Innovative Projects Realized

Designing cross-species-reactive compact promoters for targeting specific cell types in the body

The interns will first conduct market research to determine the demands of the current life sciences industry, including pharmaceutical companies, gene therapy development companies, and companies that offer transgenic animal models. With this data, the interns will work together using a proprietary machine-learning algorithm from Re:Pair Genomics to design a catalog of 5-10 different compact, synthetic DNA sequences used to target different brain cells, heart cells, and cancer cells. These DNA sequences are predicted as compactible with mice, monkeys, and humans. These synthetic sequences will be tested at a wet lab facility at Re:Pair Genomics, and the data will be used to refine the software model. In addition, the interns will work with legal experts to search for various IP strategies and the patentability of these synthetic DNA sequences. Re:Pair Genomics will then commercialize this catalog of synthetic DNA sequences for research in the life sciences and gene therapy field.

ContactNB/UNB AI Efficiency Project for the NB Contact Centre Industry

The McKenna Institute and ContactNB are collaborating on an initiative to promote AI adoption and responsible use within New Brunswick’s contact centre industry, aiming to enhance productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability by supporting SMEs with AI integration, workforce training, academic collaboration, and attracting investment in the business services sector.

Residual Stress Dynamics: Bridging the Gap Between Manufacturing Heterogeneity and Shakedown Relaxation

This research project investigates how residual stress heterogeneity generated during manufacturing affects the performance and durability of gears, which are critical components in power transmission systems. When properly controlled, residual stresses can improve fatigue resistance and extend the service life of mechanical parts. However, their behavior of relaxation during the early stages of operation is still poorly understood.
The project focuses on understanding how manufacturing-induced residual stress heterogeneity influences stress redistribution during gear operation, a process known as shakedown. By combining experimental techniques such as X-ray diffraction, topography evaluation, mechanical properties, and mechanical testing, the project aims to generate new insights that can improve the design and production of more reliable components.
The research supports advancements in strategic sectors like electric mobility and wind energy, where gears face increasing mechanical demands. Conducted in partnership between the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA, Brazil) and ÉTS Montréal (Canada), the project promotes international collaboration and contributes to the global effort to develop sustainable and efficient mechanical systems.

Multi-Modal Data Fusion for Satellite Based Analysis Ready Surface Reflectance

Optical satellite imagery used for monitoring the Earth’s dynamic surface is frequently limited by persistent cloud cover. This creates significant data gaps and inconsistencies in daily surface reflectance products. This project aims to advance how we combine optical data with different data modalities that can see through clouds, like active radar and passive microwave data. By leveraging these multi-modal datasets together, we can fill in the cloudy regions and make Planet’s “Planet Fusion” product — which provides a daily, complete picture of the Earth’s surface — even more accurate and reliable. For Planet, this means providing customers with better quality, uninterrupted data, helping to expand their services, particularly in areas often covered by clouds. Ultimately, this work will improve the quality of information provided by Planet Fusion for monitoring land surface changes irrespective of cloud cover conditions.

Development of Mechanochromic Cellulose Films for Damage-Indicating Packaging

This project will develop color-changing films made from plant-based cellulose that can show visible signs when packaging is damaged. These smart films are designed to respond to pressure or impact by changing color, making it easier to detect if a product has been dropped or crushed during transport. The focus is on using sustainable materials and safe chemical methods to create reliable damage indicators without electronics. The project will explore how to attach special dyes to cellulose to improve film performance. This work supports new research directions in green materials at both institutions and provides hands-on training in advanced materials design and testing.

Enquête sur la pratique ostéopathique au Canada: Une analyse transversale

Au Canada, environ 8 millions de personnes souffrent ou souffriront de douleur chronique, un nombre en hausse avec le vieillissement de la population. L’ostéopathie, basée sur des techniques manuelles, vise à soulager ces douleurs et améliorer la fonction. Toutefois, l’ostéopathie n’est pas réglementée au Canada, et on en sait peu sur les ostéopathes et leurs patients. Cette étude cherche à recueillir des données sur leurs caractéristiques et leur pratique.
L’enquête OPERA, un questionnaire de 54 questions adapté pour le Canada, sera diffusée aux ostéopathes entre août et décembre 2025. La promotion se fera via les associations professionnelles, les écoles et les réseaux sociaux.
Les résultats pourraient influencer la pratique, la formation et la collaboration entre professionnels de la santé mais également favoriser l’accès aux soins pour la population.

Throughput Optimization of Paint Shop Operations in Aerospace

Airbus Helicopters Canada’s one of the main important activities is to serve the Canadian market in helicopter completion and customization of civil and parapublic helicopters, including private, corporate, EMS, law enforcement, firefighting, search and rescue, oil & gas, utility, and tourism. With the recent orders from Ontario Government and other customers, the production capacity is expected to double within the next two year. In helicopter completion, the paint shop process particularly creates challenges in terms of bottlenecks and high turnaround times. This process is particularly challenging to tackle due to specific constraints in paint applications, process time variability, as well as the need to use insulated paint room, causing limitations in achieving continuous operation flow. The objective of this project is to provide new facility design for paint shop process to achieve continuous flow and reduce the turnaround times from 6 weeks to 3 weeks. To achieve this objective a simulation-optimization approach will be implemented. The final recommendation of this work will lead to an updated production system design that is capable of meeting delivery targets in a cost efficient manner.

Développement d’une plateforme interactive de diagnostic durable basée sur des agents conversationnels guidés par des modèles causaux et des LLMs.

Ce projet vise à aider les petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) à mieux comprendre et améliorer leurs pratiques de développement durable. Pour cela, nous allons créer une application web interactive qui permet aux entreprises de répondre oralement à un questionnaire. Grâce à l’intelligence artificielle, les réponses seront automatiquement analysées et résumées. L’application pourra ensuite proposer des recommandations personnalisées pour améliorer les pratiques environnementales, sociales et économiques de l’entreprise. Le partenaire, CAE Laprade, utilise déjà un programme appelé PROAction pour accompagner les PME. Ce projet leur permettra d’automatiser et de rendre plus accessible ce service, tout en conservant une approche humaine. Il contribuera à accélérer la transition durable des PME québécoises, tout en positionnant le Canada comme un leader de l’IA éthique et responsable.

Oi Marketing

Oi Marketing is a dynamic digital marketing agency supporting small and medium-sized businesses in achieving their growth goals through tailored marketing strategies. The organization faces a critical innovation challenge: staying ahead of rapid changes in digital marketing technologies and consumer behaviors while scaling its capacity to serve diverse clients efficiently. To address this, Oi Marketing requires a project that goes beyond its routine operations and focuses on designing new processes, tools, and content strategies that enhance client engagement and operational efficiency. This intern will contribute by researching innovative approaches to local SEO, transitioning client websites to Google Analytics 4 for advanced data tracking, and developing structured workflows for content creation. These activities demand expertise in digital marketing concepts, SEO practices, website analytics, and a strong ability to synthesize information into actionable strategies. Their work will enable Oi Marketing to streamline services and provide higher-impact marketing solutions for clients.

Real-Time Monitoring of Antioxidant Degradation in Lubricants

This project aims to improve how we monitor the condition of lubricating oils used in engines, turbines, and other critical industrial systems. These oils rely on antioxidants to prevent chemical breakdown. When the antioxidants degrade, it can cause equipment damage, costly downtime, and environmental harm.
To address this challenge, researchers at Carleton University, in collaboration with international academic partners, including V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, are developing a next-generation optical sensor. This device uses Raman spectroscopy, enhanced by nanomaterials, to detect early molecular changes in oil that are invisible to conventional methods.
The innovation will support Canadian industries, such as energy, aerospace, and defense, by improving maintenance strategies, reducing waste, and enhancing system reliability. At the same time, the project fosters global research collaboration by bringing students from Ukraine and potentially other European countries to Canada, promoting shared expertise in clean technology, sensing, and advanced materials.

Smash and Tess Dreamwear Inc.

Smash + Tess Dreamwear Inc. is a Vancouver-designed, North American-made apparel company that has gained a cult-like following for its signature Rompers and commitment to sustainability. As a brand that prioritizes slow fashion and community connection, Smash + Tess has successfully built a loyal customer base; however, it now faces the innovation challenge of scaling its digital presence to reach new audiences and remain competitive in an ever-changing e-commerce landscape. With the rapid evolution of digital platforms and consumer behaviors, traditional marketing tactics are no longer sufficient to drive growth. This project seeks to explore and implement innovative digital marketing strategies that go beyond day-to-day operations by designing data-informed campaigns, testing emerging content channels, and refining customer acquisition approaches.

L2M Lensx AI wearable glass for the visually impaired

LensX: Empowering Independence for the Blind through AI Wearable Smart Glasses

LensX is an AI-powered assistive technology designed to support blind and low-vision individuals in navigating the world more independently. The project uses a combination of real-time computer vision and voice-based AI to help users identify their surroundings, read text, recognize objects, and receive auditory guidance all hands-free.

This project aims to develop and test a mobile-based MVP that will later integrate with wearable hardware. By collaborating with the visually impaired community, we hope to create a solution that is not only technically advanced, but also practical, respectful, and truly useful.

LensX is built with the belief that vision loss shouldn’t limit independence and this project is a step toward making that belief a reality.