Innovative Projects Realized

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

31620 Completed Projects

2978
AB
5221
BC
856
MB
696
NL
899
SK
9419
ON
9858
QC
98
PE
619
NB
1192
NS

Projects by Category

Understanding juvenile salmon passage at newly created breaches in two major barriers in the Fraser River estuary, BC.

Estuaries are crucial stopover areas for juvenile salmon during outmigration and especially for Chinook salmon who can reside in this habitat for over a month. Many populations of Chinook salmon from the Pacific Northwest are threatened and endangered making conservation important for this species. Currently, managers are investing significant public funds in estuary restoration and understanding the effectiveness of these investments is crucial to recovery of many salmon populations. This research will provide a greater understanding of the benefit of two large projects to restore connectivity in the Fraser estuary, BC, and area highly impacted by anthropogenic barriers. This research will monitor juvenile salmon use of newly created breaches in two large jetties including measuring rates of passage at breach sites as well as investigating local changes in juvenile salmon habitat use. This information will help government managers and NGO’s in there future efforts to restore salmon populations in this region.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Scott Hinch

Student:

Partner:

Ducks Unlimited Canada (BC)

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Finance and Insurance; Other services (except public administration); Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

Identification of early markers of developmental epigenetic anomalies in bovine production

Bovine production uses a combination of Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ARTs) to improve yield and reduce generation time. In bovine production and in clinical settings, ARTs are associated with elevated rates of developmental disorders in offspring, leading to animal distress, high costs and delayed results. These include Large Offspring Syndrome (LOS) and musculoskeletal anomalies, reported to have a higher prevalence in ART, and are thought to be in part the result of defects in genomic imprinting or other epigenetic disorders. At Boviteq, in vitro produced (IVP) blastocysts undergo a series of morphological and genetic screens to select for embryos with the highest potential. Despite these precautions, < 2% of calves are born with perinatal anomalies. Here, we propose to use a combination of high throughput sequencing approaches in normal and abnormal perinatal samples and in blastocysts to identify epigenetic loci that could be indicative of adverse outcomes. In addition, we will use combined transcriptomic and epigenomic approaches in single blastocysts to generate a transcriptional signature associated with normal or abnormal epigenetic marking at these loci. Through the identification of proxy markers associated with a suboptimal epigenome in the blastocyst, we hope to improve the selection of high-quality IVP embryos

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Faculty Supervisor:

Julie Brind’Amour

Student:

Partner:

L'Alliance Boviteq Inc

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Université de Montréal

Program:

Accelerate

Improving the performance of manufacturing processes at GE Bromont by using artificial intelligence and pattern recognition

The products manufactured at GE Bromont go through a series of processes that produce the specific characteristics of each product according to required specifications. The number of these characteristics is very large, and several characteristics are dependent on the others. This reality makes the use of traditional statistical techniques for quality control of products laborious and possibly ineffective.
The objective of this research is to improve the performance of manufacturing processes at GE Bromont to increase the number of final products that meet specifications without having to go through non-value-added steps, and to reduce the number of products’ rejects or rework.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Soumaya Yacout

Student:

Partner:

GEC Aviation inc

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing and Construction; Artificial Intelligence; Advanced Manufacturing

University:

Polytechnique Montréal

Program:

Accelerate

Improving performance of recycled asphalt applications with bitumen and asphaltenes mix

New innovative technology is proposed for Recycled Asphalt Shingles (RAS) to produce cold mix asphalt (CMA) for dust control in unpaved roads. This novel method will design a mix of bitumen/RAS/water emulsions that break in a controlled manner upon field application. The effect of asphaltenes, petroleum solvents, emulsifier type, concentration and properties, and the preparation conditions, such as agitation speed, temperature, and the order in which components are added on the performance of the emulsions will be evaluated. Considering the large amount of asphalt shingles and residual feedstock in Canada, the success of this project helps Synchor Recycling Inc.
to commercialize this technology and sell a high price RAS-based cold mix which will increase their revenue that can later be leveraged to further advance this project. Further, the project turns solid waste, like asphalt shingles, into value added product, thus making the RAS process sustainable and environmentally friendly.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Nashaat Nassar

Student:

Partner:

Synchor Recycling Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

University:

University of Calgary

Program:

Accelerate

Using high-throughput mapping techniques to reveal mechanisms of vocal learning

Understanding how humans and non-human animals communicate with each other continues to be a central question in neuroscience. Songbirds serve as powerful animal models for this endeavor because they learn their vocalizations (“songs”) in a manner that resembles how humans learn to speak and because vocal learning in songbirds is regulated by discrete brain circuits that are analogous to brain areas implicated in speech acquisition in humans. We propose to take advantage of a novel, high-throughput, and barcode-based sequencing technique called MAPseq (Multiplexed Analysis of Projections by Sequencing) to simultaneously map the projections of thousands of individual neurons in the songbird brain. Our analyses will target a brain region (“RA”) that plays a central role in vocal learning and performance in songbirds. The direct projection from RA to a hindbrain area for vocal control (“nXIIts”) is observed only in bird species that evolved the ability to learn their vocalizations and, thus, implicated in the evolution of vocal learning. [Comparative studies in mammals also underscore the importance of a direct cortical-hindbrain projection for vocal learning.]

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jon Sakata

Student:

Partner:

Johns Hopkins University

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Life Sciences (not health); Biotechnology

University:

McGill University

Program:

Globalink Research Award

Development of an Integral Strategy for Model-based Dose Adaptation in Chemotherapy Year Two

Drug models describe the relationship between exposure (or pharmacokinetics), response (or pharmacodynamics) for both desired and undesired effects, and individual patient characteristics. In this project, drug models will be used to propose an integrated dose adaption strategy for cancer treatment. This strategy has a particular clinical value for our partner (InVentiv Health Clinical, a Contract Research Organization) because it would allow to better inform of the drug development process, thus reducing studies´ cost, drug development duration and risks in a long run. Furthermore, there is a potential benefit for cancer patients. An adequate dose adaption strategy would theoretically decrease its associated toxicities and therefore, the “quality of life” of the cancer patient might be deeply improved

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Faculty Supervisor:

Fahima Nekka

Student:

Partner:

inVentiv Health

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

Université de Montréal

Program:

Elevate

Syncrétisme royal et divin dans la numismatique d’Argilos

Bien que les monnaies aient été largement remplacées ces dernières années par des systèmes informatiques sous forme de crédit, l’importance et la valeur d’une unité de transaction restent des éléments de très grande importance, et ce, autant pour nous aujourd’hui que pour les Grecs de l’Antiquité. Les unités de transaction en elles-mêmes datent de plusieurs milliers d’années, et varient dans leurs formes, mais l’utilisation de monnaies en métal, elle, se situe dans le contexte particulier du monde grec archaïque du 7e siècle avant notre ère. Pour ce qui est de mon projet de recherche en lui-même, la problématique s’intéressera à toutes les monnaies découvertes sur le site d’Argilos, puisque l’objectif sera de déterminer les changements distinctifs des représentations royales dans l’ensemble de la période d’occupation d’Argilos, c’est-à-dire entre le 7e siècle et le 4e siècle. Cela peut inclure le style de représentation physique par portrait du dirigeant tout autant que les éléments symboliques pouvant signifier quelconques affiliations du souverain avec une ou des divinité(s).

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jacques Perreault

Student:

Partner:

Université de Patras

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Tourism; Commercial Services; Education

University:

Université de Montréal

Program:

Globalink Research Award

Dealing with the “forever” chemicals: To develop a compact system for the treatment of aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) flush water

The decades of uncontained use of aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) is believed to be one of the main reasons of soil and groundwater per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. PFAS are widely considered to be “forever chemicals” because of their extreme inertness in the environment and even water and wastewater treatment systems. Recognizing the serous environmental and health impacts of PFAS, it is no doubt that existing PFAS-impacted sites should be remediated, and PFAS-containing waste streams should be adequately treated before discharging. The partner (a local airport) is going to upgrade their fire-fighting system with a novel AFFF product that is more environmentally responsible. Thus, a thorough flushing of the system is needed before the new AFFF is introduced into the system. The resultant AFFF flush water will then need to be properly treated, and the RAA is therefore seeking a cost-effective technology for this purpose. This Mitacs Accelerate project will develop and test multiple treatment technologies for AFFF flush water. Techno-economic analyses will help the partner decide the most cost-effective treatment solution for the AFFF flush water issue as well as formulate its long-term strategic plan for future remediation of its AFFF-impacted sites. The technology and findings will

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jinkai Xue

Student:

Partner:

Regina Airport Authority Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Transportation and warehousing

University:

University of Regina

Program:

Accelerate

To promote the environmental stewardship of the aviation industry in the Canadian Prairies: The development of a mobile treatment system for aircraft de-icing fluid waste

The Canadian aviation industry is anxious to recovery from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. More air traveling requires more extensive application of aircraft de-icing fluid (ADF) to ensure aviation safety in freezing seasons. The major ingredients of ADF include anti-freeze agent (ethylene or propylene glycol), corrosive inhibitors, surfactants, pH buffers, polymers, and dyes. These chemicals are environmentally harmful. For example, glycols are detrimental to aquatic life. According to literature, 80% of the applied ADF flows off the aircraft immediately to the airport pavement, becoming aircraft de-icing fluid waste (ADFW). Without proper treatment, ADFW can adversely impact the local environment. Hence, airports are required by regulations to properly handle their ADFW. The partner (an airport) is seeking an adequate treatment to deal with its ADFW on-site. In this project, we are planning to develop a mobile system that integrates membrane-aerated biofilms and membrane bioreactor (MAB-MBR) for the treatment of ADFW. Preliminary experiments will be conducted to evaluate the feasibility of the technology and inform subsequent improvement of the system configuration and operating conditions. The partner will use the resultant knowledge to make evidence-based decision on its long-term ADFW management plan.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jinkai Xue

Student:

Partner:

Regina Airport Authority Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Transportation and warehousing

University:

University of Regina

Program:

Accelerate

Développement d’une technologie propre de comminution pour l’industrie minière : l’électrofracturation à haute puissance pulsée

L’électrofracturation à haute puissance pulsée (HPP) est une technologie permettant de fragmenter des substances rocheuses dans l’eau sous l’effet d’une série d’impulsions électriques de haute puissance. C’est une méthode innovante et non polluante en comparaison aux méthodes de broyage et concassage traditionnelles. L’objectif du projet est de comprendre les mécanismes et interactions des différents paramètres en jeux (caractéristiques du matériel, paramètres opérationnels de l’équipement). Il sera ainsi possible d’optimiser les conditions opératoires appliquées à différents types de matériel provenant de partenaires industriels, et de comparer l’efficacité énergétique de la méthode par rapport aux méthodes traditionnelles. Les résultats permettront le développement d’une base de données indiquant les paramètres optimaux d’opération de l’appareil selon le type de minerai, indiquant l’impact des propriétés physiques et électriques du matériel sur ces paramètres. Ces travaux permettront à l’organisme partenaire de déployer un service de comminution par électrofracturation à HPP à l’ensemble de ses clients et partenaires.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jean-François Blais

Student:

Partner:

Coalia expertise et innovation en technologie minérale et en plasturgie

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Université du Québec : Institut national de la recherche scientifique

Program:

Accelerate

Développement – Mise en application du BIM 4D et 5D sur un projet d’infrastructure civile

La modélisation des données du bâtiment (BIM) présente de nombreux avantages et est un outil nécessaire pour
un virage de l’industrie vers le numérique. Son développement est encore faible dans le génie civil et le
gouvernement a donc présenté une feuille de route avec des cibles à atteindre pour les donneurs d’ouvrages
publics. Pour y répondre, Construction Demathieu & Bard doit également élargir ses connaissances.
L’objectif de ce projet est de mettre en place des méthodes d’utilisation de la maquette 3D en y intégrant le temps
et les coûts (4D et 5D). Cela permettra d’obtenir un phasage des travaux optimisé, d’effectuer des conflits sur
chantier, d’assurer un meilleur suivi budgétaire et de faciliter la communication entre les acteurs du projet.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Érik Andrew Poirier

Student:

Partner:

Construction Demathieu & Bard (CDB) inc

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Construction and infrastructure

University:

École de technologie supérieure

Program:

Accelerate

Sélection et application de composés phénoliques pour réduire la décomposition des sphaignes

Dans le cadre de mon projet de maîtrise, je recherche un produit ayant un contenu élevé en polyphénols qui permettra de renforcer le verrou enzymatique et ainsi diminuer la décomposition de la sphaigne en tourbière exploitée. Comme les sphaignes sont à la base de la formation de tourbe dans les tourbières ombrotrophes, la diminution de leur décomposition permettra d’accroître l’accumulation de tourbe et le stockage de carbone. Les tourbières sont en effet l’un des plus importants puits de carbone sur Terre. Le verrou enzymatique est un concept selon lequel la faible décomposition en tourbière serait causée par l’accumulation de molécules polyphénoliques ayant un pouvoir inhibiteur sur les enzymes de la décomposition. Je m’attends donc à ce que l’ajout de produits polyphénoliques renforcisse le verrou enzymatique et diminue l’activité enzymatique pour permette l’accumulation de la matière organique sous forme de biomasse de sphaignes et diminue les émissions de carbone comme le méthane (CH4) et le dioxyde de carbone (CO2).

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Faculty Supervisor:

Line Rochefort

Student:

Partner:

Bangor University

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

Université Laval

Program:

Globalink Research Award

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Mitacs — Return on Innovation

Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.