Innovative Projects Realized

Explore thousands of successful projects resulting from collaboration between organizations and post-secondary talent.

13270 Completed Projects

1072
AB
2795
BC
430
MB
106
NF
348
SK
4184
ON
2671
QC
43
PE
209
NB
474
NS

Projects by Category

10%
Computer science
9%
Engineering
1%
Engineering - biomedical
4%
Engineering - chemical / biological

Kali: Optimizing Resource Utilization in Distributed Clusters

Decreasing operational costs is a key criterion for organizations that manage compute clusters, such as Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Alibaba, etc. One way to decrease costs it to improve resource utilization in the cluster [13, 14]. Yet, high resource utilization can negatively affect workload performance and thus user satisfaction. Performance degradation happens when workloads running on the same machine “compete” for shared resources, e.g., a workload that consumes a large portion of memory delays execution of other, memory-intensive workloads. Such “competition” for resources is referred to as resource interference in the literature.
Existing work on predicting and avoiding interference mainly relies on (a) stress-testing the workloads before scheduling, to estimate their constraints and (b) extracting interference-related constraints while observing real executions. TO BE CONT’D

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Faculty Supervisor:

Julia Rubin

Student:

Harshavardhan Kadiyala

Partner:

Samsung Research Canada

Discipline:

Engineering - computer / electrical

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Efficacy of a perceptive-cognitive training to improve ice-hockey performance

The Neurotracker training requires participants to follow and identify holographic tennis balls moving randomly in a 3D environment. The company developing this training, CogniSens, inc. claims that it can improve sports performance by enhancing, among others, selective attention and working memory. This research project tests the efficacy of the NeuroTracker training to improve sports performance in ice-hockey. More specifically, major junior ice-hockey players will complete a battery of tests measuring selective attention, working memory, time perception, pattern recognition, temporal equivalence in mental imagery and ice-hockey performance per se. They will then train on the NeuroTracker for 18 weeks, before completing the battery of tests again.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Simon Grondin

Student:

Daniel Fortin-Guichard

Partner:

Alain Vigneault Consultants

Discipline:

Psychology

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Evaluation measurements for an E-Learning Occupational Mental Health Program

This project will recruit an intern to develop appropriate methodologies in order to assess the effectiveness of an occupational mental health promotion program that uses a blended format of in-person sessions and online learning. The intern will work closely with the industry partner to review, develop, and pilot assessment tools, oversee the data collection, analyze data collected, and generate reports and publications for dissemination.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Josephine Wong

Student:

Jing Wen Liu

Partner:

MacroMind Media

Discipline:

Nursing

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Assessment of factors that can contribute to earth dam cracking and slumping in northeast BC

In northeast British Columbia, earth dams have been constructed to hold water for the oil and gas industry using locally available soils having high clay and silt content. These soils tend to have low shear strength and are susceptible to volume changes from wetting-drying and freeze-thaw cycles, which can lead to increased risk for cracking, slumping, and piping issues in dam embankments. The student intern will collect soil samples, measure the embankment geometry, perform laboratory testing to determine specific material properties, and use finite element software to perform stability analyses of selected dams. The objective is to propose remediation and stabilization techniques for existing dams with potential stability issues, and to develop best practices for construction of dams in this region to minimize risk of failure.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dwayne Tannant

Student:

Kalie Smith

Partner:

BC Oil and Gas Research and Innovation Society

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Oil and gas

University:

Program:

Accelerate

LAFORGE: Log Analytics For Operational Intelligence

The goal of this project is to explore the use of log analytics and machine/deep learning techniques to improve Ubisoft operational intelligence. Logs contain a wealth of information, but often hindered by the lack of best practices, tools, and processes. Despite the importance of logging, the area has not evolved much over the years. At Ubisoft, logs are used extensively for various system diagnosis tasks. The analysis of logs, however, is usually performed manually, limiting the full potential of the information contained in logs. In this project, we will explore the use of logs and deep learning to support two Ubisoft priority areas, namely the detection of anomalies and automated load and stress testing. We will also examine the practice of logging at Ubisoft and propose recommendations. The outcomes of this research project will result in superior diagnosis techniques that leverage the power of logs combined with deep learning techniques, while reducing the associated costs. Another important impact of this research is its potential for commercialization driven by the strong need from Ubisoft to have better logging tools. […]

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Faculty Supervisor:

Foutse Khomh

Student:

Le An

Partner:

Ubisoft Divertissement

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

Program:

Accelerate

New Deformation Model for Realistic Real-Time Simulation of Soft Bodies in the Context of Virtual Surgery

OSSimTech develops and sells virtual reality (VR) surgical simulators. This proposal aims to improve the efficiency of the simulation of cutting and deforming organs. The current simulator used by the company is appropriate for a range of surgery scenarios, but for several scenarios, it is too long to compute. The company has plans to expand its portfolio of simulators to less powerful devices, potentially including portable devices such as tablets. In this context, the development of a low-cost simulation approach is of great interest for OSSimTech. Whether on high-end or low-end devices, the efficient simulation of soft bodies is complicated because of the real-time constraints. We will improve simulation models for the deformation of stiff soft bodies. Our goal is to improve the realism of real-time deformable tissues and organs in the context of VR surgery simulation.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Eric Paquette

Student:

Nabil Boukadida

Partner:

OSSimTech

Discipline:

Visual arts

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Integrated Project Delivery – Unlocking the Advantages of Innovative Technologies

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) defines IPD as:
“…a collaborative alliance of people, systems, business structures and practices into a process that harnesses the talents and insights of all participants to optimize project results, increase value to the owner, reduce waste, and maximize efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication, and construction.”
Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) has emerged as a project procurement and delivery method with the potential to deliver significant value to owners and building occupants by unlocking the time, cost and quality advantages offered by recent technological advances. IPD requires early involvement of key parties who share the risks and rewards of the project through multi-party contracts to improve project outcomes.
IPD and Technology may hold the key to addressing the housing affordability crisis today, while revolutionizing the way buildings are design and built in the near future. TO BE CONT’D

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Faculty Supervisor:

Sheryl Staub-French

Student:

Divyarajsinh Chudasma

Partner:

Brantwood Consulting

Discipline:

Engineering - civil

Sector:

Alternative energy

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Characterization of Stabilized Lithium Ion Battery Materials

Micro-scale particles composed of high-voltage spinel LNMO (LiNi1-xMnxO4) will be characterized using electron microscopy techniques. These particles are stabilized through the inclusion of coating materials. The methods to prepare these particle coatings consisted of either an in-situ or post-synthetic method. The interface between the particle and the coating will be characterized at the atomic-scale by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). Specifically, the composition, their relative concentrations, the distribution of these elements, and structural information of the materials will each be acquired through these electron microscopy techniques. Nano-scale cross-sections of particle coatings to view the interface between these materials will be prepared through specialized sample preparation techniques. Focused ion beam milling and microtome methods will be employed to achieve these cross-sections. The data from these analyses will be used to elucidate a mechanism for observed enhancements to the performance of these cathode materials in assembled batteries.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Byron Gates

Student:

Audrey Taylor

Partner:

Nano One Materials Corp

Discipline:

Chemistry

Sector:

Energy

University:

Program:

Accelerate

How Does Food Get to the Table? Sustainable Development Influencers’ Framing of Food Processing in British Columbia

The BC food processing industry needs to do a better job of communicating its value if it is to attract the investment it needs to remain competitive and feed British Columbians. Food processing plays an important role in sustainable food systems, which in turn are a recognized component of sustainable community development. Yet, despite the facts that people need food to live and processing is a necessary undertaking in order to get food on the table, food processing is notably missing from scholarly discussions. This study intends to determine why by gaining an understanding of how sustainable community development influencers frame food processing. Framing theory helps us understand what people believe and how their beliefs guide them to do what they do. By understanding how people frame a topic, like food processing, we can determine how to reframe it in a way that attracts more attention.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Julia Jahansoozi

Student:

Debra Hellbach

Partner:

Small Scale Food Processor Association

Discipline:

Cultural studies

Sector:

Forestry

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Understanding mental health experiences of adults 50 years and older living in the Similkameen: A qualitative study using photovoice

The purpose of this study is to understand and promote awareness of the mental health experiences of adults 50 years of age and older who live in a rural community. This study uses photovoice, a research and advocacy method that helps people to tell their stories with photos. Participants will determine what types of experiences (e.g., stigma, resilience) will be explored by taking photos. After attending a photovoice workshop, participants will take their photos. Individual interviews about the most meaningful photos (chosen by the participant) will be used to gain insight into the participants’ experiences. Transcripts of the interviews will be analyzed inductively using constant comparison, such that themes will be analyzed and coded as they emerge. The participants will determine collaboratively how the findings should be presented (i.e., knowledge translation activities). Possible activities include a community gallery night and a summary report for community members.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Carolyn Szostak

Student:

Lauren Airth

Partner:

South Okanagan Similkameen Mental Wellness Society

Discipline:

Nursing

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Employing the use of flexible engineering approaches as a bank erosion mitigation technique on the Nicola River in the Thompson Okanagan region

Rivers naturally shift and move through lateral erosion and deposition, which can cause problems for infrastructure that is built on riverbanks. Traditional engineering solutions have entirely halted lateral movement, which can have negative consequences. This research is investigating an alternative method, which uses grains that are within the grain size distribution of the riverbed, rather than the method known as riprap, which are much larger grains. This research will use a flume to model the Nicola River, alongside computer models. If successful, Kerr Wood Leidal will use the flexible engineering approach to stabilize the channel and minimize further bank erosion.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Brett Eaton

Student:

Deanna Shrimpton

Partner:

Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd.

Discipline:

Geography / Geology / Earth science

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) Magnetometry for Geophysical Exploration of Canadian Lakes

This project aims to develop a prototype and workflow for the efficient and effective use of an unmanned surface vessel (USV) for magnetic data acquisition in Canadian lakes (9% of Canadian territory). Specifically, the USV will be used to tow either a floating or submerged sensor system consisting of multiple magnetometers in a gradiometer configuration. The main goal is to enable magnetic mapping of lakes at unprecedented spatial resolution with applications ranging from infrastructure localization, archaeological prospection, unexploded ordnances detection to mineral exploration. This research will expand Sumac Geomatics’ expertise in aerial mapping and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle magnetometry to address new regions of interest in Canadian lakes. It complements bathymetric mapping and surveying and advances the field of marine surveying using state-of-the-art equipment and data processing strategies.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Georgia Fotopoulos

Student:

Mitchell Wootton

Partner:

Sumac Geomatics Incorporated

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

Program:

Accelerate