Innovative Projects Realized

Climate change design adaptation for the next generation of Canada’s masonry systems

In 2018, the results of a Climate Change Adaptation Standards Inventory Analysis conducted by CSA indicated cavity-wall design as requiring urgent climate change adaptation provisions. Distress in cavity-walls is often attributed to excessive differential movements governed by the drying shrinkage of inner loadbearing concrete masonry members, projected to increase with climate change, producing cracks in outer clay brick veneer and compromising durability – test data are, however, still scarce, preventing climate-adapted and evidence-based design of modern cavity-wall systems from being developed. The proposed project, conducted in partnership with the Canada Masonry Design Centre (CMDC) and the Canadian Concrete Masonry Producers Association (CCMPA) – recognized leaders and references for masonry producers and designers in Canada – is the first attempt to characterize experimentally in a comprehensive and coherent manner the cavity-wall components commonly employed in Canada under both environmental and structural loading conditions, whose results will be used to calibrate numerical models and assess the suitability of evidence-based climate-adapted design options.

Optimization of Virtual Security Elements and Data Synchronization for Optilog Intranet

In this proposal, we aim to develop a secure and cost-effectiveness solution that optimizes and ensures data safety and consistency in the intranet network of Optilog. Unlike existing network security solutions which are mainly hardware-based, we will design a software-defined multi-tenant network solution allowing to select appropriate virtual network functions from different network providers to secure the private network. Our solution can reduce operational costs while satisfying deployment constraints. In the same time, we investigate a data backup approach in the intranet network to guarantee data consistency and safety in the context of multi-database deployment. Our proposed solution will contribute substantially to the successful implementation of a next-generation Optilog intranet which is highly secured and scalable, enabling better management of more than 6,000 websites of construction companies in Québec. Therefore, this project will also contribute significantly to the economic and social development in Québec and Canada.

Bird and small mammal species composition between hardwood retention forest treatment sites in mixed stands.

Birds and small mammals are essential members in maintaining a healthy ecosystem and rely on complex habitat structure, such as a diverse mixture of trees, understory growth, or open patches. I will be identifying bird and small mammal composition in relation to forest stand complexity across various forest harvesting treatments, such as clear-cut and new partial-cut methods (partial retention/shelterwood) and compare these to mature forest (control) patches. In addition to assessing songbird and small mammal composition, I will also assess target guilds for site use, such as owls and woodpeckers. Much of the work will utilize passive acoustic monitoring via autonomous recording units, but I will also employ trail cameras for small mammal assessments as well as conduct focal transect surveys and tracking observations to assess how target birds are utilizing these sites for breeding/foraging. I expect the John Prince Research Forest will be able to better understand the complex bird and small mammal community occupying their forests and can continue to ensure species diversity is remaining high in managed harvest sites while employing novel harvest techniques to adapt to climate change.

AgriFood Hub for East Central Saskatchewan: Cornerstone Credit Union

Cornerstone is taking a leadership role in creating a network within Eastern Saskatchewan that can bring innovators, investors and farmers together to start actioning these problems and solutions. They are looking to operate in the “activation” phase of innovation – helping to get problems and ideas into the hands of the right people or organizations that can collaborate and build the business case or proof concept required to get funding.

Deer Lake Regional Airport Authority New Revenue Stream Project

This project will support the Airport Authority to innovate post-Covid through the introduction of new revenue streams that support diversification of our operation as well as introduce new leading edge opportunities in tourism and air industry best practice evidence. The project will enable us to be viable and expand our offerings in the market and strengthen our market position.

Utilizing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to Improve Agricultural Production in Developing Countries Struggling with Pre and Post Harvest Food Loss

This project aims to bridge Canadian talent with the rapidly growing technology scene in Asia, and vice versa. A huge opportunity – and challenge – that the world faces in the coming years is the issue of feeding the ever increasing global population without harming the environment. Currently, the agricultural industry is failing at this and we are already seeing the consequences this is having on people, especially on those living in underdeveloped and disadvantaged countries. Countries like Canada have the means and potential to play an enourmous role in using emerging technology to help transform the way food is produced and support the global population in a sustainable way.
One of the steps in producing food which needs drastic improvement is harvesting. A lot of food goes wasted simply because farmers don’t know the optimal time to harvest it or are unable to harvest it in time, so it goes bad before ever reaching stores or markets. Additionally, plants may become diseased and this may spread too fast for farmers to realistically save their crops, leading to massive yield losses.

Modélisation des réponses hydrauliques d’arbres en forêt boréale

La forêt boréale joue un rôle crucial dans le cycle du carbone, mais les interactions entre le climat et la végétation au sein de cet écosystème sont peu comprises. De plus, les stratégies hydrauliques des arbres et leur réponse au stress hydrique ne sont pas bien connues, même si elles pourraient fournir de l’information pour améliorer les modèles écosystémiques. Le but du projet est d’utiliser des données récoltées de 3 instruments mesurant la teneur en eau des arbres (sondes diélectriques, dendromètres et sondes à flux de sève) afin de paramétrer le modèle hydraulique FETCH pour des espèces boréales (Finite Difference Ecosystem-Scale Tree Crown Hydrodynamics model) développé par le collaborateur du projet, Gil Bohrer. Ce projet permettra d’avoir un modèle plus précis de la transpiration et du débit d’eau dans les arbres de la forêt boréale afin de quantifier les échanges hydriques entre la biosphère et l’atmosphère ainsi que de mieux comprendre le rôle de l’hydraulique des arbres dans la rétroaction de la forêt boréale sur le changement climatique.

Intensive and Rapid Tech Startup Product Development Experience

StayShure is a rapid startup app development agency. We specialize in using innovative methods to build and release products upto 5x faster than traditional development companies can. In the midst of covid, our market demand has globally increased by about 300%- so we have struggled to keep up with growing our team versus client demand.

While finding developers has not been the most difficult task, finding technically-savvy young leaders who also understand entrepreneurship has been a significant challenge. This trifecta of technical skills, leadership, and startup experience is exactly what SMU is investing in its students in the Masters of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program.

Water Consumption and Wastewater Rebate Project

Appia IoT has developed a “Smart Water” dashboard for users of various industries (residential, commercial, industrial) to monitor
their water’s health and status. An opportunity exists for small and large business to take advantage of local wastewater credits
through remotely collecting water consumption and discharge data. Halifax Water’s wasterwater rebate program is currently
underused by local businesses with no clear reason as to why.

Exploring adverse school experiences among underemployed young adults

This project explores the experiences of adverse school experiences among young adults who are underemployed and residing in a rural region of Southwest Saskatchewan. Adverse school experiences consist of distressing or disturbing experiences occurring within the context of schools or learning activities and can include academic failure, discrimination, or negative interactions with peers or teachers as a result of learning challenges. This study is conducted in partnership with SaskAbilities – Partners in Employment, a nonprofit organization that supports unemployed and underemployed individuals in attaining sustainable employment. This study is interested in exploring adverse school experiences that occurred among the adult participants during their formative years in Kindergarten through Grade 12 public education (K-12). This research assists nonprofit organizations that provide services to underemployed adults in improving access to services, supports, and outcomes for underemployed young adults, as well as to inform inclusive education practices for K-12 educators.

Interactive STEM Learning Platform

The goal of the project is to expedite STEM learning through creating interactive interfaces and activities simulating experiential learning through a digital platform. The online platform will aligns with various ministry of educational expectations as well as maximize the engagement between students and learning. Key activities include understand why certain methodology in various social media platform is more engaging and how can we simulate the same experience on an online learning system.

Developing hardware and software for EarthOne Plant Monitors

Earth One Inc is a Milton, ON, Toronto Based Canadian Startup focused on home sustainability, electronic hardware design, IoT, and automation. The Startup is focused on developing and ideating sustainable innovation to solve home lifestyle issues within the tech space.