Innovative Projects Realized

Manufacturing / sourcing strategy for depth and hybrid electrodes

Neuraura Biotech Inc., (“Neuraura”) is a seed stage Calgary-based company focused on the field of neuroscience / neurotech, formed as a spin-out of the University of Calgary in 2017. Neuraura is developing a brain monitoring platform for intra-cranial pre-assessment of epilepsy surgery patients comprised of cortical, depth and (novel) hybrid electrodes, a wireless EEG hardware system and EEG trace and 3D visualization software. This project will define the sourcing / manufacturing strategy for the depth and hybrid electrodes, taking into account a wide variety of technical, commercial and regulatory factors.

Songs, Stories and Sacred Fire Partnership: Strategies for Success in the Context of COVID-19

Songs, Stories and Sacred Fire: Fostering Reconciliation through Collaborative Research in Unama’ki is a multi-faceted program that established a new partnership between an existing collaborative research group based at the Centre for Sound Communities (CSC) comprising multiple generations of researchers from Membertou First Nation and Cape Breton University– and the Atlantic Memorial Park Society. The overall goal of our project is to build on existing relationships and established methodologies in the context of this new partnership, to provide direction for the development of the Park’s Indigenous content and interpretation. Our original research plan has been carried out; a final report, with accompanying short documentary films, is being finalized. However, in light of new COVID-19 related challenges, we require additional data to complete an additional section of the report. More specifically, we need to collect data to support the development of recommendations to ensure the Park will be successful in the new COVID era. What are the mechanisms by which the Park’s Indigenous research, development, content and interpretation can be fully realized and successful in new COVID-19 realities, in the face of pandemic-related challenges?

TechImpact – Bushra Siaj

The company is currently focused on building a vibrant and growing Atlantic Canadian economy by using technology to unlock our region’s potential. COVID has impacted our day-to-day goals as an organization. As part one of our projects, we want to create a full story around the barriers and opportunities to advancing digital transformation.

Long-term forecasting of optical Quality of Transmission

The purpose of this project is to investigate long-term forecasting of optical quality of transmission (QoT) based on deep neural networks (DNNs). QoT refers to the properties of the optical channel such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which define the level of service provided by the optical channel. DNNs are a compelling technology, but their usability beyond scenarios outside of image, speech or text pattern recognition is mostly unproven. In the forecasting context DNNs have been used succesfuly for short-term forecasts, which are not useful for management of optical networks. As the scope of use of DNNs is fairly limited at the moment, we plan to investigate new DNN architectures for the purpose of long-term forecasts in optical network management.
In this project, we intend to: (1) investigate the use of DNNs on field data that Ciena has collected from its customers’ networks and evaluate the ability of DNNs to forecast QoT far into the future and (2) develop algorithms that enable estimates of QoT relevant to how service level agreements (SLAs) are specified.

The CASM Group – Angelisa Daly

Like other businesses, The CASM Group is experiencing issues in regards to their online delivery services. Their needs include assessing their current platform, making recommendations about implementing a brand new e-commerce platform to manage service delivery.

The Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin on Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Posttraumatic Stress Using Rodent Animal Models

Drug addiction is a rapidly growing public health crisis in Canada. Death related to drug addiction is rising in Canada; especially opioid-related death was close to 3000 in 2016. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychiatric disorder that affects 9% of Canadians, while death related to drug addiction is growing in Canada; especially opioid-related death was close to 3000 in 2016. Current treatment is less effective for these issues. It is urgent to develop novel pharmacotherapies to treat both conditions. Magic mushroom is a polyphyletic, informal group of fungi. Recently, researches have shown that Psilocybin is promising to treat mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. However, the exact drug mechanism of Psilocybin towards treating psychiatric disorders is unknown, and few laboratories explore this compound’s anti-addiction effect. As a result, this proposal aims to test if Psilocybin improves drug addiction and PTSD symptoms in animals. We expected that the Psilocybin could reduce the drug addictions and PTSD symptoms in animals.

Electrodialysis treatment of Kraft black liquo rusing Bipolar membrane

The pro€iuGtion. capacity of the Kraft process is one of the important measures in the pulp and paper industry. A promising method for increasing the production capacity of the Kraft process is to lower the load of the recovery boiler by means of extracting lignin from the black liquor (BL). One of the sustainable methods for this purpose is employing membrane separation processes such as electrochemical extraction. In particular, electrodialytic treatment with bipolar membrane leads to separation of various elements based on their chemical, physical, and electrochemical properties and production of caustic soda. BL consists of electrolytes such as well as non electrolytes such. Hence, electrodialysis with bipolar membrane (EDBPM) is an effective way for lignin extraction from BL.

Business Strategy Internship with Virtual Consulting Corp

Virtual Consulting Co is providing an online platform to allow for pharmacists to perform virtual consults while working with central fill pharmacies to deliver medications to patients. The company needs a review of the various legal and professional standards across provinces in Canada and the various states in the US. Based on this review, the company would like to plan for an expanded offering that would allow for an expansion of the target market.

Supply Chain/Procurement Research Co-Op Student – SmartICE

Working closely with the SmartICE Executive Director, the Research Associate Co-op will focus on conducting research focusing on a review of critical success factors in
implementing communications and impact plans around social procurement and supply chains. This research will cumulate in writing a report and a presentation to SmartICE and stakeholders.

Momentum Design Build

Momentum Design Build is a Vancouver Island based construction and development company that designs and builds custom residential housing, commercial buildings, and light industrial projects. They have faced significant growth in the last two years and are looking for solutions to meet demand while maintaining a high-quality product. The proposed internship has two components. It will involve improving and developing budgeting systems for construction projects, as well as job-shadowing project managers and learning project management software to develop the intern’s project management skills. The internship will benefit Momentum by improving processes, which will enable them to identify their strengths and to take advantage of the growing opportunities in the development industry.

Connected Canadians Outreach & Partnership Coordinator

During COVID-19 Connected Canadians has expanded its programs to serve seniors in a variety of different ways, including helping to reduce isolation and loneliness amongst the senior population.

Research will be done to analyze any operational inefficiencies and weaknesses that may be present and create a strategy to best address them. Connected Canadians is growing rapidly, thus figuring out any occupational inefficiencies early on is ideal. Work will also be done to aid Connected Canadians in the volunteer management and recruitment engagement strategy to ensure the organization is able to keep up with the rapidly growing needs in the community.

Augmenting Flight Training with AI to Efficiently Train Pilots

There is a critical shortage of commercial pilots in North America, in large part because pilots who are qualified to conduct such training are in very high demand. Delphi is an innovative Calgary-based flight training school that is using novel methods to improve student outcomes, increase retention of students, and scale student training to better satisfy this demand. This research will use machine learning and intelligent tutoring system techniques to enable a new, simulation-based, training pipeline that aims to dramatically increase the success of Delphi’s training program, resulting in higher-success, lower-cost training of new pilots.