Our research will investigate changes in duck populations relative to resource development in Alberta’s western boreal forest (WBF). Specifically, we will investigate changes in duck nest success and predator communities across a gradient of resource development. Resource development is rapidly increasing in Alberta and it has been implicated in the population decline of some wildlife […]

Fasting blood samples from persons with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and healthy individuals were previously collected during a prior Mitacs project. A comparative analysis of the blood samples by metabolomics will be performed to identify potential biomarkers. The intern will assist with the necessary correlation analysis for selecting compounds capable of serving as blood biomarkers […]

Improving engine performance, including fuel economy, emissions, and power output, is a very complex issue and still requires further research. Since transportation systems, and specially aircrafts, are typically powered by liquid fuels, the process of fuel/air mixture preparation plays a key role in combustion (i.e., fuel burning). Nonetheless, since fluid properties such as density and […]

Root rots caused by Fusarium species pose a significant challenge to soybean and pulse growers in Manitoba and Canada, and so does Fusarium head blight caused by F. graminearum. The potential for certain pathogen species to infect more than one crop, or crops in more than one plant family, represent a great challenge for producers […]

Unpaved gravel roads throughout rural and northern Manitoba and across Canada are made from poorly bound aggregate materials. Consequently they quickly deteriorate to loose, rough and dangerous road conditions. They generate choking and noxious dust clouds when dry, and quickly lose strength and degrade to mucky and rutted conditions when wet. The goal of this […]

Biofuels are rising in importance as an alternative to fossil fuels. The waste from biofuels has the potential to beused as a soil fertilizer. However, increasing soil fertility can hinder the growth of tree seedlings. Increased soil fertility can lead to increased competition with grasses and shrubs and make tree seedling more attractive to grazing […]

Researchers have recognized Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) potential but have not fully understood the benefits of ICTs as ways of strengthening rural communities in places such as Manitoba. This project’s goals are to create and improve research methods and tools to determine how rural communities in Manitoba use broadband and how those communities can […]

Nanosilver is an antimicrobial agent found in thousands of commercial products, frequently released into waterways as a result of their use in clothing and washing machines, as well as many other products with potential for environmental release. Though regulations on environmental release exist for elemental silver, no regulations exist for nanosilver release into the environment. […]

Mavi is proceeding with the first commercial micro-grid tidal marine energy system in Canada. A 20-kW Darrius marine turbine will be operated water-to-wire in the remote community of at Blind Channel on Vancouver Island to displace diesel fuel as a source of power. This project will document and assess the first commercial demonstration of a […]

The chicken egg represents an excellent source of nutrients, and the composition of the egg yolk can further be enhanced through modifications to the laying hen diet. While enhanced shell eggs are primarily sold as specialty eggs, an opportunity exists to add further value through the use of novel extraction technologies. The proposed research project […]

This project aims to establish an ion-exchange/nanofiltration pilot study at the Waterhen water treatment plant. A natural result of the chlorination disinfection process in water treatment is the formation of disinfection by-products (DBP), a family of known carcinogens. This project aims to limit the formation of these DBP by removal of their precursors using the […]

The share of Renewable Energy (RE) resources in overall power generation has grown over the years. Since these RE resources are located at places which are away (off-shore, desert) from the load centres, efficient and reliable power transmission to load centres is extremely important. High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission has evolved as the preferred […]