Innovative Projects Realized

Explore thousands of successful projects resulting from collaboration between organizations and post-secondary talent.

31914 Completed Projects

3006
AB
5256
BC
878
MB
703
NL
913
SK
9488
ON
9949
QC
98
PE
629
NB
1215
NS

Projects by Category

Recycling and reuse of fibre reinforced plastics

In this project we will employ a novel proprietary recycling solution developed by the sponsoring organization, Jeosal, to obtain fibres from recycled Fiber Reinforced Composites (FRP). High quality recycled glass and carbon fibres, extracted from composite wastes from end-of-life and manufacturing sources will be characterized in detail and melt compounded with polyamide. Suitable surface treatments will be implemented to enhance the interfacial interactions between the recycled fibres and the polymer matrix, thus improving the dispersion, and the mechanical properties. The resulting composites will be characterized in detail to assess their morphology, physical properties, and mechanical properties. The formulations will be optimized to suit the needs of the industrial partner. The knowledge generated by this project will have significant environmental benefits, by demonstrating a method to recycle Fiber Reinforced Composites, and has the potential to provide new value-added products suitable to various high value-added applications.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Marianna Kontopoulou

Student:

Partner:

Jeosal Materials Research Corporation

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

Queen's University

Program:

Accelerate

Flax straw pellet for clean energy generation

Western Canada produces 40% of world’s flax for oil. After the harvesting of oilseed, an estimated 500,000 to 1,000,000 tonnes of flax straw is produced annually. Only small fraction of the straw is used and remaining are currently underutilized. The flax straw calorific value is similar to the woody biomass. Flax straw combustion for power generation could be a viable approach for the management of straw while providing renewable power. Additionally, co-firing flax straw in the existing coal fired power plant could substitute coal and thereby improve the carbon footprint. Even with greater potential for bioenergy production, the issues such as low bulk density, fibrous & hydrophilic nature, and potential for biological degradation during storage creates additional burden on the logistics of biomass handling. Furthermore, the presence of alkali and alkaline earth metal and sulphur and chlorine in the straw could lead to fouling and corrosion issues in boiler tubes. So, the qquestion remains regarding the combustion properties of flax straw pellets, and what would be the impact on the operation and overall efficiency of the power generation.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Bishnu Acharya

Student:

Partner:

Prairie Clean Energy

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program:

Accelerate

Evaluation of Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Efficacies of Honey and Bioactives Extracted from Honey Gummies

Island Abbey Foods (IAF) (also known as Honibe) is a leading manufacturer of honey based candies (lozenges, drops and gummies), which are premier products in the North American market. IAF is interested to investigate the biological activities of honey and other bioactive ingredients formulated in the form of gummies. The manufacturing of gummies requires high temperatures and harsh acidic conditions that may reduce the biological activities of honey and other active metabolites present in these products. In this project, IAF would like to partner with Ahmed research group at University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) to understand the effects of gummy formation on antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of honey and other active metabolites (melatonin, vitamins) present in honey gummies.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Marya Ahmed

Student:

Partner:

Island Abbey Nutritionals

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Prince Edward Island

Program:

Accelerate

Real-time path identification and visualization in indoor environment using image analysis and deep learning techniques

The number of people requiring indoor navigational assistance (e.g., blind, elderly people) is increasing rapidly all over the world. People often get lost in complex places like hospital buildings. Unfortunately, the GPS service is not available indoor. The main objective of this project is to develop a robust and fast navigational technique based on continuous real–time image analysis and deep learning techniques. The proposed technique, namely NavNet, can be implemented through cell phone or an electronic display to guide the user from a starting point to the destination within an indoor environment. Although the primary intended application is to help people finding navigation path, the developed techniques can be also be extended to other applications such as robotics and disaster management. Clinisys develops a variety of secure, scalable and user-friendly e-Healthcare solutions and medical devices for the healthcare industry and patient population. The proposed project ideation emerged from discussions with several stakeholders e.g., the rehab patients at Glenrose Rehabilitation hospital. The proposed navigational software will be an important addition into the Clinisys Patient Portal.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Mrinal Mandal

Student:

Partner:

Clinisys EMR Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Information and Communications Technology; Artificial Intelligence; Transportation (excluding aerospace)

University:

University of Alberta

Program:

Accelerate

Mitigating the effects of climate change on habitat-forming seaweeds in the Salish Sea

Kelps are large brown algae that can form complex marine “forests”. Many marine species, including salmon, use these kelp forests as habitat. However, kelps in the Salish Sea have been declining in recent years. This has likely been driven, at least in part, by ocean warming. If we are to predict how kelp losses might progress in the future, we need to know more about the thermal limits of different kelp species. We also must take action to safeguard these important organisms. For this project, the thermal limits of multiple populations of bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana), the principal canopy-forming kelp in the Salish Sea, will be characterized experimentally. Methods will also be established for storing bull kelp propagules in a “seed bank” that can be used to protect and restore kelp populations. This work will directly benefit the salmon that rely on the Salish Sea’s kelp forests, which will contribute to the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s mission to conserve salmon populations in Pacific Canada.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Sherryl Bisgrove

Student:

Partner:

Pacific Salmon Foundation

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Other services (except public administration); Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program:

Accelerate

Preuve de concept d’un système d’aide à la navigation pour le transport maritime afin de réduire l’impact du bruit dans l’environnement du Bélugas

Les technologies liées aux systèmes d’aide aux prises des décisions dans des navires intelligents ont atteint un niveau
de maturité élevé dans les dernières années. Pendant ce temps, les navires autonomes et sans pilote ont aussi été
largement étudiés en parallèle aux véhicules autonomes, comme les chargeuses autonomes dans les mines. Bien que
la technologie de commande soit similaire, les difficultés rencontrées sont différentes dans la captation de
l’environnement, la gestion des collisions, la génération des trajectoires, la localisation, la reconnaissance des entités
autonomes par télécommunication ainsi que la logistique. Le projet de recherche dans cette demande de financement
étudie une preuve de concept d’un système d’aide aux prises des décisions dont il intègre des technologies de
localisation des cétacés via des capteurs hybrides 3D et de réduction de l’impact des activités de transport en utilisant
des algorithmes d’intelligences artificielles. Ainsi, une solution intermédiaire aux navires autonomes est proposée
par l’apport d’un système d’aide aux prises des décisions pour les capitaines afin de les assister.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Martin Otis

Student:

Partner:

Arianne Phosphate

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Mining

University:

Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

Program:

Accelerate

Indigenous-led salmon catch monitoring for just and equitable fisheries management in the Central Coast of British Columbia

This research is designed to advance understandings and monitoring of the recreational and Indigenous food salmon harvests and their management within the Central Coast of BC. Further, this collaborative research project is being led by the Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance and four partnering First Nations (Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xai’xais, Nuxalk and Wuikinuxv Nation) to develop a salmon catch monitoring framework. Research will be conducted by guidance from the Central Coast Indigenous Alliance ensuring that findings contribute directly to the innovation of community-based and Indigenous-led fisheries management and monitoring in British Columbia. This research project and its design is centered on weaving Indigenous knowledge, Indigenous Laws, and Indigenous perspectives (worldviews), and will be inclusive of diversity.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Natalie Ban

Student:

Partner:

Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education; Other services (except public administration); Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Victoria

Program:

Accelerate

Developing an Application to Facilitate Health Practitioner-to-Patients eConsultation

Despite the advances in medical science over the years, a great number of the world population still lacks access to basic healthcare. The health disparity between people in low resource settings and developed countries cannot be overemphasized. The disparity in health between developing and developed countries is evident in their life expectancy. However, the current COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that our health is interconnected, and we are as healthy as the weakest link. Global health is our shared responsibility; therefore, we cannot leave any community or nation behind in the quest for global health. Therefore, this proposal aims to develop an application to promote global health by providing unrestrained access to medical professionals worldwide via technology irrespective of one’s geographical location. Specifically, we propose a develop dedicated video-enabled application to enable health practitioners and patients’ consultation from any part of the world thereby reducing the inequality in access to healthcare. This is in line with UNDP Sustainable Development goal of Good Health and Well-being for all.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Rita Orji

Student:

Partner:

Baseline Health Services

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

Dalhousie University

Program:

Accelerate

Agent-based Modelling of the Distribution of Calanus finmarchicus and C. hyperboreus as Input to Habitat Modeling of North-Atlantic-Right-Whale

The North Atlantic right whale (NARW) population, Eubalaena glacialis, is highly endangered. Reproduction success is thought to depend on availability of their main prey, energy-rich copepods. Thus, abiotic and biotic environmental conditions might be of high importance to determine suitable habitats of the NARW. In the framework of the smartwhales program (Canadian Space Agency), we propose to develop a model to predict North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW) distribution, through the use of a novel integrated dynamic ecological modeling technique. To carry out dynamic habitat modeling, the spatial and temporal distribution of the two main prey species, the copepods Calanus finmarchicus and C. hyperboreus are key. Therefore, our objective here is to accurately predict the distribution of C. finmarchicus and C. hyperboreus over a 5 year hindcast period using a novel Agent-based modeling (ABM) approach.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Gesche Winkler

Student:

Partner:

WSP Canada Inc

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Sustainability & the Environment; Other; Environmental Science and Technology

University:

Université du Québec à Rimouski

Program:

Accelerate

Impact of prescribed fire and grazing management on grassland plant and songbird communities

This project will examine bird-habitat relationships at the Nature Conservancy of Canada Old Man on His Back Conservation area. Understanding how conservation grasslands can be managed to maintain high quality Species at Risk habitat is critically important for Canada to meet its obligations under the Species at Risk Act. We have three objectives: 1) determine the long-term impacts of prescribed fire on songbirds by comparing songbird abundances and habitat metrics between areas burned by prescribed fire and adjacent control areas, 2) compare plant community structure between three grazing regimes (summer bison grazing, winter bison grazing, and summer cattle grazing), and 3) compare songbird abundance between the three grazing regimes. NCC has a mandate to manage and maintain the ecological integrity of their land. Grazing is critical to maintain the conservation value of grassland ecosystems; this proposal will provide clear answers to guide specific grazing management decisions on Mixed grass prairie.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Eric Lamb;Stephen Davis

Student:

Partner:

Nature Conservancy of Canada

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Other services (except public administration)

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program:

Accelerate

The Development of Green Carbons from Biomass Torrefaction: Activated Carbon

B. W. BioEnergy Inc. has developed and characterized three major carbon samples from a renewable, cost-efficient feedstock, the Alder and Willow trees. B.W. BioEnergy Inc. has identified the need for facile methods of activating Torrified Alder tree biomass and probing the potential application of these biomasses to adsorb various industrial pollutants in the aqueous phase including heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd and Cu) and organics (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) as a major research objective. The proposed collaborative project investigates the surface chemistry and porous structure of a series of chemically activated carbon from Alder and Willow wood prepared by mild oxidizing agents under mild conditions in the liquid phase. The adsorption of pure naphthalene and pyrene as well as several heavy metals (Iron, Copper and Lead) on the various activated carbons will be investigated.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Stephanie MacQuarrie

Student:

Partner:

B.W. BioEnergy Inc

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Utilities

University:

Cape Breton University

Program:

Accelerate

Techno-economic analysis of commercial CO2 to formic acid electrolytic stacks and process

Electro Carbon aims at developing a compact prototype that electro-reduces CO2 captured from combustion into formic acid. Formic acid is the building material for chemicals, used as hydrogen carrier for direct formic acid fuel cells and/or converted to commodity chemicals. 1 L of liquid formic acid contains the equivalent of 590 L of hydrogen. In the electroreduction of CO2 to formic acid, the targets are a Faradaic efficiency > 90% and a current density > 200 mA cm-2. The objective of the project is to predict the output of the electrolyzer by modeling the input, operating conditions, cell stack configuration, catalyst kinetics, current density, etc. The project also encompasses the techno-economic analysis of the entire CO2 to formic acid process, including product separation.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Daria Camilla Boffito

Student:

Partner:

Electro Carbon

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Polytechnique Montréal

Program:

Accelerate

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Mitacs — Return on Innovation

Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.