Innovative Projects Realized

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

13270 Completed Projects

1072
AB
2795
BC
430
MB
106
NF
348
SK
4184
ON
2671
QC
43
PE
209
NB
474
NS

Projects by Category

10%
Computer science
9%
Engineering
1%
Engineering - biomedical
4%
Engineering - chemical / biological

Flow in business: Facilitating Flow in Virtual Reality trials and exploring the outcomes for product evaluations

Flow, the psychological state of being totally absorbed into an activity, has been suggested to be an important topic for future research as it represents ‘optimal experience.’ This research seeks to understand 1-how to facilitate flow while engaging with virtual reality products and 2-the outcomes of experiencing flow in regards to attitudes towards virtual reality products and purchase intentions. While learning best-practices in facilitating flow while using virtual reality, we can also conduct marketing research specifically for Zenfri Inc.’s game The Last Taxi. This research will benefit Zenfri Inc. in regards to their go-to-market strategy to ensure their success in the marketplace. By meeting objectives 1 and 2 this research serves to facilitate the development of the virtual reality market by understanding how to bring virtual reality to a mass audience.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Kelley Main

Student:

Raymond Lavoie

Partner:

Zenfri Inc.

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

University of Manitoba

Program:

Accelerate

Computer Vision and Deep Learning for Moderating Visual Content

Two Hat Security is a company that develops next generation moderation tools for social networking apps. Since visual content (e.g. images, videos) is one of the most important types of data shared by social networking apps, an important problem for the company is to identify images/videos that are offensive or inappropriate. For example, certain images/videos might contain violence, nudity, or certain objects (knife, gun, bikini, etc.) that are considered offensive. It is obviously unrealistic to have human annotators to manually sift through all images/videos online and flag those offensive contents. The goal of the proposed research program is to develop a series of computer vision and machine learning (especially deep learning) technologies that the partner company can utilize to build the state-of-the-art moderation tools for social network apps.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Yang Wang

Student:

Mehrdad Hosseinzadeh

Partner:

Two Hat Security Research Corp.

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

University of Manitoba

Program:

Accelerate

DEVELOPMENT OF A PROCESS MODEL AND ENGINEERING DESIGN FOR NEXEN’S PARTIAL UPGRADING TECHNOLOGY

Production of bitumen in Canada has increased considerably in the last decade. Due to its heavy nature, bitumen needs upgrading in order to make it marketable. The first approach adopted was to fully upgrade it to high quality synthetic crude oil, but due to the enormous capital and operating costs, it has been proven that it was not the most economically suitable approach. Partial upgrading, where bitumen is upgraded into a transportable oil that meets pipeline specifications, has the potential to maximize the benefits of bitumen commercialization. However, there is still technical aspects that need to be investigated in detail before proceeding to the engineering design of a pilot test. For example, lack of information regarding kinetic modeling of deasphalted oil thermal cracking or unconventional alternatives for reduction of olefins. This Postdoctoral research aims to provide answers to those aspects through the detailed acquisition of experimental information in the area of solvent deasphalting, thermal cracking and olefins reduction. In addition, it would provide tools for decision-making and directing the next stage of the technology, as well as filling up a knowledge gap in the area of crude oil upgrading. TO BE CONT’D

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Faculty Supervisor:

Arno de Klerk

Student:

Fredy Cabrales Navarro

Partner:

Nexen Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

Oil and gas

University:

University of Alberta

Program:

Elevate

Targeting the GAS6/AXL Pathway in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Stem Cells with a Novel Combination Therapy

Blood cancer (leukemia) is common, with ~48,600 and 6,400 new cases expected in the United States and Canada respectively in 2016. The National Cancer Institute (US) calculated an overall 5-year survival rate of 56% for various blood cancers. This is because most current therapies are short-lived; drug resistance and relapse pose significant clinical problems. Life-long treatment is required, with potential long-term side-effects and a high cost. We and others have discovered that this is mainly due to the inability of current therapies to eradicate blood cancer stem cells, which then maintain the potential for relapse. There is thus an urgent need to develop new therapies that specifically target blood cancer stem cells so that these cells can be eliminated. In collaboration with SLC, this proposal aims to develop a new complementary therapy that directly targets blood cancer stem cells, leading to long-term cure of disease and a reduction in healthcare costs.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Xiaoyan Jiang

Student:

Katharina Rothe

Partner:

SignalChem Lifesciences Corporation

Discipline:

Genetics

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

Development of high value-added products: from crushed glass to zeolite and active filtration media

In Canada, of the total amount of container glass in the market place (estimated at 850,000 tons per annum), only one-half is collected by recycling programs. The common technical and economic difficulties include the presence of organic and/or inorganic contaminants, which need to be reduced to below 0.05% for glasswork, as well as the issue of mixed color. The cost for making products with relatively low value such as glasswork and road aggregates from recycled glass can be prohibitive, providing no added incentive to improve glass recycling. One solution to this problem is to produce higher value end-products such as zeolite and active filtration media (i.e. calcium silicate hydrate) to make the process more economically attractive. The technology developed from this study can greatly increase the value of recycled glass, and therefore improve glass recycling rates.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Qiuyan Yuan

Student:

Alireza Majdi Nasab

Partner:

Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation

Discipline:

Engineering - civil

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

University of Manitoba

Program:

Accelerate

Modeling Wind loading on Roof-mounted Solar Modules

Rooftop solar modules installations are growing in popularity as the benefits of implementing these features on previously unoccupied roof space are being realized. A major concern with these installations is the contribution to the roof load due to the interaction between high wind speeds and the angled modules. Similarly, there are concerns with uplift on the backside of the modules. These loads can lead to high cost of the structural support for the modules. The wind patterns that occur during the interaction of these installations in series is complex, and presents challenges when modeled both in wind tunnels and CFD. The objective of this research would be to improve the computational simulations of extreme wind loading on roof mounted solar panels for RWDI. OpenFOAM will be used for the simulations because it does not require licencing and has a proven track record. It is expected that RANS and possibly URANS turbulence models will be used during these simulations. This will be useful to RWDI as requests for rooftop wind load assessment will become more common and RWDI aims to provide accurate and reliable results from a range of testing methods.

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Faculty Supervisor:

David Wood

Student:

Jesse Brydges

Partner:

Rowan Williams Davies and Irwin Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering - mechanical

Sector:

Construction and infrastructure

University:

University of Calgary

Program:

Accelerate

Microplastic pollution in coastal British Columbia: a baseline assessment of contamination in blue mussels

Microplastic pollution is an emerging threat to marine environments. Microplastics (small plastic polymers <5mm in diameter) are the result of large plastic pieces breaking down into smaller and smaller fragments when exposed to high temperatures and light. Beach litter contributes to microplastic pollution. Aquatic animals such as shellfish feed on microplastics resulting in negative health effects. In the proposed study, Julie Dimitrijevic will complete a three-part project to determine the accumulation rate of microplastics by blue mussels in southern British Columbia. Live mussels will be placed in the marine environment for 60 days to determine the number of microplastics consumed in the wild. A laboratory study will determine plastic pieces consumed compared to how many plastic pieces are rejected as “pseudofaeces” after filter feeding. Lastly, a global contamination snapshot will be developed using mussels provided from 18 international locations. TO BE CONT'D

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Faculty Supervisor:

Leah Bendell

Student:

Julie Dimitrijevic

Partner:

Vancouver Aquarium

Discipline:

Biology

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program:

Accelerate

Investigating Player Behaviour in Social Networking Games

Social Network Games are multi-player games played through social networking sites (e.g. Facebook). Working in conjunction with Big Viking Games, the Canadian company behind Facebook games such as YoWorld and FishWorld, this research seeks to add much needed knowledge about who plays Social Network Games, what activities they undertake while participating in these gameworlds, as well as why some people quit playing. This proposal contains two distinct parts: a) an investigation into why players quit YoWorld and b) an investigation into the player behaviour of hoarding in-game items in FishWorld, a collecting game where players care for fish and decorate their fish tanks. Drawing on a mixed-method study design, the goal of this research is to demonstrate that engagement with “casual games” is often anything but casual.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jennifer Jenson

Student:

Kelly Bergstrom

Partner:

Big Viking Games

Discipline:

Education

Sector:

Digital media

University:

York University

Program:

Accelerate

Pressure Ulcer Biobank from Spinal Cord Injury Patients

Pressure ulcers (PUs) are a major health problem in people with spinal cord injuries (SCIs). PUs increase hospital admissions, with 25% of SCI treatment cost linked to PU management. Currently, treatment is limited and new therapeutic options are required. Wound fluid from PUs is invaluable for researchers as it allows a detailed study of the disease. However, no system is in place to systematically collect and store SCI PU wound fluid in British Columbia. In response, the aim of this proposal is to collaborate with the Rick Hansen Institute (RHI) to establish a PU biobank. The RHI have access to large numbers of SCI patients and have developed a non-invasive technique to extract would fluid from PUs. Together, this biobank will provide an invaluable tool for researchers and assist with the overall goal of RHI to accelerate the translation of discoveries into improved treatments for people with SCIs.

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Faculty Supervisor:

David Granville

Student:

Christopher Turner

Partner:

Rick Hansen Institute

Discipline:

Medicine

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

Nsyilxcn Revitalization and Documentation (Year 2)

The Nsyilxcn (Syilx Okanagan Interior Salish) language is critically endangered; fewer than fifty Elder speakers remain, no young people are learning at home and no effective school programs. Syilx people are highly invested in creating language opportunities, including teaching positions in schools, daycares, and adult programs, however no young speakers exist to staff them. Questions arise: how can we make Nsyilxcn language transmission more effective? What are the barriers to success, including linguistic, methodological, organizational, and community capacity challenges? The Syilx Language House Association endeavors to train Syilx youth to become language speakers, using cutting edge acquisition techniques. This research project is a second-year continuation of the lead researcher’s PhD and post-doctorate research in which five low-intermediate speakers were created through an intensive “Language House” model. This field is of great interest to First Nations Education, applied linguistics, as well as deeply valuable to First Nation community.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Marianne Ignace

Student:

Michele Johnson

Partner:

Penticton Indian Band Development Corporation

Discipline:

Languages and linguistics

Sector:

Management of companies and enterprises

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program:

Accelerate

Microgrid Protection Design Investigation using Real-Time Hardware-in-the-Loop

The electric power grid in Canada provides energy to the country. In order to provide more reliable power, to include more clean energy and to supply energy to remote Canadian communities, part of the power grid may be required to operate autonomously. At the distribution level, microgrids, which can be isolated from the main grid, are being deployed for this purpose. Protection schemes in microgrids are very different to those in conventional grids. This project deals with the design and deployment of microgrid protection schemes. It uses real-time simulators to investigate and test microgrid fault scenarios in a cost effective, time-saving and safe manner. Realistic microgrid protection scheme will be proposed to solve the major protection challenges. The industrial partner will be in a position to make available microgrid protection schemes to developers, owners and operators of microgrids.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Geza Joos

Student:

Qiushi Cui

Partner:

Opal-RT

Discipline:

Engineering - computer / electrical

Sector:

Energy

University:

McGill University

Program:

Accelerate

Distributed Memory Management for Fast Data

High-volume online stream processing, also known as fast data processing, is becoming increasingly important in a number of different commercial sectors. Unlike big data processing in which data is processed asynchronously in batches, fast data processing performs synchronous data analysis that generates actionable results within a specified deadline. One of the key challenges in building a fast data processing system is in scaling with increasing volumes of data. In our proposed research, we plan to build a system to efficiently manage the available memory across the entire deployment. The system will determine which data blocks should remain in memory, where a data block should be placed, and what fault tolerance strategy the system should employ. The objective is to build a scalable processing system that can handle both current and future fast data processing demands. TO BE CONT’D

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Faculty Supervisor:

Bernard Wong

Student:

Sajjad Rizvi

Partner:

Smash.bi

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

University of Waterloo

Program:

Accelerate

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