Innovative Projects Realized

Managing Shared State for Video Games in a Networked Multi-core Environment

Video Games require a vast array of different computations to present the desired experience. These computations must be completed consistently to make the software responsive to the user. The industry trend towards many separate processors (multi-core) in the same physical device and the emergence of network based ‘cloud’ computing have created many opportunities, but also many challenges for the game industry. The goal of this project is to create efficient techniques to organize and schedule the computations to take advantage of all the processors available. These techniques must ensure that the results produced correctly and are obtained quickly enough to satisfy responsiveness. Each of these techniques will have a corresponding aspect that allows them to be used by programmers who are not experts in utilizing multiple processors. While this project focuses on games, the benefits will be applicable to many domains, especially in the emerging field of mobile consumer-oriented applications.

Coveo : Algorithmes de recommandation

Ce projet s’inscrit dans la grande famille des projets de systèmes de recommandation, où un algorithme doit recommander aux utilisateurs des produits ou des documents qui seraient intéressants pour eux, basé sur ce que nous connaissons de l’utilisateur et sur sa session de recherche actuelle. Coveo a déjà des modèles de recommandation en place, dans le domaine du service et le domaine du commerce en ligne. Le stage a pour objectif de collaborer avec l’équipe de d’apprentissage automatique pour améliorer la qualité des modèles en place et explorer de nouvelles idées qui permettraient de résoudre de nouvelles problématiques provenant de nos clients. Durant ce projet, le commerce électronique sera le principal sujet, sans y être strictement limité.

Paradocs : Recommandations pour la clientèle des stations de ski en temps réel

Dans un monde de plus en plus connecté, les stations de ski en Amérique du Nord et à travers le monde désirent s’impliquer davantage auprès de leur clientèle pendant qu’elle est sur les pentes où dans leurs infrastructures. Favoriser l’expérience de ski et améliorer les revenus connexes sont deux motivations importantes dans le contexte actuel de tourisme limité.
En partenariat avec plusieurs stations de ski, Paradocs développe et maintient le système de gestion des passes permettant l’usage des remontées mécaniques. Ainsi, à chaque fois qu’un skieur utilise une installation, un identifiant unique anonyme est journalisé pour permettre le suivi de celui-ci. Certains utilisateurs plus réguliers et détenteurs d’un compte ont leurs achats en boutique ou restaurants également journalisés.
Basé sur ces données d’achalandage et d’achat antérieurs, le but du projet est alors d’effectuer des recommandations en temps réel aux skieurs concernant les produits ou services qui seraient intéressants selon leur profil, et le contexte actuel (heure, météo, achalandage dans la station). Ces recommandations pourront par exemple contenir des promotions en boutique ou des réductions au restaurant en vue d’améliorer leur expérience en station. Ces recommandations seraient à terme transmises au visiteur via une application mobile utilisée par les skieurs.

LeddarTech: Détection et suivi d’objets pour la conduite autonome à partir de données Lidar et caméra fusionnées

LeddarTech, acteur de premier plan des solutions de détection environnementale pour les véhicules autonomes et les systèmes avancés d’aide à la conduite, propose l’utilisation d’un capteur Lidar (i.e., Pixell) conjointement avec d’autres capteurs (caméras optique, Radar, IMU, etc.). Le but de ce stage serait donc de vérifier (1) l’intérêt de l’utilisation du capteur Lidar pour prendre des décisions sur la conduite du véhicule (ex., la détection et le suivi des véhicules et des piétons), et (2) la synergie entre le capteur Lidar et les différents autres capteurs dans le cadre des véhicules autonomes. Dans le cadre du présent stage, un algorithme permettant la détection et le suivi des véhicules et des piétons, à partir de données capturées par des caméras optiques et d’un Lidar (i.e., Pixell) sera développé. De plus, une étude comparative sera effectuée pour déterminer une méthode de fusion efficace entre les données optiques et les données brutes Lidars.

Circles Software and Mobile Application

The project focuses on developing a software program for creating audiovisual interactive digital art works able to blend and manipulate sound, text and images for the purposes of artistic installation, performance visuals, networked art, and creative sharing. While there are numerous companies who have developed creative software platforms, there is currently nothing available which minimizes the prerequisite of heavy technical knowledge necessary. By developing a user-friendly tool, which easily enables creative expression, we will attain a highly competitive edge in the industry

Biochar as a Soil Amendment for Revitalizing Stockpiled Soils and Carbon Sequestration at an Oilsands Lease, Christina Lake, Alberta

Working in partnership with MEG Energy Ltd, the Applied Research Group in Natural Resource Technology at Saskatchewan Polytechnic will examine biochar’s role in revitalizing stockpiled soils by conducting a three-year assessment of black spruce growth and survival on a disturbed borrow pit site. Biochar is highly regarded for its ability to increase soil productivity due to high carbon content, organic matter volume, porosity, recalcitrance, and adsorptive characteristics. These qualities permit improved soil health through various pathways including the ability to selectively make-up for nutrient and microbial deficiencies through biochar inoculation. The research will assess twenty different control and experimental treatments involving various combinations of nutrient and microbe inoculants and microhabitat adjustments. Progress in soil revitalization research is likely to have significant bearing on the environmental sustainability of oilsands development in the western boreal forest.

In vitro evaluation and understanding of fabrics interaction with skin cells and dominant skin microbiome: a concurrent material degradation and health implication

Textile industry has been revolutionized over the years with inventions and creative innovations on fabrics to improve performance, comfort and durability. Developing such high performance and durable textiles without compromising human safety is a major challenge. This project will investigate the interactions between fabric systems with human skin and major skin colonizing bacteria. In addition, durability of these fabrics when exposed to skin bacteria under moist conditions be investigated through this project. Three interns will look into these aspects in collaboration with lululemon inc. Interns will use the fabric systems (natural, synthetic, semisynthetic blends) developed by lululemon inc. towards developing biocompatible/ safe textiles without comprising its performance and durability.

Synthetic biology constructions toward bacteria-mediated cancer therapy

Development of selective drug delivery agents that target tumor cells with minimal toxicity to normal tissues is a major challenge in cancer therapy. Non-toxic bacteria can be used to target solid tumors because, within a patient’s body, they can only be active at a tumor site (where oxygen levels are pathologically low). Prior attempts at drug delivery with this approach have failed to achieve tumor eradication. We plan to use genetic engineering to modify a bacterial strain to increase its anti-cancer activity, but only when the cells are at a tumor site. The results of this research will be made publicly available in the scientific literature; the partner organization CREM Co. Labs will be in a position to develop this therapeutic approach further toward clinical studies.

Internship in (Geo)Data Science: Political Economy of Development

Raman microspectroscopy of human macrophage subsets to study cell-material-interaction

Participatory Cities Every One, Every Day: Toronto

This proposal details an approach for evaluating a planned project led by SII called Participatory Cities: a new inclusive, system-based approach to stimulating and supporting dense networks of practical ‘participation culture’ in cities around the world. With proof of concept developed and tested in London, UK, by the Participatory City Foundation, the model will now be implemented in Montreal and Halifax, as well as the community at the centre of this proposal, Regent Park in Toronto. Developmental evaluation of the kind proposed, shaped and iteratively applied through processes of co-production, is an ideal mechanism for fostering the learning needed to build connected and productive neighbourhoods in which people find novel ways to come together, share and support one another in this moment shaped by the coronavirus crisis to ultimately co-create their vision and action plan for a resilient future.

Development of a camera-based monitoring system for remote laser welding of sheetmetal assemblies in automotive applications

Individual stamped sheet metal components need to be joined to create sheet metal assemblies used in cars. Powerful laser light delivered by a robot is used to quickly weld these assemblies by making dozens of individual welds within a few minutes. For economical production, it is essential to minimize the total production cycle time. At the same time, high-quality welds must be produced. Undetected defective weld joints would lead to severe penalties if delivered to the company’s customer. Currently, all assemblies must be manually inspected. In this second phase of the project, an in-house camera-based weld quality monitoring system is being developed. The objective is to improve the reliability of the commercial inspection system currently being used. During the project, image-processing algorithm and the graphical user interface will be developed and tested in the production environment. Benefits of reliable detection systemas will be reduced cycle time and higher quality welds.