Innovative Projects Realized

Ground validation of aerial detection technology to determine urban forest tree health for use in municipal urban forestry programs

The use of aerial drone sensing (remote piloted aerial surveillance) technologies has greatly expanded over the last decade into the agriculture/forestry, construction, mining, engineering/surveying, and public safety sectors. One such area of growth has been in the detection and assessment of plant condition and health in the agriculture and forestry industries. The use of this technology has the potential of providing improved the efficiency and effectiveness of the management of insect and disease pests in municipal urban forestry programs. The purpose of this project is to determine the effectiveness of remote based multispectral technologies using drones to identify the presence of Dutch elm disease (DED) in elm trees in the City of Winnipeg. Speed and the ability to cover large areas through disease detection surveys afforded by remotely piloted aircraft systems surveillance would be useful in charting the spread of the disease in urban neighbourhoods, and allow implementation of control methods within shorter time frames.

Analyse structurelle et quantitative de l’ABS post-consommation et recyclé par spectroscopie infrarouge.

Ce projet de recherche est intimement lié à la diversification de la technologie de recyclage de Polystyvert, afin de s’étendre à d’autres plastiques de la famille du polystyrène, comme l’ABS. Durant ce procédé, le plastique contaminé provenant du consommateur est mis au contact d’un solvant qui a pour but de le solubiliser, puis d’un autre, appelé anti-solvant, pour le précipiter. La connaissance précise des motifs d’acrylonitrile, de butadiène et de styrène présents dans l’ABS de post-consommation, et recyclé, est essentielle pour l’élaboration d’un procédé efficace. Ce projet de recherche consiste donc en l’élaboration d’une méthode sensible et robuste de dosage par spectroscopie infrarouge. L’impact des contaminants tels que les pigments, retardateur de flammes, etc, présent dans les déchets prétrier devront être évalué, et pris en compte pour l’optimisation de la méthode.

Simulation-based study on seaport-rail intermodal transportation toward port capacity efficiency and GHG emissions reduction

Ports play a pivotal role in the operations of global supply chains but face critical challenges such as increased congestion in cargo flows and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. A promising solution avenue is a better integration of port operations with land-based transportation networks, especially rail transportation. Such endeavour requires advanced operations management of port capacity in order to increase the efficiency of intermodal operations (port-rail) and reduce its carbon footprint. This project aims to develop a simulation approach capable of evaluating the efficiency gains and greenhouse gas emission levels of various scenarios aiming improvements to the intermodal transport system and thus support port’s decision-makers.

Novel Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven wearable device for continuous vital sign monitoring

Wearable medical devices (SWDs) are emerging as powerful patient monitoring and data collections tools. These smart, multiplexed devices allow us to quantify dynamic biological signals in real time through highly sensitive and miniaturized biosensors. SWDs can enable monitoring at risk patients at home, diagnosing early disease progression, and reducing healthcare expenditures by means of prediction and prevention of disease. Company X has developed a novel Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven wearable device that detects, and monitors blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure all at a single point of contact at the wrist called AI-Vital. The general aim of the proposed research is to perform pre-clinical safety testing for this AI-powered medical device to drive it forward towards US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) / Health Canada regulatory approval.

Modeling of Currency Trading Markets and Pricing their Derivatives in Markov-modulated Environment

The proposed research project, undertaken by the intern, is devoted to the modeling of currency trading markets and their derivatives in Markov-modulated environment and possible creation proprietary algorithm trading software for this case with EUR/USD as a trading model. The research covered by these activities will include the development of the domestic and foreign equity and commodity markets and their prices of risk in Markov-modulated environment, and also possible creation proprietary algorithm trading software with underlying EUR/USD as a trading model. The research proposal is new and important not only from theoretical but also from practical point of views, and cover current gap in research and algorithm trading software.

Preclinical assessment of the novel compound d-Govadine as a treatment for cognitive impairment in psychiatric disorders

Cognitive impairment is a debilitating feature of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, substance use disorders (SUD), depression and Alzheimer’s disease. There is a significant need for treatments targeting key cognitive deficits including working memory and behavioral flexibility, and the development of these therapeutics have the potential for broad clinical use in psychiatry. d-Govadine (d-GOV) is a novel, plant-derived compound that has been shown in rodent studies to facilitate and restore these key cognitive functions that are impaired in schizophrenia and SUD. Although the mechanism of d-GOV is unclear, it appears to uniquely modulate dopamine signaling in the prefrontal cortex. The aim of this project is to investigate the mechanism of action of d-GOV and its safety, absorption and metabolism in the body, critical information for submitting an investigational new drug (IND) application to advance d-GOV to clinical trials. This preclinical assessment is made possible by partnering with Resilience Biosciences Inc, which in turn enables them to submit an IND application for d-GOV.

Gestion active de batteries, recharge, et gestion thermique intelligentes pour véhicules sport récréatifs électriques en contexte nordique

Ce projet porte sur le développement de méthodes et stratégies intelligentes pour la gestion énergétique, la recharge et la gestion thermique pour les véhicules sport récréatifs ou véhicules tout terrain VTT. Le projet cherche entre autres à améliorer les performances du système et à faciliter la transition des véhicules actuellement propulsés par moteurs à combustion interne (ICE) vers des systèmes complètement électriques. Le projet permettra au partenaire industriel Theron d’intégrer la technologie proposée dans les nouvelles versions de son modèle de véhicule tout terrain REEVER. Les résultats du projet bénéficieront la communauté canadienne sur le plan environnemental via la réduction des émissions, et sur le plan économique par le développement d’une technologie canadienne promue par une entreprise québécoise. Enfin, le projet permettra la formation de main-d’oeuvre hautement qualifiée en électronique de puissance et de commande, un domaine clé pour la transition énergétique.

Use of UHPC as a building material in Northern climates

In this project different UHPC mixes will be proposed and tested for mechanical and physical material properties when subjected to extreme cold temperatures. The mixes which meet the required properties and are most economical will be used for further structural wall panel testing and will be proposed to the company. The proposed concrete mix will be used to build insulated sandwich wall panel specimens and structural strength test will be conducted on them. The results of this research will be provided to the company and help them in finding the most cost efficient, durable and lightweight sandwich wall panels solution for mass production in modular housing.
The partner organization will use the proposed UHPC mix in sandwich wall panel production which will ultimately be used in northern climates. Usually, UHPC mixes are proprietary and expensive to purchase but accessing to a UHPC mix design through research collaboration with UNB will be very economical for the company. In addition, by using UHPC instead of traditional normal weight concrete amount of material, volume and weight will be reduced resulting in less transportation cost and lifting and moving costs during assembly.

Marketing Development – Renewable Hybrid Power Plant

Renewable hybrid power plants are in the research stages. We feel we are able to design a perpetual (24 hours, 7 days a week guaranteed) renewable power plant that can be easily dispatchable.

The marketing development intern will be working on getting this project market ready. We are needing to create a website with supportive interesting content. We are also needing to do outreach and find out what consumers (project developers and utility companies) are looking for. Progress with CIPO (Canadian Intellectual Property Office) will also be of focus for this intern in efforts to advance the patent process.

Trends in marine mammal mortality in British Columbia: evaluating ecosystem health, disease transmission, and human-marine mammal interactions

Human, marine mammal, and ocean health are all interconnected. Consequently, studying the health of marine mammals provides information about human and ocean health. The focus of this project is to use existing data on marine mammal disease and mortality to document land to sea disease transmission, geographic spread of disease within the marine ecosystem, and to evaluate negative human interactions with marine mammals. Better understanding marine mammal health will provide needed data about diseases that co-infect humans and marine mammals and help inform future decisions about marine mammal management and conservation

Leavitt Machinery – Marketing & Sales Intern-Shaun & William

This internship project will be exponential in expanding the brand name and the customer base. The interns will conduct market and comparative research and will develop further relationships by contacting prospective qualifying clients. In addition, the project involves conducting a market search to identify and compare various costs of machinery parts. The interns leading this project will collaborate with and report to the Marketing Manager and will be exposed to learning that involves liaising with external suppliers and partners. Interns will gain expertise in working with CRM software, MS Office, and Outlook while being exposed to a hybrid and diverse work schedule.

Cowry Cabinets Inc – Software Developer & Graphic Designer Internship-Kevin

This project will develop new applications and services for our clients and company and will help develop its software and visual representation, which will lead to providing better services and, of course, generate more sales. There is a need to create a viable sales system and redesign a few virtual showrooms.
Having a competitive website, that uses new digital media with redesigned visual effects, and developing a platform for the Internet of Things, will support our overall development. The intern will utilize their experience to build reporting capabilities with the web service design and development and will gain hands-on experience by integrating software programs and third-party programs. In addition, the student will learn how to liaise with external suppliers and partners as required and will have a chance to gain expertise working extensively with C, Node.js, PHP, SQL, Json, jQuery, Bootstrap, Rest API, Entity Framework and also the ability to work remotely and in-office work settings.