Innovative Projects Realized

Conversion of biosolid to value added biochar via pyrolysis technology for PFAS elimination

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a very large family of persistent anthropogenic chemicals utilized in the manufacturing of industrial materials with non-stick and oil/water repellent properties, Teflon, and fire-fighting foams. Their use has resulted in their final dispersion in soil, groundwater, and surface water, causing adverse environmental and health effects. They are responsible for serious environmental and human-health issues, including cancer, liver damage, cardiovascular problems, birth defect, and immune system disorders. They are often concentrated in the biosolids generated in wastewater treatment processes. This proposal is composed of two stages. Firstly, the effect of high temperature pyrolysis technology (HTP) on the destruction of PFAS in biosolids is investigated. Pyrolysis processes generate three products: non-condensable gas, biooil, and biochar. The fate of PFAS is investigated by analysis of all the three products. Our preliminary results indicate that the measured detectable PFAS in the biochar product is reduced by 97-100 wt% at a processing temperature of 500°C, and by 99.6-100 wt% at 700°C. Considering all product streams (biochar, biooil and non-condensable gas), the measured PFAS is reduced by 88.2 wt% at 700°C.

Icephobic Coatings from UV-Curable Phosphonium Salts and Their Ice Adhesion Measurement

The project will manufacture new coatings that will repel ice. These coatings can be applied onto metal, wood, glass, etc, and in particular can aid in the prevention of ice build-up on wind-power turbines. The coatings will be comprised of new materials that have not been applied as ice-repellent (or water repellent) coatings before. In addition a device to measure the adhesion of ice to the coating will be developed. 3M will benefit from investigating these materials because they offer a new technology that can be applied as both hydrophobic or hydrophilic coatings with a simple modification. These materials may also have utility for different applications, which 3M can actively pursue. 3M will also gain a method to test a coatings’ ability to repel ice, which it requires to screen potential coating candidates.

Écophysiologie de saules et de peupliers en sols pollués

Ce stage prend place au sein d’une équipe spécialisée en phytotechnologies, une science qui utilise les plantes comme outil pour répondre à un large éventail de problèmes environnementaux. Un exemple de phytotechnologie est la phytoremédiation, un procédé de décontamination qui se base sur la capacité des plantes à extraire, dégrader ou immobiliser les contaminants dans les sols ou les eaux. Cette technique prometteuse et novatrice comporte toutefois des limites qu’on se doit d’explorer pour y répondre de manière efficace. Lors de mon stage, j’évaluerai ainsi les caractéristiques écophysiologiques de différents saules et peupliers (deux genres ligneux communs en phytoremédiation) sous différentes contraintes environnementales.

Development of analysis methods for the risk assessment of insect-based protein sources

The increasing reliance on protein sources alternatives to meat-based products includes insects, which have not been extensively monitored or analyzed so far. Yet, there is evidence that insect may contain potentially toxic elements (PTEs), such as arsenic, mercury, cadmium and lead. The development of reliable analysis methods is required to monitor the levels of PTEs, to ensure that these insect-based food items are safe for human consumption. The host laboratory in France, where the method will be developed by the intern, is a reference laboratory for the analysis of food, but they have not focused on the analysis of insect-based food so far. This collaboration will involve the development of a state-of-the-art method for the analysis of a variety of insect-based food items. The resulting method will be published so that it may be implemented by other laboratories worldwide, including in Canada. Furthermore, because PTEs include several elements on Canada’s Critical Minerals List, the method will reveal if insects could be used in geochemical exploration to locate undercover ore deposits containing critical minerals.

GeoAI and GIScience to model and simulate the environmental determinants of beehives’ health

Through the integration of geocomputation approaches, Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) and Geographic Information Science (GIScience), this research project will contribute to the development of modeling and simulation approaches that will allow Nectar to understand the key interactions within the bee-human system (beekeeping). Leveraging the technological tool
developed by Nectar, called BeeTrack, the overall aim of these projects is to propose, develop and implement models of the
ecological determinants of beehives’ health by integrating climate and environmental data with Nectar’s BeeTrack data at
different spatial scales and with multitemporal information.

Developing Supports to Retain Critical Care Healthcare Professionals

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the critical care workforce has been exposed to a multitude of psychological risks, and because of this health care professionals are experiencing unprecedented levels of exhaustion, burnout, anxiety, depression, stress, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and moral distress. These psychological effects of the pandemic have led to an increase in workforce turnover. It is essential to identify influencing factors and environmental barriers that affect health care professionals’ psychological wellbeing and to develop supports to retain these experts. With current workforce shortages, critical care settings cannot sustain safe and effective patient care, expand, or prepare for further healthcare crises. Alberta Health Services has made Supporting Our People a priority. This research has the potential to achieve this goal by positively affecting the mental health of health care professionals as well as the work environment and patient care.

Trajectoires numériques – Stage en recherche, analyse et conseil en transformation numériques des organisations culturelles et créatives

Rhizome Stratégies est une firme de consultation (agence d’innovation) créée en 2015 et à l’origine de la création de trois structures d’incubation et d’accélération de projets entrepreneuriaux sur le territoire de Montréal (L’Esplanade et La Piscine) et des Îles-de-la-Madeleine (La Vague). L’entreprise aide les organisations des ICC à transformer leur culture d’innovation et de collaboration, et les supporte dans la transformation de leur modèle d’affaires. Ces organisations peuvent être de tailles et de types différents, allant des start-ups aux entreprises établies, en passant par les organisations parapubliques et les organismes sans but lucratif. Le but de Rhizome Stratégies est de contribuer à la transformation sociétale dont le Canada a besoin pour affronter les défis numériques auxquels il fait face. En 2022, l’équipe de Rhizome Stratégies s’est vue confier par La Piscine un mandat de consultation stratégique en recherche, analyse et conseil pour la création de la plateforme Trajectoires Numérique financée en partie par le Ministère de la Culture et des Communications ainsi que le Ministère de l’économie et de l’innovation. Cette plateforme s’adresse aux organismes des industries culturelles et créatives québécoises pour les accompagner dans la transformation numérique de leur modèle d’affaires.

Green House Gas Data Metrics & Analysis

The purpose of this initiative is to analyze existing data to determine units of measurement and key performance indicators that will determine if a net reduction in GHG’s are truly being achieved. This will go deeper in also determining the benefits of utilized recycled materials such as asphalt, concrete, cement powder and aggregates. The benefits will provide a determination and quantification of the actual reductions being realized from the different initiatives that are currently underway to reduce GHG. It will also allow us to determine the value of recycle material utilization and promote an increased desire to utilize greater quantities in future construction projects by establishing newly accepted addition rates.

Impact du gel des sols d’infrastructure sur les chaussées rigides en béton de ciment

Malgré le peu de considération portée aux impacts du gel en conception de chaussées rigides, il est connu qu’elles sont sensibles aux variations de température. Les gradients de température entre le haut et le bas des dalles font en sorte qu’il peut y avoir apparition de fissures transversales et de fissures aux coins (Harvey, 2004). Cependant, à notre connaissance, aucune méthode de dimensionnement de chaussée rigide, ni aucune norme ne considèrent les impacts du soulèvement, par l’effet du gel, de la structure de chaussée autre que celle déjà utilisée pour les chaussées souples. Or, la rigidité même des matériaux constituants les chaussées souples et rigides est très différente d’un point de vue thermomécanique entraînant par le fait même une différence dans leur réaction aux forces dues au soulèvement par le gel. L’objectif principal de ce programme de recherche est d’évaluer le comportement des chaussées rigides au gel afin de mieux comprendre les forces en jeux dans ces conditions.

Equitable access to electric vehicle charging

Edmonton is on a path of transformational change to become a climate resilient and low carbon city. While there are many components to creating this vision, sustainable transportation and equity are front and center in shaping the future of Edmonton.

Transportation is one of the major sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, representing 31% of Edmonton’s total emissions. To reduce these emissions and improve air quality for all, the City of Edmonton encourages residents to engage in active transportation and use public transit as much as possible, as well as choose electric vehicles (EVs) over internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. In Alberta, EVs emit on average 41% less GHG emissions than ICE vehicles.

Edmonton’s Energy Transition Strategy and Action Plan identifies the actions needed to align Edmonton with the international target of limiting global warming to 1.5C. Developing a zero emissions vehicle charging network by 2030 is one of those actions. Access to public charging infrastructure is essential to supporting wide adoption of electric vehicles.

To ensure that this network is planned and developed in a way that is equitable and benefits all Edmontonians, the City would like to work with a Sustainability Scholar to help inform this work through research.

Opportunities for solar, battery storage and electric vehicle charging integration

Edmonton is on a path of transformational change to become a climate resilient and low carbon city. Edmonton’s Energy Transition Strategy and Action Plan identifies the actions needed to align Edmonton with the international target of limiting global warming to 1.5C. Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transportation and generating local renewable energy are two of those actions.

Edmonton’s transportation is responsible for 31% of GHG emissions and 42% of energy use. To reduce these emissions and improve air quality for all, the City of Edmonton encourages residents to engage in active transportation and use public transit as much as possible, as well as choose electric vehicles (EVs) over internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. In Alberta, EVs emit on average 41% less GHG emissions than ICE vehicles. To support wide adoption of EVs, the City of Edmonton aims to develop a zero emissions vehicle charging network by 2030.

The City would like to work with a Sustainability Scholar to research and explore the possibilities of integrating the generation of local renewable energy (including battery storage for green power systems) and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, with the purpose of supporting the transition to zero emission vehicles.

Jurisdictional scan and opportunities for the City of Edmonton around the potential of coaching ambassadors for residential deep energy retrofits

The City of Edmonton’s Community Energy Transition Strategy & Action Plan identifies the urgent need to renovate Edmonton’s existing home stock to reduce energy use and utility costs. There are over 350,000 residential buildings that need to improve their energy efficiency in order for the City of Edmonton to meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals. Deep energy home retrofits are complicated, and the availability of energy coaches to help homeowners plan their renovations would be invaluable.

One of the programs the City of Edmonton has to help reduce residential emissions is the Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP), a financing tool for residential (and commercial) property owners to help fund energy efficiency upgrades and/or renewable energy installations with a competitive interest rate and repayment terms of up to 20 years (depending on the type of upgrade). The City of Edmonton is in the process of piloting this program, and has already been asked by City Council to explore options for a permanent program.

With the help of a sustainability scholar we will:
– Review and build on an existing literature review on energy coaching services in Canada and internationally, with special focus on coaching net zero pathways