Innovative Projects Realized

Reformulation of Electrochemical Sensors for Trace Dissolved Oxygen Monitoring

Electrochemical sensors for monitoring dissolved oxygen levels are commonplace in industrial, research
and regulatory labs. The industrial partner?s commercialized device is capable of real-time monitoring of
O2 at parts-per-billion levels but is interested in reformulating the electrode materials to remove heavy
metals, thereby minimizing negative environmental impact and ensuring sustainability of the technology.
This project will measure and document the characteristics of candidates to replace the heavy metals in
the electrodes while ensuring continued operation at necessary. The project will analyze viable options
for materials to be used as anodes and cathodes, optimize the pairing of anode and cathode materials
together to ensure measurement of O2 at parts-per-billion levels, and compare the outcomes to possible
next-generation optical sensor designs.

Digital Tools and Techniques to Enable Mass Customization of Prefabricated Housing Year Two

The intended research aims at bringing the design and production process of the industry partner, BONE STRUCTURE into a new level of customization, that involves effective homebuyers participation in the design of their homes, using cutting-edge computatioanl design techniques. The customization process is initiated with a layout design; roomblocks modifications, till selection of appliances and systems, via web- based, interactive interface that would engage homebuyers in a designer-customer like dialogue. In that sense, the research project targets devising a methodology for a comprehensive, advanced configuration system that would allow for customization of housing, while maintaining an effective link between design and production data.

Human Resource Expert System: a Help Centre/Inquiry Expert System for Hospitals

Seneca and Trinetra are collaborating to develop a Human Resources (HR) Expert System—a self-service, Artificial Intelligence (AI)–powered application capable of responding to queries or questions from hospital staff by extracting the right answer from relevant sources: collective bargaining agreement, policies, etc., which will be piloted at Markham Stouffville Hospital (MSH). This System will provide an easy access portal for employees to quickly find public-facing information, reducing the repetitive searching for solutions by HR staff, and providing insight into repeated queries by staff to provide companies with a snapshot of employee interests. TriNetra, an expert in multi-platform system deployment, plans to market this to other hospital HR areas, ultimately rolling out to multiple industry segments across Canada and the world.

Using the FRAM to inform autonomous adaptive instructor feedback in lifeboat simulators

This research project focuses on using functional modelling (FRAM) to map trainee-trainer interactions in lifeboat simulators. The functional model will be used as a basis to create a virtual instructor that can provide feedback to trainees autonomously in Virtual Marine’s lifeboat simulators. The research will contribute to improving the
capabilities of Virtual Marine’s lifeboat simulators as well, as their training courses. This work will also contribute to an improvement in offshore safety as it is expected to increase the time to competence for offshore workers who complete these training courses.

Developing an Adaptive Digital Twin for Denture Surface Quality Control during CNC Micro-Milling

We are at the era of precision medicine and dentistry; however, currently the leading-edge technologies used for adaptive milling control and modeling of CNC milling have not entered the micro-scale milling applications in the dental industry. The overall objective of this MITACS project is to utilize an Industry 4.0 based approach to explore characterization parameters that can be specifically used to optimize the surface quality of micro-scale milled dentures in real-time. The desired long-term result of this research program is to create a Canadian innovation in the dental industry that combines micro-milling, artificial intelligence, and informatic systems.

Investigate of implications of atmospheric corrosion on various flanged configurations for pipelines and process equipment

Atmospheric corrosion, commonly known as weathering is among the leading causes of infrastructure degradation. The extent of atmospheric corrosion becomes more concerning when it triggers localized and non-linear metal loss rates. One such scenario is the localized corrosion at the flanged connections in piping, pipeline, and equipment for hydrocarbon industry and even utility sectors. As reported by transportation board Canada, flanges degradation is among the leading causes of leaks/ spills from pipeline. Today, almost every protection measure for flanges namely Cathodic protection, protective coatings, reactive repairs, etc. have inherent limitations which limit the options for end users towards achieving adequate flange integrity. This study will help improve the understanding about various flange protection measures via quantified and systemic corrosion characterization along with validating a Canadian invention i.e., novel Flange Belt (Patent no. CA 3115319) for flange protection suitability.

Pharmacokinetics of nicotine delivered by a novel electronic nicotine delivery system in healthy adult smokers: a feasibility study

Ditch Labs is a medical technology company developing a new treatment for smoking cessation. The objective of this research project is to understand how nicotine delivered by a novel electronic nicotine deliver system travels through the body from its absorption to its excretion. The study is important because it will allow Ditch Labs to select optimal nicotine doses to be delivered to patients and then subsequently reduced over a period of several weeks until complete cessation.

Non-destructive applications of gene transcriptional profiling to fish health and stress quantification

Freshwater fish contribute to the economic and ecological wellbeing of Canada; however, they are in decline globally. To mitigate those threats, accurate health status data for individual fish is critical. Since fish respond to changes in their habitat through gene expression, unexpected changes in gene expression patterns are powerful indicators of fish stress and declining health. “Transcriptional profiling” is the quantification of gene expression across multiple related function genes to detect changes in fish health. This project will develop non-destructive sampling methods for gene expression fish health assessment. Specifically, methods to sample tissues such as blood, mucus, gill and muscle without harming the fish will be developed. also It will explore using environmental RNA whereby transcriptional profiles can be determined from RNA extracted from the water the fish live in – without even touching the fish! Such non-destructive approaches will revolutionize fish health assessment for industry, government and ecological purposes

Dimensionnement mécaniste empirique de chaussées

Le dimensionnement des chaussées au Canada est actuellement effectué avec des méthodes empiriques. Ces méthodes limitent la possibilité d’utiliser de nouveaux matériaux et de nouvelles technologies qui permettraient de prolonger la durée de vie des chaussées tout en limitant leur impact négatif sur l’environnement. Il existe des méthodes de dimensionnement mécaniste-empirique, comme PavementME et des méthodes rationnelles comme la méthode française qui utilisent le comportement thermomécanique et les performances des matériaux testés en laboratoire afin de faire un dimensionnement optimal. Ces deux méthodes utilisent par contre différents intrants et différents modèles de calcul qui complexifie la comparaison entre les deux. Ce projet de recherche porte sur l’étude et l’optimisation du dimensionnement mécaniste-empirique des chaussées bitumineuses pour le Canada. Le projet est séparé en trois phases. Une première phase théorique dans laquelle des corrélations entre la procédure française et la procédure utilisée dans PavementME seront effectuées. La deuxième phase consiste en des essais de laboratoire pour avoir les données nécessaires aux différentes corrélations, mais également des essais de caractérisations de matériaux de chaussées à faible empreinte environnementale non usuels au Canada. La troisième phase porte sur la calibration des modèles de calculs à partir de résultats sur chantier.

Set-Theoretic Output Feedback Control for Safety-Critical LPV systems

The proposed research aims to develop an innovative control framework to deal with safety-critical systems in which the plant’s safety constraints must be fulfilled regardless of the possible presence of unpredictable disturbances and measurement noise. The technology developed by this project is expected to be beneficial in different application domains of current interest to Quebec, Canada, and the world, such as smart grids, intelligent transportation systems, medical technologies, and industry 4.0.

In the project’s first phase, the student (Jackson Ernesto) will perform an in-depth literature review. Then, in the second phase, he will develop novel control strategies to ensure the stability and the safety of linear parameter varying systems subject to disturbances and limitations on the actuation signal. In the third phase, he will validate the proposed solution by implementing it into the Matlab/Simulink environment, where a near-to-real testbed system will be considered. Moreover, the proposed solution will be contrasted with different state-of-the-art approaches. Finally, during the final phase, the student, under the guidance of the home supervisor (Dr. Eugênio Castelan) and host (Dr. Walter Lucia) supervisors will prepare a research manuscript.

Using advanced technology, public engagement, and citizen-science to understand responses of wildlife to urban development

The incorporation of natural habitats into urban planning is becoming commonplace and these habitats are important for biodiversity conservation, improving human well?being, and inspiring urban residents to participate in science and connect with nature. Our project aims to document the changes in bird and mammal communities along an urban to rural gradient within and just outside the boundaries of the City of Regina. The project will be accomplished using two concurrent studies: (1) using trail cameras and microphones to monitor wildlife and (2) using biodiversity surveys done by citizen scientists. We are partnering with the Saskatchewan Science Centre to conduct this research program. The Saskatchewan Science Centre will form the “hub” of this program, allowing for broad engagement and training of citizen scientists and providing outreach and dissemination of our results for the general public, while meeting the Science Centre’s broad mandate of igniting scientific curiosity in Saskatchewan communities.

GNP Ventures Seaweed Market Assessment

GNP Ventures Inc. is a Newfoundland-based company that is looking to potentially harvest nutrient-rich
seaweed and kelp in coastal communities along the Great Northern Peninsula and other coastal areas
within the province. Our goal is to implement and promote regenerative ocean farming as a strategy to
create equitable and sustainable economic opportunities and also to expand existing expertise and
infrastructure within Newfoundland’s rural areas. The company is in its early planning stage and needs a
student to compile information about potential markets, kelp uses and challenges in the industry and
other information about set-up requirements and regulations for seaweed farming in Newfoundland
and Labrador. Global growth projections for farmed seaweed are strong. A recent study estimates the
industry will grow to $92 billion by 2025 across a diverse range of markets. Newfoundland and
Labrador’s coastal waters support rich seaweed growth with approximately 300 species, that largely
remain untapped. This project will underpin a market entry approach for us and enable us to move
forward based on market information that we need to inform our decisions.