Innovative Projects Realized

Low Temperature Stabilization and Bulk Processing Techniques for the Production of Lower-Cost Asphaltene Based Short Carbon Fibres

NORAM Engineering and Constructors Ltd. (NORAM) has developed a bench-scale process capable of producing low strength fibres from Alberta oil sands asphaltenes (AOA). The objective of the proposed collaborative research between NORAM and UBC is to broaden the application space of AOA by improving the structural and functional properties of AOA-CF through polymer blend and nano-reinforcement, resulting in increased-value AOA. The outcome of this program will demonstrate the potential of AOA-CF composites as a unique and novel engineering material with the potential of producing light weight composites for structural and functional applications. The proposed program will also help close the knowledge gap between laboratory concept and functionalized fibre product reality through the development of industrial scale manufacturing technology.

Development of an embedded piezoelectric sensor for bearing fault detection

Rolling element bearings act as the heart of rotating machines. Any imperfection in their condition can lead to an abrupt failure which can be catastrophic. For more than two decades, implementing sensors for condition monitoring of bearings has been beneficial in preventing abrupt failure and fault detection. These sensors require a noise-free atmosphere to have optimal performance, however, noise and vibration from other machines are an unpreventable part of an industrial environment. Therefore, these sensors lose their efficiency in early fault detections, and due to their expensive price, many industries ignore using them. In this research, we have proposed a new type of low-cost sensor that can be implemented in the heart of the machine, as close as possible to the bearing. This technique can increase the efficiency of the sensor in fault detection, and due to being low-cost, it is expected to attract more industries toward condition monitoring.

High-resolution Distributed Energy System modelling through Co-simulation

This project focusses on the modernization of energy system modelling with considerations for greater levels of sustainable energy and carbon-neutral footprints.

Demonstration of Dissipative coupling from an Electrical-Magnetic friction coupled pendulum system

Laboratory pedagogy is considered absolutely critical for physics and engineering education ranging from high school to university. Among all universities worldwide, a well-known first-year physics experiment demonstration is a spring-coupled pendulums system. It demonstrates the coherent coupling; the underlying physics is reflected from classical mechanics to advanced quantum systems. It has excellent application from a tuned mass damper that reduced the unwanted vibration in skyscrapers and precision machining to data transformation of a quantum computer. However, coherent coupling is not the only existing coupling type. Recent discovery revealed the dissipative coupling phenomenon by replacing the conservative coupling force (spring) with a dissipative force such as friction. Unique effects such as level attraction and synchronization were observed in a Cavity-Magnonic system. These effects lead to significant potential applications in quantum information processing and more. Although, the early mentioned Cavity-Magnonic system is not available for entry-level students. The dissipative coupled pendulum system can be built and used as a gateway introduction that gives students a clear picture of this newly discovered phenomenon. In 2020, we created the simple coupled pendulum system prototype for the first time. An educational video and a publication are under construction.

Visualizing complex building analysis data to increase comprehension of public audience

This research study focuses on the communication and transmission of technical and industrial analytic data, developed by our research partner, ioAirFlow. Because the current recipients of ioAirFlow data reports are not always data- or engineering-trained professionals, complex data is not often understood or acted upon. This research internship focuses on ways in which to develop information design to communicate ioAirFlow’s data more effectively and efficiently. Using design methodologies of mixed methods and action research, we will develop information design and data visualization as a means to communicate, inform, visually analyze or compare, and prototype scenarios and challenges within ioAirFlow systems. Information design and data visualization can generate greater readability and accessibility in data interpretation and analysis. Communicating the ill health and inefficiencies of building environments through information design creates agency for its users or receivers, allowing building inhabitants to better understand their own health in relation to air quality.

Data Science Intern

Computer Vision – Business and Product Engineering Focus
Applying Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to solve outlier, merging, and segmentation problems for use-cases with laser scan and point cloud data.

Improvement of a Portable Assistive Device Concept for Hand Rehabilitation

As the number of patients with stroke and Parkinson’s Disease (PD) increases, it is essential to obtain treatment progress data efficiently for the home rehabilitation. For the therapy of hand disabilities, a system is required to collect data, process and control hand motions during rehabilitation. Current rehabilitation devices that are available in the market are costly and not portable. Existing hand training devices use contact-based sensing approaches that are expensive and inaccurate. As capturing hand motion data using the free joint interaction for rehabilitation and self-exercises still remains a challenge, we propose a low-cost portable system to measure joint motions quantitatively. It uses an electromagnetic driven hand exoskeleton to help patients follow treatment guidelines, which is integrated to a developed module for assessment of the recovery performance to record, analyze and visualize rehabilitation processes in real time.

Secure Communication Based on Public Key Distribution with Imbalanced Twin-Field-QKD-like Infrastructure in Classical Coherent Optical Fiber Network

In quantum key distribution (QKD), the twin-field has been proposed as a means to overcome the linear key rate
bound, and hence the key generation rate, as well as to enable repeaterless QKD transmission. Despite
significant progress in TF-QKD and its variations in recent times, the key rates are still significantly low compared
to practical optical fiber networks. Recently, we demonstrated a new approach for phase-encoded public key
distribution based on randomized Glauber states in a classical coherent optical communication system for secure
optical communications (we refer to this as coherent public key distribution CPKD). Establishing how our
previously proposed framework can be thought of as the coherent equivalent of TF-QKD can lead us to ensure
data-security at high speed over long distance without being limited by the rate-distance barrier of QKD
transmission. This project focuses on investigating the equivalence between our recently demonstrated CPKD
approach and twin-field quantum key distribution (TF-QKD). If successful, the proof-of-principle demonstrations
will provide a pathway for enabling secure data transmission in the telecommunication infrastructures that form
the backbone of smart cities, industries, and economies.

Subsea Pipeline Remnant Life Assessment

Many of the pipelines either offshore or onshore are nearing the end of their design life. Some of the pipelines show signs of deterioration and ageing as a result of corrosion and fatigue. There are situation where the operators desire to extend the life of an ageing pipeline beyond its life expectancy due to increased oil and gas demand or due to unforeseen increased oil and gas reserve. Other situations that force the operators to maintain the pipeline’s design life are the premature ageing of the pipe caused by the increased time-dependent deterioration. The key objective of the business for any oil and gas operator is to have a pipeline system that performs the intended function in a safe and cost effective manner. The objective of this research is to develop a structured and probabilistic model to assess and predict the useful and safe remaining life of subsea pipeline system. Applying this model will insure that the pipeline will perform satisfactorily, (i.e. complying with codes, maintaining integrity, etc.) and in line with predefined operating conditions.

Digital Strategy Internship

Top Sixty over Sixty, is a for-profit social enterprise supporting workplaces as they combat ageism. Ageism hinders opportunities for individuals and the productivity of businesses. This organizational and workforce development consultancy educates and empowers employers and individuals to understand and adapt to an ageing workforce and population. Currently, the organization is looking to expand their impact by increasing its number of B2B relationships and seeking digital strategies to scale Top Sixty over Sixty.

UX Application Marchant et Centre de données

Tastet est un guide de bonnes adresses ! Notre mission est de promouvoir le milieu de l’hospitalité, soutenir son essor et contribuer à sa vitalité. Nos critères d’analyse des établissements permettent d’offrir un contenu de qualité le plus objectivement possible. Tastet est basé sur la confiance mutuelle des gens du milieu avec les actrices et auteurs, le professionnalisme, l’intégrité et la créativité. Le site est suivi et lu par les influenceurs du milieu, ce qui amène une touche personnelle et des contenus exclusifs.

Après avoir vécu la fermeture des restaurants pendant la pandémie, le rôle de Tastet est encore plus d’actualité, car les restaurateurs ont aujourd’hui plus que jamais besoin de l’aide d’un média comme Tastet pour mettre de l’avant le côté gastronomique de la ville. Alors, ce projet apportera une contribution au secteur culturel de la ville en plus d’aider le secteur privé de la restauration et de guider les particuliers dans leur choix de sortie.

Ce projet en particulier aiderait grandement à améliorer l’expérience de nos utilisateurs sur les 2 nouvelles plateformes pour qu’elle soit à la hauteur de nos attentes.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Reversible Covalent-Binding AntiCancer Drugs

Designing new anticancer agents using structure based drug design and the 3D structure of the biological target
is becoming an increasingly important field of study. The main objective of this project is to develop and identify
anticancer drug candidate(s) for advanced preclinical testing, with the end goal of identifying drug candidates
suitable for clinical trials and commercialization. Currently, we have synthesized several novel drug candidates
designed to mitigate the increased toxicological effects observed in a significant proportion of patients receiving
current therapies. Meanwhile we will also investigate whether our designer molecules will have enhanced
anticancer properties over similar anticancer agents during early phase pre-clinical testing. This research project
will provide a better understanding on how our designer molecules behave as anticancer agents.