Innovative Projects Realized

Évaluation des écarts dans les résultats d’analyse du cycle de vie des bâtiments

L’utilisation des outils d’analyse du cycle de vie permet de réduire considérablement l’impact environnemental des bâtiments. À l’aide de ces résultats, les concepteurs peuvent améliorer la performance environnementale de leurs bâtiments. Toutefois, l’utilisation de ces outils dans le domaine est encore très peu répandue. Afin de faciliter leur adoption, plusieurs fournisseurs de logiciels proposent des alternatives pour les concepteurs et analystes. De récentes recherches démontrent une grande variabilité des résultats selon le logiciel choisi, ce qui diminue la confiance des décideurs en l’outil. Afin de pallier cette problématique, le projet analysera deux bâtiments de références à l’aide de cinq logiciels différents afin d’identifier les sources de disparité et les possibilités d’amélioration. Pour l’organisme partenaire, ces résultats permettront de sensibiliser les concepteurs sur l’importance du choix de logiciel et son influence sur les analyses.

Probiotics in pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a kind of chronic neurodevelopmental disorders that detrimentally affect the behavior and development in children. There is a tight need for efficient treatment. Scientific evidences have shown that the gut microbiota as well as their metabolites may mediate the responsiveness to changes in diet (e.g. ketogenic diet). However, clinically relevant application of microbiota-targeted treatment is limited. Herein, the project aims to test the neurobehavioral and neurometabolic consequences of probiotic using a mice model of ASD. In collaboration with the leading expert in probiotic industry, Lallemand Health Solutions, this project will hopefully identify key probiotic species that contribute to autism treatment and accelerate the development of industry-level probiotic product for clinical practice

Exploring the economic impacts of Human-Centered Design in the context of a non profit organization

This exploratory research will seek to answer the primary question generally asked by many industry professionals- “how to evaluate the economic assessment of projects (using Human Centered Design (HCD) philosophy)”. This research will explore how to create an ROI/cost benefit analysis tool to measure economic impacts of the specific type of projects. This report will highlight the associated challenges and current industry best practices to better understand the framework development. This report will also discuss about different prospective use cases of the tool, so that the client can start using it for multiple purposes (i.e. to evaluate projects, fund raising, benchmarking of a partially completed project, audit a project’s feasibility etc.).

Analyse de la stabilité des ouvertures souterraines à l’aide de la modélisation des systèmesde fractures: le cas de la Mine Raglan.

L’objectif principal de ce projet de recherche est de quantifier la probabilité d’occurrence de

dièdres rocheux critiques aux parois des excavations minières souterraines de la mine

Raglan à l’aide de la modélisation des systèmes de fractures. Le stage industriel permettra

d’utiliser et valider des codes de recherche sur des cas d’étude en milieu industriel, il

permettra d’améliorer notre compréhension des réalités géomécaniques propres à ce site

minier et il permettra d’optimiser la conception des excavations souterraines.

Les avantages pour Raglan sont nombreux et variés. Dans un premier temps les géologues,

ingénieurs géologues et ingénieurs miniers impliqués dans le projet pourront bénéficier de

l’expertise du candidat. Les travaux réalisés par le candidat seront directement liés aux

travaux en cours en entreprise. Ces travaux donneront un éclairage nouveau aux pratiques

usuelles de la compagnie.

Pipeline defect matching based on data from consecutive in-line inspections

The integrity of energy pipelines is managed using information obtained from in-line inspections, which are periodically performed non-destructive inspections of the pipe wall to detect and size defects like corrosion, cracks, and dents. The coordinate systems for referencing the locations of the detected defects varies from inspection to inspection. It is therefore necessary to align the coordinate systems and to identify the defects that belong together. This process is referred to as defect matching, which is often time intensive and prone to errors as it is performed manually. The matched defects are used to determine their growth rates and safe remaining lifetimes of the defects.
The objective of the project is to develop a model for the automated matching of defects detected by in-line inspections. The matching problem will be formulated as an optimization problem where the objective function depends on the distance and overlap of the defects. The outcomes of the research project will enable Cenozon to develop an advanced software tool for the integrity management of pipelines using ILI data.

Development of a microfluidic point-of-care diagnostic device for the discrimination between viral and bacterial infections as a means to reduce antibiotic resistance

The discrimination between viral and bacterial infections has long been a goal in the field of point-of-care (PoC) diagnostics. Such a diagnostic tool would prevent the over-prescription of antibiotics, a leading cause of antimicrobial resistance. Current standard methods involve sending patient samples (throat swabs, blood, urine) to specialized clinical labs. This usually involves expensive and time-consuming protein biomarker assays to identify the cause of infection. However, this technique suffers from poor specificity and sensitivity, and does not provide a measure of antimicrobial susceptibility in the event of a bacterial infection. The herein proposed PoC device leverages new advances in DNA amplification technologies to provide a rapid, facile and non-expensive method of bacterial/viral discrimination through genetic target identification, without the need for benchtop instrumentation. This is accomplished employing a flocculation assay coupled with magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Briefly, a novel DNA amplification technology (namely LAMP) is performed along with MNPs functionalized with biomolecular probes against the target. As the target’s genetic material gets amplify, MNPs become incorporated in it, resulting in MNP agglutination. When magnetic capture is performed, the MNPs align forming a distinct strip pattern indicating a positive signal. In the absence of assemblies, MNPs remain dispersed, indicating a negative signal.

Probiotic treatment for stroke repair

Stroke is a devastating disease that causes a loss of blood to the brain and neuronal death. The sustained inflammation caused by stroke is associated with poor outcomes. Currently, there are no effective treatment options. Exciting new studies have shown a link between bacteria in the gut and brain. This has generated significant interest regarding the use of probiotic strategies as a novel treatment for brain injury. We have found that stroke causes changes in the types of bacteria found in the gut, which results in poorer outcomes. Thus, we aim to investigate how probiotic strategies can be used to counteract gut bacteria that are detrimental following stroke.

Evaluation of new generation intraocular lenses: An insight intobiocompatibility and phototoxicity.

Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed worldwide. The surgery

consists on the implantation of a prosthetic lens in order to replace the opaque human

crystalline lens. Alcon is the leader in the field developing lenses, surgical instruments and

pharmaceuticals that are used pre or post-operatively. The aim of this collaboration is to

evaluate new generation intraocular lenses and provide insights into the prevention of

postoperative opacification of lenses. In order to do so, we are going to use in vitro cultures of

lens epithelial cells and exposed to different lens materials to assess biocompatibility.

Additionally, we are going to study different lenses and filter certain wavelengths within the

visible spectrum. Retinal pigmented epithelium cell lines will also be used to evaluate if the

color filtering is beneficial for the prevention of chronic diseases of the elderly, such as AgeRelated

Macular Degeneration (AMD).

High-throughput proteomics by selective peptide enrichment for one-shot LC/MS analysis

Proteomics have revolutionized bioanalytical chemistry in the past two decades. However, to achieve deep qualitative and quantitative analysis of complex protein samples a significant amount of instrument time (liquid chromatography – mass spectrometry) is required. The major problem stems from the fact that single protein generates many peptides during typical proteomic sample preparation. Limiting this number by just a few peptides per protein will allow fast identification and quantitation of entire proteomes. We anticipate reaching 10,000 proteins per 2 hours identification/quantitation rate upon completion of this project. To achieve this I am going to combine the best practices of Dr. Krokhin’s (two dimensional peptide chromatography, peptide retention time prediction) and Dr. Ishihama’s (single shot proteomic analysis using monolithic columns) laboratories – both world leading laboratories in these respective fields.

Evaluation statistique des detauts retrouves dans lesroues de turbines hydroelectriques

La fatigue etant la principale causes de defaillance des turbines

hydroelectriques, il devient essentiel d’estimer la performance des methodes d’inspection non

destructives presentement utilisees par les producteurs d’energie (inspection visuelle etlou

ultrasonore) pour detecter et caracteriser les manifestations de ceUe fatigue. Le developpement de

modeles probabilistes, qui lient I’historique des conditions operatoires des turbines, I’evolution des

signes de leur deterioration par fatigue et les pronostics sur leur fiabilite operationnelle est un autre

element essentiel pour assurer la securite et la perennite des installations. Le but du projet de

maitrise est de quantifier Ie doute associe aux operations d’inspection effectuees actuellement sur les

turbines hydrauliques pour detecter la presence des fissures et la quantification de leurs dimensions.

Plus specifiquement, Ie projet etudie deux types d’inspection : I’inspection visuelle et I’inspection par

ultras on. L’objectif des stages de recherche est d’estimer experimentalement la dimension et la

distribution des defauts retrouves dans les roues de turbines hydroelectriques en fonction des…

Studying the structure of four-stranded DNA

Our DNA exists in many different forms. The G-quadruplex is a type of DNA structure made from four strands of DNA. These structures are highly stable and potentially form throughout the genome at clinically important sites. To understand how G-quadruplex structures form, we need to investigate the physical forces that hold the molecules together. When we monitor the change in G-quadruplex structures exposed to high temperature and high pressure, we are better able to understand the energetics of the folding and unfolding transition. Many of the tools used to study this DNA in depth are not available in Canada, especially the tools that enable high-pressure biophysical studies. With the equipment available in Japan, we will be able to better understand the change in volume of solutions containing G-quadruplexes. This opportunity will enable us to produce publishable data, thereby enhancing our understanding of non-canonical DNA structures.

Développement d’un système d’aide au diagnostic de pathologie du genou et son intégration dans lapratique médicale

La prévalence des lésions au système musculo-squelettique est très élevée (29,8 % parmi toutes les

catégories de maladies chroniques). Parmi ces lésions, un grand pourcentage concerne l’articulation

du genou. Plusieurs études ont montré que les données biomécaniques permettent une évaluation

fonctionnelle de l’état du genou. Le système d’acquisition de données KneeKG permet une analyse

précise, sensible et fidèle de données biomécaniques tridimensionnelles. En se basant sur ces

données, le Laboratoire de recherche en imagerie et orthopédie (LIO) et le centre de genou EMOVI

collaborent actuellement pour le développement d’outils d’aide au diagnostic de pathologies de

genou. Ils travaillent également sur l’évaluation des indicateurs de santé de la technologie médicale

KneeKG, visant son introduction dans les systèmes de soins du genou. La recherche que nous

proposons a trois objectifs. Les deux premiers portent sur le développement d’un système d’aide au

diagnostic de pathologie du genou se basant, dans un premier temps, sur les données cinématiques…