Innovative Projects Realized

Satellite Technologies for Space Situational Awareness (SSA)

Today, small satellites are launched in large constellations like Starlink and Globalstar for space-based services, such as communications and weather monitoring. This rapid growth in space objects has become a real threat for space operation. In response to this issue of the growing population of space objects, Magellan is developing technologies to provide extensive and resilient surveillance to identify and mitigate threats in space. In this proposal, we will examine these areas of space technologies in support of Magellan’s research, namely (1) Resident Space Object (RSO) observation prediction, (2) algorithm implementation on FPGA and (3) RSO identification, to provide low-cost solution for space object tracking, identification and characterization.

Étude de la triclinicité des feldspaths comme indicateur de surchaleur dans les intrusions porphyriques aurifères

Le développement d’outil pour identifier les secteurs géologiques à fort potentiel économique (gisement d’or) ont un impact majeur sur l’économie du Québec. Parmi les modèles décrivant la formation des gisements d’or, celui de circulation d’eau chaude mobilisant et concentrant l’or demeure le plus classique. Une telle circulation d’eau dans la croûte terrestre nécessite une source de chaleur importante pour alimenter la cellule de convection. Il est proposé d’identifier les sources de chaleur fertiles (intrusion magmatiques tardives) par leurs caractéristiques minéralogiques. L’observation au microscope polarisant (avec platine universelle) permet d’identifier une caractéristique minéralogique de haute température recherchée (structure cristalline des feldspaths). Le développement d’un tel outil permettrait au parternaire proposer la techniques aux diverses entreprises d’exploration minière.

Amélioration de la technologie de mesure infrarouge ICOS

L’objectif général du projet, divisé en trois stages, vise l’amélioration des procédés d’assemblage et de calibration des instruments ICOS pour la mesure précise de gaz jusqu’à des concentrations aussi faibles que des parties par milliards (PPT). Les deux premiers stages ont pour but d’améliorer les outils de calibration des systèmes ICOS, plus spécifiquement en utilisant des FBGs émulant la réponse complexe des gaz utilisés pour la calibration des instruments. Le développement de composants complexes à base de FBGs ayant des raies très étroites (environ 0.01nm) sera réalisé à des longueurs d’onde très précises. Une plateforme de stabilisation thermique sera installée afin de contrôler précisément les longueurs d’onde de résonance des FBGs. Le troisième stage vise à réduire considérablement le nombre de jeux de miroirs utilisés pour les différents systèmes ICOS en développant des miroirs de Bragg adaptés à plusieurs gaz en utilisant des matériaux novateurs pour former ces miroirs.

Stacking Fhb1, photoperiod/anthesis and plant height genes in elite winter wheat lines

Wheat is a major staple food crop. Winter wheat has higher yield potential than spring wheat. Fusarium head blight (FHB), mainly caused by Fusarium graminearum is one of the major diseases of wheat. FHB related traits (visual symptoms, fusarium damaged kernels-FDK and deoxynivalenol-DON) are influenced by multiple genes or quantitative trait loci (QTL) with small to medium effect. Significant negative correlations between FHB index and plant height were reported across different wheat populations. Over 70% of grown wheat have a semi dwarf phenotype controlled by the major genes Rht-B1, Rht-D1 and Rht-8C. These dwarfing alleles can increase FHB susceptibility as much as 30%. An improved understanding of FHB resistance and new germplasm/cultivars from this proposed project will reduce the risks associated with FHB in wheat for Ontario’s grain farmers and will inform next steps for future research investments by GFO.

Appropriation des ateliers Déstresse et progresse adaptés pour le Programme de réadaptation intensive en unité pour la clientèle 8-14 ans à profil multiproblématique complexe

Dans le cadre d’une nouvelle offre de services, la direction DI-TSA-DP du CIUSSS de la Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du- Québec a adapté les ateliers du programme Dé-stresse et progresse afin de les offrir aux parents et intervenants des enfants bénéficiant du programme de réadaptation intensive en unité. La présente étude estimera les effets potentiels des ateliers auprès de parents et intervenants participants. Une réflexion quant aux ajustements à apporter aux ateliers suivront les conclusions de l’étude, qui se penchera sur la satisfaction des participants, leur vécu de stress, leurs stratégies d’adaptation, leur sentiment de compétence suivant les ateliers ainsi que leur régulation physiologique de leur système de stress sur une période de 6 mois.

Prediction of NOx formation by a DC Plasma Torch

Industries using fossil fuels as their energy source contribute to global warming as the required energy for their processes is supplied by combusting fossil fuels. CO2, a greenhouse gas, is a product of combustion. Using electricity generated by hydropower as the heat source may eliminate CO2 emissions. One of the commercially available electric heaters is the direct-current plasma torch, where the gas is heated to high temperatures. Air is the primary plasma-forming gas because it is readily available at no cost. Although this torch does not produce CO2, it generates nitrogen oxides (NOx), considered a pollutant. In this project, a detailed numerical model will be developed to predict the NOx formation of the PyroGenesis patented high-power DC plasma torch and address the existing challenges in minimizing the NOx formation at the source and finding the optimum conditions for reducing NOx emission. The model will be validated experimentally.

Applying global best practices in red tape reduction to support business investment and economic growth in Alberta and the Edmonton Metropolitan Region

Burdensome government regulations, sometimes referred to as “red tape,” are often touted as barriers to job creation and economic growth. This research project involves a jurisdictional scan of red tape reduction initiatives throughout the world and identifies global best practices. The project will assess whether efforts to reduce red tape in Alberta and the Edmonton Metropolitan Region are aligned with global best practices and having the desired effect. For example, is a “one-in-one-out” rule for regulations supporting economic growth? The objective of this project is to issue recommendations based on the findings to support Edmonton Global in making the Edmonton Metropolitan Region more competitive and attractive to foreign direct investors.

Outcomes of Indigenous fishing methods for fish health and fisheries sustainability in a changing world

Many fish populations have declined across Canada, due to diverse pressures including overharvesting, pollution, habitat degradation, and more. Prior to colonization, Indigenous management systems supported large-scale fisheries alongside healthy fish populations. These systems are being revitalized by their communities, to meet the needs of both people and fish, and move towards more sustainable fisheries practices. On the Lower Fraser River, six First Nations, in partnership with Lower Fraser Fisheries Alliance (LFFA) are doing just this. In this process of revitalization, we will be studying traditional Indigenous fishing technologies, and their implications for the health of Pacific salmon populations in the river and its tributaries. From this work we hope to advance the goals of LFFA and UBC’s Centre for Indigenous Fisheries to protect Fraser River salmon and promote First Nations’ rights to fish through scientific partnership.

Valorisation des matières résiduelles textiles(de l’entreprise Certex) envoyées au sited’enfouissement

L’intérêt de la recherche réside dans le fait qu’une entreprise comme Certex envoie à l’enfouissement entre 750 et 1000 tonnes de rebuts de textile annuellement. Les auteurs Stall–Meadows et al. (2012) affirment que près de 100% de ce type de rebuts pourrait être recyclé.13 L’objet de cette étude consiste à évaluer les perspectives de défibrer sur place les articles de maison et les vêtements, de développer de nouveaux marchés et de réaliser une étude de faisabilité (rentabilité) du projet pour le compte de l’entreprise Certex. Aussi, la plupart des chercheurs s’accorde sur l’importance de trouver de nouvelles avenues pour réduire les déchets de textile post-consommateurs envoyés aux sites

SLICEnce

Canadian salmon production is the fourth largest farmed salmon industry in the world. Farmed salmon is British Columbia’s (BC) largest agri-food export with a total economic output of $1.6 billion annually, which represents 60% of total production in Canada. Approximately, 90,000 tonnes of farmed salmon are produced in BC every year which in turn supports approximately 6,500 jobs. This project represents a collaboration between partners that have been heavily committed to the Canadian aquaculture industry for decades, including an academic institution (UPEI/AVC), a non-for-profit organization (BC CAHS), a pharmaceutical company (MERCK), and salmon producers (Grieg, Cermaq and Mowi). The partners will combine their respective expertise in sea lice genomics (UPEI/AVC), sea lice collection (aquaculture companies’ staff), parasiticide product knowledge (MERCK) and performance of sea lice bioassays, diagnostic testing and assay development (BC CAHS; ISO/IEC 17025 accredited). Sea lice, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, is an ectoparasite that commonly infects wild and farmed salmonids. Atlantic salmon are particularly susceptible to infestations and these infestations can lead to osmotic imbalance, skin ulceration and multiple welfare issues. The parasite impacts salmon production by limiting their growth, increasing their susceptibility to secondary infections and continued costs of treatment.

Development and implementation of social media marketing of Maskwiomin products

Maskwiomin is a start-up company, founded in 2020 and located in Sydney, NS, that manufactures and sells creams and soaps made with birch bark extract derived from a traditional Mi’kmaq skin remedy. Maskwiomin derives its name from the Mi’kmaw words of maskwi = birch bark and omin = oil/extract. The extract is traditionally produced in a fire pit method where birch bark is heated in a sealed container that allows the extract to drip out at the bottom. The extract has a multitude of biomedically active compounds and has been successfully applied for a variety of skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, rashes and more; sometimes with dramatic improvements within 24 h.

The company is now looking for a Mitacs intern to assist with the development and implementation of a social media marketing strategy to increase the growth of the company through online sales (www.maskwiomin.com). The intern will take professional pictures of newly re-desgined packaging and develop social media posts. Business analytics data is used to track media posts with conversion rates to website and sales.

Broadband Impedance Matching for HF radar applications

In the proposed project, the intern will develop circuits through simulation for broadband impedance matching for high-frequency surface-wave radar antennas transmitting at HF frequencies. This will allow the range resolution of transmitting antennas to be improved so that targets, as well as ocean surface wave and current parameters, may be respectively better detected and estimated. This will help Maerospace Corporation to provide cost-effective solutions for promotion of maritime security, prevention of illegal fishing, among other important applications.