Innovative Projects Realized

Anonymous peer coach innovation

Honest Empathy Innovations Inc. aims to build sustainable mental healthcare solutions with groundbreaking development and innovation in machine learning. We plan to build a next-generation machine learning platform that Canadians can access for their mental health with this project. Our solution is supported by the Canadian Mental Health Association, NEXT Canada, and Yukon Government. Our solution research aims to help folks affected by post-traumatic stress disorder and those who encounter anxiety, depression, and OCD daily. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, By age 40, about 50% of the population will have a mental illness. Two out of three Canadians won’t have access to treatment. This project aims to significantly reduce this statistic by innovating CBT with machine learning.

Experimental Investigations on Novel Absorption Columns for Post-Combustion CO2 Capture Using Alkanolamine Solvents

Post-combustion CO2 capture is widely recognized as the most feasible approach to reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuels as it can easily be retrofitted to existing facilities. The existing aqueous amine absorption technology has shown promising performance but also the challenges associated with the mass transfer, kinetics, and amine degradation persist. The careful engineering of the CO2 absorption column through the optimization of absorption column design and packing structure configuration have the potential to significantly enhance the performance of CO2 capture using the amine absorption technology. This research proposal aims to develop and evaluate different amine absorber designs to improve the hydrodynamics of the absorption process to facilitate the proper gas-liquid contact and minimize mass transfer resistances. In this work three different configuration of the absorber will be developed which are packed column, spray column and wired column. Demonstration of this novel absorption technology, first in bench scale size, will provide concrete engineering data to design a commercial absorber, which can meet the absorption capacity at low capital/operating expenditures (CAPEX and OPEX), with low energy consumption.

Deep Learning Artificial Intelligence for Optimal Production and Quality of Carbon Nano-fibers from Green-house Gases

Carbon dioxide and methane are two dominant green-house gases responsible for global warming—a topic of major concern nowadays. Efforts are intensifying in both academia and industry all around the world to come up with innovative and cost-effective solutions to combat global warming. One such effort is Carbonova’s technology
that transforms carbon dioxide and methane into carbon nano-fibers—a material that is lighter, stronger, and more flexible than steel, with applications in electronic devices, sensors, and more. However, Carbonova’s technology involves complex chemical reactions at two stages, where at each stage there exists non-linear relationship between the various process parameters and the output of the stage. Currently, the complex chemical reactions and non-linear relationships are determined experimentally which is time-intensive and costly. The research proposes to use deep learning artificial intelligence (DL/AI) to model the complex chemical reaction and nonlinear behavior of the process parameters on the output. The intern will create DL/AI models, and then train, test, and validate the models, which are then used to predict the production rate of carbon and quality of carbon nanofibers. The expected benefit of the research is a reduction in the number of experiments performed, which translates to savings in operational expenditure for Carbonova.

Exploring further possibilities and advancements of using bio-control entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) for the management of insect pests in Alberta (# 2021F119R)

Crop losses and the economic impact caused by canola insect pests is substantial, depending on outbreak conditions. With the predicted de-registration of two key insecticides, canola producers are potential subject to greater economic losses. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), also known as predatory nematodes, are commercially available biocontrol agents for the management of insect pests. Advancement in application technology has improved their biocontrol efficiency against insect pests. In this project we propose to further explore EPN use against root maggots and cutworms. EPNs showed good control of both these pest in laboratory experiments of different commercially available EPN species. This project is focused on the investigations under greenhouse conditions and subsequently future studies will lead to field trials with the long-term goal of providing a sustainable insect pest management approach for Western Canadian growers.

South Asians in the Great Outdoors: Navigating racialized experiences Rock Climbing in Canada

Six to eight South Asian-Canadians interested in rock climbing will participate in a day of outdoor rock climbing as a combined research activity and community initiative. Participants will provide feedback from the experience in the form of an on-site focus group discussion. Additionally, a photograph of the event, as a performance art piece, will be captured, blown up to 4’ x 6’ and displayed in a climbing gym in the Vancouver area for one month. During this time, gym-goers from the broader climbing community will be invited to participate in the interactive installation through a questionnaire about the image that will be accessible through a QR code pasted beside. This research will benefit partner organizations in helping them create desired inclusive climbing communities.

Structure of near-zero carbon footprintsustainable community

The objective of this project is to conduct a feasibility study and build a business case for the design and deployment of an electric energy storage inftrastrucutre from renewable and mostly solar energy sources. The feasibility study will follow a thorough benchmarking and evaluation study of the various existing choices an select the one(s) that are the most promising for new and large sustainable communities.

Arts-based programming and outreach support

This project will assist both West Central Women’s Resource Centre and North End Women’s Centre in identifying community needs as they transition out of the pandemic and towards sustainable and responsive programming through arts-based programming and outreach. The objective of this project will be to plan and implement arts-based programming within the centres an support outreach activities. It will engage the centres participants in arts-based programming to increase communication and identify needs. Outreach support will be provided to increase the centres ability to encourage participation in programming. This project will expand on the work the centres are already doing and build from community-based research methods and engagement and arts-based practices. The project will increase support and outreach to the centres participants which will result in better communication and outcomes for both the centre and the participants. Arts-based programs will be implemented and a report of the internship will be produced for the centres.

Translation platform and OSNAT 800 chin platform – PulseMedica

PulseMedica is developing the OSNAT 800, a medical device that enables precise, controllable vitreoretinal laser surgery.
One of the major competitive advantages of the OSNAT-800 is its ability to offer clinicians precise control over the various aspects of the lasers. This control will result in a significant improvement in patient outcomes due to increased surgical accuracy and decreased destructive thermal energy required for treatment.

However, for this competitive advantage to hold true, the entire structure of the device and all of its elements need to be of the highest standards. In this project, we are specifically focussing on improving the chin rest and the translation stand. These two components are very important to the success of our device because during the laser treatment procedure, it will be imperative that the patient’s eye position is stable and perfectly aligned with the device despite slight head movements. Since our current translation stand and chin rest have various limitations that restrict the accurate delivery of lasers in the eye, further development is needed.

NUMERiiQ POC

This program will greatly benefit the startup develop and evaluate its proof of concept model in order to gain insight on customer needs and ensure product is a fit for targeted market.

The POPcycle Launch

The POPcycle is an NB-based business that is bringing back the frozen treat delivery bikes to our region through the development of new business models. We connect with customers in three ways:
1. From community pools, ball fields and various outdoor events, The POPcycle bike will have a weekly schedule detailing where our bike will be travelling throughout the city.
2. We offer corporate sponsorship opportunities for businesses who would like us to attend their staff appreciation events, or fund an end-of-year sports team party or school event. We provide options for sponsor logos and messaging.
3. We can also attend special events, such as weddings, birthday parties or other special events.

Starting with one bike in the Fredericton area, we will sell frozen treats to various locations throughout the warmer months of the year. We are seeking a marketing-savvy student to assist with the creation and execution of a marketing and sales plan for the first year of operations as well as assistance with sales, customer service and operations as we launch our business.

Nia Centre for the Arts

The implementation of digital management tools will provide an enhanced user experience for community members accessing our facility. The pandemic highlighted the inequalities associated with digital access at home particularly within the education system. With 85% of our program participants identifying as Black youth, Nia Centre’s goal is to safely provide those accessing our facility with the tools and technology to thrive in a learning environment. With this project we hope to streamline our internal systems providing staff with tools for tracking participation which will in turn allow us to strengthen our capacity to demonstrate impact. The enhancement of digital tools enables delivery of online programs and workshops. With the renovation of the Centre, this infrastructure will allow us to extend our capacity to provide immersive hybrid programming and implement tools that integrate the evaluation of our programs, evaluation of our physical space, and consider our digital futures.

Risk-Evaluation Platform Launch Marketing

In mining, one of our greatest risks and liabilities, a primary contributor to environmental damage, and the majority of materials that we handle, are those that we call mine wastes. With the raised profile of recent high-consequence waste failures, there has been an external push by investors and industry leaders to bolster waste-related risk governance and management processes, to assess and address risks, and to become more transparent.

With the overall goal of reducing the risk of costly and dangerous mining tailings failures, Enviro Integration Strategies (EIS) has developed software specifically designed to consistently evaluate risks, comply with global management standards, and produce transparent performance disclosures, helping mining executives make safer decisions. We additionally support the development of governance and management programs to improve performance and oversight, reducing risks during operations.

The scope of this proposal includes market analyses, competitor analyses, and the development/refinement and implementation of marketing materials to support our pilot program for the software.