The proposed research project will conduct feasibility studies on the purification and conditioning of industrial, hemicellulose derived C5 sugars from a number of potentially commercial liquor fractions, derived from lignocellulosic biomass. In the first two Mitacs projects, enzyme hydrolysis showed considerable benefits over traditional acid hydrolysis for S2G’s bio-glycol production. However, relatively high enzyme loadings […]

The British Columbia (BC) Seniors Advocate recently indicated that the government of BC needs to “commit to a higher standard of accommodation in residential care facilities” which includes 95% single room occupancy in long-term care (LTC) facilities. The proportion of adults age 65+ is growing, with the population increasing from 13.2% of the population in […]

The mining industry faces a massive human resource challenge in the next decade. The Certificate in Mining Studies (CMS) is a continuing education program offered by a network of mining schools and course providers. It is designed for those who seek industry-leading professional development and career advancement in the mining sector. In order to refine […]

This research aims to evaluate mobile live broadcasting as an effective medium for artistic expression, through the use of real time video manipulation tools, like image filtering and visual effects. We will build a research platform to better understand the future of online real-time communications within the creative community of audiovisual artists. We ultimately want […]

The research project will look at types of service models/supports developed for different client groups, effectiveness of the service models for different client groups, partnerships, impacts of different funding structures, etc. It will also provide an opportunity to review government and school policies in place that support effective models, and the service needs not currently […]

Allergic asthma is a condition of the airways characterized by airway constriction and hyperresponsiveness upon allergen exposure. About half of the allergic asthmatic individuals experience only an acute airway constriction (early response) within several minutes upon exposure to allergen while the other half of individuals experience not only an acute airway constriction but also a […]

The Aboriginal housing situation in Canada is in crisis with a lack of culturally and environmentally appropriate housing. A Participatory Approach towards Housing Solutions (PATHS) Framework has been developed that recognizes and visualizes the strengths and limitations of communities, and assesses pathways with which they may achieve their housing goals. Communities are actively engaged in […]

The coastal marine regions of Canada are an excellent source of renewable energy. Tides and currents are predictable in space and time so ideal for tidal energy. Coastal areas with strong currents are also popular with marine mammals often providing good feeding opportunities. However little is known about how marine mammals will be affected by […]

The role of infectious disease in declining productivity of wild salmon in BC is poorly understood. We will combine novel genomic technologies with traditional fish health methodologies and more broadly identify the microbe exposure of BC salmon. By doing so, we can examine their evolutionary relationships and their epidemiological distribution patterns over time and space […]

Cognitive impairments are the most common long-term challenges after traumatic brain injury (TBI). There is very little research on interventions to improve cognitive function after brain injury. The goal of this project is to evaluate whether and how an intensive cognitive intervention program (Arrowsmith program) may stimulate positive changes in the brain. We have already […]

Teck Metals Ltd. is currently investigating the use of bioreactors to remove nitrate and selenium from mine-impacted water in the Elk River Valley. Successful performance of these bioreactors depends on the types of microorganisms that inhabit them, which is difficult to measure using traditional methods. In this project, the recent science of metagenomics will be […]

There is a large need for anchorage connectors (AC) on low strength structural roofs. A patent-pending AC has been designed to provide a secure point for workers on lower strength roofs while having energy absorbing capacity to limit damage to the structure in the event of a fall. With the advent of more and taller […]