Innovative Projects Realized

Developing a Submaximal EMG-Assisted Subject-Specific Musculoskeletal Model of the Spine: Combined Computational and Experimental Study

There is no direct way to measure spinal loads, and existing methods are indirect and invasive; alternatively, musculoskeletal models can predict spinal loads accurately and economically. Existing musculoskeletal models of spine substantially simplify the spine and/or use optimization algorithms to estimate muscle forces. Thus, we aim to develop a subject-specific musculoskeletal model of the spine which has realistic representation of the spine (by using a detailed finite element model) and is driven by measured biological inputs (kinematics and electromyography). Kinematics and electromyography of 48 individuals with/without back pain are collected and used as model inputs. The proposed model addresses some of the fundamental limitations and shortcomings of existing models, provide us with new outputs (e.g., stress/strain field in intervertebral disc, novel failure analysis), and can be used to analyze individuals with back pain; therefore, it can shed light on likely biomechanical roots of back pain. This project is in collaboration with IRSST (which aims to improve occupational safety of workers, workers rehabilitation, as well as workers recovery), and IRSST will use the outcome of this project to potentially decrease biomechanical occurrence of back pain in workers as well as to develop new evaluation and treatment protocols.

Culture media optimization for oocytes from peri-pubertal heifers

The use of oocytes from peri-pubertal heifers represents an important reproductive management asset, assisting with the rapid multiplication of high merit genetic material and the reduction of generation interval. However, oocytes from peri-pubertal heifers have reduced developmental capability leading to embryos of lower quality. Furthermore, the in vitro culture conditions for the embryo production were not originally developed for oocytes collected from such young animals. Therefore, problems such as inadequate oocyte maturation (cytoplasmic, nuclear and molecular) have been observed. The hypothesis of this study is that optimization of In vitro maturation (IVM) conditions will improve oocytes quality from peri-pubertal heifers enhancing overall embryo production and embryo quality. IVM media will be supplemented using various molecules known to have an effect on energy and lipid metabolism, molecules targeting different cellular components such as the mitochondria or the endoplasmic reticulum. The morphological and molecular phenotype of the embryos produced from peri-pubertal heifers’ oocytes will be analysed. The epigenetic profile of the embryos produced under those optimized culture conditions will also be assayed in order to minimize epigenetic perturbation. The overall goal of the project is to optimize IVM conditions for oocytes collected from peri-pubertal heifers to produce high quality embryo.

Modeling of combined heat and power generation in Canada

Canada ambitions to achieve a deep decarbonization of its economy by 2050, with a reduction of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions up to 90% relative to their 2005 levels. Such a transition from the current situation will have important impacts in particular on its energy sector. In this context, SIEMENS Canada, a manufacturer of energy systems, wishes to study the potential deployment in Canada of flexible combined heat and power (CHP) plants.

Such a potential deployment must be analyzed in the context of competitive energy markets, where different technological solutions may be used in different sectors to abate GHG emissions. The TIMES energy model, developed within the ETSAP program of the International Energy Agency, offers a systemic way to analyze the entire energy sector from the extraction of primary energy until the consumption of final energy. This model enables in particular to analyze possible evolution of the energy sector over the long run (2050 or beyond).

A TIMES model for Canada has already been developed and successfully used. Several modeling improvements can, however, be envisioned. Beyond this, the objective of this project is to assess the potential deployment of flexible CHP plants under different policiy and technological scenarios in Canada.

Validation of a novel digitized trail making test – Year two

Age-based diseases of cognitive dysfunction such as dementia and Alzheimer’s are a growing problem in Canada that already cost the healthcare system over $10 billion annually. The ability to provide the general public with ubiquitous access to iterative cognitive function testing would be extremely valuable to the individual, society, and science. LRDG has commenced development of a digital cognitive test to achieve this goal. However, before the test can be commercialized, its function must be verified, and test outcomes must be validated. In the context of this fellowship, these activities will comprise a year of user experience (UX) testing in close communication with the test developers at LRDG to refine the test to beta level. The second year will involve iterative within-subjects and cross-validation with a non-digital version of the test. This fellowship is the initial step in what is envisioned as a broader multi-year research collaboration involving neurophysiology and multiple subject populations.

Validation of a novel digitized trail making test

Age-based diseases of cognitive dysfunction such as dementia and Alzheimer’s are a growing problem in Canada that already cost the healthcare system over $10 billion annually. The ability to provide the general public with ubiquitous access to iterative cognitive function testing would be extremely valuable to the individual, society, and science. LRDG has commenced development of a digital cognitive test to achieve this goal. However, before the test can be commercialized, its function must be verified, and test outcomes must be validated. In the context of this fellowship, these activities will comprise a year of user experience (UX) testing in close communication with the test developers at LRDG to refine the test to beta level. The second year will involve iterative within-subjects and cross-validation with a non-digital version of the test. This fellowship is the initial step in what is envisioned as a broader multi-year research collaboration involving neurophysiology and multiple subject populations.

Fault Ride-Through Method for Cascaded CSC-HVDC BasedOffshore Wind Farm

The fault ride-through (FRT) capability of a wind farm is major challenge because the disconnection of
a large wind farms caused by network disturbances may lead to system instability and cascaded
failures. Recent studies mostly focused on FRT capabilities for the voltage-source converter (VSC)
based wind farms. Although, the current-source converter (CSC) based wind energy conversion system
(WECS) is considered potential candidates for the medium-voltage high-power WECS, the FRT
methods for such system has been rarely studied in the literature. Moreover, the low dc-link inductance
of the CSC based system exhibit significant challenge for the FRT capability compared to its VSC
based counterpart, where dc-link capacitance usually 4 p.u. or higher [1]. In order to overcome the
problem, this research proposes to formulate a novel FRT method for Cascaded CSC-HVDC based
offshore wind farm.

Market Analysis of Next-Generation Lithium Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionized electronics over the past two decades, however, they do not have sufficient energy density to meet the long-term needs of society, such as the development of electric vehicles. This formidable challenge has driven research into many new battery technologies with different chemistries and configurations, but it remains unclear which technology is best-suited to surpass Li-ion batteries. The goal of the proposed research project is to assess the current market for next-generation lithium batteries to determine the best technologies to research, develop, and commercialize. The proposed research project will be carried out through: 1) a literature survey; 2) interviews with key stakeholders and; and 3) a final market analysis report. The implications of the market analysis report will help define the future of Lion Battery Technologies and will play a key role in identifying the barriers and opportunities in next generation battery technologies.

Development and Optimization of Bio-electro coagulation process for ground and surface water treatment

Ground water is the principal drinking water source in North America and approximately 150 million people relies on ground water for their domestic supply. Groundwater contamination occurs as a direct or indirect result of human or animal waste ingress to groundwater resources. The anthropogenic activity resulted in the contamination of surface and ground water with metals and other inorganic contaminates. The presence of metals, organic and inorganic contaminants in aquatic environment (ground and surface water) represent a health risk to human, animals and aquatic organism. Thus, we are proposing an innovative bio-electro coagulation approach for the treatment of water. The treatment process will emphasis on removal of N-NH4, and metals ions (Fe and Mn) from water. The aim of this project is to optimize the operating parameters of both the techniques and developed a sustainable and eco-friendly treatment process. The coupling of electro-coagulation process with bio-polymer aided coagulation will establish a strategy for scaling up the economically feasible treatment process with less energy demand.

Understanding the Operational, Human, and Policy Implications for a Roadmap to Canada’s Next Generation 9-1-1 Services

The project will create a research-based strategic plan and roadmap that describes when and how to best introduce NG-911 services in British Columbia. The research needs to consider the unique BC context including review of current legislation, our emergency response structures and practices, current technologies, societal expectations and political norms. The work also needs to consider global trends and developments in emergency communications from industry, government and emergency response agency perspectives and identify the implications in BC.

Design and development of pharmacological chaperones to restore function to MC4R mutants responsible for severe early-onset obesity. – Year two

“Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is a is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and key regulator of energy homeostasis. MC4R mutations represent the largest monogenic cause of obesity, resulting mainly from receptor misfolding and intracellular retention by the cellular quality control system. The efficacy of several lead compounds on restoring the cell surface expression and function of mutated MC4R has already been tested in our laboratory. One compounds restored the anorexic response to MC4R agonist in a KI mice model. Combined with its ability to reach the central nervous system and its selectivity for the MC4R, this pharmacological chaperone (PC) may represent a candidate for the development of a targeted therapy. The project includes medicinal chemistry and computer-aided drug design approaches to improve the properties of existing PC candidates, followed by in vivo studies to assess the therapeutic potential of these candidate and establish their Parmaco-kineticK/Pharmaco-dynamic relationship as well as a high throughput screen to identify backup PC series. The intern has a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology with expertise in computer-aided drug design and cell signaling interrogation.
“

Design and development of pharmacological chaperones to restore function to MC4R mutants responsible for severe early-onset obesity.

“Melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) is a is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and key regulator of energy homeostasis. MC4R mutations represent the largest monogenic cause of obesity, resulting mainly from receptor misfolding and intracellular retention by the cellular quality control system. The efficacy of several lead compounds on restoring the cell surface expression and function of mutated MC4R has already been tested in our laboratory. One compounds restored the anorexic response to MC4R agonist in a KI mice model. Combined with its ability to reach the central nervous system and its selectivity for the MC4R, this pharmacological chaperone (PC) may represent a candidate for the development of a targeted therapy. The project includes medicinal chemistry and computer-aided drug design approaches to improve the properties of existing PC candidates, followed by in vivo studies to assess the therapeutic potential of these candidate and establish their Parmaco-kineticK/Pharmaco-dynamic relationship as well as a high throughput screen to identify backup PC series. The intern has a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology with expertise in computer-aided drug design and cell signaling interrogation.
“

Production of Bio-Phenolic Chemicals, Green Diesel Fuels, and Renewable Hydrogen/Methane Gases from Kraft Lignin and “Black Liquor”

The long-term economic viability of the Canadian forestry sector has been threatened for several years
now due to many reasons such as high energy and fibers costs, and the falling demand for key products
(such as newsprint). At the same time, the country’s chemical processing industry has also suffered a
major downturn from the lack of competitive feedstocks due to depleting resources and fluctuating
prices of petroleum. Forestry residues and wastes (such as harvesting residues, sawdust, woodwaste
and bark) and pulp/paper by-products (such as ?black liquor? and lignin) can be a promising renewable
source for energy utilities and chemical feedstocks if novel economically viable processes are
developed. The objectives of these multi-internship projects are to (1) develop a cost effective process
to produce bio-phenolic compounds and bio-crude oils directly by the catalytic hydrolysis of black
liquor or crude lignin; (2) upgrade bio-crude oils derived from lignin or pyrolysis oils from forestry…