigate this claim in relation to three domains of socio-ecological sustainability: 1) the relationship between environmental safety and the working conditions in mining, 2) articulation of mining with social and community reproduction (as expressed though care provision and small-scale agriculture/community gardening projects), and 3) the question of responsibility to future generations (i.e. intergenerational justice). Our project’s intersectional and multi-dimensional analysis will provide an important contribution to research that critically evaluates mining’s developmental and climate action promise for geopolitically distinct communities. It will also forge closer links between research programs and collaboration of scholars at Carleton University (Canada) and Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), thus benefitting our respective institutions’ internationalization efforts, and enriching graduate education, research and training opportunities in both countries.

An Interactive Scene-centric Testing Platform for Autonomous Driving Vehicles in Unstructured Map Scenarios

LoopX plans to have their intern develop a virtual testing platform in a simulated software program, where the robots mining vehicles with the autonomous driving algorithms that are meant to drive in mines can be put through their paces. These robot mining vehicles are expected to handle complex mining-specific situations, but mines are tricky places with lots of unexpected challenges. By doing extensive tests with sirmulated complex scenarios, LoopX can make sure these autonomous driving algorithms enable the robot vehicles to make the right decisions and navigate themselves, simultaneously, in mines and still obey the mining traffic rules. it’s crucial because it’ll help LoopX ensure that their algorithms are both safe to use and good at their jobs before they ever hit the ground rolling in real mines.

Phytofiltration de PFAS par des saules à croissance rapide

Le présent projet de recherche porte sur l’étude de la distribution de contaminants émergents, soit les substances per- et poly-fluoroalkylées (SPFA, ou PFAS en anglais), dans les plantes, plus particulièrement les saules à croissance rapide, lorsqu’irrigués avec des eaux contaminées ou du lixiviat de lieux d’enfouissement.
Les PFAS sont une famille de composés chimiques synthétiques utilisés pour leurs propriétés uniques, comme la résistance à l’eau, aux graisses et aux taches et leur inflammabilité, et sont donc retrouvés dans plusieurs objets du quotidien. Depuis quelques années, ces molécules sont étudiées puisque celles-ci peuvent avoir des impacts néfastes sur la santé humaine, sur la faune, ainsi que sur les écosystèmes. Ces composés fluorés ont une forte résistance à la dégradation et persistent donc dans l’environnement et les organismes. On peut les retrouver autant dans les sols, que dans l’eau, ainsi que dans l’air, et la taille et la diversité de la famille (plus de 5000 composés) fait en sorte que celles-ci sont difficiles à capter et à traiter. Les lixiviats issus des lieux d’enfouissement de déchets sont potentiellement une grande source de PFAS.

Optimizing Concentration, Separation, and Discharge of High Solid-Fraction Ice Slurry

This research project is centered around enhancing the delivery process of ice stored in tanks, particularly focusing on ice slurry, a mixture of small ice crystals suspended in a liquid phase. Typically, these slurries are created from solutions like saltwater (NaCl). The primary objective is to optimize the methods for extracting the stored ice from these tanks for various applications. Instead of just scooping ice out, we aim to streamline and improve this process to make it more efficient and effective.

Ice slurry technology is widely utilized in industries such as refrigeration, food processing, and thermal energy storage due to its ability to efficiently store and transport thermal energy. However, current methods for delivering ice from storage tanks can be inefficient and cumbersome, leading to energy wastage and operational challenges. By refining the process of extracting ice from these slurries, we can significantly improve the overall efficiency and performance of systems relying on ice slurry technology.

Through a combination of experimental investigations and computational modeling, we will analyze the behavior and properties of ice slurries under different conditions. This comprehensive approach will enable us to understand the underlying mechanisms governing the delivery process and identify opportunities for optimization. By developing more efficient