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

Managing the physical risk from avalanche in mechanized backcountry skiing operations: A quantitative examination of reoccurring patterns in terrain assessments and terrain use at the run scale

In the backcountry, avalanche risk is managed by first assessing avalanche hazard and subsequently carefully choosing terrain and travel procedures accordingly to mitigate the identified hazard. What are suitable terrain choices under different types of avalanche conditions and how are choices made? With this project, we quantitatively examine large-scale terrain choices in two commercial backcountry skiing operations in British Columbia. Our data set covers four resp. sixteen winter seasons with documented operational decisions on where to ski. It provides a unique opportunity for examining professional terrain choices to keep the residual risk at an acceptable level while providing a high quality skiing product. In this first study, we will examine patterns in ski run choices and subsequently analyze the terrain characteristics of different runs. The results of this study will improve our understanding of risk management through terrain selection and will strengthen current best-practises in the avalanche industry.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Pascal Haegeli

Student:

Reto Sterchi

Partner:

HeliCat Canada

Discipline:

Environmental sciences

Sector:

Sports and recreation

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program:

Accelerate

Ultrasound-assisted Extraction of Cedar Essential Oil

This project will be with All Natural Products Inc. (ANPI), a Canadian company focused on essential oil extract from natural herbal resources in Bolton, Ontario. These essential oils have applications in the food, flavor, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. ANPI have found that their current extraction methods do not provide a suitable yield of essential oils. This project will investigate the ultrasound-assisted extraction process of cedar essential oil using various solvents.
Effect of ultrasonic power and frequency, extraction time, the sample-to-solvent ratio, moisture content, and particle size of the starting material will be investigated for development and optimization of the extraction process in batch mode system. The type, state, and treatment of starting material will also be examined which will have an effect on the extraction yield. This project will provide tremendous advantage to ANPI providing new opportunities to extract the maximum value from Canadian softwood products.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Paul Charpentier

Student:

Shima Ahmadi

Partner:

Anpi Canada

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

Western University

Program:

Accelerate

Supercritical Fluid Extraction and Chromatography of Softwood Plants Oils

This project will be with ANPI Canada Inc., a Canadian company focused on essential oil extract from softwood in Bolton, Ontario. Presently, ANPI uses various extraction techniques for isolation of essential oils particularly cedar oil from cedar leaves, branches, and mulch. These essential oils have applications in the food, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. ANPI have found that their current extraction methods do not provide a suitable yield of essential oil as well as high purity of active components of oil. This project will investigate the supercritical fluid extraction and chromatography process of softwood plants essential oil such as cedar, pine and cypress using CO2 within different range of temperatures and pressures. Effect of extraction time, modifier amount and flow rate will be investigated for development and optimization of the extraction and chromatography process. TO BE CONT’D

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Faculty Supervisor:

Paul Charpentier

Student:

Raziye Samimihaghgozar

Partner:

Anpi Canada

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

Western University

Program:

Accelerate

KINARM Standard Tests’ Task Scores: towards a validated and effective tool for communicating to clinical communities KINARM measures of brain function

KINARM Labs™ provide robust and objective measures of brain function and dysfunction by the precise measurement of human behavior with robotics. Created by neuroscientists, KINARM Labs allow clinician-scientists to detect and quantify the sensory, motor and cognitive impact of a diverse range neurological impairments caused by stroke, cardiac arrest, TIA, mTBI, concussion, MS or Parkinson’s – all in a short <1h assessment. The MITACS intern will enhance the normative modelling of healthy performance of KINARM Standard Tests – a standardized assessment protocol for identification and quantification of neurological impairments. These contributions will be critical to ensuring that KINARM Labs become an essential tool in the management of patients with brain injuries.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Doug Munoz

Student:

Ethan Heming

Partner:

Boehringer Ingelheim

Discipline:

Biochemistry / Molecular biology

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

Queen's University

Program:

Accelerate

Development of Feed Blocks for Livestock

BNTrading Inc., located in Alberta, is interested in developing a more efficient form (block) of densified feed material compared to small-size cubes and pellets currently available. This new form of densified material is to provide an easier handling, storage, and transportation. The target is firstly to convert the pellet or cube forms to block in trials. If there is a possibility of this transformation to blocks, the work will be conducted for the conversion of these conventional densified feed to feed blocks. Otherwise, the crushed form of feed will be used for production of feed blocks. For this purpose, different types of binding agents (chemical or natural based) will be used in densification process. Parameters of binder concentration, moulding pressure and residence time will be optimized to obtain desired quality attributes. The optimal combinations will be determined based on the quality attributes which are important in the feed industry.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Lope Tabil

Student:

Majid Soleimani

Partner:

BNTrading

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program:

Accelerate

Non-intrusive assessment of vigilance in drivers based on eye movement and blinking

Due to lifestyle and work demands, chronic sleep deprivation is now experienced by many people, leading to increased drowsiness and fatigue which can have a negative influence on health, safety and work performance. Drowsiness, in particular, can influence fitness to drive and put people at significant risk. With this in mind and in response to increasing demand from market and public domains, Alcohol Countermeasure Systems (ACS) has launched innovative research into methods and technology for improving driver and vehicle safety. The main objective of this research is to develop non-intrusive techniques for real-time assessment of the state of vigilance of drivers based on behavioural patterns (particularly, eye movements and blinks). In this project, advanced machine learning and signal processing techniques will be used to develop appropriate methodologies for real-time monitoring of drowsiness.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Mark Coates

Student:

Min Liang

Partner:

Alcohol Countermeasure Systems Corp.

Discipline:

Engineering - computer / electrical

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

McGill University

Program:

Accelerate

Harrison River Watershed Salmon Habitat Restoration Assessment

Many of the Harrison River tributaries no longer support historic levels of salmon productivity because of barriers to fish passage, loss of in-stream structural complexity, and ingress of invasive species. The Sts’ailes Fisheries Group has identified the need for an investigation of the historic and current stream characteristic to identify future fisheries restoration opportunities along the Harrison River. This watershed requires a large-scale, holistic, and proactive approach to planning, management, and restoration activities to improve salmon productivity. This Project will work with local First Nations and stakeholders to develop a novel, comprehensive screening tool and interactive database on the ecological state of the watershed related to regional fish productivity. This screening tool will be used to identify economically feasible and culturally valuable ecological restoration efforts that can maximize fisheries values over time.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Scott Harrison

Student:

Tyne Roberts

Partner:

Sts'ailes Development Corporation

Discipline:

Environmental sciences

Sector:

Fisheries and wildlife

University:

British Columbia Institute of Technology

Program:

Accelerate

Data Centre Waste Heat Recovery for District Energy Systems

Data centres generate a large amount of heat, from operating computers 24/7. This heat is normally wasted and released outside the data centre building. This research will determine the best way to capture the waste heat from a data centre and distribute it to other buildings in the area that require heating. The vessel for this distribution of heat will be a network of water pipes, just like an electrical grid distributes power to multiple buildings. The intern will provide insight on the equipment and system design required to capture the waste heat in an energy and cost efficient manner.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Alan Fung

Student:

Adreon Murphy

Partner:

EnWave Corporation

Discipline:

Engineering - mechanical

Sector:

Alternative energy

University:

Ryerson University

Program:

Accelerate

Evaluation of the CACE Homecare Curriculum

In January 2016, the Centre for Ambulatory Care Education (CACE) at Women’s College Hospital completed the Homecare Curriculum. This online, simulation-based program is designed to help personal support workers, nurses, and rehabilitation professionals provide better care for older adults who wish to stay in their homes. The program presents learners with 3 virtual home environments and 3 patient profiles. Alone, or with a team, users navigate these virtual homes, learn about home-based care and complete quizzes that test their comprehension of the material. The proposed research will evaluate the existing curriculum. Results of the study will show opportunities to improve the curriculum and, potentially, evidence to support its expansion. The evaluation will be incorporated into the research work of the intern, as part of a larger study examining the way health professionals learn about old age.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Stella Ng

Student:

Jacquelin Forsey

Partner:

VHA Home HealthCare

Discipline:

Medicine

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

University of Toronto

Program:

Accelerate

Education in the field; using behavioral wildlife research to inform the interpretive program of an eco-tourism operation – Year two

Knight Inlet Lodge is an eco-tourism resort specializing in grizzly bear viewing, and caters to both national and
international clients. The business requires research to improve their interpretive program by informing guide
naturalists on the function of observed bear behaviour. Research is required to: 1) assess the relatedness and
movements patterns of regularly observed bears, 2) assess the use of bear scent marking trees in the surrounding
estuary, 3) assess how local food availability (salmon) affects the social behaviour of bears. Non-invasively derived
DNA from bear fur will identify individuals and allow for the assessment of relatedness between bears. Capturing
scent marking with remote cameras will allow for the analysis of the behaviour, and assessment of how it is influenced
by food availability. Including this knowledge within the interpretive program will allow Knight Inlet Lodge to offer
clients a noval market niche and high-quality wildlife experience.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Chris Darimont

Student:

Melanie Clapham

Partner:

Knight Inlet Grizzly Tours Ltd.

Discipline:

Geography / Geology / Earth science

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

University of Victoria

Program:

Elevate

Comparative effectiveness, and network meta-analysis of pre-insulin oral hypoglycemic drugs in the treatment of type II diabetes

The proposed project is two-phased. The first phase involves a study that will use specialized research analysis techniques to compare the effectiveness of pharmaceutical drugs used to treat type II diabetes and to identify if a group of drugs are producing similar benefits in terms of controlling the disease. The applicant’s clinical and epidemiological background would bring value to our study design for this and future projects. The second phase involves economic cost modeling that will forecast financial implications of study findings. Redwood Outcomes has extensive expertise in economic cost modeling in-house, although it is not a service that we currently offer to clients. As the partner organization, Redwood would benefit from this project as test case for the expansion of our service offerings to include economic cost modeling to clients as a natural extension of current services. Mitacs management training would be valuable in grooming in-house research management capacity.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Michel Joffres

Student:

Chakrapani Balijepalli

Partner:

Redwood Outcomes Health Consulting Inc.

Discipline:

Kinesiology

Sector:

Management of companies and enterprises

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program:

Elevate

A novel scaffold for tympanic membrane repair – Year two

The ability to hear, and the quality of our hearing, depends on the health of the eardrum. Eardrum perforations due to diseases and accidents can be treated using grafts, such as autologous grafts, allografts and xenografts. These replacements suffer from various limitations such as donor site morbidity, long operation time and healing time, and risk of infection transmission, and more importantly, none of these grafts are able to replicate the complex microanatomy for sound quality reproduced by the native eardrum. In this project, we propose to develop a novel graft with oriented collagen core-shell fibers and growth factors in the core. The oriented fibers mimic the local structure of the native eardrum, producing better sound quality. Furthermore, the delivery of growth factors would improve healing and promote closure of the eardrum perforation. The successfully developed graft will be commercialized by our industrial partner.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Wankei Wan

Student:

Jian Liu

Partner:

Axcelon Biopolymers Corporation

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

Advanced manufacturing

University:

Western University

Program:

Elevate

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