Innovative Projects Realized

Evaluation of Pneumatic Massage in Automotive Seating

This study aims to validate whether a new pneumatic massage system has a physical benefit to drivers. Using two seating conditions (massage and no massage), this study will examine the effects during a one-hour simulated seating task for each condition on separate days. The researchers will measure participant discomfort, low back muscle blood flow/oxygenation, heart rate, and blood pressure. Data for these measures will be collected and analyzed in order to determine if a relationship exists between seating condition and any other variable. An exit survey will be administered after the second trial to record the participant’s preferred seat condition. The massage system is being manufactured by the partner organization with an automotive industry partner. This evaluation of the massage system will provide the partner organization with information that will allow them to satisfy customer demands.

Hybrid and multi-device quantum machine learning models

Over the past 2-3 years, commercial quantum computing hardware has begun to come online. While emerging quantum processing devices (QPUs) are still small and noisy compared to ideal quantum hardware, they are nevertheless expected to demonstrate quantum supremacy soon. During the same period, quantum machine learning (QML) has emerged as a rapidly expanding research field, perceived as one of the most promising algorithmic paradigms for near-term quantum computers. In this project, the candidate will leverage their skills in machine learning to carry out research in QML. Specifically, the candidate will use PennyLane software to explore and understand a variety of hybrid and multi-QPU machine learning models, including generative adversarial networks, autoencoders, and parallelized models. It is important for Xanadu to identify as many use-cases for QML as can be found, and to demonstrate these with our software PennyLane.

Collision-free Farm Field Coverage Path Planning using Autonomous DOT Vehicles

The objective is to: (1) develop full-coverage path plans for an autonomous DOT vehicle, designed and developed by Dot Technologies Corp., operating in a farm field, and (2) avoid collision with other agricultural machines operating in the same field, e.g., a combine, via model-based motion tracking using on board camera vision.
A software suite, with a user-friendly GUI, will be developed, where the user can upload a satellite image of a farm filed, and also the type of agricultural implement to be used. The software will provide an optimal path that can be uploaded to the control unit of a DOT vehicle. The optimal path found via simulation would produce a path that has the best coverage, minimum number of turns, and straight-line motions that can be implemented via GPS feedback.
Furthermore, the proposed model-based motion tracking algorithm, when implemented on the DOT vehicle, can detect other vehicles, estimate their direction of motion and speed, and provide action plans to avoid collision for safe navigation.
This will pave the way towards an improved yield via safe and precise navigation of the DOT vehicles in a farm field.

Implementing biological control of introduced Phragmites australis in Ontario

Introduced Phragmites australis (common reed) is considered one of the most invasive plants in North America. European genotypes spread widely and can form dense stands with undesirable ecological impacts. Conventional management approaches have proved largely ineffective, leaving classical biocontrol (i.e., introducing herbivores of the plant from its native range) as the most promising alternative. The goal of this project is to partner with Ducks Unlimited Canada to survey 23 locations around Ontario as candidates for the release of the moths Lenisa (Archanara) geminipuncta and Archanara neurica to manage populations of introduced P. australis. Field surveys will document populations of P. australis and collect habitat data to help determine which sites should be used for initial biocontrol releases. Ducks Unlimited Canada will receive up-to-date data about this invasive plant on their properties and will get to participate in the first Canadian biocontrol program for P. australis.

Understanding factors limiting Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) abundance in the foothills of Alberta

Bull Trout (Salvenlinus confluentus) is a large fish species in the Salmonidae family, that is undergoing dramatic declines. This study will focus on stream reaches with critical Bull Trout habitat features in the foothills in Alberta, Canada. The objectives of this study are to: 1) determine temporal trends in Bull Trout abundance, and 2) assess competition between Bull Trout and invasive salmonids (e.g. Brown Trout, Brook Trout) and potential hybrids. Data will be collected and analyzed, comparing Bull Trout habitat and adult presence in 6 watercourses having different stressors (e.g. land use impacts and invasive species) for each watershed. The results of this study will help understand factors limiting Bull Trout in the foothills of Alberta and to develop appropriate management and recovery actions.

Intercultural Education Professional Development in teacher education programs and in-service programs

Objectives:

•The objective this study is to explore the perspectives of in-service instructor’s and teacher educator perspectives of intercultural education. A secondary objective is to understand the intercultural professional development of in-service teachers in the Faculty of Education at Nelson Mandela University and to examine teacher education programs and their practices related to intercultural education.

The expected outcomes of the study are:

• To gain an understanding of current practices of initial and in-service professional development for post-secondary teachers in the Faculty of Education at Nelson Mandela University and if intercultural education is a regular practice.

• To gain an understanding of in-service instructors perspectives of intercultural education

• To gain an understanding of teacher educators perspectives of intercultural education

• To provide recommendations and implications on the intercultural training of teachers in both initial teacher education and in-service training based on the findings.

Welding Assessment and Data Trending

In an effort to ensure pipelines continue to operate in a safe condition, various inspections and assessments are completed on a continual basis during their operating lifespan. These assessments include radiographic or ultrasonic examinations, forms of non-destructive examination (NDE), of circumferential girth welds formed between multiple pipe sections. The purpose of this project is to study the data from various NDE reports of circumferential girth welds in order to determine if any trends or commonalities can be developed for evaluating girth weld defects relative to welding specification, defect types, pipe size, vintage and other useful metrics. These trends can be used to provide inferred conditions of welds that have not been directly examined.

Behavioral Clustering in Big Data with Application in Super Customer Networks

Analyzing customer behavioral patterns and attrition aids organizations in understanding its core customers and improve its decision-making processes in regards to customer attrition and targeted marketing. In this research project, we will develop behavioural analytics super network models and algorithms for behavioural customer segmentation and attrition prediction in the presence of big data. Our models will help our partner organization develop better understanding of its customers and how to better manage their business relationships with them, thus solidifying its market position. At the same time contribute to the advancement of modelling and algorithm development in the new area of behavioural analytics with big data.

Redefining Fatigue: considerations for the calculation of critical power

Humans have a finite capacity for hard exercise. Sports scientists can mathematically determine this capacity by using multiple tests to exhaustion at different exercise intensities and looking at the relationship. However, the current testing protocols assume that once the initial point of fatigue is reached, exercise must be stopped. In the proposed study, we aim to quantify the ability of an athlete to perform work after reaching that initial point of fatigue by gradually decreasing the work rate. This project supports the cutting-edge analytical model called Xert being developed by our collaborative partner Baron Biosystems, Ltd. Furthermore, the results obtained from this study will be used to provide future direction for the software engineers at our partner organization and help them assume a commanding presence in the field of performance data analytics.

Measuring entanglement in quantum magnetic systems with strong long-range correlations

D-Wave systems purports to have designed a quantum processor based on scalable architecture that physically implements quantum annealing, an algorithm that can be used to solve a wide variety of optimization problems. In order for D-Wave devices to exhibit a performance advantage over classical processors, it is necessary that the devices utilize a resource that is inaccessible to any classical algorithm. This resource is generally associated with quantum entanglement. Establishing entanglement in devices operating a large number of quantum bits with strong long-range correlations would be an important milestone in the development of scalable quantum computing architectures. In this project, we will develop measures for quantifying entanglement in such systems, calculate them numerically in simulations of the D-Wave devices, and propose an experimental method that can be used to establish entanglement in the corresponding physical devices. We will then compare the performance of quantum annealing on a D-Wave device to classical algorithms on a classical processor, using a variety of different classes of optimization problems as benchmarks.

Pneumatic Based Clean Powering Options for Buses

This project aims to develop a pneumatic (compressed air) powertrain to be used in a 40-feet bus for municipal transit and school buses. Since the transportation sector is one of the prior contributors of Canada’s GHG emissions ( 24%), any alternative solutions to conventional vehicles carries significant importance to reach the GHG target that Canada promised under Paris agreement. Due to the nature-friendly characteristic of the developed system, it may contribute to achieving the GHG emissions target. Interns involving in this research project will have a significant opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge to the field and get an excellent experience to further develop their abilities. The partner organization will utilize this research to expand the business and have the upper hand over the competitors. On top of all, ecological problems due to GHG emissions and possible solutions will be pointed out once again through this research project.

Assessing the Efficacy of Empathetic Computing

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly more important to understand how technology affects cognition, emotion, and behaviour. This rapid growth of technology has also led to the development of empathetic computing programs with the goal of augmenting people’s lives. It is crucial to discover the practical implications of these systems. This project will focus on analyzing Maslo’s (and the industry’s) empathetic computing technologies through the lenses of cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and evolutionary psychology. The two key questions are: 1) To what degree can the current industry of personalized computing augment human empathy, and 2) What are the best methodologies available to quantify or assess this augmentation? Collectively, this work will inform theories of emotion, attention, and cognition while also impacting empathetic computing design. We will be applying a variety of behavioural measures ranging from interviews to mobile eye tracking.