Innovative Projects Realized

Directed energy deposition processing of plasma atomized Ti-64 powders

Additive Manufacturing (i.e. 3D printing) of metallic materials is in a state of rapid, globalized expansion. Many of the associated technologies utilize metal powders as the raw feedstock material. Canada is a significant player in this area and is now home to a number of the world’s leading metal powder producers. This project seeks to enhance this national strength by exploring the fundamental processing response of plasma atomized Ti-64 powders in the context of directed energy deposition (DED). All powders needed for the research will be will be produced and characterized at partner AP&C (Broisbriand, Quebec). The processing response will then be assessed at Dalhousie University using a design of experiments concept coupled with post-build heat treatment studies and metallurgical analyses.

Enhancing Ultrasonic Waves Transmission in Liquid Metals for AI-Assisted High-Temperature Characterization

Companies in the energy sector are increasingly considering the use of liquid metals in their operations (e.g. for cooling). This presents new challenges related to the inspection and monitoring of these infrastructures. Indeed, these industries often operate in very harsh environments (e.g. ionizing radiation) and under very high pressure and temperature conditions. Thus, the ultrasonic inspection methods normally used must be adapted to these new conditions. Moreover, methods based on machine learning can be used to optimize the processing of the received signals. The objective of this project is to optimize the propagation of ultrasonic waves in liquid metals and at their interface in order to collect data that will allow, after automated processing, better decision-making.

Mode of action of organic plant-growth stimulant in tomato trials

This proposed project will investigate potential modes of action of novel plant biostimulants on tomato plants. This will include changes in the plant growth rates and potential plant gene activation as it relates to the biostimulant treatment. It will also investigate changes in the microorganism profile in the root zone of biostimulant treated plants. In addition, it will investigate the impact of biostimulant treatment on beneficial microorganism inoculums such as mycorrhizae and Trichoderma. The benefit to the partner organization will be a greater understanding of the mode of action of its biostimulant products for the purpose of formulation and treatment optimization.

Modeling water temperatures in the Fraser River watershed network

Rising river temperatures, partly driven by land-use and climate warming, threaten the future of Fraser River salmon. It is vital that fisheries managers acquire tools that will aid their understanding of how rising river temperatures will impact salmon in the Fraser River. With my industry partner, I will build a novel mathematical temperature model for the Fraser River. My model will incorporate existing water temperature data, land-use, and the direction of flow to predict water temperatures. I will map Fraser River temperatures and identify regions of the watershed that discharge hot water at times that coincide with the return of Fraser River sockeye salmon. This model can be modified for comparisons to other temperature models and future questions regarding land-use change, and climate warming. This study will produce a powerful tool and valuable information for my industry partner that will facilitate management of Fraser River fisheries and collaboration with government and academic institutions.

Study of thermal properties and oxidation behaviour of novel ZrB2 – B4C functionally graded composites for high temperature aerospace applications

ZrB2-B4C composites are potentially very attractive for aerospace applications exposed to ultra-high temperatures > 2000 degree C. While monolithic composites in this material system are well-known, development of a functionally graded composite (FGM) is a novel idea. Recently, we have published a research article [1] in which the FGM concept in this system has been used for the first time to successfully develop three-layered composites with excellent interlayer integrity and density significantly lower than monolithic ZrB2. Within the scope of this work, a detailed study of the thermal properties and oxidation behavior of this novel composite material will be performed.

[1]: A. K. Naik, Md. Nazeer, D. K. V. D. Prasad, T. Laha, S. Roy, Development of functionally graded ZrB2-B4C composites for lightweight ultrahigh-temperature aerospace applications, Ceramics International, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.07.276

Microbiome-endocannabinoidome role in response to prebiotic and probiotic interventions in a Murine Model of Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome

Probiotics could help prevent or treat metabolic-related conditions such as dyslipidemia or Type 2 Diabetes. Combination of probiotics with prebiotic fibers could potentiate the positive effect of these treatments. Our hypothesis is that probiotic strains, coupled with brown algae prebiotic fibers, may hold potential for modulating lipid metabolism, which might represent an interesting avenue for the management of diabetes and metabolic syndrome (MetS) through non-pharmacological treatments. In previous work, we established a murine model of diet-induced metabolic syndrome and type-2 diabetes (T2D) and treated mice with BIOK+ formulation as well as new probiotic strains, with or without prebiotic algae preparation. In this Mitacs Accelerate project, we reinvest samples collected from these animals to investigate the role of the gut microbiome and tissue endocannabinoidome response to the prebiotic and probiotic combinations.

Analysis of lipids extracted from soil exposed to decomposing human remains

Decomposition is the dynamic process whereby a compound is disintegrated into its elementary constituents through physical, chemical and biological mechanisms. Matrices associated with decomposing human remains, such as soil, are an omnipresent source of physical evidence in forensic casework. Previous research has already emphazied the use of these matrices to evaluate their potential to capture time-dependent taphonomic data. The goal is to monitor the lipid profiles over time to establish whether lipids in soil can be used as biomarkers for estimations of the relative stage of decomposition. The investigation will involve lipid extraction and analysis of lipids extracted from soil samples collected from beneath decomposing human remains.

Application of Machine Learning Models to Predict Potato Crop Health

This project aims to apply machine learning in the context of potato farming. By analyzing many previous spectrometer scans of potato plant leaves, models will be developed that can estimate the amount of nutrients in a potato plant based on a single scan. The models produced by this project will help offer a more scalable and economical solution for precisely monitoring potato crops. This will provide a way for farmers to assess plant health much more quickly in the field, which in turn allows them to use resources such as fertilizer and water in a more targeted and efficient way.

Effects of Probiotics on Anxiety and ADHD in Children

The Probiotics and Mental Health Research Lab in the Psychology Department at Acadia University is currently involved in exciting and innovative research examining the benefits that probiotics (a type of beneficial bacteria found in the human digestive tract as well as in certain foods) may provide to individuals living with psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD. While it is already well documented that probiotics promote good digestive health, less is known about the effects of probiotics on psychological health. Lallemand Health Solutions has recently developed a technique to microencapsulate probiotic bacteria so that they are better able to survive stomach acids on their way to the intestines where they exert their beneficial effects. Dr. Susan Potter and Acadia graduate student, Anne Baccardax, plan to investigate the effectiveness of Lallemand’s “Probio’Stick”, a probiotic supplement, in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and ADHD in children. These mental health conditions can significantly impact a child’s quality of life. Research demonstrating that probiotics are an effective and natural treatment for these conditions could lead to tremendous benefits for these children.

Biobased Polyurethane Composites Comprised of Lignin derivatives

Polyurethanes are an important class of synthetic polymers with widespread applications in consumer products. The origins of most of these products are derived from petrochemicals, and these traditional polymers are non-degradable and have limited recyclable potential. There is a need in this industry to endorses the practice of conserving resources, minimizing the environmental, health impacts of plastics products, and the development and application of bioderived polymers instead of those derived from fossil fuels. The proposed are aimed to developed more sustainable polyurethane composites by incorporating derivatized lignin or its by-products which is obtained as waster biomass. The aforementioned polyurethane composites is useful for the partner organization (Evoco Ltd) as base material for the fabrication of consumer products, such as for footwear, synthetic leather, upholstery and automotive parts.

A Viable Scalable Electrochemical System for Highly Selective CO2 Electroreduction to Formate at High Current Densities

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, is a major scientific concern to tackle climate change. One promising method is to convert CO2 into fuels via electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECR). Nonetheless, several challenges remain before this technology can be scaled up and commercialized, including achieving a high selectivity, current density (i.e., reaction rate), and long-term stability. This project aims to address these problems by developing novel indium-based catalysts using simple synthesis methods. The primary goal of this project is to comprehend the relationship between catalyst structure and catalytic performance. The system will be optimized for formate production at a current density of 1 A/cm2 and a Faradaic efficiency (i.e., selectivity) greater than 90% and will be tuned to ensure stability for at least 100 hours. The system will then be investigated and optimized at scaled-up electrochemical systems to enhance its reliability for industrialization.

Understanding the Professional Well-being of Early Childhood Professionals in Nova Scotia

Early childhood educators are a crucial element of children’s early learning and child care experiences. The state of their well-being is known to influence the quality of care and influence retention/turnover within the field. The early childhood education field in Nova Scotia has experienced considerable changes over the last few years, with the implementation of new early childhood programs in schools, the adoption of a new curriculum framework, COVID-19, and the new bi-lateral child care funding announcement. This research aims to gain an understanding of the current status of the well-being of early childhood professionals in Nova Scotia using a cross-sectional online survey with a validated well-being scale and open-ended questions. Overall, it seeks to explore the current state of professional well-being among early childhood professionals in Nova Scotia.
The focus of the proposed internships is to create a better understanding of the different well-being profiles of early childhood educators in the province and the ways their background experiences may affect their well-being. …