Projets novateurs réalisés

Integrating attentional shifts to improve stereo vision in robot navigation

Artificial 3D vision is computationally intensive. It takes an impractically long time for a robot to analyze a video frame in order to accurately estimate the locations of nearby obstacles. This project will develop new techniques for selecting only the most important regions of each video frame to analyze at each moment, so that a robot can update its knowledge of obstacle locations a number of times per second. CrossWing Inc. is developing a telepresence robot that needs this capability in order to support rapid semi-autonomous navigation.

Quantum non-Gaussian state generation

Quantum computers can potentially solve problems that are intractable for classical computers. However, despite the development of a theory on the processing of quantum information over the years, the computers we use every day still outperform their quantum counterparts, if we exclude some as interesting as specific tasks. In fact, quantum states that are manipulated in place of bits are extremely sensitive to noise and thus make the quantum computation error-prone.
Quantum error correction is thus crucial in this context. While in classical information theory, redundancy can be used to detect and correct the error, in the quantum domain we usually encode the information typically stored in one quantum bits in many bits entangled among them. The error correction protocol is especially efficient when the overall states used to encode the information are non-Gaussian. However, non-Gaussian states are much more difficult to generate than Gaussian ones, and improving success probability of conditional sources is key to make them fast and reliable. The goal of the project is to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these conditional sources, based, for example, on Gaussian boson sampling devices, and determine which modifications can enhance their success probability or reduce the required resources.

Characterization of long-term eating behaviors (~15 years) in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery and eating habits likely to lead to weight regain.

The project aims to improve the pharmacovigilance and the report from the adverse events derivative from the drug use for treatment of heart failure. This will occur through the analysis of reported adverse events compared to those not reported throughout the years. In addition, factors associated with reported adverse events, especially fatal ones, will be analyzed. The results of this project will allow us to know the gaps to be filled in the reporting of serious AEs in heart failure as well as identify avenues for corrective measures to optimize it. In this regard, the research will help to improve the health of the population who suffer from these events. Besides, it will include both urban and rural areas in all the levels of assistance (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary).

Performing Culture through the sport of Ekiden Racing: Learning from the Japanese Sporting ethos of long-distance running

Historical documents about Japan have not included information on its long-distance running culture. A type of event called ‘ekiden’ is very popular in Japan. Ekiden racing is a team relay event, invented in Japan. Sporting events can tell us about the meaning people place on them, and the reasons why they are valued. This project is designed to learn about Ekiden through the experiences of Japanese runners, staff, academics, and spectators. It explores, 1. the origins and cultural significance of running in Japan, 2. seeks to understand the ways in which Japanese running culture is experienced by the Japanese. This project will, 1. make connections and contacts for future research collaboration between Canadian and Japanese universities and scholars, 2. conduct Interviews, 3. visit the Hakone Ekiden Museum, 4. conduct observations of ekiden races, 5. collected data for a PhD dissertation, and 6. contribute to academic knowledge between cultures on sport.

Évaluer les effets de dérivés (THC et CBD) du cannabis vapoté par la cigarette électronique sur la pathogénicité des microorganismes buccodentaires

La cigarette électronique est un dispositif proposé aux fumeurs pour remplacer la cigarette standard dans le but de réduire-éliminer les effets nocifs de la fumée de cigarette. Cette cigarette électronique est habituellement utilisée pour vapoter un liquide composé de propylène glycol, de glycérine végétale et de nicotine. Cependant, plusieurs études rapportent une combinaison de l’e-cigarette avec des produits dérivant du cannabis. Parmi ces produits nous trouvons l’ajout du THC ou de CBD à la solution à vapoter. Le chauffage de ces produits du cannabis en combinaison avec les produits chimiques contenus dans le liquide à vapoter pourrait induire plusieurs pathologies au niveau de la bouche. Parmi ces pathologies, la flore buccale pourrait être perturbée favorisant les infections, dont la candidose ou les caries dentaires. Le présent projet est d’étudier les effets du vapotage des produits de cannabis sur le comportement des microbes trouvés dans la bouche des utilisateurs d’e-cigarette. Après réalisation, cette étude nous permettra d’avoir des résultats qui nous aideront à mieux conseiller les utilisateurs sur les bienfaits/les dangers de la cigarette électronique combinée ou non aux produits du cannabis.

ROC (Reservoir on Chip) Modified Water Flooding for Enhanced Oil Recovery

Oil and natural gas are typically found in the reservoir rock, accumulating over millions of years and can be extracted through various techniques and technologies. The oil from the reservoir can be extracted in three stages: primary, secondary and tertiary. Secondary techniques are often implemented after the production from the primary stage ceases, mainly due to a decline in the reservoir’s natural pressure energy. Traditional Water flooding technique can recover 30-40% of OOIP (Original oil in place) and is one of the most common secondary techniques in the field stage, primarily due to the low cost and abundant availability of saline water (brine). The proposed project primarily focuses on developing alternative novel techniques to extract the remaining oil, which is either trapped inside due to capillary forces or bypassed due to reservoir heterogeneity. The proposal emphasises using the novel microfluidic platform-based Reseroivor on Chip concept to explore and understand the flow phenomena at the pore scale. The learnings from direct visualisation will potentially play a decisive role in designing and implementing improved and clean waterflooding techniques per the stringent climate laws.

Optimisation de processus de remplissage des bacs au mezzanine du centre de distribution de Boucherville de Rona inc

L’optimisation des opérations dans les entrepôts constitue une composante importante dans une démarche de réduction des coûts et par conséquent d’augmentation de la compétitivité des entreprises. Le bon fonctionnement des grands centres de distribution est basé sur leur capacité à réduire le temps de réception et d’expédition des commandes. Dans le contexte du problème étudié dans ce projet, on s’intéressera particulièrement à l’optimisation du temps pour compléter les commandes de produits à l’unité dont la préparation se fait dans des bacs qui sont remplis pour être ensuite acheminés vers le client par camion. Le remplissage des bacs se fait via un circuit de tapis roulants automatiques reliant différents secteurs de l’entrepôt. Nous utiliserons un modèle de simulation pour représenter le fonctionnement actuel de ce circuit afin de tester différentes règles visant l’optimisation du temps de préparation des commandes.

Better Connected

The Better Connected project is a collaboration between 411 Seniors Centre Society and researchers from Simon Fraser University’s Science and Technology Research (STAR) Institute. It aims to address technology and internet-related challenges faced by seniors by developing programs to enhance their digital skills. With a focus on digital access, accessibility, capacity, and capability, the project seeks to create strategies that empower seniors to thrive in a digital world, bridging the divide and promoting inclusion. Led by the research intern, the project includes a capacity-building initiative to develop a volunteer training program. This program will equip volunteers with the skills to support seniors in improving their digital literacy and navigating the digital landscape. Participating in the project will provide valuable insights and solutions for supporting digital literacy in the senior community. It also offers cost-effective opportunities to enhance existing programs and services, aligning with the mission of the 411 Seniors Centre Society.

The effect of providing a rest period to surplus dairy calves without unloading from the trailer during long distance transportation

Few studies have investigated how rest period impact behavioral, metabolic, and clinical indicators of health and welfare of surplus dairy calves during long distance transportation. This project aims to fill these knowledge gaps and determine if unloading calves from the trailer for a rest period will mitigate the impact of transport. Results from this study will provide scientific evidence which can be applied in future development of transport regulations in Canada.

Optimizing bioinks for 3D bioprinting of cardiac tissue

In this research project, scientists aim to develop a new method for repairing damaged heart tissue caused by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). They will use a technique called 3D bioprinting to create functional cardiac tissue using human stem cells. The researchers will develop a special ink that can be used to print the stem cells in a way that mimics the structure and function of natural heart tissue. They will also add other types of cells, such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells, to create a more realistic and physiologically relevant tissue model. The goal is to create mature cardiac tissue that can be used for drug testing and studying the underlying causes of heart diseases. This research has the potential to provide new treatments for patients with CVDs.

Bulletin de l’égalité des chances en éducation

Le bulleting de l’égalité des chances en éducation au Québec brosse un portrait de la réussite scolaire au Québec en collectant et en diffusant chaque année des indicateurs sur les inégalités en éducation dans une perspective historique, tant
pour l’enseignement obligatoire et préscolaire que pour l’enseignement postsecondaire. Les indicateurs retenus portent sur
l’accès, la fréquentation, la réussite et la transition scolaire ou vers le marché du travail.
Chaque Bulletin présente également une analyse sur un thème spécifique et les résultats d’un sondage populationnel Léger,
ainsi que des perspectives concrètes pouvant être adoptées par les instances décisionnelles pertinentes pour favoriser
l’inclusion, l’équité et l’égalité.
Le projet bénéficie du soutien du ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur, de la société civile et du milieu de la recherche,
avec une quinzaine d’organismes incontournables et d’expert.es éminents appuyant le projet, coalisés au sein du comité
aviseur.

Cross-functional teams to develop and commercialize AI-powered solutions – Part E

AltaML is an innovative company capitalizing on a major technological trend: artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, enabled by big data, are driving a fourth industrial revolution. AI will transform all industries, but traditional industries face challenges in implementing AI. AltaML has a unique business model to overcome barriers to adoption of AI solutions by industry, which is to bring the innovating startup together with the large organization, thereby bringing together rich datasets, AI talent with a playbook for industry application and the close collaboration of subject matter experts and AI experts–with a mindset for change. In addition to AI expertise, we bring agility that our large, corporate partners often lack, and which is so essential for innovation. With a strategic focus on AI adoption and product, AltaML works across industries as well as with the public sector using a co-development approach to create applied AI solutions as well as joint AI ventures. This rich, complex multisectoral environment provides the breadth that enables insights in one area to be applied in new areas, leading to ever increasing opportunities for innovation.

The project comprises internships in a variety of technical and business roles, which are: associate machine learning developer, business development associate, communications associate, finance associate, associate business solutions consultant, and project delivery associate. Outcomes will include algorithm creation and deployment, data visualizations, market research reports, sales collateral, competitive landscape analysis, feasibility analysis; key messages and content writing such as case studies and feature articles, financial model development, data analysis, financial reports and variance analysis, customer workflow mapping, business case reports, resource allocation plans, project update reports, and project plans.