Innovative Projects Realized

Neural network optical characterization of accreting black holes

Astronomers have long used optical spectra (detailed wavelength-specific measurements of light) to categorize galaxies. A galaxy’s spectrum encodes information about its constituent stars, gas, and dust and its central super-massive black hole (SMBH). SMBHs that are actively accreting, known as active galactic nuclei (AGN) are of particular interest to astronomers interested in SMBH physics and their role in galaxy evolution. However, because optical spectra are influenced by so many different physical processes, their use as an indicator of AGN presence is not always reliable. Fortunately, gas that is heated by the AGN also produces x-rays which can be detected by specialized space telescopes. X-ray detections are more reliable indicators of AGN, but are also more costly to obtain. In this project, we will make use of data from the all-sky eROSITA x-ray space observatory available at the host institution, and use advanced artificial neural network (ANN) machine learning techniques to predict the presence of x-ray AGN based on the optical spectra of galaxies. Once the neural network has been trained on the optical spectra of eROSITA x-ray sources, it will be used to make predictions of AGN status in galaxies based on their optical spectra alone.

Governance of Climate-Related Financial Risks in the Canadian Commercial Real Estate Sector: A Guide

The goal is to develop a best practice guide for the commercial real estate sector, focusing on the legal duties of Canadian directors and officers in respect of managing climate change, best practices for corporate boards, reporting on the latest research globally on best climate governance practices in the commercial real estate sector.

A Computational Fluid Dynamic Model of Archimedes Screw Pumps

The Archimedes screw pump (ASP) has been used since antiquity (circa 700 BCE) for high volume, low head pumping applications. There are not many screw pumps installed in Canada; they are much more common in Europe. However, there is significant potential for ASP use in Canada since they can safely transport food-grade liquids, biohazardous materials, granular solids, liquids containing suspended solids, and live fish. Screw pumps are an empirical technology; there is little engineering design guidance or research in the literature, making application-specific ASP design difficult. There is an opportunity to significantly improve the efficiency and performance of screw pumps by developing engineering design tools. The University of Guelph’s research team has built a successful, comprehensive design tool for Archimedes screw generators, and plan to work together to develop a new, first-of-kind model for screw pumps. Mr. Simmons’ deep experience with the related Archimedes screw generator research, coupled with the unique features of the ICUBE laboratory (personnel, computing cluster, hydraulics lab, proximity to field sites) will be able to expedite the development of the proposed model.

Choral Drone: Theatrical applications of UAVs

Drone light shows use precise choreography, high-powered LEDs and various projectors to create moving images in the sky. Cirque du Soleil has disguised UAVs as props and set pieces to create a sense of magic onstage. Additionally, researchers have used performance techniques, such as Laban Movement Analysis, to study human-UAV communication. Traditional performance spaces have a grid in the ceiling with lights and projectors hanging from it to illuminate the stage. However, hanging and focusing these instruments is time-consuming, and said instruments’ fixed position can often be limiting. Can we replace a standard lighting grid with lighting and projection-enabled drones? We will attempt to answer our question by creating the Choral Drone, a lighting and projection-equipped drone swarm deployed during a short play’s creation and rehearsal process. Our research will examine the strengths and weaknesses of drone choreography, live swarm response and projection mapping in live performance scenarios.

The fate of neutrophils and role of monocytes in sterile inflammation

Our immune system Is designed to protect us from harmful agents. It must initiate a rapid potent inflammatory response to eliminate invading pathogens. Although similar to the eradication of pathogens, the inflammatory response can also occur following a sterile injury and is required for tissue repair and wound healing. This includes trauma, ischaemia-reperfusion injury, autoimmunity or burn induced injury that occurs in the absence of any microorganisms. Sterile inflammation underlies the pathogenesis of many diseases and in both sterile and infectious Inflammation, neutrophils are the primary cells recruited to the sites of inflammation. They use their considerable antimicrobial arsenal to kill pathogens but also phagocytose cellular debris in order to resolve the cause of inflammation. However, these same functions can also cause collateral tissue damage and perhaps more in sterile injury where there are no pathogens to kill. Thus, it is crucial that neutrophil functions are tightly controlled during the whole process of inflammatory response. This is thought to be achieved by their innocuous clearance by other types of immune cells and in particular monocytes that enter the site of sterile injury within hours of the neutrophils. In fact, pathology text books all suggest that neutrophils are eliminated by monocytes.

Creating He- using H- ion source beam on He0

Metals, and particularly alkali metals, are contaminants in silicon wafers used to make computer chips and power electronics devices [1,2,3]. The movement of contaminating ions in the SiO2 under the influence of an applied voltage across the oxide causes the electrical characteristics of the transistor, such as the threshold voltage, to change [4]. This is particularly problematic for the class of ion implanters used in the production of silicon-based computer chips and power electronics devices requiring negative ion beams for the implant process [5]. To date these negative ion beams have been created by way of charge exchange by passing energetic positive ion beams through metallic vapours from which electrons are picked up, thus creating a negative ion beam. This process inherently uses neutral metallic vapours in the implanter system, and therefore presents a continual ongoing risk of exposing the silicon wafers to a metallic contaminant.

Faults Detection and Recovery in Automobile Engines Machining and Assembly Systems Using AI and Machine Learning

Ford is applying Industry 4.0 smart manufacturing technologies in its re-tooled and new plants in Canada. This project aims to research, in cooperation with Ford, intelligent methods for recognizing patterns of machines faults and their causes and develop recovery strategies based on artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) using data analytics, neural networks, and deep learning methods. It will also investigate the contribution of workers-automation interactions to faults occurrence using data, and minimizing, and discovering possible correlations or trends. Manufacturers are keen to improve their competency and upskill/reskill their workforce in digitalization and applications of intelligent technologies to reap the benefits and remain competitive. Nine Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP) will be provided valuable knowledge and experiential learning experiences in a real manufacturing environment. The proposed industry-academia research collaboration is expected to produce intelligent technologies and digital twins (DT) products that could be commercialized and used in Ford factories and many other industries.

Disinfection efficacy of Far-UVC light in a healthcare facility

UV light is known for its antimicrobial properties. In this project, we expect to use a proprietary lamp which will provide a specific light that will target bacterial, fungal and viral strains commonly found in health care facilities. Results of the project will have a direct impact in the sterilization of areas with a high traffic of health care providers. The company mission is to design, test, and manufacture customizable UVX light. The project is also relevant to COVID-19, as one of the strains used in the panel of pathogens is considered a replacement of the COVID-19 virus.

Molecular You – Clinician Review Module UX Design

This project is a collaboration between the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design and Molecular You. Molecular You are a health-tech start-up on a mission to help everyone live longer healthier lives using a new type of digital health experience that can spot early warning signs of chronic disease and tell you exactly what you can do to stay healthy. We’re currently piloting the product. To be ready to scale we need to redesign our clinician review platform to reduce cognitive load for clinicians and reduce turnaround time while avoiding human error. The project will follow a design thinking process and involve collaboration between designers, software developers, product managers and clinicians.

Resilient Yonge

The COVID-19 pandemic hit Toronto’s Downtown Yonge business area hard. This unique district, normally a centre of tourism, commerce and culture, suffered significant impacts in 2019 and 2020 with the loss of workers, students and visitors to the area. Now, with the re-opening of the province and some of those workers and students returning, businesses in the area are trying to recoup steep losses, and re-attract customers, while they are preparing for further disruptions to come with the planned construction of a new transit station at Queen Street, and the City of Toronto’s YongeTOmorrow revitalization project.

This two-year Business Strategy Internship project will unite the Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area (DYBIA) and its members with four interns from Ryerson University with expertise in urban planning, neighbourhood revitalization, and public space activation to develop, implement and evaluate innovations aimed at helping businesses increase social and economic resilience post-pandemic and into the future. The interns will plan their strategies in consultation with local business owners to be informed by available data and reporting. They will work with partners on implementation and then monitor and gauge success using a range of methodologies in an iterative and collaborative framework.

This project will be overseen by Cherise Burda, Executive Director of City Building Ryerson, and Cheryll Diego, Public Realm Experience Manager at the DYBIA, and led by two Academic supervisors at Ryerson University: Victor Perez-Amado (Assistant Professor, School of Urban and Regional Planning), and Dr. Dave Colangelo (Assistant Professor, Professional Communication).

Development of visual perception systems for autonomous trains using deep convolutional neural networks

This project aims to develop a deep learning-based computer vision system of a high-performance visual perception system to support the Autonomous Rail. The developed visual perception system enables extracting rail tracks and objects in typical rail scenes using consumer grade camera and lidar sensors mounted on a moving rail. This visual perception capacity is fundamental to understand a self-ego motion and surrounding environment for supporting the Autonomous Vehicle Recovery (AVR) capability of Level 1 (L1) Autonomous Rail. With the AVR capability, the vehicle moving with a low-speed can make decision and acting as a human operator and successfully drive itself to the next stopping point. For achieving goal, two intern students at York University will closely work with a multidisciplinary engineering team at Thales Canada during eight months. The research outcomes obtained through this project will be evaluated with extensive benchmark data generated by the research team.

Bookkeeper & Funding Research Intern

ASBA is looking to facilitate the current bookkeeping activities at the Zone level by bringing some bookkeeping activities internally. The bookkeeping and funding research intern will also be responsible for assisting in grant and sponsorship research to identify potential funding sources. Part of this process will include to maintain and develop partnerships with potential sponsors and assist in the underwriting of grant applications.At the end of the internship term, the bookkeeper will also be responsible for the delivery of a research document outlining processes for bookkeeping activities at the Zone level.