This research will develop protocols and identify enzymes to break down compostable plastics using the FoodCycler system. The FoodCycler is a household device that accelerates the breakdown of organic waste, leaving behind a sterile soil-amendment-like by-product, and is a practical solution for rural, northern, and remote areas without municipal compost systems. Use of compostable plastics […]

A new atomizer for vaping devices will be studied experimentally and numerically. The visualization of the flow inside the atomizer microchannels and the liquid film formed over to the top surface of the atomizer (with and without surface heating) will be attempted. Aerosol characterization using Phase Doppler Anemometer (PDA) will be conducted. In addition, numerical […]

Reinforced concrete (RC) is widely used due to its ease of construction, accessibility of raw materials, and excellent integrity. However, severe breakdown of RC structures due to mechanical and environmental loads may result in the need for strengthening to increase functionality and extend the service life of such structures. The use of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) […]

House crickets are a promising sustainable source of protein for human food and animal feed in a changing world. A current focus is to scale up and automate cricket production, and to optimise production for specific outcomes (e.g. maximise biomass production or protein content). Insect growth rate, nutrient content and survival are all dependent on […]

Over the last few years, Nureva has experienced an increasing trend with their audio products being purchased for HyFlex (hybrid-flexible) classrooms across North America, particularly in higher education. Research shows that this is something many institutions are investing in and will continue to invest in beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. However, not a lot of research […]

Potholes are among the most common and most unfavorable pavement distresses. Abundantly present in cold climates, potholes are exacerbated by severe freeze and thaw cycles. The cavities left behind by potholes are often dangerous to vehicles and need to be repaired through patching. Due to the widespread nature of this pavement distress, the repairs can […]

Interns will help collect various data about Ontario’s bat species, and use these to investigate their distributions, use of different land cover, and interactions with the human environment in the Greater Toronto Area. One project will use ultrasonic recorders to monitor bat echolocation activity, and identify temporal and spatial activity patterns in an urban gradient, […]

This project aims to uncover how viruses and environmental toxins can enter through the gut and nasal cavity and cause changes in the microbiome (microbes that inhabit the body) that contributes to the development of Parkinson’s disease (PD). We hypothesize that these viral and toxin insults disrupt the microbiome and cause a pro-inflammatory environment that […]

The frost deterioration caused by freeze-thaw cycles (FTC) is of great concern in masonry buildings due to its detrimental effect on durability and long-term seismic performance. Recent findings reveal a substantial reduction in mechanical properties of masonry (e.g., compressive strength) when exposed to FTC. This material damage weakens the seismic capacity of masonry walls, increasing […]

This research project aims to use a combination of historical data and physics principles to determine a ratio of batteries to gasoline to power a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. The physics method that will be used is called momentum theory. Momentum theory is a simplistic model of helicopter flight that determines how much power […]

The Arctic is entering a digital age where web-based media acts as one of the main drivers behind ideologies and action, both in the north and beyond. In order to ensure that Arctic stories are driven by Arctic creators, northern youth are searching for opportunities to enter this journalistic space. To support their mission, the […]

This research presents a new experimentally tuned reduced-order modeling methodology employing a hybrid stick model representation. Digital image correlation (DIC) is used to synthesize mode shapes within a frequency range of interest during Ground Vibration Testing (GVT). Experimental mode shapes are augmented into the Guyan Reduced Order Model (ROM) to develop a corresponding Craig-Bampton ROM. […]