Innovative Projects Realized

Network Analysis of the Ontario Technology StartUp Innovation Ecosystem

The purpose of this research project is to explore, in more detail, the technology innovation ecosystem in Ontario with particular focus on mapping the network of existing relationships between start-ups, investors and supporting networks (i.e., incubators, innovation clusters and accelorators such as MaRs Innovation, MaRs Discovery District and various associations which include those servicing angel and venture capital investors locally and nationally). The focus of the research will be to deepen our understanding of the connections among the elements of the ecosystem and the strength (or absence of) network ties.

1. Who are the players in the innovation ecosystem?

2. What is their role?

3. How are they inter-related?

4. What factors influence these relationships? (e.g., geographic, business activity, reputation, concentrations of connections, etc?)

5. Where in the overall innovation network are there areas of relatively low connectivity (i.e., Structural Holes, Burt, 1995) where interventions could be designed and applied to increase venture capital access and productivity?

Sedimentation of petroleum coated particles in non-aqueous phase

Extraction of a solvent has been considered as one of the promising methods for heavy hydrocarbon recovery from oil and tar sands because of its low usage of water, as well as its high efficiency rates. Unfortunately, longer sedimentation times are caused by the mineral particles being suspended in a non-aqueous solution because of the heavy fractions on the particles surface (which is a result of the usage of coated petroleum components). To help better understand this property, the main focus of my study will be to investigate the particle sedimentation in the solvents through the testing and analysis of various parameters. Following my stay at china and the conclusion of the investigation on this project, we expect to obtain values for the aforementioned parameters and use this data to publish 1~2 academic papers. These variables in question include the settling rate, the size distribution, and the mineral composition of the petroleum coated particle sedimentation in non-aqueous solution.

Transition Metal Catalyzed Olefin Polymerization: A Combined Computational and Experimental Approaches

Chromium based catalysts such as Phillip’s catalyst are widely used in the production of polyethylene materials, specifically high density polyethylene. Despite their widespread and successful use, there is still much that is unknown about how exactly these catalysts work and interact with other catalysts. New research has been done that has indicated the chromium vanadium catalysts may be very effective. This is important as it could change the way much of the worlds plastic is produced. This research project seeks to determine whether a synergetic effect (positive relationship) exists between the two different active sites of the catalysts. This will be done by using the density functional theory, along with kinetic evaluation and mathematical modelling of the polymerization kinetics. The outcome of this project will hopefully yield a better understanding of how the two active sites of these catalysts work together. At some point in the future this may help the production of polyethylene become more efficient.

R&D of high-performance Fe-based Catalysts for direct synthesis of lower olefins from syngas

The synthesis of chemicals and fuels through processes that do not involve oil, but rather coal is of great importance to China. The research aims to develop a new method to produce lower olefins (short hydrocarbon chains) with the use of Iron-based catalysts and syngas derived from coal. The purpose of the Iron-based catalysts is to influence the process to produce products of interest.With the use of metal catalyst, the size of the hydrocarbons produced can be narrowed down. The expected outcome of the conducted research should be a new iron-based catalyst with high selectivity towards lower olefins and to construct a relationship between the structure and performance of the iron-based catalyst while combined with characterization techniques and operando/in situ spectroscopies.

Development of fabrication, microstructure and performance relationships in inkjet printed polymer electrolyte fuel cell electrodes for automotive applications

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) running on hydrogen are a preferred choice for on-board electricity generation in automobiles. A major challenge associated with this technology is its high cost due to the use of platinum as electrocatalyst. Implementation of inkjet printing as a fabrication tool has been investigated by the applicant and the academic supervisor to fabricate and test PEFC electrodes that are 5 times thinner and contain 15 times lower platinum than conventional electrodes resulting in an improved catalyst utilization. The present proposal aims at optimizing this fabrication process by analyzing the effect of the dispersion media, carbon type, binder, pore former and fabrication parameters on electrode microstructure and fuel cell performance. Since this type of fabrication process is also being actively used by AFCC (partner organization), resulting outcomes will translate into an economical advantage for our industrial partners by a new fabrication method that minimizes expensive catalyst usage.

Integrated underground mine planning using mathematical programing

The operation of an underground mine site requires the execution of multiple tasks and involve many human and material resources. The execution of these tasks is then limited by many constraints including the order in which certain task must be done, the limits on availability of resources, congestions in the distribution of resources and many others. Because of this, scheduling the activities in an underground mine is a very complex and demanding task. In most mine, an experienced mine planner must work full time in order to achieve a good and feasible planning. The objective of this project is to create a tool relying on mathematical programming to plan all activities in an underground mine in the best way possible within seconds.

“El Yerro Barroco / The Baroque Error”

Baroque is defined as an irregular pearl, and it is described as an oddity. This oddity or kink, as defined in the dictionary, hints at how the baroque that Spain created transcended an artistic style. In Spain during the XVI century, including the conquest in 1521 in Mexico all the way to the beginning of the XVIII century, the “Spanishness” (hispanidad) merged the baroque worldview with culture, politics, society, and religion. Colonization provoked a clash of civilization between the new and the old, the modern and the savage (the calibán). My specific focus will be on the baroque in contemporary society in Mexico to explain how we understand social-historical phenomena and relationships. My project explores and connects the core cultural, theoretical, political, religious, artistic manifestations of baroque in contemporary Mexico, and by extension Latin American, where Brazil and Mexico for example, is one of the most Catholic
countries in Latin American because their colonial heritage.

From trees to bluebirds: the communication of conservation on Vancouver Island

The Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team (GOERT) is a non-government organization that endeavours to inform the public of their scientific findings and conservation goals. Social media has been used for conservation outreach, but the role of the public in sharing tweets and posts can have mixed effects. What information are shared by the public can either further share scientific information, maintain false information in the public sphere, or be ignored without any uptake. This research will help to measure impact of social media posts, and inform communication methods more engaging to the public. The project scope is to analyze Facebook posts and Tweets, give recommendations and develop a communications plan that will assist GOERT in improving their public outreach. By understanding how science information is effectively spread through social media, we will be able to apply it to increase support for conservation efforts.

Modeling of jointed rock mass using Extended Finite Element Method

The strength and stability of rock is strongly affected by the presence of embedded discontinuities, such as the bedding planes and/or pre-existing macro-fractures. In the latter case, given the scale of the problem the use of homogenization techniques is rather restricted as no direct experimental verification is feasible. Therefore, the issue needs to be addressed at the level of a boundary-value problem. In general, the joints/fractures may be modeled using interface elements within the standard finite element or discrete element methodology. Both of these approaches are computationally costly and there are inherent difficulties associated with the presence of intersecting joints. The proposed research is focused on development of an alternative mesh-independent approach for modeling of jointed rocks. The methodology will involve the use of Extended Finite Element (XFEM) framework, in which the discontinuities are incorporated by enriching the finite element interpolants and introducing a discrete representation of their geometry. The project will result in development of a software package that will allow for an efficient and accurate representation of mechanical properties of fractured rock masses.

Integration of ergonomic concerns and simulation capabilities into a company’s model, engineering design and development process.

This project aims to assist a company in developing Discrete Event Simulation (DES) and Human Factors modeling (HFM) capabilities. Simultaneously the project aims to explore the impact of alternative engineering designs with a Human Factors (HF) focus. These two aims will help understand factors that affect the uptake and application of the DES and HFM in work system design. The participating company is Research In Motion (RIM), which is a well known Waterloo, Ontario based telecommunication company. Better understanding and improved simulation capabilities will enable RIM to work towards optimizing its production process, increasing the efficiency of its production launch and, simultaneously, reducing risk exposure to workers through improved human factors. This study is part of a bigger study which aims to understand the barriers and facilitators that influence the integration of ergonomic concerns into a company’s production model and development process.

Mapping temporal and spatial variations in air quality using real-time mobile mass spectrometry

This project will support the development of mobile sensor technology and data processing techniques that can be used to identify, characterize, and map contaminant sources that impact air quality in British Columbia. Volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOC/SVOCs) are present in the atmosphere as a result of human activities and natural sources. These compounds are important for air quality management as they can be detrimental to human health both directly (some, such as benzene, are carcinogens) and indirectly as precursors to ground-level ozone (a respiratory irritant). The development of real-time, mobile mass spectrometry for mapping and tracking of VOC/SVOCs on the regional scale will improve our understanding of factors that impact air quality and contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone formation. This technology will support policy objectives in the Fraser basin aimed at minimizing the frequency and severity of chronic and acute exposure to toxic air pollutants.

Blood flow within microfluidic conduits

A current area of focus at SMT Americas is to develop injection-moulding methods for medical lab-on-chip (LOC) devices, particularly to transport and process blood and plasma while eliminating conduits clogging and reducing sample loss. This project will evaluate the effect of flow conditions on viscosity of samples, and the adequacy of conduit structures achieved with SMT Americas’ technology for cell separation. The resulting data and analysis will aid the intern to support particular segments of her project in developing a point of care microfluidic chip that separates blood plasma from its cells for sample sizes less than 100?L. SMT Americas will understand and resolve their current limitations in developing conduits for cell separation, with further objectives to increase the blood and plasma flow rates within their micro-conduits, while reducing sample loss.