Innovative Projects Realized

Design, optimization and development of thermal energy storage for residential buildings

Energy storage can help address the intermittency of renewable energies (such as solar and wind power). Different
methods were developed to store energy for later uses. D’Arcy Mann, the founder of TESS Research Ltd., developed
a method of high temperature thermal storage that would allow surplus power from renewables to be input year-round
and given off as household heat in winter. With refinement, it could also be used as an air conditioning unit not as an
either/or but as a reversible heat pump. It’s a relatively small, above-ground, modular design that is being scaled for
single-family dwellings but chaining them together could be used to heat or cool larger spaces from office buildings to
military barracks. With the help of USASK researchers through Mitacs project, TESS Research Ltd. will be able to move forward with commercializing this product.

Former des capacités organisationnelles les technologies émergentes : Le cas de Desjardins et l’intelligence artificielle

L’intelligence artificielle suscite beaucoup d’intérêt de la part des grandes entreprises et Desjardins ne fait pas exception. Cependant, les organisations confrontées à la nature ambiguë et incertaine de cette technologie émergente ont généralement de la difficulté à la saisir et l’intégrer dans leurs pratiques et processus. Dans cette optique, ce stage tente d’investiguer les mécanismes par lesquels une organisation peut faciliter la construction d’un cadre commun afin diriger l’action collective envers l’intégration d’une technologie émergente telle que l’intelligence artificielle. La formation d’une communauté d’intérêt et les pratiques discursives sont de tels mécanismes permettant de converger vers une vision cohérente d’une technologie émergente qui seront explorés dans ce stage.

Targeting Peritoneal Adhesions

In about 4% of patients that have had an abdominal surgery ranging from a C-section, to appendectomy, to removal of the gall bladder, they will develop bands of scar tissue that can cause extreme pain and/or life-threatening complications such as bowel obstruction which requires emergency operation. The only temporary cure is a second operation which usually only provides temporary relief. No therapeutic is available to prevent adhesion formation. We have the technology to look inside the belly and see these adhesions form and we discovered how this happens. We can also see whether any drugs can prevent the adhesions from forming and at least in mice we were able to discover a new drug. We wish to develop a test tube system (so we can begin to use human systems) to determine whether the same molecules work in humans as mice. While we have a core molecule that blocks the adhesions, we hope to make better versions of the molecule so that it has less side effects and blocks adhesion formation better. Our goal is to develop a drug that could be given at the end of a surgical operation to all patients to ensure none develop adhesions.

All-solid-state batteries: Interface modification/engineering of solid electrolytes for enhanced lithium transport properties

Developing high safety Li-ion battery technology is essential for high energy, and long-range applications. However, the current state-of-the-art Li-ion battery technology cannot fulfill the industry requirements due to its theoretical limitations. All solid-state Li-ion batteries (ASSLiB) using inorganic solid-state Li-ion conductors, holds promising features of high energy density, and enhanced safety over conventional Li-ion batteries. Among various solid electrolytes, garnet oxide-based exhibits the great advantage owing to its excellent lithium-ion conductivity (1.1 mS/cm at RT) and good chemical stability in contact with lithium metal. However, the commercial utilizations of solid-state battery hampered due to the brittle, and rigid nature of solid electrolyte, and also interface issues in the integration of active electrodes and solid-state electrolyte. The poor interfacial contact between the electrodes and electrolyte causes the high interfacial resistance, inhomogeneous current distributions, dendrite formation, and large cell polarizations etc. Hence, herein we proposed to give utmost importance to make intimate contact between the active electrodes and solid electrolytes by surface engineering/modification techniques to reduce the interfacial resistance of ASSLiB test cells.

Silicon Nanoparticle and Cellulose Nanocrystal Reinforced Polymer Composites

Cellulose and Silicon are two of the most abundant natural materials in the world, thus it is only “natural” to combine the two materials. Specifically, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have been attractive sustainable additives for the mechanical reinforcement of polymers and silicon can be easily converted to silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) for use in biosensing, coatings, and used as quantum dots in optical films, and medical and display applications. By harnessing the mechanical advantage of CNCs and SiNPs with the sensing and luminescent properties of silicon quantum dots (SiQDs), the possibility for advanced functional materials is extensive. This project aims to develop CNC-SiNP and SiQD polymer hybrid materials. The project will include the development of additive materials using functionalized CNCs with SiNPs and SiQDs. Potential product developments include sensors for medicine and agriculture, stronger tubing for pipelines, and enhanced textiles. More importantly, this project takes advantage of two materials that are manufactured in Canada, specifically Alberta. By showcasing the advantages of using sustainable materials to Canadians, we can help boost the Canadian forestry industry and create more robust and durable materials.

Cooperators : Analyse d’images en assurance commerciale

The Co-operators est une coopérative qui offre de multiples services financiers dont des produits d’assurance dans plusieurs lignes d’affaires. Elle offre notamment de l’assurance commerciale à plusieurs types d’entreprises. Dans le processus de souscription, il est commun pour the Co-operators d’effectuer des inspections pour obtenir une meilleure idée du risque souscrit et pour donner des recommandations dans le but d’améliorer la sécurité et la conformité des lieux. Le processus d’inspection peut être réalisé par un inspecteur interne, un consultant externe ou bien avec la collaboration du client à distance. Dans la plupart des cas, plusieurs images du bâtiment et installations sont capturées par l’inspecteur ou le client. Pour toutes sortes de raisons, que ce soit de manière consciente ou non, il est possible que la personne chargée de prendre les photos ait inclus des photos provenant d’un autre commerce ou lieu. L’ajout de photos ne provenant pas réellement du risque souscrit peut avoir des impacts conséquents sur l’évaluation de ce risque pour the Co-operators et mettre la compagnie dans une situation précaire. Ce projet vise à résoudre ce problème en identifiant les images potentiellement étrangères au risque à évaluer.

2030 Agenda empowerment for Canadian Port industry

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and 169 targets. The 2030 Agenda is universal and applies to all actors. The port industry (PI) is strategically positioned to contribute to the SDGs global achievement but faces a variety of challenges when it comes to implement them. With limited resources, it is essential to prioritize SDG targets and to use tools. This research proposes the use of an SDG target prioritization grid (SDGT-PG) which will be adapted to the PI. The methodology of this grid is based on three parameters assessed by stakeholders: importance, performance and governance. The proposed research will be realized over a 2-year period. The objectives are to adapt, build and apply, with stakeholders from selected Canadian Port authorities, a SDGT-PG. We will raise awareness about sustainability and the SDGs, support the partners in producing a sustainable development action plan aligned with the SDGs and develop common accountability for all the partners on the SDGs. The research will contribute to fill the knowledge gap on the SDG localization applied to the PI.

Web Analytics – Conversion to Lead Generation

H3ALTH TECHNOLOGIES INC. is an SME democratizing healthcare by providing an affordable and maintainable full body scanner. Our imaging software maintains applications covering body measurements, clinical health information, health related early warning signs and maternal health with the potential to cover more.

As an SME, H3ALTH TECHNOLOGIES INC. faces the challenge of developing an online presence, brand identity, and target audience. In our digital age, companies have a need to emphasize their online presence through web development and social media platforms. Responding to this need, companies are utilizing data analytics to gather insights from web traffic; optimizing the curation of content and ensuring that information reaches the desired audience (I.e., potential investors, prospective employees, ideal customers).

Helicopter Wake Modeling and its Interaction with Pesticide Droplet Transport

MISSING!!

The objective of the research to be conducted under the present research grant is the development of a CFD based model of a helicopter wake for the purpose of tracking pesticide droplet
transport. The fluid velocity field, once obtained, can be used for tracking spray releases for an unlimited number of combinations of droplet size spectrum, volume flow rate, or spray boom design. Helicopters fly at low altitude and low speeds (compared to fixed wing aircraft), they often apply herbicides in the form of relatively large droplets, and they have a very strong rotor downwash that has a significant influence on droplet deposition. As a consequence, computing the trajectory of the spray droplets released from a helicopter pushes the idealized assumptions that are used in the AGDISP model to its limits and beyond. Hence the helicopter problem is an excellent application for high order modelling approaches. The computational model to be developed under this research grant will be based on the Reynolds Average Navier Stokes (RANS) formulation. Air turbulence in the wake of the aircraft will be determined using a Reynolds Stress based turbulence model (RSM).

Project Pennyworth

The project shall improve the status reporting and process compliant working within automotive embedded projects by connecting and automating existing tools, procedures and solutions.

Synthesis, characterization and In-vivo measurement of bone-seeking metal oxide nanoparticles

Dynamic bone turnover is associated with most bone disease, such as stress fractures (e.g., tibial shin splints), often seen in athletes and new military recruits. The key to successful diagnosis and treatment of bone stress fractures is early detection by diagnosis of excessive bone turnover. However, measuring bone metabolism using medical imaging is challenging, and usually only obtainable using radionuclide tracers, which are expensive and involve patient exposure to ionizing radiation. Thus, a non-ionizing alternative to accurately diagnose bone metabolism would be of enormous value. We have developed a new class of bone-targeting imaging tracers based on metal oxide nanoparticles, for use in imaging of bone turnover with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Similar to classical radionuclide bone scans, our novel contrast agent uses a chemical “bone hook” to impart bone-seeking properties, but replaces the former radioisotope with non-ionizing metal oxide nanoparticles. Our novel imaging tracer will greatly improve the diagnosis and management of bone stress fractures, during the same visit to the sports medicine clinic, without the need for referral to the hospital nuclear medicine department for a follow up radionuclide bone scan.

InvestorCOM Marketing Analyst

The Marketing Intern will assist with generating awareness of InvestorCOM’s regulatory compliance platform in the US and Canada.