Optimization tools for short-term hydropower generation management

Short-term hydropower optimization models are used on a daily basis to dispatch the available water for production between the turbines of the power plants that compose an hydropower system. Rio Tinto owns and operates power plants in the Saguenay Lac-St-Jean region of the province of Quebec and is currently lacking efficient tools to help the […]

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Improving sustainability and operations in residential development and its relationship to community resilience

The purpose of this qualitative study is to investigate how productivity improvements in a local company could contribute to its municipality’s (community) sustainability goals, and, by extension, to local community resilience. I will be using an action research (AR) methodology to create positive change and productivity improvements in the case of a company as the […]

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Understanding the cellular mechanisms sustaining functional capacity improvement with prehabilitation in colorectal cancer patients

Cancer is associated with weight loss, decreased muscle strength and inflammation. This has a tremendous impact on daily activity, autonomy and quality of life, involving both patients and care-givers. I previously worked on a preoperative intervention called ‘pre-habilitation’, a personalized exercise and nutritional supplementation delivered before surgery. The main idea is to prevent postoperative complications […]

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Evaluation of botanical extract formulations for greenhouse pest management

The development of additional pesticides which minimize negative effects on the environment and beneficial insects is imperative for successful long-term management and enhanced sustainability of agricultural systems. Utilizing plant based essential oils, which generally have low toxicity to humans and other mammals, could increase sustainable pest management options. The chemical complexity of plant-based essential oils […]

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Using Canadian natural zeolite to develop a multifunctional filter medium for removal of microorganisms and toxic heavy metals from polluted drinking water

The main goal of this research project is to develop an inexpensive multifunctional filtering medium for purifying contaminated drinking water using modified Canadian natural zeolite with different metal elements such as zinc, copper and silver. In this project, a filter material will be developed which has the ability to kill bacteria from drinking water sources. […]

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Improving the mechanical properties of thermoplastic blends using nanoadditives

Blending different polymers in order to produce new engineering material with added value is a standard method in polymer industry. Incompatibility between immiscible polymers is the main challenge in preparing these blends. This incompatibility can result in poor mechanical and morphological properties. Using compatibilizers and nanoadditives are two main methods of compatibilizing immiscible polymer blends. […]

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Application of a new method for recovery of gold from electronic waste

Annually, around 50 million tonnes of electronic wastes is produced worldwide which contains valuable metals such as gold, copper, silver and palladium. Due to the lack of a suitable recycling technology, more than 80% of these wastes end up in landfills. The economic driving force for e-waste recycling has been recovery of precious metals, especially […]

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Investigation of a Hybrid Cascaded Modular Multilevel Converter

A high-voltage, direct current (HVDC) transmission system provides an efficient, reliable, economical and environment-friendly solution to interconnect between different power systems. HVDC permits electric power to be distributed to remote areas, which benefits the community with economic electricity usage and the government with extra financial revenues. This proposed project aims to investigate novel methods to […]

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Development of forest legacy-based mine reclamation techniques for recolonizing the soil food web and promoting vegetation establishment

The August 2014 tailings dam breach at the Mount Polley Mine, BC severely disturbed downstream forest ecosystems through erosion and tailings deposition. The impacted area presents an opportunity to research using ecosystem legacies (components that survive a disturbance) to rehabilitate disturbed sites. A field trial at Mount Polley is testing seedling establishment and soil food […]

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Temperature and dosage dependence of biological damage induced by ultraviolet germicidal irradiation on pathogens and comparison with conventional chemical wipes

Healthcare acquired infections (HAIs) represent a common complication for hospitalized patients and can produce significant financial implications for the health care system. Unfortunately, mobile and handheld devices are recognized as a hub for bacteria and viruses that can cause these infections. To aid in a remedy for this, ultraviolet light is an emerging technology that […]

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