Innovative Projects Realized

Kinetic and Thermodynamic Analysis of Post-Combustion CO2 Capture Process: Parametric Modelling, Optimization and Solvents Screening

This project is a cooperation between the university and an industrial partner. The project is reflecting the most challenging concerns in the carbon capture processes at the industrial operations. The project seeks possible solutions for the improvement of solvent-based post combustion CO2 capture process. The process improvement qualifiers are the amount of the energy utilization, CO2 absorption, and the solvent selection, which have the greatest operational advantages along with the least environmental impact. This can be accomplished by following the proposed methodology and developing appropriate mathematical models for the kinetics, thermodynamics, physical, chemical, and transport phenomena involved in the process. The MITACS support will be used to hire a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) to endorse the endeavors envisioned in the joint industry project (JIP). The PDF will bear the theoretical attempts and practical efforts at the facilities provided by the partner and at Memorial University (MUN).

Optimization of a TMP production process by Implementing a new online pulp quality analyzer

Irving Paper is a specialty paper producer located in Saint John, New Brunswick. The mill has made significant investment most recently. There are three TMP lines that produce high- quality TMP to be used by two super- calendered (SC) paper machines. The TMP quality, including the fiber characteristics, would be critical in producing highquality SC paper. The project is part of Irving Paper’s goal to optimize the overall production process, including the decrease in the production cost. This internship will work on a project related to a new on line fiber control system that will target to improve the TMP refining, screening, and paper making process. The student will use the facilities at UNB and Irving Paper to complete the proposed project. It will provide a strong training opportunity to the intern.

Project Manager at The Water Shed Inc.

A Project Manager will be involved in overseeing and executing the implementation of a new Learning Management System (LMS) operating system for The Watershed Inc., to determine if it can be turned into a stand-alone business.

Innovative Canadians for Change – InnovaHealth Digital Health Incubator and Accelerator – RES0054325

InnovaHealth is a dual-streamed Incubation and Acceleration platform offered by Innovative Canadians for Change (ICChange) that creates economic benefits by preparing entrepreneurs to launch disruptive, community-driven change in healthcare specifically in marginalized and underserved populations in Alberta.

Disproportionately costly and inefficiently managed health disparities have been identified in Indigenous and low-income communities by the Alberta Ministry of Health, for which it now aims to support the development of targeted and collaborative health interventions. Rising healthcare costs and growing strain on an already taxed system necessitates a new approach that empowers local and global digital health solutions to solve neglected problems in healthcare. As such, InnovaHealth aims to catalyze entrepreneurial activity in this overlooked, yet critical area of opportunity for impact by digital health innovators residing with marginalized populations in inner-city and remote communities.

Beginning with a needs’ assessment, InnovaHealth works with communities to articulate needs and opportunities before inviting innovators to break down barriers in healthcare access and equity. Community stakeholders co-create solutions and are actively consulted through the prototyping and product development stages, with the potential for gainsharing as solutions achieve scale.

Favoriser la résilience organisationnelle – analyse d’un projet pilot

La résilience dans une perceptive organisationnelle est fort intéressante et d’actualité. Homes (1997) définit ce concept comme étant la résistance de l’organisation face à une perturbation et sa capacité à se rétablir. La vitesse des changements, la pénurie de main-d’œuvre, les départs massifs à la retraite, l’évolution technologique sont que quelques exemples qui justifient le besoin des organisations à travailler leur résilience. Ce besoin est accentué par la pandémie actuelle qui a créé des états de crises dans les organisations et communautés.
L’organisation cliente du projet est Niska, une coopérative de travail fondée en 2005. Elle se spécialise dans le soutien aux démarches collectives et la gestion du développement par, entres-autres son offre de services d’accompagnement, de consultations stratégiques et d’animation. Pour répondre à ce besoin, la coopérative débute un projet pilote de 22 semaines regroupant 15 participants de 15 communautés différentes de l’écosystème Estrien. La démarche inclura de l’accompagnement, de la formation, des ateliers et des périodes introspections ayant pour objectif de développer leur capacité en termes de résilience individuelle.

Project Analyst

This co-op term will largely be focused around the planning and successful execution of the Executive Health program to be offered by Voak Health. The role will entail aspects of marketing, business development and operations optimization.

Aman Kumari

Antxl is building and taking care of HealEn of market in Canada. HealEn works in musculoskeletal health area.

Ocean Allies 7

The Ocean Allies project has a total value of more than $420,000 where the Ocean Supercluster will provide $250,000 with the balance of funding coming from project partners. Led by Pisces Research Project Management Inc together with partners Upswing Solutions, Huntsman Marine Science Centre, Assembly of First Nations, BioNB, Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE), Irving Shipbuilding, Nova Scotia Business Inc, Ocean Technology Council of Nova Scotia, Ocean Frontier Institute, OceansAdvance, PanGeo Subsea, Synapse, Mitacs,and Ulnooweg, this project is designed to access, engage, and support a diverse ocean economy through targeted strategic activities.

MITACS BSI Application – County of Lennox & Addington

The Economic Development Task Force is expanding their Investment Attraction Initiatives to ensure continued economic growth in the region. Despite the challenges that COVID-19 has created for Lennox and Addington County, there are many economic growth opportunities. A partnership with the Smith School of Business will enable the County of Lennox and Addington to grow on their current successes and further grow the local economy with new investment attraction opportunities. The Lennox and Addington Economic Development Office requires an intern to implement investment attraction projects and assist community leaders within the area with local initiatives. This project will require the intern to conduct supporting research to attract new business opportunities. Additionally, the project involves collaboration with the EDO to help local municipalities find gaps in their local economy. Furthermore, the intern will be required to develop pitches with EDO with research and evidence to attract companies to expand their operations and open up manufacturing, commercial and retail businesses in Lennox and Addington County.

Videns Analytics – FSA UL

La majorité de notre développement d’affaires était réalisé jusqu’à présent (avant la pandémie) dans des événements. Nous présentions normalement nos services ou donnions des conférences, et des contrats en découlaient. Avec la pandémie, toutes nos opportunités pour détecter de nouveaux clients se sont arrêtées. Nous cherchons donc à mettre en place une stratégie globale pour notre force de ventes qui prendra en considération nos démarches à l’international et notre secteur d’activité (intelligence artificielle) pointu.

Conscious Brands Inc. – Busioness Model Generator (2)

In 2020 we did a soft launch of our Conscious Brands Assessment software to former clients and industry colleagues. We had moderate success, and realized that our impact was limited by our capacity. With COVID aside, we feel that we need to pivot from a strategy of targeting B2C businesses to a focus on B2B businesses. We have identified a working group of other brand and management consults to pilot a B2B model and add the Conscious Brands Assessment tool to their toolbox.
The goal of offering the position is to help further clarify the program fee structure, the flow of information to the accredited providers, training program/ best practises, and a go to market strategy.

Business Development and Strategy Intern

The main objectives of this project will be to multiply the client’s international presence, brand, and revenue. I plan on doing this by developing a distributor strategy focusing on retention, growth, and optimization. If there is capacity, I also aim to help improve the client’s online presence through marketing functions like email campaigns, SEO, and website (front end and back end) optimization. The metrics that will be relevant to the objectives will be revenue, revenue growth, number of distributors, quality of distributors, and sales activity through distributors. This project will have a direct impact on improving the client’s revenues and bottom line. The client believes that the market is currently “failing” them, in the sense that they are missing 90% of the market and are not sure about the best way to move forward. There is far more demand for their products than the client is experiencing, so they believe there are significant growth opportunities in the markets. Furthermore, this project will be able to rebuild their distributor strategy from the ground up and greatly benefit their international presence.