Assessing Volatile Organic Compounds as a Measure of Crop Health

Plants produce a blend of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) quickly in response to various growing conditions and plant stressors. These compounds are released well before there are any obvious signs of stress, such as wilting or loss of chlorophyll. Blueberry and other crops with thicker leaves, are slow to show obvious signs of stress and […]

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BC Pulp and Paper Bioproducts Alliance: Upgrading black liquor lignin through fractionation and chemical modification

Lignin represents the largest reservoir of natural aromatic compounds available on earth. It is a potential substitute for a range of chemicals currently derived from petroleum, but product development and identification of market opportunities remain challenging. The objective of the research is to utilize industrial softwood kraft lignins from the black liquor of British Columbia […]

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Use of temperature and activity monitoring system as predictor for parturition and diseases in transition cows

Monitoring dairy cows individually around the time of calving has the potential to identify calving difficulties or cows at risk of developing diseases as early as possible and to create alerts for dairy farmers. Therefore, there has been an increase in research investigating methods to accurately predict timing of calving and disease diagnosis via activity […]

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Development of an RNAi Approach to Control Wireworms on PEI

Wireworm (click beetle) has becoming a devastating pest for the potato industry in Prince Edward Island (PEI) and many places in the country and around the world. It is a soil born insect that can penetrate a large number of potato tubers, degrading their quality for processing. The problem is more difficult to control after […]

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Protective and therapeutic use of resistant starch (MSPrebiotic) in a pig model of experimental colitis

Many alternate treatment options are now used to alleviate chronic intestinal inflammation and microbial imbalance including dietary supplements of prebiotics and probiotics. Resistant starch (RS) represents a range of indigestible dietary carbohydrates passing into the lower gut, without being digested/absorbed in the upper digestive tract. It is speculated that RS can reduce signs and symptoms […]

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North Coast Innovation Lab

The two internships proposed in this application are for research and feasibility project coordinators for the North Coast Innovation Lab (NCIL) in Prince Rupert, BC. In addition to research and feasibility around potential projects that will a) grow the local economy for fish and marine products, and b) enhance coworking and resource sharing, the internships […]

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Analysis of a Model for Shipping Grains from Summerside (PEI) to Corner Brook (NL)

Corner Brook Port Corporation (CBPC) and the Summerside Port Corporation, Inc. (SPCI) are exploring the opportunity to ship grains from Prince Edward Island to Western Newfoundland. First discussions between the two ports indicate that there this may be a viable business opportunity for both entities. The Port of Summerside is currently shipping grains from producers […]

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Mobile Application Support for an Outdoor Agriculture Expo’s Temporary Cluster Functions

The Agriculture and Agri-Food System of Canada (AAFS) is an important component of the Canadian economy. Outdoor agricultural shows have moved from their simple marketplace roots to places that facilitate increased productivity, accelerated innovation and business formation. Central to these functions is the geographic concentration of stakeholders. With the growth in show size, supporting effective […]

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Valorization of surface enhanced pulp fibers into value-added products

Domtar Inc. is investigating potential value-added applications for an advanced fiber they produce, which is referred to as SEPF (surface enhanced pulp fiber). SEPF is a key platform material for the development of new value-added, bio-based products from existing pulp and paper manufacturing sites and their forest based supply chains. The main objective of this […]

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Chopping Away at Hunger: Social Gradients of Food Insecurity in Vancouver, BC

Urban centres such as Vancouver are sites of socio-economic inequality, which creates differential levels of food security. The primary objective of my research is to map social gradients of food insecurity in Metro Vancouver. In the process of creating this map, I will develop a set of food security indicators and generate baseline scores for […]

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Real-time measurement of the thickness swelling of modified fibreboard

Wood composite panels such as particleboard and fiber board swell when they get wet and, as a result, they are only used to make products that are used indoors. However, a new type of (modified) fibreboard has been developed that doesn’t swell when it becomes wet, which opens up the possibility of using fibreboards outdoors […]

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