Innovative Projects Realized

Drug development in cancer therapy – Synthesis of novel Eph receptor inhibitors

Time perception in Harbor Seals

Topological optimization of ecological and lightweight composite floors made by wood, UHPC and polymeric fibers

Construction industry is responsible for emitting a significant amount of CO2. To stay within the scope of 1.5°C increase in
atmosphere temperature by 2050, It is essential to reduce the embodied carbon of buildings. Mass timber buildings become more
popular in the construction industry and the tendency to move toward more sustainable materials has increased. TimberConcrete-Composite elements allow us to fabricate innovative structural members to profit from concrete strength, timber
lightness, and composite action. The main objective of this project is to reduce the carbon footprint in buildings by replacing the
common floor system with a more sustainable solution by combining timber, concrete and natural fibers providing lightness and
robustness with economical justification. The expected outcome of this project is to demonstrate a prototype floor system with a
proof of concept by numerical analysis and experimental techniques while lowering embodied carbon, and cost, and maintaining
reliability along with constructability.

Reducing Road Mortality of a Species at Risk Using Movement Informed Wildlife Ecopassage

The jurisdiction of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) covers densely urbanized areas, agricultural land, and natural features including forest, wetlands, and valley corridors. Connectivity between natural habitats is important for species resilience and maintaining biodiversity. When natural habitat areas are disconnected, they become fragmented. Fragmentation is especially problematic where it interrupts movement corridors used by species that undertake seasonal migrations between overwintering and breeding/rearing habitat. The construction of new roads, and maintenance of existing roads, is a specific threat to many migratory species. This is especially true for small, slow moving amphibians and reptiles migrating between habitats. Wildlife crossings (e.g., passages, fencing, and overpasses) have been used to reduce road morality and improve connectivity among habitats and populations for many species. This project aims to evaluate road mortality and breeding pond survey data collected in 2022 and 2023 to identify areas of high crossing activity (i.e., successful crossing and mortalities) in Happy Valley, King Township, Ontario. The results of this analysis will be used to inform the placement of a wildlife crossing structures; support safe movement of salamanders and other wildlife along two roads in Happy Valley;

Integrated strategic and tactical design of multi-echelon city distribution systems with vehicles synchronization

La croissance de l’urbanisation ces dernières décennies et les besoins de déplacement de personnes et de biens de consommation qui l’accompagnent, entrainent une forte croissance du volume de transport routier de passagers et de marchandises. La croissance du volume de transport de marchandises est en plus boostée par l’essor du commerce électronique qui entraine des livraisons plus fréquentes aux domiciles et aux points de collecte des clients. Or les véhicules de transport de marchandises du fait des charges qu’ils transportent constituent la classe des véhicules les plus polluants en termes d’émission de d’équivalent Co2. Notre étude vise donc à développer un modèle bi-objectif de conception de réseau de distribution urbaine à deux échelons permettant de réaliser un compromis entre la minimisation des coûts et la réduction des émissions de CO2 en vue de fournir aux décideurs un outil de planification de chaines d’approvisionnement urbaines durables.

Modeling and Characterization of Interlayer Weld Formation During Fused Filament Fabrication

Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) is the most widely used additive manufacturing technique,involving a movable heated nozzle through which a molten thermoplastic polymer fiber is extruded onto a platform. Deposited filaments weld together and solidify to form a layer, and successive layers form the final part. In most scientific literature, incomplete weld formation between the filaments is cited as the main reason for inferior mechanical properties of FFF printed parts. The weld formation mechanisms during the print are not well understood yet. This work focuses on modeling and characterizing the weld formation process. A 2D thermal model in COMSUL will be validated by the experimental temperature measurements carried out in a controlled and highly instrumented test bench. A weld strength model combining the healing with the evolution of crystallinity at the interface will be developed and weld strength predictions will be validated through mechanical characterizations using a novel sample configuration.

A complementary paper microfluidics and sample preservation approach for on-site and in-lab assessment of semen quality

We propose to the develop a process whereby a semen sample can be initially assessed for sperm motility on-site
followed by preservation of the remaining sample for transfer to a lab for quantitative sperm quality analyses. A
microfluidic device using paper will be developed for the on-site motility test, whereby the device shows a colorimetric
signal visible to the eye correlating to the percentage of motile sperm from a few drops of semen. For the remaining
sample, a preservation method will be characterized focusing on the idea of drying the sample within a material (paper
or gel) on-site and subsequent rehydration of the dried sample, degradation of the material, and recovery of the sperm
in-lab. This approach can allow for longer term preservation (> 2 days) and safer transfer to the lab. The proposal can
enable a more accurate and available approach for semen analysis.

Developing an AI-Interpretable recommender system for maritime logistics chain

The research project aims to develop a special computer program so called “interpretable recommender system” to suggest the most efficient AI-Interpretable recommender system for maritime logistics chain to transport goods by ship. The program will use advanced math and machine learning to analyze large amounts of data about different ships and their movements. The goal is to help shipping companies save time and money by making more informed decisions. By creating an “interpretable” program, the researchers aim to make it easy for decision-makers to understand how the program makes its recommendations, which will help build trust in the system. The partner organization is expected to benefit from the improved efficiency and cost savings achieved by using the program.

Understanding the Uses and Benefits of Haptic Integration within Virtual Simulations

Healthcare learners use simulations to train their skills prior to treating real patients. These simulations can happen in-person (e.g., role playing) or they can happen virtually using gamified educational software. One drawback of using many of these virtual simulations is that many do not provide the healthcare learner with force-based feedback (e.g., haptics). For example, when cutting in the virtual simulation, the healthcare learner might not learn how much pressure is needed. Furthermore, those that do provide haptic feedback are inadequately researched in terms of how they affect the learner’s educational experience. One company that had made a haptic-compatible virtual simulator is Haply Robotics. The aim of this project is to utilize Haply Robotics technology to see how haptic feedback influences dentistry students’ performance and confidence. We also want to see how this technology is perceived by dentistry students and if it confers benefits over the non-haptic version.

Identification de méthodologies innovantes en gestion du savoir dans un contexte de reddition de services sportifs à l’échelle municipale

Dans le contexte socioéconomique actuel, notamment marqué par une plus grande décentralisation des services municipaux et par les exigences relatives à l’efficacité et à l’efficience des ressources allouées, la gestion du savoir apparaît comme l’un des vecteurs pouvant mener à une meilleure reddition de ces mêmes services.
Le présent projet vise à identifier des méthodes innovantes relatives à la gestion du savoir en contexte de reddition de services sportifs à l’échelle municipale. Du fait des défis inhérent à ce niveau de gouvernement, de la multiplicité des parties prenantes et des disparités socioéconomiques constatées sur le terrain, quels sont les mécanismes de gestion de savoir pouvant permettre l’amélioration des services sportifs et une meilleure reddition de ces derniers? Ce projet voudra répondre à cette question d’importance.

Increasing and Automating Adaptivity of LogicBlox Datalog Platform

Declarative programming techniques have been used to make programming available to common users through introducing query languages such as SQL and spreadsheet programs such as Excel. The proposed industrial partner, LogicBlox, has developed software that enables highly-complex data analysis through the flexible and familiar form of spreadsheet computing. The main goal of this proposal is to increase and automate adaptivity of LogicBlox platform, and to evaluate proposed methodology through applications in local industry. More specifically, we propose to extend LogicBlox Datalog with novel features that allow programmers to augment purely declarative specifications with problem-specific “advice” that directs the underlying solver to the solution. The problem-specific “advice” would automatically produce reasoning procedures that will be embedded into the generalpurpose LogicBlox’s Datalog engine to obtain a special-purpose solver for the problem that is being solved. The problem-specific fine-tuning would greatly increase the solving performance.

Field Testing and Validation of Clearflow Coal Mine Water Treatment Technologies

Surface coal mining creates significant issues in surface water management due to high levels of contaminants including metals, selenium, and suspended sediments. Clearflow group has created a treatment train using newly developed polymer technologies to significantly improve water treatment and reduce contaminant discharge to the environment. This research project will test both the efficacy of that treatment train and the impact on receiving waters at an active mine site over the next two years. This research will significantly advance water treatment options and support growth of a Metis owned Canadian small business.