Innovative Projects Realized

The Development of Multifunctional Nanocomposites for Tandem ReactionCatalysis

Advancement of green chemistry, the principles of which are more efficient, cost effective and

environmental-friendly processes can be achieved through the use of improved catalysts. In this

project, a novel, inherently green synthesis process will be used to produce multifunctional heterogeneous

nanocomposite catalyst system that can be applied to facilitate tandem reactions.

The synthesis method is versatile, and can be used to incorporate most metals and either acidic

of TBC

Orpheus VR – Exploring Intersections of Narrative and Sound in Virtual Reality

OrpheusVR is a new operatic experience that immerses audiences in a virtual, mythical world and allows them to have agency over the outcome of the narrative as well as the music and orchestration that drive the storytelling. The experience uses interactive sound to enable creative gameplay that will guide audiences through a fresh new take on the ancient myth of Orpheus & Eurydice.

Étude sur la rétention des étudiants et le profil des finissants dans les programmes aéro (ÉMAM et ÉNA)

Ce projet de recherche vise à identifier les facteurs susceptibles à expliquer les raisons sous-jacentes a la réussite, la persévérance et l’engagement des étudiantes et étudiants inscrits aux programmes de formation initiale en aérospatial. À l’aide d’un questionnaire en ligne basé sur des échelles motivationnelles, ce projet identifiera: (1) les raisons pouvant pousser les étudiants à abandonner leurs formations ou à être diplômés et (2) des profils de caractéristiques personnelles des travailleurs en aérospatial pouvant expliquer l’origine de leurs intérêts ou de leurs passions pour leur domaine et (3) les démarches à suivre pour cibler les potentiels futurs étudiants. Les résultats devraient fournir aux différents acteurs concernés des informations visant à soutenir les actions à entreprendre pour favoriser davantage l’épanouissement des étudiantes et étudiants inscrits dans les programmes en aérospatial et pour réduire ou de combler la pénurie de finissants et d’emplois liés aux formations à l’étude en aérospatial.

Amélioration de la caractérisation des habitats du saumon des rivières de Gaspé

Le projet vise à améliorer la caractérisation des habitats du saumon atlantique, une espèce de poisson dont la pêche sportive constitue une grande valeur économique pour les provinces de l’est du Canada. Dans un premier temps, des méthodes géomatiques à la fine pointe de la technologie seront utilisés pour produire une cartographie semi-automatisée, à jour, et précise des habitats des rivières Dartmouth, York et St-Jean. Cette nouvelles cartographie permettra de mieux évaluer le potentiel de production de ces rivières et d’ainsi mieux en gérer l’exploitation par la pêche sportive. L’utilisation des tributaires par les saumons juvéniles sera déterminée sur le terrain et les ces habitats inclus dans le calcul du potentiel de production des rivières.

Data use for HIV Prevention in Malawi

HIV prevention is a growing, and essential facet, of halting the HIV epidemic. Reducing the transmission of HIV and ensuring individuals are tested and put on antiretroviral therapy (ART) cannot effectively and efficiently be accomplished without decisions that are founded on high-quality evidence. Current projects focus on data availability and use among decision-makers and actors in the health sector, in an effort to understand barriers to data use and encourage decision-making that is founded on high quality evidence. The data user study aims to addresses these challenges, by increasing our understanding of who uses data, the data elements and systems they use to make decisions and what gaps and bottlenecks exist that disincentivize the use of data.
The work the interns will be doing is foundational in the success of the projects and Cooper/Smith’s work, as it assists with program design and monitoring and evaluation to amend and adapt our programs effectiveness moving forward. This work also provides a baseline for our sample population, so we have an understanding of the impact the work is having throughout implementation. Their communications outputs will also assist Cooper/Smith in raising awareness about our innovative work, and informing partners of progress and findings.

Developing a Multiphysics FEA Model of an Inductive Conductivity Sensor

The CTD is a rosette structure which is circular in shape and houses a number of elements. These elements include sensors, water sample bottles, ropes and cables to support the CTD structure. The sensors included in the CTD are not limited to conductivity, temperature and depth, but also include sensors to determine other physical properties. In this research, a model of the CTD sensor designed by RBR will be developed for the purpose of measuring conductivity and determine the nature of the water sample by calculating indirect parameters associated with it. Other parameters such as temperature, pressure and material properties of the sensor are taken into consideration. An objective of this work is also to understand the proximity effect which affects the sensor due to the presence of other known elements near it. COMSOL Multiphysics is utilized to perform simulations for refining the model based on the results.

Modélisation d’un indice de la santé des sols agricoles québécois basée sur une approche quantitative de leurs propriétés physico-chimiques et biologiques, en association avec les pratiques de gestion durable

Au Québec, l’analyse d’un sol est basée sur des propriétés chimiques qui considèrent le pH, la matière organique et les éléments nutritifs. Cependant, pour assurer la productivité et la santé des sols à long terme, les propriétés physiques et biologiques devraient aussi être évaluées. L’objectif de ce projet est de fournir un modèle d’interprétation de la santé des sols agricoles au Québec qui orientera les intervenants et les producteurs agricoles vers des pratiques de gestion plus durable de leurs sols. Pour développer le modèle, une importante base de données qui présente les résultats de 22 indicateurs sera utilisée. Parmi ceux-ci, huit seront sélectionnés et testés au champ sur des essais long termes et chez des producteurs participants. Les indicateurs seront pondérés selon leur contribution en fonction d’objectifs de productivité à atteindre et intégrer dans un indice global de santé des sols. Leur efficacité sera aussi évaluée en mesurant leur sensibilité sous différents systèmes de gestion agricole.

Biovalourization of pulp and paper activated sludge for PHA production and recovery of protein in waste stream on pilot scale

Pulp and paper activated sludge is produced in large quantity and its safe disposal in the environment is a worldwide problem. The long-term goal of our research is to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) or bioplastics using sludge as a source of microorganisms or as a raw material and waste materials as an extra carbon source. INRS PHA group recently developed PHA production process using conditioned hydrolyzed PPAS with an addition of extra carbon substrate (crude glycerol and waste cooking oil) in 5, 10 and 150L fermenters. However, technology transfer from lab scale to pilot and industrial scale will be a challenge. The proposed study will be investigating the technology transfer parameters in 2m3 fermenter and will design protocol for 20 and 200 m3 fermenter.

Phased array ultrasonic testing on large forgings for defect characterization

Finkl-Steel Sorel specialises in delivering high quality forged steel to a wide array of Canadian and international customers. In order to ensure the quality of their product, each forging is individually inspected for flaws and internal irregularities using standard pulse-echo technique. A reliable inspection technique is paramount to reduce the number of rejected forgings. Forged steel is an anisotropic, highly attenuative material and the specimens under inspection are very large. The work done during projects previously funded by Mitacs Accelerate, NSERC Engage and Engage Plus grants lead to the manufacturing of a prototype custom ultrasonic linear array. Experimental validations were previously conducted on the prototype probe with encouraging results In this Mitacs Accelerate internship, the prototype probe will be used on production parts. The project is divided into 3 sub-objectives: (1) gather as much data as possible on production parts, (2) characterize defects through the interpretation of the scattering coefficient matrix and (3) investigate the benefits of adding an optical tracking system for volume imaging. At the end of this project, Finkl-Steel will be implement phased array ultrasonic testing in their quality control department.

Modeling order book dynamics

Optimal trade execution is a well-known problem in quantitative finance. It helps financial actors who trade large quantities of a given asset minimize their risk and their adverse price impact. The problem’s complexity is multiplied when
considering highly fragmented markets, such as those existing today for digital assets. The most recent advances in reinforcement learning and deep learning open the door to a new class of execution algorithms. This data-driven algorithm class reliefs many assumptions from the classical solutions coming from stochastic optimal control theory. The biggest challenge of the project relates to the high dimensionality of the data being used. This problem is circumvented by using deep learning methods for market simulation and the learning of optimal actions.

Numerical Investigation of the Flow Fields within Novel, Compact Compressors

The objective of this project is to develop numerical models for the simulation of the flow field in the novel compact mixed flow compressor, which is one of the main engine core components. Pratt and Whitney Canada have developed a wide range of new high performance aero engines. To further improve the performance of these engines, it is necessary to understand the flow fields in the compressor at both the design-point and at/near-stall and assess system behaviour as the stall margin is approached. In this project, the computer simulation method will be used to predict the flow patterns in the compressor. The mathematical equations which describe the physical process will be solved on high-speed computers. The outcome of this project will be a computer simulation model that can be used by Pratt and Whitney Canada for designs of its advanced compressors. The computer simulation///TOBECONT’D

Impact of personas on cross-domain recommendation systems for online food ordering

The aim of this project is to improve the user experience of clients ordering online on one the portals of restaurants working with UEAT. This improvement will be in the form of smart recommendations based on the restaurant, time and the user themself. This will be done with an emphasis on respect for user privacy and ethical data handling.