Innovative Projects Realized

Explore thousands of successful projects resulting from collaboration between organizations and post-secondary talent.

31132 Completed Projects

2940
AB
5159
BC
837
MB
685
NL
882
SK
9291
ON
9695
QC
97
PE
601
NB
1161
NS

Projects by Category

Risk Assessment of Public and Asset Safety around AC Transmission Line Structures

Public and asset safety is essential for operation of electric utilities. In this project, risk assessment of public and asset safety around AC transmission line structures is proposed. It can be investigated through two aspects: 1) Public safety around AC transmission line structures during power line faulty conditions; and 2) Corrosion rates of transmission line structures affected by pipelines. Field data collected from SaskPower will be used in the project. A new design tool using MATLAB will be developed to assist SaskPower’s engineers in evaluating the public risk in a user-friendly graphical user interface. For the corrosion rate assessment, once the at-risk structures are identified, mitigation methods can be implemented, so utilities can be proactive in the asset management of stray and circulating current corrosion. This project provides much needed research in this important but rarely studied areas to enhance public and asset safety around transmission line structures.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Xiaodong Liang

Student:

Partner:

SaskPower

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Utilities

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program:

Accelerate

Development and Efficacy of a Novel Iron-Based Supplement for Athletes

Iron deficiency is the most common and widespread nutritional disorder in the world. It is the leading cause of anemia (insufficient red blood cells in the body to transport oxygen to tissues) and can result in cognitive impairments such as poor memory, attention, and concentration as well as weakened immunity and susceptibility to infections. Although a well-balanced diet containing foods rich in iron is important, it is often not enough to overcome iron deficiency. Supplements are generally recommended for individuals with iron deficiency, however the amount of iron absorbed from supplements is low and the accompanying side effects (i.e., nausea, vomiting, and constipation) are unpleasant. As a solution, we are developing of a novel yeast-based iron supplement that could improve iron absorption and reduce the negative side effects associated with most iron supplements currently on the market. The objective of this study will be to assess whether the novel supplement is effective in enhancing iron levels in female athletes and to determine its mechanism of action….

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jane Shearer;Martin MacInnis

Student:

Partner:

Lallemand Bio Ingredients

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Manufacturing

University:

University of Calgary

Program:

Accelerate

Demain la forêt : Infrastructures vertes

Le réchauffement climatique apporte son lot de défi. Les infrastructures vertes, telles que les plantations d’arbres, peuvent offrir un potentiel de séquestration du carbone, mais aussi d’atténuation des impacts négatifs. Ce stage s’inscrit dans le cadre du projet Demain la Forêt qui évalue le potentiel d’implantation d’infrastructures vertes dans des coulées agricoles au Québec. Les stagiaires réaliseront d’une part une analyse coût-bénéfice avec une emphase sur la monétisation de ces bénéfices. L’objectif étant d’évaluer les services écosystémiques potentiels de ces infrastructures et d’évaluer les moyens de rétribution possibles. D’autre part, les stagiaires réaliseront des entretiens semi-dirigés auprès d’agriculteurs et d’agricultrices afin d’évaluer leurs perceptions à l’égard de ces infrastructures et d’identifier les freins et opportunités à ce type d’installation.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jérôme Dupras

Student:

Partner:

Jour de la Terre Canada

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Agriculture and Food; Sustainability and the Environment; Forestry

University:

Université du Québec en Outaouais

Program:

Accelerate

‘Pre-release’ baselines for compounds of concern in lakes of the Peace-Athabasca Delta before treated oil sands process water is discharged to the Athabasca River.

Federal and provincial governments are expected to approve release of treated oil sands process water (OSPW) into the Athabasca River to mitigate overabundance of mine wastewater and enable mine reclamation and closure. Concern is growing about the potential for downstream impacts on aquatic ecosystems at the Peace-Athabasca Delta. This project will generate critical knowledge to determine whether concentrations of compounds of concern increase once treated OSPW enters the river. The research will determine ‘pre-release’ baseline concentrations for key compound classes of concern (metals, total mercury, polycyclic aromatic compounds) from analysis of surface sediments collected in May 2023 from floodplain lakes before treated OSPW is released. The project takes advantage of rare widespread flooding since 2020 to determine pre-release concentrations in the rivers. The industrial partner and other stakeholders will employ the pre-release baselines to determine if and when discharge of treated OSPW begins to impact aquatic ecosystems in the delta.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Roland Hall

Student:

Partner:

Oil Sands Alliance Inc.

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Environmental Science and Technology; Water; Oil and Gas

University:

University of Waterloo

Program:

Accelerate

The role of dietary alpha-linolenic acid in brain function

In multiple sclerosis (MS), the insulating ‘myelin sheath’ in the brain is damaged leading to neurological deficits. The repair of this myelin is important for the protection of nerve cells, but it is often incomplete. Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids are thought to be beneficial, yet it is not well understood how these fats contribute to brain health. Dietary omega-3 fats can come from animal source, such as DHA and EPA in fish, or plant sources, such as ALA in grains. Flaxseed oil is high in omega-3 compared to other commercially available oils. The goal of this project is to determine the benefit of flax-based omega-3 fats in neurodegenerative conditions, such as MS. The interns with work in partnership with the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission and the Canadian Light Source to understand the biological role of these polyunsaturated fatty acids using innovative methods. This will better inform human nutritional studies on the role of dietary flax in supporting optimal brain health.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Kendra L. Furber;Phyllis Paterson

Student:

Partner:

Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission;Canadian Light Source

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

University of Northern British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

Topology and design optimization of airframe structures for acoustics and structural performance – Part 1

The proposed project outlines a collaboration between researchers at Queen’s University and engineers at Bombardier Inc. In this collaboration, researchers would develop new computational tools and methods for designing quiet aircraft with considerations for the total weight of the aircraft. The proposed Mitacs internships will strengthen collaboration efforts between Queen’s and Bombardier and facilitate use of Bombardier’s tools, expertise, and knowledge. Interns will benefit from the proposed internships by gaining valuable industry experience, advanced technical skills and soft skills as part of training the next generation of design engineers. The partner organization, Bombardier, will benefit from the proposed internships by closely working alongside development of the new design tools and methods. This will enhance the capabilities of the tools and ease their integration into Bombardier’s aircraft design process.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Il Yong Kim

Student:

Partner:

Bombardier Inc

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing; Transportation and warehousing

University:

Queen's University

Program:

Accelerate

Commercialization Potential of British Columbia Feral hops for the Canadian Hop Industry

The Canadian hop industry requires supportive resources from the scientific community to develop
their own unique Canadian hop varieties with characteristics desirable to craft brewers. An alternative
to the time- and labour-intensive method of selective breeding, new hop varieties may be obtained by
identifying novel species in the wild. With its mild winters and long, sunny summers, southern BC was
once the largest hop producer in the British Commonwealth. Although most of the pioneering hop
farms have long since ceased operation, the numerous hop varieties that existed have escaped and
seeded wild populations (i.e. feral). These ‘heirloom’ feral hops are randomly mating in the wild
producing genetically new hop varieties that are unique to BC. The proposed research will build upon
research funded by a NSERC CCI ARC (2021) grant that found BC feral hops to be both genetically
and chemically diverse….

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Faculty Supervisor:

Ji Yong Yang

Student:

Partner:

Crescent Island Farms Ltd.;The Island Hop Company

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Manufacturing; Wholesale trade

University:

Langara College

Program:

Accelerate

Linking Soil, Vegetation Community, and Disturbance History to the Prevalence of Traditional Native Plants: An Indigenous-Driven Applied Research Initiative

There are disproportionate number of Federal Contaminated Sites found within Indigenous communities across Canada. As Indigenous peoples have unique ties to their lands, which serve as a means of sustainability and sovereignty, the impact of industrial processes on soil and vegetation within settlements is of utmost importance. This applied research project aims to address these concerns within the Peavine Métis Settlement, an indigenous community located just north of High Prairie, Alberta. Environmental monitors will be trained to collect soil and vegetation samples from field sites, process and analyze these samples, interpret the data generated, and communicate their findings to the Peavine community. These activities will address integral applied research questions focused on understanding the impact of industry and other disturbances on the lands and plants of traditional significance, which will facilitate the development of data-driven mitigation strategies that will ensure environmental sustainability.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Kelsey Bourgeois;Jeremy Wakaruk

Student:

Partner:

Peavine Metis Settlement

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Public administration

University:

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

Program:

Accelerate

Wild Atlantic Salmon Watersheds

The rate and magnitude of environmental change present a threat to freshwater fish populations. In Atlantic Canada the impacts to the freshwater ecosystems will arise through elevated water temperatures, alterations in precipitation, variability in ice cover and frequency of natural and man-made disturbances. In addition, temporal and spatial changes to precipitation alter seasonal flow patterns having negative effects on the population.
The practical applications will enable scientists, managers, and local watershed stakeholders to; (1) understand better the connections between physical processes, life history and habitat sensitivity; (2) acknowledge and understand the connections between representative data, river processes, evaluation of key attributes, change scenarios, impacts of change, and trade-offs and decision-making in the planning and design process; (3) become aware of adaption options that can minimize risks to species and habitat; (4) provide project monitoring and evaluation, and foster consistent reporting; and (5) promote best practices for effective future river planning.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Michael Van Zyll de Jong

Student:

Partner:

Atlantic Salmon Federation

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of New Brunswick

Program:

Accelerate

Use of scandium to control titanium alloy properties

Scandium (Sc) is an attractive alloying element that has strong affinity with oxygen (serving as deoxidiser) as well as a strong affinity with aluminum for the development of Al3Sc precipitates that can strengthen materials. Currently, the availability and cost of Sc is preventing its wide utilisation as alloying element. The recent announce by RTIT of a large reserve of Sc can totally transform the availability and market reality for Sc as alloying element. In the current project, RTIT is interested to evaluate the potential of using Sc in titanium alloys and quantify the individual and/or combined gains from deoxidation and strengthening. The goal of the project for RTIT is to evaluate if improved alloy variants can be obtained with the addition of Sc.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Mathieu Brochu

Student:

Partner:

Rio Tinto Fer et Titane inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Mining

University:

McGill University

Program:

Accelerate

Machine Learning for Optimal Material Design in CO2 Capture

This proposal aims to accelerate the discovery of materials in Chemical looping combustion (CLC),
which is an emerging technology that requires lower energy expenditure to capture CO2 from fossil fuels.
A machine learning (ML) framework that only requires a limited amount of data for training will be
developed. Atomistic simulations will be conducted to predict the energetics of the CLC system for
different set of materials. Results from the atomistic simulations will be used to train the ML method,
which will use Meta-learning and domain adaptation techniques to predict promising materials using a
Bayesian optimization framework. Experimental testing will be conducted to validate the predictions
from the proposed ML framework. Syngas on a perovskite-based material will be used as the system to
develop, test, and validate the proposed ML algorithm.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Luis Ricardez-Sandoval;Luis Ricardez Sandoval;David Simakov;Pascal Poupart

Student:

Partner:

Bank of Montreal

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Finance and Insurance

University:

University of Waterloo

Program:

Accelerate

Bioenergy production through mixed culture

The adverse impacts of fossil fuels on the environment, specifically climate change, have intensified the need for finding a sustainable alternative source of energy. Numerous studies have postulated that biotechnology development, focusing on biofuel production processes, could be a suitable solution for sustainable energy production. The utilization of microorganisms, such as microalgae, is one of the basic strategies to produce biodiesel, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. Co-cultivation has overtaken mono-cultivation to improve the production of microalgae due to its endurance, foreseeability, and stability. The research focuses on the crucial needs for the optimization of biofuel production process. It supports the Canadian energy and environment sectors which are seriously searching for more efficient process, targeting the increasing concern of the society with respect to the fossil fuel energy resources depletion and environmental footprints. The MITACS support will be used to hire a research assistant to support the activities envisaged in the project. The research assistant will bear the theoretical attempts and practical efforts at the facilities provided by the partner and at Memorial University (MUN).

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Faculty Supervisor:

Sohrab Zendehboudi

Student:

Partner:

Capillarity Limited

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Program:

Accelerate

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Mitacs — Return on Innovation

Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.