Innovative Projects Realized

Characterization of a novel humanized monoclonal antibody specific to VEGF-C: Impact on lymphatic metastasis in cancer

Cancer cells can travel to distant sites through the lymphatic system; this system is similar to a network of pipes within the body that carries fluids and cells to all organs. The metastatic spread of cancer cells through this network is one of the reasons why this disease is so difficult to stop. We are working with Kalgene Pharmaceuticals to test a new compound that can impact the lymphatic system. The hope is to block this network and thus stop metastatic spread thereby improving patient survival. We in partnership with Kalgene will provide the scientific and technical expertise in order to push this new compound to the clinic.

Ideal growth conditions for optimal nutrient content and yield in companion crops grown in vertical farming

Just Vertical builds, sells, and supports indoor growing gardens and farming modules. Indoor vertical farming is becoming more popular but is currently limited by the varieties of crops that can be grown and subsequently, the nutritionally density of those crops grown indoors. Building on the first research project between Just Vertical and Seneca in 2020, this project will produce recipes to effectively grow nutritious, high-yielding crops in AEVA units using conditions that optimize the growth of a variety of
crops grown at the same time.
The Seneca research team will develop methods for crop nutrient analysis, perform chemical analyses, and make recommendations to Just Vertical on optimizing food growth and nutrition. The project will also evaluate how common growing mistakes can affect crop yield and nutrition. These results will be implemented by customers through proprietary growth recipes, which will give Just Vertical a competitive edge to attract new customers and market share.

Data & Reporting Analyst

Learners.ai is pioneering the application of a new approach for financial services and eCommerce firms to scale their products/services and accelerate revenue using a data-driven approach. The project “Scalable Reveune Operations for Learners.ai” is aimed at implementing the go-to-market strategy for a scalable Revenue Operations service created by Learners.ai after successfully delivering results several clients.

An Enhanced Micro-Suspension System

VueReal is currently developing LED technology that requires transfer of devices during fabrication to other sites. However, these devices are fragile. During the transfer process, an unacceptably large number of devices are damaged due to failures in their suspension systems. This reduces the fabrication yield and therefore increases production cost. It is not obvious whether these failures arise due to temperature variations, shocks during transportation, or other reasons. This project aims to address this challenge and propose directions for further development.

The objective of this project is to propose a solution that will alleviate device failures during transportation. The first step in the proposed approach is to model and simulate the device and its suspension system using Finite Element Modeling and to carry out thermal and structural (shock) analyses on the model. This will allow us to identify the root cause(s) of those failures. We will then re-design the suspension system in order to address those causes. Different solutions will be developed, simulated, and validated. Finally, a candidate solution will be proposed.

VueReal is a Canadian leader in Micro-LED technology.

Developing a Field Deployable Assay System for Environmental Monitoring

There are currently over 9,000 potentially contaminated sites in Canada that require environmental assessment. The Field Deployable Assay (FDA) is a simple and cost-effective method for performing accurate environmental monitoring and site assessments. The FDAs are composed of a stationary main body and a variety of interchangeable cartridges. These cartridges act as miniature greenhouses, easily allowing for the monitoring of the growth of plants and fungus over an extended period. Based on the rate of seed germination, seedling growth and plant-fungal interactions, the degree of contamination of a site can be determined. The goal of the research is to refine the existing cartridge models as well as developing new models. New species will also be added to the list of suitable candidates that can be used, allowing for more robust environmental assessments.

Promoting BEST (BEtter, Faster, Longer, STronger) Walking for People with Parkinsons

This project aims to improve how people with Parkinson Disease (PD) walk. Typically, people with PD develop a shuffling gait and limits walking for health and fitness and can also lead to falls and fractures. This project is based on a SMART sensor, Heel2ToeTM, that attaches to the outside of the shoe and gives a “beep” when the wearer makes a good step, one in which the heel is the first point of contact with the surface. Starting a step with a strong heel strike, changes a stooped shuffling gait to one that is upright and striding. The aim here is to make this technology as useful as possible. To do this, we will invite 100 people with PD to try the Heel2Toe sensor and give us feedback about their experience while we track their progress. According to Parkinson Quebec, there are 25,000 people with PD in Quebec and 3924 are registered with Parkinson Quebec.

Land-use regulation modelling and conflicts detection in 3D city models: A proof of concept based on Bentley software solutions (3D CityLuR)

In the process of issuing building permit, urban planners need to check the compliance of proposed development with all required rules, policies, and land-use regulations (e.g., 2D and 3D) of the city mostly by using 2D graphical representations. In this internship, we will assess the value added of having 3D digital representation of land-use regulation to support this process. Currently there is not such commercial solution or professional services dedicated to this end. Based on conceptual framework developed at Université Laval, the internship proposes to apply those concepts and develop a proof of concept on Bentley products (iTwin and OpenCitiesPlanner). This may represent a main commercial advantage for Bentley Canada. Based on the case study of city of Melbourne (Australia), the internship will investigate how, in using iTwin, the regulations related to planning permits can be modeled in 3D (called 3D CityLuR) and combined with the 3D city model (Building Information Model). Then, a procedure developed on OpenCitiesPlanner will be utilized to verify the possibility of locating and ranking the potential conflicts between the 3D CityLuR and the 3D model of the proposed and existing buildings.

Analysis of Quality Control Processes & Consumer Journey within the Agri-Food Industry of Canada

The focus of this internship is to build upon initial market research conducted on consumer segments currently focused on by Allos Bioscience. There will be a comprehensive analysis to detail and refine the consumer journey within the industry / market, as well as the development of a decision matrix used to rank industrial feedback. The decision matrix will allow Allos to determine what additional biosensors and additional features should be prioritized from a qualitative and quantitative / economic standpoint such that Allos can best utilize its financial runway. Financial models and tools will be utilized to make forward looking projections that will help analyze market growth in each consumer segment – working in tangent with the decision matrix to outline the best path(s) for Allos moving forward.

Validation of Android-based NFC technologies as a Platform for Authentication Solutions

Today, a growing number of mobile devices come enabled with Near Field Communications (NFC) “out-of-the-box.” This has opened the door to an explosion of new possibilities for smartphones, such as those running on the Andriod platform. These new NFC capable Android devices could potentially replace RFID technologies, which are widely used in a variety of authentication applications, such as control access cards. However, it is unclear that all such cards can actually be “cloned” on the Android platform, which only offers a limited access to its NFC capabilities. Moreover, the simple act of re-placing an insecure RFID access cards with an Android App that is as vulnerable, does not solve the serious security issues that currently plague these wireless technologies. On the road to producing a secure NFC authentication solution, Ubique Technologies first needs to reproduce current solutions in order to ensure backward compatibility, which is an essential barrier – that needs to be eliminated – for market adoption.

Innovative Economic Model Development for the Ferryland Courthouse

In an effort to assess the long-term operation of a newly restored heritage building in the Town of Ferryland, this project will provide a detailed analysis and recommendation for potential building uses that will help to grow the economy in Ferryland, as well as the surrounding Irish Loop region. As part of the project, the intern will conduct a variety of experiments, including several pop-up events (i.e. retail store / cafe / restaurant / brewery / community centre / multi-purpose space / etc). With expertise from an experienced MBA student intern, Fresh Fruit & Architecture will gain valuable insight into how the restored building can function well into the future.

Cloud Technologies, Operation and Training Project with Ocean Supercluster

CARIS is leading a project with the Ocean Supercluster for the development of new innovative cloud technology for delivering CARIS software applications in a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model. CARIS tools used worldwide for the processing and management of hydrographic data will be deployed over cloud services, lowering the capital costs through a SaaS subscription business model, making the tools easier to access, lowering the demands on user hardware, and making the tools more secure.
CARIS is working with the Marine Institute to leverage its expertise in the hydrographic domain. Marine Institute will define a comprehensive test plan for testing and validating the cloud technologies developed by Teledyne CARIS, and also participate in the execution of the tests. In addition, Marine Institute will contribute to the creation of a blueprint for using the cloud technologies in virtual classroom environments.
This is an opportunity for 2 college level students to work on this innovation-driven project with a leading company working in this area.

Central Expansion Project

Salt Water Bath Bombs is a small business in Newfoundland & Labrador based out of St. John’s, NL. After previous years of succesful pop up shops (temporary store locations) in Gander, NL, the company is looking to understand whether or not it is sustainable to open a permanent location in Gander, NL once many locals have been vaccinated.