Innovative Projects Realized

Analysis of concentrically loaded braced frame using continuous end plate

The project consists in developing a design procedure for beam-column-bracing connection using welded end plates. This type of connection is simpler to fabricate, however, at present, the design standards do not specifically provide for their design calculations.

Bioorthogonal spin labeling approaches for high sensitivity electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy – Part 2

In order to investigate proteins in their natural environment one can attach tiny reporter molecules to them that can be traced with appropriate instruments. However, these small reporter molecules may often cause strong perturbations to the functionality of the proteins, or cannot be seen due to experimental restrictions like low concentrations. Bioorthogonal chemistry aims to eliminate such experimental restrictions by using as inert molecules as possible to see how proteins really work. We want to test novel bioorthogonal strategies for attaching reporter molecules that can be detected with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, a powerful magnetic resonance method that is able to detect changes in structure and function of proteins. As we also have a unique and highly sensitive, state-of-the-art EPR device at hand, together with new bioorthogonal strategies we are convinced that we will bridge the gap to a new world of applications.

Kinetics study of Recycling Process of Spent Lithium Iron-phosphate Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are powering a myriad of electronic and electric devices. There are many types of LIBs used for various applications including electric vehicles, electronics, and stationary energy storage. They are mostly based on lithiumcobalt cathodic compounds. Conversely, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) is a cobalt free cathodic material that is preferred over cobalt based LIBs for powering electrical and hybrid buses because of its relatively good energy density, its highly safe operation, its low cost, and its lower environmental impact. Nevertheless, the current recycling methods are not adapted for this material. Indeed, after being processed in current pyrometallurgical or hydrometallurgical recycling centres, the lithium, the iron, and the phosphorous composing LFP end-up in a solid waste. Therefore, a new recycling process based on selective hydrometallurgy was developed by Hydro-Québec to regenerate spent LFP as a new battery material. The current project is aiming to understand the reaction mechanisms and kinetics in order to optimize the process.

An automated manufacturability analysis system

Currently, the service provided by GRAD4 allows buyers to upload their designs for quotes from the suppliers. However, there is no initial manufacturability check for buyers to evaluate their parts before submitting their quotes. Buyers may get feedback from the suppliers, which indicates that their parts are not able to be manufacturable after a several-days waiting period. In order to reduce the time waste of the communication between the buyers and suppliers and speed up the order process, an initial manufacturability checker is in demand. Based on this, the objective of this project is proposed 1) to investigate various approaches for automated manufacturability analysis 2) to implement the approach either in a software prototype or as a plugin for an existing online geometric modeling tool. Finally, the manufacturability system will be tested and validated based on the feedback from the users for GRAD4

Testing the biofiltration capacity of a hydroponic green wall system for airborne VOCs

Air pollution is linked to 7 million deaths worldwide, making air quality one of the top ten global causes of death. Eighty percent of Canadians live in cities, and growing evidence suggests that indoor air within the built environment has significant health impacts. Our research will evaluate the contaminant removal capabilities of an active ‘living wall’ biofilter designed by a Canadian company for residential use. We will perform a sequence of experiments including short- and longer- term experiments to determine the differences between inflow and outflow air that has passed through the hydroponic living wall after being exposed to representative levels of volatile organic contaminants in indoor air. New Earth Solutions will receive results on the baseline performance of their unit as well as the relative contributions of the unit’s component parts (e.g., contaminant removal capacity of the porous synthetic substrate; the fertilized hydroponic irrigation water, plants, etc.).

CDL-West Intern

Background:

The Creative Destruction Lab is a seed venture development program for massively scalable science and technology based ventures founded to positively impact the human condition. The CDL has instituted a unique summer program in light of the COVID-19 pandemic that accelerates ventures that address Covid-19 in terms of information-based solutions. CDL-West, based at UBC Sauder School of Business, supports CDL-Recovery in venture recruitment, venture
management, pedagogy, virtual event management and in achievement of mentor-delegated objectives. Given that CDLRecovery exists above and beyond regular CDL-West programming, the CDL-West interns are crucial to the programs execution.

Anticipated project activities:

The CDL-West interns will support all elements of CDL-Recovery but will have special emphasis on virtual event management and providing consultative support for the benefit of the ventures’ achievement of mentor-delegated objectives. Projects may include market analysis, customer development, financial analysis, and other core activities related to building early stage start-ups as designated by program mentors and allocated by the CDL-Recovery team.

Model-driven application/ sensor testing

While Android is a very popular platform and represents the fastest growing segment in the
smartphone and tablet space, we see all kinds of different android platforms emerging. Thus, we not
only have the problem of having different android operating systems, we also have the problem that
vendors are able to customize the android operating systems which leads to further dividing the
market space. Such as, the support for Bluetooth varies greatly for these different smartphones and
tablet devices. Therefore in this project the focus is on evaluating, testing and maintaining the
existing radiation (Gamma) detector application using Bluetooth sensor for smartphones and tablets.
The partner organization Environmental Instruments Canada Inc. (EIC Inc.) will have the results
generated by the research. This research could allow the partner organization to broaden out their
offerings of products to different mobile devices and better satisfy their customer’s needs.

Enhancing Application Performance developed with HTML5 & JavaScript over unreliable, high latency and low bandwidth connections using Web Standards.

This project investigates the use of Web Standards to enhance performance of HTML5 & JavaScript applications as a means to ensure rich engaging interactions for remote clients that are using low bandwidth connections with high latency and frequent interruptions.

Expanding Web-Based Educational Opportunities for Canadian Students in STEM

The closure of schools across Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed significant gaps in educational provision. In addition, K-12 teachers have had difficulty finding learning resources related to the programs they are responsible for teaching. When students fall behind in school, they develop a learning gap with their peers. Learning gaps are relatively common and invariably require, at some point, a strategy to help the student catch up. In this project, we will examine the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing an innovative online tool that addresses the common challenge of the learning gap in education. We will explore how this innovative online platform can support the accelerated catch-up phase of students with a learning gap and strengthen the digital skills of teachers.

Improving Estimates of Complex Option-BasedEmployee Compensation

Stock-based compensation allows employers and employees to share in the risks and rewards of their
company’s success. In addition to intangible benefits such as team building and goal sharing, there
can also be large financial rewards for employees and similar costs to employers. These costs must
be reported in the company’s financial documents such as quarterly and annual reports. Current (and
future) vesting rules for stock options are making them difficult to price, and this makes financial
reporting difficult. New simUlation-based pricing models will be developed and integrated into
SyncBASE Inc.’s flagship product for managing and monitoring stock-based compensation.

Therapeutic efficacy of tryptamine analogues in a PC12 Cell as a model of depression via assessment of neurite outgrowth and enhanced cellular viability

There is a growing body of evidence that certain combinations of bioactives derived from natural source products may have potent effect on neuritogenesis and foster neuronal cell viability. The effect of neuron plasticity suggests there are potential treatments of major neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions. In this project we are proposing to use a robust in vitro cell model to test an array of bioactive compounds and combinations in collaboration with Seneca’s School of Biological Sciences and Applied Chemistry to assess the impact of these combinations on neurogenesis, neuritogenesis, and cell viability, among other measures proposed by the research team. We will determine which combinations provide the greatest effects in cell culture, which will guide our company in further studies for developing new therapeutics for potential treatments of these conditions.

Alternative Financing and feasibility Assessment for First Nation Housing Initiatives

The research would evaluate the existing financing options for home building in the first nation
community. It would also look at the viability of using alternative finanCing vehicle for channeling
private equity from the various markets.
This research hopes to provide the First Nations communities with the necessary financial tools to
leverage the existing equity market through both private and public funding.