Innovative Projects Realized

Designing cognitively efficient debugging interfaces for game production teams

Video game development involves complex debugging and quality assurance processes that require teams to analyze large amounts of technical information under tight deadlines. Developers and testers often rely on multiple disconnected tools, making it difficult to quickly identify problems, prioritize fixes, and make informed decisions. This can increase cognitive workload, slow down production, and affect team efficiency.
This project aims to support the development of an intelligent debugging dashboard designed to help game development teams better supervise and resolve technical issues. Using a human-centered and prospective ergonomics approach, the project will involve professionals from the video game industry in creative workshops to imagine future debugging workflows and identify unmet needs. These insights will be used to design innovative interface concepts that better integrate information and support decision-making.
The proposed designs will then be validated using cognitive workload measures to assess how effectively they reduce mental effort and improve usability during realistic debugging tasks. By combining future-oriented exploration with evidence-based evaluation, the project will help the partner organization develop a more efficient, user-friendly tool.
Overall, the project contributes to innovation in digital tools, improves productivity in game development, and supports the training of highly qualified talent in Canada.

Phylogenetic homogenization or differentiation in global urban non-native floras: decoupling environmental, spatial, and connectivity drivers

This project will investigate whether urban plant communities composed of non-native species around the world are becoming more similar to each other or remaining distinct due to environmental, spatial, and connectivity constraints. Using the Global Urban Biological Invasions Compendium (GUBIC), the study will compare plant assemblages across cities to understand how climate, urban characteristics, and global connectivity shape patterns of biodiversity in highly managed urban ecosystems. The project will benefit the participating institutions by strengthening international collaboration between Brazil and Canada, advancing global research on urban biodiversity and biological invasions, and generating reproducible analytical tools and scientific outputs relevant to ecology, urban planning, and conservation. It will also provide advanced training in macroecological and phylogenetic analyses, contributing to capacity building and long-term research partnerships.

Validation of numerical methods for luminescent coupling in novel semiconductor technologies and material systems

This project, “Validation of numerical methods for luminescent coupling in novel semiconductor technologies and material systems,” is a partnership between Canadian and German researchers at the University of Ottawa, the University of Freiburg, and the affiliated Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy. It aims to produce a program for calculating luminescent coupling within semiconducting devices such as photonic power converters and solar cells. Photonic power converters can be used for applications such as data transmission and remote power supply. Solar cell technology continues to be central to the green energy transition with new solar cell materials, such as perovskites, being explored. Improving designs requires computer simulations. Luminescent coupling is an important physical process in these devices which involves light be generated and then re-absorbed at different places within the device. Although this process plays an important role it is often not included in simulations due to its complexity. This research project aims to fill that gap by creating an open-source program capable of performing these calculations quickly and reliably. By making the program open source, we are increasing its reach, keeping it free and accessible, and allowing it grow to meet the changing needs of the research community.

Neuromodulation spinale non invasive en boucle fermée pour la réadaptation de la locomotion

Ce projet de recherche vise à développer et tester une méthode de stimulation électrique non invasive de la moelle épinière afin d’améliorer la marche chez des personnes présentant des troubles moteurs d’origine neurologique, comme un accident vasculaire cérébral, une lésion médullaire ou une paralysie cérébrale. Contrairement aux approches classiques, la stimulation sera ajustée automatiquement et en temps réel en fonction des réponses du corps, telles que l’activité musculaire et les mouvements observés. Cette adaptation continue permet de personnaliser la stimulation pour chaque individu et d’optimiser son efficacité pendant la réadaptation. Les résultats attendus incluent une amélioration du contrôle moteur, une récupération plus efficace de la marche et le développement d’une technologie de réadaptation plus accessible, personnalisée et durable pour les patients.

Comment les prothèses spécifiques de course peuvent améliorer la performance en sprint

Les personnes amputées du membre inférieur (PAMI) peuvent participer à des activités physiques soutenues comme la course grâce à l’utilisation de prothèses spécifiques de course (PSC). Ces prothèses leur permettent donc de remplacer les fonctions de support et de propulsion auparavant assurées par les os et les muscles des jambes afin de courir de façon récréative et même compétitive. Ces PCS sont munis de lames de carbone capables d’absorber de l’énergie et de la restituer afin de favoriser la propulsion. Actuellement, la prescription des PSC se fait uniquement sur le critère du poids de la personne. Le présent projet propose, à partir de la littérature, de documenter les différentes caractéristiques mécaniques (matériaux, dimension, forme, rigidité) des PSC de même que les exigences biomécaniques de différentes activités sportives pouvant être réalisées par les PAMI. Des analyses biomécaniques seront réalisées à partir de vidéos afin d’étudier le patron de course et de sauts de PAMI équipés de PSC. Au terme de ces analyses, des solutions afin d’améliorer le patron de course et la performance des PAMI munis de PSC. Cette étude permettra aussi à proposer des modifications au design des prothèses actuelles et d’influencer la conception de la prochaine génération de PCS.

International Validation of a Cognitive Screening Tool for Pilot Risk of Accidents in Flight

General Aviation (GA) contributes billions in GDP, and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs in Canada and the United Kingdom (UK). Sustaining the industry requires experienced pilots flying safely for as long as possible. To preserve pilot engagement in GA, Carleton University’s Advanced Cognitive Engineering Laboratory has developed the CANFLY, a cognitive health screening tool for GA pilots to monitor changes in cognition associated with increased accident risk. This project expands the impact of CANFLY, by adapting and validating it for use in the UK. CANFLY will be distributed to a sample of UK GA pilots (ideally 35), to ensure the tool reflects local operations, then, adapted based on pilot feedback, and finally, distributed to a larger sample of GA UK pilots (60 for planned analyses). This collaboration strengthens CANFLY’s international application, and creates the foundation for future joint projects in GA between Canada and the UK. Through the collaboration, Carleton University will expand the reach of CANFLY beyond Canada, while Imperial College will gain access to CANFLY, assisting them to engineer a safer GA industry. The project allows Carleton and Imperial to work in tandem to achieve their research goals, with an impact that will long outlive the collaboration.

Establishing an EEG-based protocol, for in-clinic BCI, in complex behavioural needs children diagnosed with ASD

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a method to measure brain activity. It can be used to detect atypical brain development. Research has shown that EEG can be used as a clinical tool to detect early signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) (Bosl et al., 2018). However, measuring EEG in children diagnosed with ASD turns out to be difficult. This is due to children that are diagnosed with ASD experience anxiety or distress, agitation, and sensory sensitivities towards the EEG. This might be related to the cap being used, or, more generally, to the entire process, which is new and perhaps frightening. This limits the use of EEG to measure the brain activity of children diagnosed with ASD. Consequently, this limits the discovery of the underlying mechanisms of ASD. By untangling the process of ASD development, researchers might find a way to prevent it, solve it, or find ways to help the symptoms.
Therefore, since EEG seems a promising measure, it is important for children diagnosed with ASD to tolerate EEG measurements. This current project aims at establishing an EEG-based protocol in which children diagnosed with ASD become desensitised and will tolerate EEG more easily.

Wintersport Female Athlete Health

The main objective of this research project is to investigate the prevalence and impact of menstrual cycle-related symptoms and low energy availability-related health issues among competitive female athletes, and to examine how these factors impact training, competition, and the use of pain medications. This project contributes to a larger research initiative led by the host supervisor’s research group, which focuses on female athlete health, menstrual cycle-related performance consideration, and the early identification of the Female Athlete Triad and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport. The project promotes ongoing international collaboration and knowledge exchange between Canadian and Austrian sport-science communities, as it will combine the University of Alberta’s expertise in female athlete and respiratory health with the University of Innsbruck’s established strength in environmental stressors and athlete health.

Approche hybride hazard-prédiction des chutes de performances des réseaux de pompage

Les réseaux de pompage sont essentiels pour la distribution d’eau, mais ils subissent des problèmes comme cavitation, fuites et obstructions, entraînant des coûts élevés et une baisse d’efficacité. La cavitation, causée par la formation et l’implosion de bulles de vapeur, endommage les pompes et réduit leur rendement. Les méthodes traditionnelles de détection, basées sur des essais ou l’écoute acoustique, sont limitées par leur coût et leur incapacité à traiter des données en temps réel. L’essor des technologies numériques et de l’IA a changé la donne : la simulation CFD et les modèles avancés prédisent la cavitation, tandis que des techniques de apprentissage automatique améliorent la détection des fuites. L’utilisation de capteurs acoustiques intelligents permet désormais une surveillance continue et une maintenance prédictive. Notre projet « Approche hybride Hazard » combine simulation numérique et IA pour anticiper cavitation, blocages et fuites, réduisant les coûts et prolongeant la durée de vie des équipements.

Légitimité et acceptabilité des initiatives plurilatérales à l’Organisation mondiale du commerce

En raison de profondes divergences d’intérêts entre ses 166 membres et d’un système institutionnel peu flexible reposant sur le consensus, l’Organisation mondiale du commerce n’a pas su apporter de réponses concrètes aux nouveaux enjeux de la mondialisation économique. Face à cette impasse, de nombreux pays ont choisi de signer des accords plurilatéraux, conclus entre un groupe volontaire de membres de l’OMC, offrant une alternative plus pragmatique que les négociations multilatérales. Or, ces initiatives plurilatérales suscitent des contestations de la part de certains pays qui doutent de leur légalité ou qui remettent en cause leur légitimité.

Le projet de recherche vise précisément à éclairer ces controverses. Dans un premier temps, il s’agira d’analyser la légalité des initiatives plurilatérales et des accords qui en découlent en mobilisant les sources pertinentes du droit de l’OMC, le droit international coutumier et les principes généraux du droit international public. Dans un second temps, l’étude s’attachera à la question de la légitimité. Cette partie de l’analyse portera sur les déclarations officielles, les communications des États et des organisations, ainsi que sur des entretiens avec les négociateurs.

In-situ Carbon Dioxide Reduction Reaction in Bipolar Membrane Electrochemical Systems

Carbon dioxide (CO2) in air is commonly captured using alkaline electrolytes such as potassium hydroxide (KOH), which react with CO2 to form potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3). To convert the captured CO2 into useful chemical feedstocks or fuels, the absorbed solution is typically heated to regenerate pure CO2, which is then converted through chemical or electrochemical processes such as the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). These thermal regeneration and separation steps are among the most energy-intensive and costly parts of the overall process. In this project, we aim to bypass these steps by directly converting KHCO3 into value-added chemicals, such as ethylene. This is achieved using a bipolar membrane (BPM), which supplies protons (H+) to locally acidify the electrolyte, thereby releasing CO2 in-situ from KHCO3. The generated CO2 is immediately converted to ethylene on the catalyst surface. The objective of this project is to enhance catalyst efficiency and optimize operating conditions to maximize ethylene production.

Experimental Validation: SINDy-Based Dynamic Identification of GFM/GFL Converters from PMU Data

This project develops a data-driven method to identify the internal dynamics of grid-forming (GFM) and grid-following (GFL) converters in renewable-rich power systems using only output-side PMU measurements. Small, continuous perturbations (e.g., 0.01 p.u. in active/reactive power setpoints) are injected during normal operation to safely excite the system, and SINDy is applied to the recorded voltage, current, and frequency data to obtain reduced-order models that capture the converters’ voltage–frequency behavior. From these models, we estimate key control parameters, such as PLL PI gains, P-f and Q-V droop coefficients, and virtual inertia and damping, and then design robust controllers that improve stability under high RES penetration. The full workflow has been implemented and validated in Simulink at McGill University, and the next phase will experimentally validate the approach using the double Power Hardware-in-the-Loop setup at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). The project strengthens McGill’s capability in data-driven converter modeling and control and leverages KIT’s advanced laboratory infrastructure, fostering a long-term research collaboration between the two institutions.