Mitacs-Accelerate intern develops an intelligent wireless sensor system and lands his dream job
With the cost of electricity continuing to rise, businesses and homes are looking at increasingly innovative ways to reduce consumption and help the environment.
While energy-efficient light bulbs and heating systems are now commonplace, Vancouver-based Unity Integration Corporation (UIC) looked to develop other technologies to help cut energy use in buildings even further.
UIC turned to Mitacs-Accelerate and Simon Fraser University for expertise on how to turn their idea of a low-cost, energy-efficient sensor system into reality.
Through a Mitacs-Accelerate internship, Masters student Younes Rashidi from the Department of Mechatronic Systems Engineering helped UIC develop an intelligent wireless sensor network that turns lights and heating on and off as required. The sensors automatically detect when a person enters or leaves a room, adjusting the environment accordingly. Rashidi worked with UIC and his academic supervisor at SFU, Dr. Mehrdad Moallem, to design and build the hardware, including sensors and controllers, then programmed a series of algorithms to control them.
Finally, the system was tested. Trials have found lighting costs can be slashed by up to 90%. While lighting sensors aren’t new, this new system is both energy-efficient and wireless giving unique advantages, as Rashidi explains.
“There is a growing need to use modern, smart sensors that can monitor temperature, lighting and humidity and send control commands to devices such as lights and furnaces. On the other hand, such a system needs electrical power for its own operation, which can increase the total energy consumption and cost. Therefore, we’ve sought a trade-off between the savings the technology brings and the energy required to run it.”
The system uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), one of the newest technologies, which provides significant energy savings. Because it is wireless, it can be easily installed in existing buildings at minimal cost and with no need to run cables through walls or ceilings.
President of UIC, Siavash Vojdani, said the system works on a simple principle. “It provides light when and where it is needed rather than leaving it on all the time, and through that it saves a lot of energy – and money.”
It is not just lighting and heating that can be controlled – UIC plans to extend the application to control security systems and even monitor air quality with wireless sensors.
Vojdani said Mitacs-Accelerate not only provided access to the latest university research expertise and facilities, but also a job for Younes.
“Younes brought a lot of expertise that wasn’t in the company and helped us overcome significant challenges. We’ve taken him on as a full-time employee and he’s now a key member of our team.”
Mitacs thanks the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia for their support of the Accelerate research internship in this story. Across Canada, the Accelerate program also receives support from Alberta Innovates, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, the Government of Prince Edward Island, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan and Research Manitoba.
Do you have a business challenge that could benefit from a research solution? If so, contact Mitacs today to discuss partnership opportunities: BD@mitacs.ca
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