Innovative Projects Realized

Identification des protéines cellulaires impliquées dans l’effet antiviral des polymères d’acides nucléiques (NAPs) lors d’une infection par le virus de l’hépatite B (VHB)

L’hépatite B est une affection hépatique causée par le virus de l’hépatite B (VHB) qui peut évoluer sous une forme chronique et exposer les malades à un risque important de cirrhose et/ou de cancer hépatique. Malgré un vaccin efficace, le VHB affecte de façon chronique plus de 270 millions de personnes et cause plus de 800 000 décès par année. Récemment, l’entreprise montréalaise Replicor a procédé à l’élaboration d’un traitement novateur basé sur l’utilisation de « polymère d’acides nucléiques » (NAPs). Lors d’essais cliniques préliminaires, les NAPs ont montré une baisse significative des particules virales circulantes chez la majorité des patients. De plus, des études in vitro réalisées dans notre laboratoire ont mis en évidence l’effet antiviral des NAPs qui se matérialise par une diminution de la sécrétion d’antigènes HBsAg par les cellules hépatiques. Les NAPs représentent donc actuellement l’une des molécules les plus prometteuses dans le traitement de l’hépatite B. Cependant à ce jour ni la cible cellulaire ni le mécanisme d’action ne sont clairement établis.

Méthode d’identification du dérapage et du glissement d’un véhicule autonome en hiver

L’hiver présente des conditions de route difficiles pour les véhicules autonomes: présence de neige, de glace. La chaussée devient alors glissante et dangereuse pour la navigation. Le principal défi de ce projet de recherche concerne la mise au point d’une méthode d’identification et d’estimation du taux de glissement (mouvement non-contrôlé du véhicule dans la direction longitudinale du véhicule seulement) ou de dérapage (mouvement non-contrôlé dans la direction latérale du véhicule) efficace en condition hivernale. En effet, la complexité des phénomènes impliqués dans l’interaction entre les roues et la route enneigée rend inefficaces les méthodes traction basées sur les mesures des différentes vitesses de rotation des roues et parfois du centre de gravité. Sans une estimation adéquate, toute manoeuvre du système de navigation pourrait aggraver le dérapage/glissement du véhicule accentuant ainsi les risques d’accident. Avec l’émergence du concept d’objets connectés, il est possible d’installer et de mesurer les différents paramètres cinématiques de chaque roue, ainsi que ceux du centre de gravité du véhicule afin de détecter le dérapage et le glissement du véhicule.

Visualization of manufacturing complexity highlights on CAD file

Currently, the service provided by GRAD4 allows online storing and sharing of computer-aided design (CAD) models. However, there is no interface developed for visualization of CAD models in the service in a fast and comprehensible way to the users: both manufacturers and buyers. The main challenge of such implementations is in relatively high computational cost of such visualizations via tools used for web-development: while a regular PC handles such task efficiently, web-based tools have means insufficient for similar performance and, thus, mostly involve cloud computing. Based on this, it is proposed 1) to investigate various approaches for geometric representations of CAD models on a web-page; 2) to develop a framework and an approach for visual representation of CAD models; and 3) to implement the approach either in a software prototype or as a plug-in for an existing online geometric modeling tool.

Enquête sur “L’agroalimentaire s’invite à l’école!”

Le projet : « L’agroalimentaire s’invite à l’école » est un projet qui vise à évaluer les effets d’un programme misant sur l’agroalimentaire à l’école sur le développement des élèves de niveau primaire en tant que futur citoyen. Différentes stratégies pédagogiques seront utilisées afin de sensibiliser les jeunes du primaire et leurs familles ainsi que les membres du personnel à l’importance de l’agriculture dans l’alimentation. Des ateliers ludiques sur l’agroalimentaire, les choix santé, les comportements éco-responsables, le jardinage, l’achat de produits locaux ainsi que la participation au déploiement d’un bar à salade à l’école et d’une serre font partie des stratégies qui permettront d’impliquer activement les enfants.

Impact des filaments de cellulose sur la performance environnementale des papiers de spécialité

Dans le contexte actuel où l’impact environnemental des matériaux est une préoccupation majeure, il importe d’innover pour offrir des alternatives plus écologiques à nos biens de consommation. Grâce à l’utilisation d’un nouveau biomatériau composé de filaments de cellulose qui permet d’améliorer les propriétés mécaniques de divers matériaux composites, il a été possible de concevoir un papier de base à étiquette avec une quantité réduite de fibres vierges qui peut se substituer au plastique ainsi qu’un emballage alimentaire fait à 98% de fibres recyclées, et ce, sans en altérer la qualité. Par une approche d’analyse du cycle de vie, ce projet viendra mesurer la contribution des filaments de cellulose à la performance environnementale de ces deux produits.

An Integrated Multi-Case Study Approach to Identify Employee Training Best Practices to Drive SME Business Development

E training and development has been repeatedly identified in studies to be a major contributor to corporate financial performance. Large enterprises maintain dedicated training departments, while a vast array of consultants and corporate education companies exist to help small and medium sized enterprises. At the same time, choosing the right corporate training is difficult, and SMEs are less able than major corporations to absorb mistakes.
This proposal seeks to better understand the factors that make corporate training successful for Canadian SMEs, with success measured in terms of driving revenue growth and profitability. Utilizing a longitudinal multi-case study approach where successive interns build on the work of their predecessor, we believe that studying multiple companies in a range of industries simultaneously will provide the opportunity to develop best practices that can be shared between SMEs.

Comprehensive Study of Tri-generation System based on ClimatwWellTechnology for Canadian Residential Homes

A feasibility study will be conducted for a proposed tri-generation (generation of heat, electricity and cooling)

using a Stirling engine and a ClimateWell heat activated chiller. The Stirling engine will provide simultaneous

heat and electricity from burning natural gas. The heat from the engine will be transferred to either space

heating, domestic hot water heating, or to the heat activated chiller. The chiller will then be able to provide space

cooling. The ClimateWell chiller has been installed in commercial applications (hospitals, commercial building,

etc.) but has not yet been used for residential applications. The proposed study seeks to determine the

engineering and economic feasibility of the tri-generation for residential use. MITACS interns will be installing,

running, and testing a prototype system at the Archetype Sustainable House at the Toronto and Region

Conservation Authority. The data will be analyzed and design improvements/recommendations will be made

Providing Resident Support: Incorporating lived experiences into the development process

Due to the lack of investment from the Federal and Provincial governments for affordable housing and the low number of housing cooperatives formed in the last 30 years the co-op housing model is outdated. In response to a need for affordable housing in Vancouver, BC the Community Land Trust (CLT) has recently opened two newly built housing cooperatives as well as affordable housing option with non-profit partners. This research project aims to identify an engagement framework for the development/redevelopment process of CLT projects. Specifically, CLT wants to incorporate the lived experiences and opinions of residents into their engagement strategy throughout the development/redevelopment process.

Visual Inspection UAV in Harsh Environments and Confined Spaces

Preforming regular visual inspections is essential in up keeping structures. These inspections are used to identify defects at an early stage before they pose a major threat. Unfortunately, these inspections require scaffolding or hiring a boom to access certain areas. Other areas are tight and put the worker at risk. The use of visual inspection drones, specifically tailored for confined space, provide an excellent tool to perform these inspections. Throughout this research project we will be testing and analyzing how these drones perform/withstand different harsh environments. These environments include: extreme temperatures, high moisture, acidic vapour. Initially, we will test the subcomponents individually, then proceeding to testing the drone as a whole. Ultimately, we will provide our partner will a fully functional confined space visual inspection drone able to operate in harsh environments.

Exploring applications of Machine Learning and Quantum Computing in optimization, finance, and the healthcare industry

MITACS interns at 1QBit will aid in the research and development of experimental usage of quantum and classical hardware devices for industry use including, healthcare, finance, advanced materials, and optimization. Interns will have the opportunity to work alongside academics and research teams. MITACS interns will gain the practical experience of applying their knowledge for industry use and working in a business setting with clients. Internships provide a great opportunity for future career of the students at 1QBit. 1QBit will stay in touch with successful interns and offer hiring opportunities to the elite students after successful completion of their postgraduate degrees.

Composing without forgetting

In this project, we propose a continual learning approach to face the problem of catastrophic forgetting in online image classification problems. Concretely, we propose a model that learns how to mask a series of general modules in a deep learning architecture, so that generalization emerges through the composition of those modules. This is of vital importance for Element AI to provide reusable solutions that scale with new data, without the need of learning a new model for every problem and improving the overall performance.

Sustainable Engineering Design Audit

The Sustainable Engineering Design Audit (SEDA) score is to be designed to evaluate environmental impact on the balance sheet alongside the bottom line. The ability to evaluate environmental use alongside financial decisions will increase green practices and pro-environmental behaviour. The score will use appropriate Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) boundaries through a cradle-to-grave analysis and examine the regional impacts (i.e. spatial, temporal, concentration, etc…) for RWH Engineering in Toronto. The SEDA score will incorporate methodology used in Eco-Indicator 99 and the simplicity of the nine Planetary Boundaries for easy conceptual understanding. The context of the LCA and environmental preference is to be weighted within a values based assessment of the employees on what is most important to them; a survey is to be conducted to determine these results. A cost-benefit analysis will be used demonstrating financial benefits of using the score….