Le traitement du cuir requiert l’utilisation d’éléments chimiques et naturels, qui au cours du processus, permet d’assouplir, ternir et colorer les peaux animales. La disposition des retailles de coupe contamine le sol environnant. Certains composés sont toxiques pour la santé telle que le chrome et l’alumine, possédant des propriétés cancérigènes et mutagènes.

The purpose of the proposed research is to develop high efficiency electrical steels to be used in electric motors of hybrid vehicles. The work involves experimental and theoretical studies of the factors that determine magnetic properties of electrical steels and the effect of processing on these properties. The goal is to reduce the core losses and improve soft magnetic properties of the steels, through microstructure and texture control during thermomechanical processing involving the combination of cold rolling and annealing cycles.

Comminution, the process of crushing and grinding ore to liberate minerals, is the most energy intensive part of the processing flowsheet and accounts for upwards of 75% of the overall energy consumption of the processing plant. Ideally we would only crush and grind those rocks that contain economically extractable amounts of minerals. MineSense has developed sensors that can detect the level of minerals in rocks and, in particular, can detect very low levels with high accuracy. This proposal is to use MineSense’s sensing technology to pre-concentrate low grade copper ores.

The objective of this project is to improve long-term planning of Alberta's electricity system infrastructure in collaboration with an industry sponsor, Alberta Electricity System Operator (AESO). The project aims at engaging stakeholders in a regional planning exercise in southern Alberta by a detailed exploration of their perspectives when evaluating energy system alternatives. This was identified by AESO as being a pressing gap in their current practice.

The proposed research develops a transdermal alcohol detection system. The system is comprised of an array of polymer based MEMS sensors and a sensor measurement circuit. The system analyzes gases exuded from the skin - the gases are chemical mixtures that may (or may not) contain ethanol. No known polymers respond only to ethanol; however, each polymer in the array creates a unique response to the presence of ethanol. When examined together - like a series of simultaneous equations - sensor responses accurately indicate the presence of ethanol.

The state-of-the-art polymer electrolyte fuel cells have catalyst layers (CLs) made of platinum catalyst on carbon support (Pt/C) bound together by proton conducting polymer or ionomer. To overcome the challenges of high cost of Platinum catalyst and corrosion of carbon support, alternative materials for catalyst and catalyst support are being considered. The interaction of ionomer with catalyst and itsa support materials controls two factors that profoundly affects the CL Performance: the micro-scale structure of the CL and ionomer propoerties in the catalyst layer.

The objective of this project is to develop lead free solder alloys with superior mechanical and physical properties. For various reasons (some mentioned above), Sn-based multicomponent alloys with alloying elements, Ag, Cu and/or Bi are likely to be the most promising [2] [8]. For further improvement of Sn-based solder joints, in this work the effects of alloying and/or micro-alloying elements (e.g., Bi, Ag, Cu, Zn, Al, Sb, Ge, Se…) on microstructure, mechanical properties, interfacial reactions, wettability, reliability and melting behavior of Sn-based solders are investigated.

Cascades within the MITACS Elevation program are threefold: a. Ensure their industrial voice is represented on this international consensus building  process b. Being proactive, influence the process and anticipate the developments on the consensus around water footprinting methods c. Generate industry specific case studies to test  the method, ensure key problems are addressed and increase internal awareness Supporting the researcher that will lead the international process conducted under WULCA group is the mean of meeting the above mentioned objectives.

The proposed research develops a transdermal alcohol detection system. The system is comprised of an array of polymer based MEMS sensors and a sensor measurement circuit. The system analyzes gases emitted from the skin – the gases are chemical mixtures that may (or may not) contain ethanol. No known polymers respond only to ethanol; however, each polymer in the array creates a unique response to the presence of ethanol. When examined together – like a series of simultaneous equations – sensor responses accurately indicate the presence of ethanol.