Innovative Projects Realized

Unpaved forest roads as a source of suspended sediment in the Honna River watershed

The Honna River is the drinking water source for the Village of Queen Charlotte (pop. 950), and is also important salmon habitat. Sediment from unpaved forest roads near the river may be entering the channel in significant quantities. In a previous internship, intern David Reid implemented a channel reach-scale study of all sediment sources in the Honna River in an effort to determine the total volume of sediment contributed from the road, and also how this volume compares to natural sediment sources. The goal of the proposed internship is to complete the reach scale sediment budget by taking second measurements of channel profile to estimate bank erosion rates, and sediment storage in channel. The measurement of suspended sediment concentration and discharge has been ongoing, and will continue during this internship. Collected data will be analyzed to assess the impact of forest roads at the reach scale. Specifically, the effect of traffic will be examined, and the role of the timing of sediment input investigated. Results will be used to manage wet weather road use in the Honna River watershed, and will also fill research gaps related to reach-scale sediment input from roads to rivers.

Thermophotovoltaics for waste-heat to electric power conversion on spacecrafts

Space missions are very costly, limited and often short-lived. The capabilities and value of a space mission depends on the energy and power available on a space craft. For many space missions it is not possible to bring an energy source that can supply the required power throughout the entire duration of the mission. Furthermore, spacecrafts often generate excess heat that is largely unused. Cooling systems on spacecrafts are designed to radiate unwanted heat into space to prevent overheating. However, unwanted heat on spacecrafts has great potential to generate electric power.

The objective of this project is to integrate a novel thermophotovoltaic (TPV) device into a spacecraft propulsion system. TPV devices use a photovoltaic cell to convert radiant heat into electric power. The TPV system in this project comprises a novel optical cavity structure that concentrates radiant energy from a heat source onto a PV cell. This TPV system is made of durable and inexpensive components, has no moving parts, and does not generate vibrations which could hinder the operation of a spacecraft.

The carbon abatement potential of pine beetle affected wood biochar in British Columbia – Year Two

This project aims at providing a comprehensive appreciation of the net carbon capture potential of using pine beetle affected wood as feedstock for biochar (a carbon rich material) production and use throughout British Columbia. The carbon capture potential will be assessed by balancing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production, transport, and amendment of the biochar on agricultural fields with a model of the soil carbon and plant growth impact of biochar addition. Doing so, the project aims to identify areas with high carbon capture potential and, conversely, areas with limited to no carbon capture potential through pine beetle affected wood biochar addition. Theses novel and highly valuable insights aim to inform both the science and policy communities about a long-term carbon capture solution while participating in solving biomass management and soil fertility challenges specific to the Province.

The carbon abatement potential of pine beetle affected wood biochar in British Columbia

This project aims at providing a comprehensive appreciation of the net carbon capture potential of using pine beetle affected wood as feedstock for biochar (a carbon rich material) production and use throughout British Columbia. The carbon capture potential will be assessed by balancing the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production, transport, and amendment of the biochar on agricultural fields with a model of the soil carbon and plant growth impact of biochar addition. Doing so, the project aims to identify areas with high carbon capture potential and, conversely, areas with limited to no carbon capture potential through pine beetle affected wood biochar addition. Theses novel and highly valuable insights aim to inform both the science and policy communities about a long-term carbon capture solution while participating in solving biomass management and soil fertility challenges specific to the Province.

Distributed traffic management system for future urban mobility

As a solution to reduce congestion on vehicular roads and mitigate longer travelling times, this technology provides the most optimal routes for drivers by guaranteeing the shortest travel time in an eco-friendly environment. The technology relies on communication to road-side intelligent intersection agents with embedded sensors that to estimate routes based on the real-time road link traffic status. The system is capable to distribute traffic in an efficient manner to control and coordinate vehicular movements.

Comportement hydro-géotechnique et stabilité physique de la co-disposition des roches stériles et des résidus miniers dans un remblayage de fosse à ciel ouvert – Year Two

Le développement de l’industrie minière engendre des quantités de rejets miniers de plus en plus vastes. Ceci implique des surfaces affectées plus étendues, avec des impacts environnementaux plus significatifs. Les aires d’entreposage de centaines de millions de tonnes de rejets miniers en surface peuvent occuper plusieurs dizaines d’hectares et présentent de nombreux risques piur la communauté et pour l’environnement. Une alternative pour diminuer la surface impactée dans les mines à ciel ouvert est le remblayage des fosses. Pourtant, la méthode se base principalement sur des procédures développées au cas par cas et relativement peu documentées.
Le plan de recherche se fera en partenariat entre Polytechnique Montréal et la Mine Canadian Malartic (MCM). L’objectif principal est de développer des critères hydro-géotechniques et opérationnels afin d’augmenter la fiabilité des analyses de stabilité physique de la co-disposition des roches stériles et des résidus miniers non réactifs dans un remblayage de fosse à ciel ouvert. On propose de développer des nouvelles méthodologies de caractérisation des matériaux de rejets miniers et de modélisation numérique. Les avancements des connaissances contribueront à encourager les projets de co-disposition et de remblayage de fosses dans l’industrie minière canadienne et internationale, avec des diminutions des surfaces impactées et des avantages environnementaux significatives, ce qui représentera un pas en avant vers le développement durable de ce secteur productif.

Comportement hydro-géotechnique et stabilité physique de la co-disposition des roches stériles et des résidus miniers dans un remblayage de fosse à ciel ouvert

Le développement de l’industrie minière engendre des quantités de rejets miniers de plus en plus vastes. Ceci implique des surfaces affectées plus étendues, avec des impacts environnementaux plus significatifs. Les aires d’entreposage de centaines de millions de tonnes de rejets miniers en surface peuvent occuper plusieurs dizaines d’hectares et présentent de nombreux risques piur la communauté et pour l’environnement. Une alternative pour diminuer la surface impactée dans les mines à ciel ouvert est le remblayage des fosses. Pourtant, la méthode se base principalement sur des procédures développées au cas par cas et relativement peu documentées.
Le plan de recherche se fera en partenariat entre Polytechnique Montréal et la Mine Canadian Malartic (MCM). L’objectif principal est de développer des critères hydro-géotechniques et opérationnels afin d’augmenter la fiabilité des analyses de stabilité physique de la co-disposition des roches stériles et des résidus miniers non réactifs dans un remblayage de fosse à ciel ouvert. On propose de développer des nouvelles méthodologies de caractérisation des matériaux de rejets miniers et de modélisation numérique. Les avancements des connaissances contribueront à encourager les projets de co-disposition et de remblayage de fosses dans l’industrie minière canadienne et internationale, avec des diminutions des surfaces impactées et des avantages environnementaux significatives, ce qui représentera un pas en avant vers le développement durable de ce secteur productif.

Validating an automated speech assessment pipeline for use with individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – Year Two

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disease that affects many parts of patients’ lives, such as the abilities to think, move, and speak. Speech problems in ALS can have a substantial effect on patients’ quality of life. They are also related to faster disease progression and shorter survival time. It may be possible to detect the onset of ALS head and neck muscle problems early using speech recordings, which could improve planning of care for ALS patients. Speech recordings may also be useful measures for ALS clinical trials. Our proposed industry partner, Winterlight Labs, has developed an app that records speech and uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect speech problems in a variety of diseases. In this study, we will investigate the ability of their app to detect speech problems in people with ALS. We will also determine if their app can distinguish people with ALS from healthy individuals. By conducting this study, we will gain a better understanding of speech problems related to ALS. Winterlight will benefit by gaining access to new data, which will help improve its app, and which could also make their app suitable as a tool to use in clinical trials of ALS treatments.

Processes for Ensuring Mobile Educational Game Quality

Software developers have been quick to capitalize on the growing number of children using smartphones, publishing enough educational titles to warrant their own category on the Apple App Store. However, establishing the efficacy and usability of these mobile educational games can be difficult and expensive. Heuristics are commonly used during the evaluation of user interface and game design, providing substantial benefit at limited cost. However, current game heuristics do not address the interplay between educational and entertainment outcomes. In this proposal we outline a process for generating and evaluating heuristics for mobile educational exergames. This research will provide an additional specialized framework to the growing body of game evaluation techniques and provide the sponsoring company with an early adopter advantage more efficient quality assurance.

Validating an automated speech assessment pipeline for use with individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disease that affects many parts of patients’ lives, such as the abilities to think, move, and speak. Speech problems in ALS can have a substantial effect on patients’ quality of life. They are also related to faster disease progression and shorter survival time. It may be possible to detect the onset of ALS head and neck muscle problems early using speech recordings, which could improve planning of care for ALS patients. Speech recordings may also be useful measures for ALS clinical trials. Our proposed industry partner, Winterlight Labs, has developed an app that records speech and uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect speech problems in a variety of diseases. In this study, we will investigate the ability of their app to detect speech problems in people with ALS. We will also determine if their app can distinguish people with ALS from healthy individuals. By conducting this study, we will gain a better understanding of speech problems related to ALS. Winterlight will benefit by gaining access to new data, which will help improve its app, and which could also make their app suitable as a tool to use in clinical trials of ALS treatments.

Direct Solution Processing of Fullerene C60 with Branched Polyethylene Towards Improved Organic Electronics – Year Two

Organic solar cells are promising sources of renewable energy, with the added benefit of mechanical flexibility making them particularly desirable for many applications compared to traditional silicon solar cells. However, high cost and low efficiency has thus far hindered the commercialization of organic devices, restricting their development to academic research labs. One of the carbon-based materials most widely utilized in the active layer of organic solar cells, C60, has desirable electronic properties but requires costly deposition methods to fabricate into thin films for electronic devices. Covalently functionalized derivatives have been developed which can be coated into films using inexpensive methods, however this approach increases the material costs significantly. In this project, we will utilize straightforward non-covalent chemistry to functionalize C60 with an inexpensive polyethylene, to enhance the material’s solubility and facilitate solution coating. The polyethylene is a proprietary material developed by PolyAnalytik Inc, and is currently undergoing evaluation for several applications. Solution processing is an economical and scalable method of preparing thin films for electronic devices, and non-covalent functionalization provides an inexpensive route to access soluble C60 derivatives. Organic solar cells will be fabricated with the newly developed functional C60/polyethylene, laying the groundwork for subsequent commercialization efforts by PolyAnalytik Inc. to market their polyethylene as a solubilizing additive for the advanced manufacturing of emerging organic electronic devices.

Direct Solution Processing of Fullerene C60 with Branched Polyethylene Towards Improved Organic Electronics

Organic solar cells are promising sources of renewable energy, with the added benefit of mechanical flexibility making them particularly desirable for many applications compared to traditional silicon solar cells. However, high cost and low efficiency has thus far hindered the commercialization of organic devices, restricting their development to academic research labs. One of the carbon-based materials most widely utilized in the active layer of organic solar cells, C60, has desirable electronic properties but requires costly deposition methods to fabricate into thin films for electronic devices. Covalently functionalized derivatives have been developed which can be coated into films using inexpensive methods, however this approach increases the material costs significantly. In this project, we will utilize straightforward non-covalent chemistry to functionalize C60 with an inexpensive polyethylene, to enhance the material’s solubility and facilitate solution coating. The polyethylene is a proprietary material developed by PolyAnalytik Inc, and is currently undergoing evaluation for several applications. Solution processing is an economical and scalable method of preparing thin films for electronic devices, and non-covalent functionalization provides an inexpensive route to access soluble C60 derivatives. Organic solar cells will be fabricated with the newly developed functional C60/polyethylene, laying the groundwork for subsequent commercialization efforts by PolyAnalytik Inc. to market their polyethylene as a solubilizing additive for the advanced manufacturing of emerging organic electronic devices.