Innovative Projects Realized

Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis for Production of Synthetic Jet Fuel

Greenfield Global is developing a process to produce jet fuel from renewable materials, such as waste biomass and organic municipal waste. Fischer–Tropsch synthesis converts a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen (synthesis gas) that was produced from the waste biomass and organic municipal waste into a synthetic crude oil that can be refined to produce jet fuel. This project deals only with Fischer–Tropsch synthesis.

Much is already known about Fischer–Tropsch synthesis and the objective of the work in this project is to fine-tune the catalyst and technology for synthetic jet fuel production. In collaboration with Greenfield Global, a pilot plant with multi-stage tubular packed bed reactors filled with an iron-based catalyst will be designed and commissioned to evaluate the design envisioned for their synthetic jet fuel process. Important objectives are to maintain reaction conditions so that heat can be recovered by generating high-pressure steam, to enable sufficiently high overall conversion that recycling of synthesis gas can be avoided, and to produce a product that would benefit refinery design for jet fuel production.

Pavement Deterioration Analytics: Data-driven Decision Making in Asset Management

This proposal aims to establish a collaborative research project between the City of Oshawa and the University of Toronto. It is part of the Teaching City Initiative. The immediate objective of this proposal is to use data collected over the last seven years to update pavement deterioration curves. The new dataset is larger (11700 data points in contrast to the original dataset of 1700 data points). The new dataset is also more reliable and, hence, can help make the curves more accurate. In addition to the analytics of the curves, the study will also conduct analyses regarding the use of the curves in the decision-making process; and on enhancing the process of selecting the most appropriate intervention actions

Land capability modeling for the Canadian prairies towards ecosystem services offset protocols – Year two

Humanity faces the triple challenge of stabilizing climate, ensuring food security, and safeguarding nature. Innovative approaches for climate- and biodiversity-friendly agriculture capable of sustaining resilient production landscapes are urgently needed. Carbon markets offer a platform for market-driven solutions that incentivize soil carbon sequestration through nature-based solutions. Canada employs a cap-and-trade scheme for domestic carbon credit trading on route to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Prairie grasslands are fundamental to meeting Canada’s climate targets owing to the significant soil carbon debt attributable to decades of unsustainable practices and agricultural conversion. However, currently there is no grassland protocol in Canada to verify the carbon offsets generated through improved grassland management, grassland restoration, and/or avoided conversion of native grasslands. The proposed research aims to (1) model carbon sequestration-storage potential of Canada’s prairie grasslands; (2) assess the economics of using carbon-offsets for grassland conservation and restoration within Canada’s Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change; and (3) model the biodiversity-habitat value of Canada’s prairie grasslands.

Land capability modeling for the Canadian prairies towards ecosystem services offset protocols

Humanity faces the triple challenge of stabilizing climate, ensuring food security, and safeguarding nature. Innovative approaches for climate- and biodiversity-friendly agriculture capable of sustaining resilient production landscapes are urgently needed. Carbon markets offer a platform for market-driven solutions that incentivize soil carbon sequestration through nature-based solutions. Canada employs a cap-and-trade scheme for domestic carbon credit trading on route to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Prairie grasslands are fundamental to meeting Canada’s climate targets owing to the significant soil carbon debt attributable to decades of unsustainable practices and agricultural conversion. However, currently there is no grassland protocol in Canada to verify the carbon offsets generated through improved grassland management, grassland restoration, and/or avoided conversion of native grasslands. The proposed research aims to (1) model carbon sequestration-storage potential of Canada’s prairie grasslands; (2) assess the economics of using carbon-offsets for grassland conservation and restoration within Canada’s Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change; and (3) model the biodiversity-habitat value of Canada’s prairie grasslands.

Understanding Erosion Sensitivity in the Etobicoke Creek Watershed

The Etobicoke Creek watershed is heavily urbanized with erosion issues due to the high amount of impervious cover and creek channelization. This research will help to better understand the current erosion sensitivities and risks within the watershed for inclusion in a comprehensive watershed plan that will inform municipal land use and infrastructure planning.

Development of antiviral surfaces to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19

In March 2020, the new human coronavirus disease COVID-19 was declared a pandemic. As of May 21, 2020, the World Health Organization has reported over 4.8 million confirmed cases, including over 323,000 deaths worldwide. Only in Canada, the number of confirmed infections and deaths have reached over 80,000 and 6,000, respectively. Apart from the elevated rates of death and illness, this pandemic has caused major social and economic disruption throughout the world. This proposal is focused on development of thermally sprayed intrinsic antiviral coatings in order to mitigate the indirect transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus. These coatings can be applied on touch surfaces such as the handrails, doorknobs, elevator buttons, ATM machines, and biomedical appliances in various public and service departments such as hospitals, schools, and the transport system. Another important targeted application is for air purification in the ventilation systems used in buildings, airplanes and other means of transport. Using thermal spray, a technology known for its versatility, scalability and cost effectiveness, we intend to develop antiviral coatings with materials such as TiO2, Cu2O, and TiO2/Cu2O. These materials have shown promise for their virus killing and anti-pathogen properties when exposed to UV light,TOBECONT’

Asset Management for A Distributed Fleet of Vehicles

In an effort to improve the return on investment for assets, it is becoming increasingly important for companies to develop and implement techniques for more efficient asset management and condition monitoring. Improved reliability and productivity levels for technological assets such as fleet vehicles and material handling systems in factory and warehouse environments are a must to maintain competitive. On a system such as a forklift fleet, distributed on-demand condition monitoring, combined with model-based fault analysis and prediction techniques, can raise productivity through more efficient maintenance schedules and reduced downtime. BMI Industries is interested in developing a small and customizable embedded sensor system for forklifts to add to their existing product line of retrofit fleet monitoring embedded systems, with wireless connectivity and automatic status reporting.

Dissolvable Glass Technology – Year two

The goal of the Dissolvable Glass Technology research project is to develop new glass technologies and products to reduce the cost and environmental impact in the utility, forestry, and oil and gas sectors. It has been said that we are ‘entering the age of glass’, and we aim to explore the numerous and varied possibilities where dissolvable glasses can be utilized. However, to achieve these glass technologies, fundamental glass research must be performed in three key areas: mechanical properties, thermal behaviour and dissolution behaviour. Once completed, the product suite generated from the Dissolvable Glass Technology research project will enhance the durability of engineered wood products against mold, decay, termites. It will increase the life expectancy of wood assets, lower the carbon emissions and reduce costs in oil and gas production as well as increasing efficacy in reforestation and crop production. The successful development and commercialization of these products will encourage further technical glass development in key sectors in Alberta and be one necessary step in the establishment of fundamental glass research facilities at the University of Alberta; this partnership will benefit both sides, academic and industrial, by advancing glass research in Western Canada.

Dissolvable Glass Technology

The goal of the Dissolvable Glass Technology research project is to develop new glass technologies and products to reduce the cost and environmental impact in the utility, forestry, and oil and gas sectors. It has been said that we are ‘entering the age of glass’, and we aim to explore the numerous and varied possibilities where dissolvable glasses can be utilized. However, to achieve these glass technologies, fundamental glass research must be performed in three key areas: mechanical properties, thermal behaviour and dissolution behaviour. Once completed, the product suite generated from the Dissolvable Glass Technology research project will enhance the durability of engineered wood products against mold, decay, termites. It will increase the life expectancy of wood assets, lower the carbon emissions and reduce costs in oil and gas production as well as increasing efficacy in reforestation and crop production. The successful development and commercialization of these products will encourage further technical glass development in key sectors in Alberta and be one necessary step in the establishment of fundamental glass research facilities at the University of Alberta; this partnership will benefit both sides, academic and industrial, by advancing glass research in Western Canada.

Mitacs BSI Program

Zoocasa is a household name in real estate in Canada – and since taking over from Rogers in 2015, their sales have grown every year. Zoocasa has mastered a heavily buy-side real estate sales model in the GTA – but as Zoocasa looks to 2021 and beyond, it is time to expand. There are three very exciting prospective opportunities that this project would explore as they look to continue the companies rapid growth. Project Horizon is a deep strategic consulting dive into these opportunities to help Zoocasa analyze the short and long term requirements and models that will scale and operate best. The leader of Horizon will be responsible for researching and modelling the opportunities and will report directly to the Director of Finance and the CEO.

Investigating Intercultural Skills Development and Needs Assessment of Medium and Large Businesses in Ontario

This project investigates barriers, facilitators, and experiences related to intercultural skills development training and implementation in the workplace. The project involves the examination of current theories and practices of intercultural skills development, as well as industry partners’ perceptions and experiences of diversity in the workplace and intercultural skills training. The research intends to determine how behavior and attitudes toward diversity in the workplace can become more open and inclusive. This project involves a partnership between the Cross Cultural Learner Centre, the Achievement Centre, and the University of Western Ontario. The research will be carried out in London, Toronto and Kitchener, Ontario. The research will use multiple methods including in-depth interviews, focus groups, social media analysis, and an online survey. The output of the project will be case studies, training manuals, and workshops in intercultural skills development that can be used by the Cross Cultural Learner Centre and the Achievement Centre.

Vog App Developers – Project Coordinator

Business has picked up since COVID began, but it is necessary for VOG to continue to build the sales pipeline to ensure long term viability. A large part of this funnel is from several projects being teed up by our largest financial client. These projects are crucial to Vog’s continued success as they would not be impacted by a second round of COVID. Our strategy going forward is to take on as many projects as possible in case some drop off in a potential second wave. This intern will provide bench strength for one of our largest clients allowing our other staff to focus on smaller clients. At the end of the internship the student will not only gain significant skills in project coordination of large projects, but gain experience in technology and financial systems. These are highly sought after skills in Canada and will no doubt be leveraged by the student’s future employers. The projects the student will work on will streamline many banking processes and systems for a large financial services company.