Innovative Projects Realized

Rapid deployment of AI-assisted COVID-19 detection for radiology

There is currently an abundance of research in the community in terms of capturing X-ray data around COVID-19 analysis to help diagnosis for radiologists. However, at the same time there are staffing shortages that lead either to long diagnosis wait times and potential misdiagnosis. Our research is focused around rapid deployment of AI and developing of a system to deploy AI technologies and algorithms using existing infrastructure within the hospital. Our proposed methodology uses existing hospital infrastructure while being able to take advantage of the AI models being developed to assist in COVID-19 diagnosis. For this purpose, we will develop advanced AI algorithms around COVID-19 detection for use with the system as well as X-ray image enhancing techniques that could potentially assist radiologists in making better decisions for diagnosis.

Optimisation de la politique de gestion des remplacements des employés absents

Merinio propose une solution de gestion des remplacements : leur logiciel permet à l’employeur de communiquer directement avec les employés pour leur proposer des opportunités de remplacements. De l’autre côté, les employés peuvent prévenir leur employeur de leurs absences (afin que l’employeur puisse savoir qui a besoin d’être remplacé) et de s’ils acceptent une des propositions de remplacements qui leur a été faite. Récemment, Merinio s’est mis à travailler avec des agences de placement d’agents de sécurité qui rencontre actuellement avec la crise du COVID une demande très importante pour leur service et un fort taux d’absentéisme. Leur solution permette de trouver des remplaçants plus rapidement afin de remplir le quart de travail à temps. Cependant, il reste beaucoup de place pour optimiser le processus de communication avec les employées afin d’accélérer les remplacements.

Characterization and regulation of new proteins in COVID-19/SARS CoV-2 by cannabinoids

Presently, there are almost 100,000 people in Canada with COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS CoV-2 virus, and almost 7000 have died. Although an effective vaccine is the ultimate goal, it is a long way off. To slow the spread and reduce the medical, social, and economic burdens, new treatments are needed. To find those, we need to know how the SARS CoV-2 virus works. In the proposed research, we will study two new proteins that SARS CoV-2 makes, which haven’t been seen in viruses before, to find out how they harm cells. We will also study a group of possible new drugs, the cannabinoids, to see if they can counteract the damage done by these viral proteins. This work will help scientists understand how the virus works in cells, to spur the development of new treatments. It may also uncover a new treatment for the virus, helping to save lives.

Assessment of the uncertainty in calculating the wind farm energy production using statistical methodology

The evaluation of the wind resource and its associated energy production over the life cycle of the wind
power project is one of the most important elements to determine the profitability of a wind power
project since a bank bases its decision on the energy production that is estimated to occur with a 99%
probability. Its evaluation is a highly uncertain process and it requires the assessment of the
uncertainty in the measurement of the wind resource.
It is important to find a sound statistical approach to properly account for uncertainty in wind resource
assessment and wind energy production estimation, in order to bring rigor to this evaluation.
Uncertainty arises at all stages in the process, from measuring the wind speed to the uncertainty in a
power curve. A proper assessment of uncertainty is critical for judging the feasibility and risk of a
potential wind energy development….

Une mesure vivante du capital marque des entreprises étudiées au travers des critères ESG et de l’apprentissage machine

L’objectif de ce projet et de proposer une nouvelle approche pour générer un score ESG (environnementale, sociale et de gouvernance) basé sur la perception des consommateurs perçu via les réseaux sociaux. Cette nouvelle approche permettra de palier à plusieurs problèmes de transparences et de comparabilités lié aux scores ESG actuelle. Cette nouvelle mesure pourrait être bénéfique pour le classement des entreprises qui compose les fonds communs de placement « vert » ou « responsable ». De plus, cette nouvelle mesure ESG sera testée afin de vérifier si oui ou non les éléments qui composent le score ESG d’une entreprise ont un impact sur la valeur de son capital marque.

Improving Data Usability and Identification of Inconsistencies in a Unified Healthcare System

The proposed research project will enable a patient’s family doctor or specialist or emergency room doctor to quickly view the patients’ healthcare data most important to view to help the patient at that time. For example, before a doctor prescribes a drug, they can quickly make sure it will not cause problems for the patient when taken with the patient’s other prescriptions. An emergency room doctor can determine if an unconscious patient has any conditions, they should be aware of before treating the patient. For example, allergies to certain drugs or a recent procedure or operation.

The benefit to the partner organization is that they can commercialize the product to create an income stream through multiple healthcare service locations. As well, their staff will gain valuable experience through the implementation of the product to produce other healthcare information services.

Forest Disturbance Effects on Hydro-Geomorphic Processes in Large Watersheds

In the last few decades, forest practices, beetle kill and wildfires have created forest disturbances in large watersheds across Canada, at a rate and severity greater than what has occurred historically. These disturbances can dramatically impact rivers by changing the timing and magnitude of high flows and by influencing river-bank erosion and the ability of streams to transport and deposit sediment. Most experiments on the topic are performed in small watersheds, and so their outcomes may not accurately represent what is happening at larger scales. This project combines field work, large-scale streamflow and sediment transport models and cutting-edge technologies (e.g., satellite imagery and Lidar) to understand the cause-effect relationship between forest disturbances and their effect on flow and sediment transport in large watersheds. The outcomes of this study can be used to better guide forest management to protect water quality, fish habitats, and downstream communities and infrastructure against flooding.

Uplift pipe-soil interaction under inclined ground surface

It is crucial to understand soil-pipeline interaction to be able to design buried pipes against Geohazards. Soil-pipe interaction in the level ground is well established, and the current design practice is based on the assumption that a pipe is installed on a flat ground surface. In reality, however, pipelines often cross natural slopes and sometimes riverbanks. The design of pipes embedded in slopes is different in the way that the inclination of the ground surface has found to affect the soil load significantly. This research aims to characterize the vertical soil load on pipe in a landslide in a dimensionless format convenient for design.

Monitoring and Analysis of COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome on Ventilators

Front-line clinicians have reported that different respiratory stiffness results in different COVID-19 patient conditions on ventilators. In this project, we test and improve NovaResp’s monitoring hardware and analyze the collected data for development of algorithms with focus on respiratory stiffness of patients with COVID-19. The resulting algorithms and monitoring device could lead to determine whether patients need to be intubated, and when under ventilation, what ventilatory settings need to be applied for better patient outcome.

Data Science in Pilot Performance Assessment

Automatically assessing a pilot performance during a flight training session is a capability that can enhance the flight instructor during his duty. From data gathered during a flight maneuver, we are looking for a way to automatically assess pilot performance to augment instructor performance and provide objectivity during flight training assessment.

Catalytic Pyrolysis of Biomass for Bio-oil Utilization

The project aims to identify suitable catalysts for altering the characteristics of the
volatile vapours prior to their condensation into the actual bio-oil at the end of the pyrolysis
process, potentially upgrading the quality of the bio-oil before it is produced. To identify the
most suitable catalyst-feedstock combinations, the effect of different catalysts on the
pyrolysis vapours will be tested in a downstream catalytic testing unit located in a sample
stream parallel to the main vapour stream before the condenser. These catalyzed bio-oil
samples will then be analyzed then emulsified with biodiesel and separated out into biodieselrich
and lignin-rich phases for fuel quality testing and further characterization.
By modifying the company’s original proprietary system with a provision to incorporate
catalytic pyrolysis and identifying the most appropriate and economically feasible catalyst(s)
for their unit and operating parameters, this project would not only add value to the
company’s pyrolysis units/products, but would further expand the knowledge base in the…

Development of graphene/silver/calcium hydroxide multifunctional coatings with antiviral and antimicrobial activity

Canada, like other countries, has been facing different challenges related to the spread of COVID-19. Since the starting of the pandemic, we all learnt that contaminated surfaces can be one of the main sources of virus transmition. In this project we are proposing an innovative multifunctional coating with antiviral and antimicrobial activity to prevent the spreading through surface contamination. This will be done by developing a superhydrophobic coating with antiviral and anti-bacterial/anti-viral properties by releasing low concentrations of metallic ions. Therefore, enabling the possibility to produce antiviral and antibacterial coatings will decrease the availability of viruses and bacteria on the everyday use surfaces , decreasing the probability of virus spreading through contaminated surfaces.