Innovative Projects Realized

Explore thousands of successful projects resulting from collaboration between organizations and post-secondary talent.

29670 Completed Projects

2811
AB
4990
BC
801
MB
663
NL
825
SK
8841
ON
9197
QC
95
PE
568
NB
1088
NS

Projects by Category

Ayrton Energy Inc. – Meg Steeves

Current EV charging systems are forecasted to create a strain on the electrical grid system that will require large capital projects to upgrade by utilities and municipalities to manage. This project will be focused on customer discovery and market analysis of an new off-grid EV charging and energy storage system. The resulting data will be integrated into future product development and business strategy. The market research will be specifically used to identify features that key customer demographics need, and what features will be integrated into the engineering design.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Martin Halek

Student:

Partner:

Ayrton Energy

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

Manufacturing; Utilities

University:

University of Calgary

Program:

Business Strategy Internship

Optimizing encoder configuration for real time video transcoding

An advanced video encoder (e.g., HEVC, AVC), has many encoding configuration parameters. Encoding “presets” set the values of certain codec parameters and thus facilitated configuring the encoder. The goal of this project is to develop a computationally efficient learning-based approach to make a run-time decision on the encoder’s optimal preset configuration to achieve the best quality for a given bit rate. Since different presets have different transcoding time for different videos, we will develop a machine learning method to estimate the transcoding time for a video segment based on its content for different presets. We will also predict the Rate-Distortion (R-D) characteristics of the video segment for each preset. This way, without transcoding, we will have quality-bit rate-computation time information about a video segment. We will use the quality-bit rate-computation time information to maximize the quality of the transcoded video segment while maintaining a real time performance.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Shahram Shirani

Student:

Partner:

Amazon Canada

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Information and cultural industries

University:

McMaster University

Program:

Accelerate

E-commerce Process Engineer Intern

To enable economic recovery and growth by assisting Alberta small and medium-sized businesses to participate in e-commerce that is designed to meet their needs. ACC has developed a new tool to connect and support employers across a variety of sectors with an innovative e-commerce platform that not only supports SMEs in getting their products or services to market, but also provides the connections, tools and resources businesses need to succeed. This modern business hub will foster businesses to grow their network, access partnerships, receive discounts, find and post jobs, and participate in research opportunities providing insights that support their business. Mitacs student, Logan Travis, will be deeply involved in the development of solutions and the creation of demonstrations that will catch the imagination of Alberta businesses, while being engaged in a work-integrated learning opportunity that delivers the project objective, develops work-relevant skills and supports transition to the labor market.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Ying Tsui

Student:

Partner:

Alberta Chambers of Commerce

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Information and cultural industries; Management of companies and enterprises; Other services (except public administration)

University:

University of Alberta

Program:

Business Strategy Internship

Body pose estimation using Mocap data acquisition

Recent advances in wearable devices have allowed athletes to monitor some determinant factors of their sport performance. In addition, they can be used to develop real-time 3D avatars of people to compete with them during dynamic activities. Kinetyx recently developed insoles with multiple sensors that can be worn within a shoe while performing many activities. These sensors can monitor the loading and kinematics of individuals during outdoor activities as well as identify the type of activity. Using these insoles added to other body-worn IMUs, we will develop algorithms that can reconstruct the personalized avatars of individuals during these outdoor activities using an artificial intelligence approach. These avatars are finally aimed to be used for several purposes such as real-time feedback to athletes, improving their performance and preventing injuries.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Philippe Pasquier

Student:

Partner:

Kinetyx

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Arts, entertainment and recreation; Manufacturing

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program:

Accelerate

Sensible, and Sprayable Antifouling Coatings

This project aims to develop sprayable coatings to prevent the prevent the attachment of bacteria on tables, door handles and other countertops. This will be obtained by modifying the surface with natural materials (such as vitamin B5 mimicking polymers and cellulose nanocarriers) that can deter bacterial attachment upon contact. The spray coated surfaces will sense the bacterial adhesion on the surface and will undergo color change, indicating the surface fouling and need to reapply the coating on the surface as needed.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Marya Ahmed

Student:

Partner:

TuniStrong Inc.

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

University of Prince Edward Island

Program:

Accelerate

R134a replacement in a refrigeration unit of water dispenser

Major efforts have been undertaken to reduce ozone depletion substances (ODS) used in refrigeration systems such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFC). Among them, R134a will be progressively banned from most refrigeration units. The present project focuses on the R134a replacement in a refrigeration unit based on a vapour-compression cycle of a water cooler/dispenser. Water dispenser is a growing market especially in North America. To stay competitive while meeting the various regulations, R134a should be replaced by a more environmentally friendly refrigerant able to provide comparable even higher energetic performances. To achieve that general objective, a subjective multicriteria method will be used to select the best candidate. Then a combined thermodynamic / experimental analysis will be performed to quantify the performance of the refrigeration unit working with the new refrigerant and optimize it. The final prototype should meet the specifications imposed by Energy Star 3.0.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Sébastien Poncet

Student:

Partner:

Les Produits Thermo-Concepts Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

Université de Sherbrooke

Program:

Accelerate

The Winnipeg Boldness Project Accountability Framework

The Winnipeg Boldness Project (“Boldness”) is a social innovation initiative working towards a Bold Goal: Children and families in Point Douglas will experience dramatically improved wellbeing in all aspects of self: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Over the past eight years, the Project’s Accountability Framework has been based on the idea that Boldness’ highest level of accountability is to Point Douglas community residents, families, and their children. This guiding principle is understood at every level of the Project’s governance. This work area involves continued engagement with four Guide Groups: a Parent Guide Group; Research and Evaluation Guide Group; Community Leadership Guide Group; and Traditional Knowledge Keepers Guide Group. In addition to the four Guide Groups, they also have a Stewardship Group and Funders Table for oversight and strategic direction. This Mitacs project, a collaboration between the Winnipeg Boldness project, Social Innovation Canada, and the University of Winnipeg, will explore how accountability and governance based on relationships has contributed to the success of Boldness.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jaime Cidro

Student:

Partner:

Social Innovation Canada

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education; Other services (except public administration)

University:

University of Winnipeg

Program:

Business Strategy Internship

Parallel Operation of Grid-Forming Inverter Systems Considering DC-Side Dynamics

Renewable energy resources such as wind and solar power are often tied to the grid using dc-ac power-electronic converters. Unlike large power plants, these sources of energy have a dispersed nature, i.e., they are comprised on many small units that are operated in parallel to form a large power plant. This project deals with investigating the dynamics of these highly sophisticated, paralleled sources, their modeling, and control interactions. In particular, the project will consider the implications of paralleling and the impact these sources have on the dc side of the converters. Mathematical modeling, detailed computer simulations, and real-time hardware-in-loop setups will be used to approach and solve these issues.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Shaahin Filizadeh

Student:

Partner:

Manitoba Hydro International Ltd

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services; Utilities

University:

University of Manitoba

Program:

Accelerate

Developing sustainable GFRC cladding panels for resilient buildings

Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) panels are a lightweight cladding panels primarily used as fascia panels in building structures. Concrete when reinforced with fibers is often presented as an environmental improvement on typical concrete. In the wake of the rapidly emerging climate change emergency and to help improve resiliency in our residential buildings, the National Research Council, Canada has introduced guidelines in the National Building Code (2025) for climate-resilient construction to withstand extreme weather events. The local construction industry along with the University of British Columbia
(UBC) sees value to the local construction industry to develop new sustainable building components for resilient infrastructures. This work aims to develop cost-effective and environment-friendly GFRP panels with adequate strength and durability.. The partner organization can utilize the research findings to develop green and durable GFRC panels as a sustainable solution to building projects.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Shahria Alam

Student:

Partner:

Urban Concrete

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

The University of British Columbia - Okanagan

Program:

Accelerate

Discrete Rate and Event Simulation in the Automation Development of Mines

The mining industry is undergoing a tremendous revolution, as an increasing number of components are being automated, which presents unresolved engineering challenges. The current proposal is to develop quantitative frameworks to evaluate modern control and automation strategies, simulating the impacts of uncertainty in ore tonnages and system-wide automated responses that would mitigate these impacts. The proposed framework considers flows of material, energy and information, including continuous flows represented by discrete rates, as well as intermittently discrete flows, represented by discrete events. Moreover, this combination of Discrete Rate Simulation (DRS) and Discrete Event Simulation (DES) will be extended in confronting the opportunities and risks that constitute the automation of the Devlin Mine, owned by Dore Copper. This mine has a favourable orebody geometry to become a relatively low-risk testbed for technology and automation strategies. The proposed quantitative methods will complement and enable the developments at Devlin, which can then be adapted to the other nearby mines that are owned by Dore Copper, which may become leading examples for other mines throughout Canada, and internationally.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Alessandro Navarra;Ilija Miskovic

Student:

Partner:

Doré Copper Mining Corp.

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Mining

University:

McGill University; The University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

Characterization of cell migration in response to benvitimod and its stabilized derivative INPS1001

Skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema are common and cause discomfort in skin lesions. Psoriasis is a chronic disease with cycles of unknown triggers. Currently treatments for psoriasis are very limited. A special bacterium-produced compound called benvitimod has demonstrated effects on treating both psoriasis and eczema by suppressing inflammation and promoting cell migration. However, benvitimod is unstable for topical use. A chemically modified benvitimod derivative, INPS1001 , is stable for topical application and has demonstrated effects in treating eczema. This Mitac Accelerate program will seek the molecular fundamentals of such an effect by examining the cell migration rate difference between benvitimod and INPS1001 . The obtained information will help understand how INPS1001 exhibits its healing power and help to discover other suitable diseases that INPS1001 could treat.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Bingyun Sun

Student:

Partner:

PL Laboratories Inc.

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program:

Accelerate

Environmental and genetic impacts on the colour stability of red lentil flour for food-product processing

This project is in response to an immediate market opportunity that shows an increasing demand for pulse-based flours as a substitute for animal protein and or for gluten-free diets. A strong red-orange color in products containing lentil flour is a current market demand. We will establish important characteristics in lentil varieties under field conditions, as well as influencing environmental effects, that can give the desired colour in food products. We will also optimize a quick test for predicting the best red colour in final product, at the milled-flour stage. We will leverage the data collection and collaboration with an existing project at USask for conducting field experiments over two years at two different locations (Canada and Italy). In our partnership with the Food Centre, our intern will process samples from the field trial at their facilities and combine them will field information, that will benefit the production of red lentil flour products with the desired red color.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Kirstin Bett;Ana Vargas

Student:

Partner:

Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program:

Accelerate