Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the deadly diseases in low- and mid-income countries. Currently, X-ray and TB culture tests are standard tests, but they suffer from various limitations. For instance, an X-ray requires large & expensive equipment while TB culture test takes a long time. As sensor technologies get more advanced, portable and low-cost diagnosis […]

COVID-19 has significantly impacted the world. Nucleic acid, CT, and fever tests are standard tests, but they suffer from various limitations. For instance, CT requires large & expensive equipment. The nucleic acid test is not portable and takes at least two days. As sensor technologies get more advanced, a portable, low-cost and fast diagnosis COVID-19 […]

COVID-19 has significantly impacted the health of the global population. Although timely detection and isolation are important, vaccination is probably more effective in fighting against COVID-19. Our proposed ex-vivo can help the validation of the COVID-19 vaccine and produce antibodies for COVID-19. The benefit to the Canadian community and the industry partner is palpable.

We have seen the acceleration of global warming in recent years. Green-energy powered electronic devices are more desirable. In this proposal, we propose to develop an energy harvesting circuit and implement it on a system-on-chip. The design goals are low-cost, user-friendly, and portable. By partnering with Hidaca Ltd., our ultimate goal is to have this […]

We have seen the recent surge of COVID-19 because we cannot afford another massive shut-down. A portable and timely detection device for the COVID-19 nucleic test is more desirable. In this proposal, we propose to develop an impedance-based nucleic acid testing device. Our LOC devices are low cost, user friendly alternatives to centralized lab tests. […]

Corona Virus 19 creates adverse effects on the global health system leading to economic crisis. Although trials to develop vaccines are underway, it would take a while for the general public. Wearable sensors have been receiving increased attention toward monitoring the wearer’s well-being and playing a significant role in the healthcare industry. The upper respiratory […]

As the world finite supply of fossil fuels diminishes, viable alternatives are needed to empower the transportation, heating, and industrial needs of modern civilization. Lignocellulosic ethanol promises a means to transform abundant plant wastes into an energy-dense, carbon-neutral liquid combustible, compatible with current infrastructure. Unlike the first-generation biofuels derived from corn or sugarcane, lignocellulosic ethanol […]

The proposed initiative is different from conventional small molecules or biologics therapies. The living “drugs” are patients’ own immune cells. However, due to factors, such as age, and genetic differences between individuals, there is no magic “one treatment for all patients”. Intrinsic interpatient heterogeneity requires “personalized immune-therapy”. We have to adopt a “quality control” when […]

As very large scale integrated circuit (VLSI) technology progresses, power consumption and power density of VLSI circuits increase when design complexity and transistor density increase. Low-power design becomes a major design challenge. Lowering the supply voltage is one of the most efficient ways to save power because power consumption is proportional to the square of […]

Genetic engineering has proven to be a useful approach for gene therapy and transformation of value-added agricultural plants. However, the current available technologies suffer from several limitations. These include relative low delivery efficiency with difficult-to-deliver cells or complex constructs and limit freedom-to-operate. Considering advances have been made in the applications of nanotechnology to life science […]

Canada is one of the largest canola producing countries. The industry contributes about $20 billion revenue to the Canadian economy. Currently, canola farmers rely on the weather forecast (temperature, moisture, etc.) to decide whether to apply a fungicide. As the Internet-of-Things and sensor technologies get more advanced, farmers are deserved to have better technologies for […]

Over the past few decades, mental disorders (e.g., depressive and anxiety) have become a significant medical burden for people of all ages. According to the survey performed by the World Health Organization (WHO), at least one out of ten people in the world suffers from mental health diseases (i.e., mental disorders, neurological disorders and addition). […]