FortisBC-UBCO Collaborative Research Project: Smart Energy Chair

Exploring the best smart energy choices to meet the growing energy needs of British Columbia (BC) is important due to Canada’s new climate change mitigation targets as well as the rising economic burdens of energy use. A collaborative study has been proposed between UBCO and FortisBC identify smart solutions energy conservation, climate change mitigation, demand […]

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Design and development of an intelligent measurement flight mode

Testing industrial facilities including pipelines and tanks are key to optimize operation and maintenance costs in heavy industries such as oil and gas. Hazardous industrial spaces (e.g. confined spaces) are of the most challenging and costly areas to inspect. WorksafeBC has reported about 18 people have been annually killed in confined spaces in BC, in […]

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An investigation of Canadian companies’ orientations towards modern slavery and extreme human exploitation in global supply chains

Slave labour continues to be used in business settings around the world and is often linked to society through the supply chains for consumer goods. Yet, the issue of slavery in modern society (“modern slavery”), despite its ties to business settings, has received very little attention in societies around the around. While countries such as […]

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Somatic cell reprogramming as a tool for the conservation of genetic resources from endangered species

Conservation of endangered species has become increasingly urgent. This is evident given the rate of species extinction has increased by 100 to 1000-fold, and global biodiversity has decreased. With current climatic changes, these concerns will only grow. Assisted reproductive technologies can play a vital role in endangered species conservation. Many approaches are currently being utilized […]

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Tool Development for Bolus Shaping in Radiation Therapy

During External-Beam Radiotherapy in cancer therapy, Bolus, a thick sheet of flexible material, is used to cover the skin surface in order to minimize damage healthy tissues. A significant problem of using bolus is air gaps generated between the bolus and patient’s skin if an inaccurate shape of bolus was made. In this research, an […]

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Transit Signal Priority in Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Environments

This research aims to develop a novel transit signal priority (TSP) strategy under autonomous/connected vehicle environment to ease traffic congestion for transit vehicles at intersections. In this study, the accurate arrival time of transit vehicles at intersections will be estimated and the green time will be extended accordingly to help transit vehicles pass intersections. Moreover, […]

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Advanced Thermal Solutions for Telecom Systems Synopsis

This project is a collaboration between NORSAT International Inc. and Laboratory for Alternative Energy Conversion (LAEC) at SFU to commercialize novel and efficient cooling solutions for NORSAT ATOM series BUCs and SSPAs. NORSAT amplifiers are typically 15-20% efficient meaning up to 85% of the applied electrical power is dissipated as heat. The heat is removed […]

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Evaluating the Co-Translational Framework for systematic translation of scientific knowledge towards implementation

The University of Toronto’s Translational Research Program (TRP) is a graduate program that developed the Co-Translational Framework (CTF) to systematically mobilize research towards innovations to improve health outcomes. The Translational Research for Innovation initiative is the research mechanism to help validate the CTF to facilitate meaningful collaboration between industry and academia. Using the CTF, the […]

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Edge Response of Understorey Plants, Lichenivorous Gastropods and Their Grazing Impact on At-Risk Lichens in Mixedwood Swamps

Clearcut logging and acid deposition affect plants, lichens and slugs (lichen consumers) and may facilitate the introduction and spread of alien invasive slugs, which can increase grazing pressures on at-risk lichens. The main research goal of this project is to improve our understanding of how clearcutting practices affect herbs and slugs and facilitate both the […]

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Dissecting fibroblast-macrophage-T-regulatory cell communication in the fibrotic niche

Idiopathic pulmonary (lung) fibrosis (IPF) affects 5 million people with a mean survival time of 2-3 years after diagnosis. In lung fibrosis, connective tissue fibroblasts excessively produce and stiffen collagen matrix. The resulting scar destroys the delicate lung architecture, decreases lung compliance and gas exchange, ultimately rendering patients unable to breathe. The only effective treatment […]

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