Increased emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the combustion of fossil fuels has created the global challenge of climate change. Reduction and/or elimination of CO2 emission is a mitigation strategy in the absence of a global non-carbon energy system. The capture of carbon prior to combustion and its subsequent safe storage or utilization is an […]

Fucoidan is a polysaccharide found in brown algae (seaweed). ARC Medical Devices Inc. markets fucoidan purified from brown algae for post-surgical veterinary use to reduce interorgan adhesion development. This product works very effectively, prompting a desire to develop a similar product for use in humans. The challenge to this, however, is that fucoidan is an […]

This project is a feasibility study of applying Machine Learning to Vancouver Island Load Supply Capability determination. The intern is expected to apply neural networks and other machine learning methods to train a transmission operation decision making model to determine the load supply capability of Vancouver Island. An operation scenario database covering equipment status and […]

A High Impedance fault (HIF) occurs when an energized primary conductor comes in contact with a semi-insulated object such as tree, structure or equipment, or falls to the ground. HIFs on distribution systems are extremely difficult to detect because they do not generate enough fault current to be detectable by conventional overcurrent relays or fuses. […]

Reliability of an engineering system is quite advantageous in modern industries. An effective maintenance strategy and improved system design can enhance the level of system reliability and decrease the operating cost. With the development of sensor technology, data acquisition devices, data mining algorithms and data processing capability, conditions of the running engineering system including the […]

Ultra-low frozen food temperatures between -30°C to -60°C are important when shipping high value seafood products to worldwide markets. Maintaining these temperatures using a traditional vapor compression refrigeration cycles becomes increasingly difficult as the span between desired cargo and external temperature increase. Solid CO2 has the capacity to sustain ultra-low frozen temperatures even during hot […]

Exposure to traffic related air pollution (TRAP) damages the lungs, particularly in people who are at risk of developing long-lasting lung diseases including asthma. This project will examine whether the chemical “coating” attached to many parts of DNA, known as methylation, is changed by TRAP exposure, as this may affect the immune system contributing to […]

The loss of insulin producing ?-cells in the pancreatic islets (clusters of cells containing ?-cells) contributes to elevated blood glucose levels, which is a characteristic of diabetes. Development of therapeutic approaches that focus on prevention of ?-cell loss or promoting ?-cell proliferation is therefore of great importance. Studies performed in this project to-date (first internship […]

The following document explores the impact of visual language and new gesture-based tools to create prototypes that can be used in the final stages of production. With the contemporary ample use of different prototyping tools to create iOS applications, the interaction between designers and programmers is evolving based on what these tools allow. Small cross-function […]

The research will lead to the development of a new device capable of separating hundreds of compounds in a complex mixture as they travel through a newly designed apparatus. The device will drastically improve on existing technology and the interns will work to model how the device works and develop ways to model its function […]

Advances in green energy generation through alternative energy sources (wind, solar) has led to the need for efficient large scale energy storage. ZincNyx Energy Solutions has developed a 5kW, 40kWh energy storage system and strives to improve the durability and efficiency of the device. The proposed research project is poised to increase the efficiency of […]

Microlens arrays (MLAs) have tiny lenses with a diameter less than a millimetre, typically placed in a periodic arrangement. A compact magnifier using two layers of MLAs has been demonstrated by us. In this project, we intend to increase the resolving power of the MLA magnifier by adjusting the periodicity of the microlenses, which would […]