Innovative Projects Realized

Explore thousands of successful projects resulting from collaboration between organizations and post-secondary talent.

31620 Completed Projects

2978
AB
5221
BC
856
MB
696
NL
899
SK
9419
ON
9858
QC
98
PE
619
NB
1192
NS

Projects by Category

Managing Mental Health: A Survey-Based Research Evaluation of a COVID-19 Emergency Mental Health Counselling Program

In the midst of the current global COVID-19 pandemic, frontline service workers (e.g. healthcare and social services) are experiencing unprecedented work conditions that are physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting, which impact one’s psychological well-being. To combat the impending mental health crises, McMaster University and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA, Hamilton) are partnering to assess the effectiveness of a free short-term counselling initiative offered to Hamilton healthcare and social service workers. Counselling will be available through CMHA for all Hamilton essential human services staff experiencing stress and anxiety from working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Post-Doctoral Fellow, Dr. Diana Singh, will be leading a survey-based research program evaluation of CMHA’s new counselling initiative in order to determine its effectiveness in combatting the short and long-term mental health consequences—e.g. anxiety, post-traumatic stress, chronic stress and burnout—of working on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Marisa Young

Student:

Partner:

Canadian Mental Health Association (Hamilton)

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Public Service, Policy, and Governance; Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Other; COVID-19 related Research and Solutions

University:

McMaster University

Program:

Accelerate

Utilizing Materials Informatics to Predictively Engineering the Micro-Mechanical Properties of Hydraulic Turbine Steels

Cost-effective clean energy production is one of the most urgent economic and societal issues facing Canada today. Hydro-Québec is a world-leader in clean hydro-electric energy production – an essentially carbon-free source of energy. However, the repair and replacement of hydraulic turbines utilized in hydro-electric power production has two important consequences on clean energy production: (1) it results large financial losses, in terms of overall production, and thereby reduces costeffectiveness; and (2) it also ties up significant human resources which could have been used to further clean energy production. Thus, it is essential that new technologies be developed to extend the lifetime and reduce the downtime of hydraulic turbines. The results of this project are aimed at designing better turbines and more robust welding repair approaches that will achieve these aims. Specifically, the proposed partnership will allow Hydro-Québec’s engineers to better understand the influence of manufacturing and repair procedures (casting, welding) on the local microstructure of hydraulic turbines. The project will directly link microstructural properties with the micromechanical properties of steel turbines, and thereby enhance their expected operational lifetime and durability.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Hong Guo;Nikolas Provatas;Kirk H Bevan;Kirk H Bevan

Student:

Partner:

Institut de Recherche Hydro-Québec

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services; Utilities

University:

McGill University

Program:

Accelerate

Optimization and Analysis of an Adhesion Radial Turboexpander

It is estimated that 20-50% of the energy consumed by Canadian manufacturing processes is ultimately lost via waste heat. Recovering energy from this waste heat will significantly reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of Canadian industry. The proposed research project will conduct a computer-based analysis of a novel waste heat recovery concept that extracts work from a pressurized fluid stream with a relatively low inlet temperature. The geometrical simplicity of the conceptualized turboexpander will make it much cheaper to manufacture and operate compared to existing heat recovery technologies. The project will lead to a novel device that can extract power from waste heat sources with much higher efficiencies and lower costs than are currently available, bringing significant financial and environmental savings to Canada’s energy, oil and gas, and manufacturing industries.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Joshua Brinkerhoff

Student:

Partner:

Innovex Engineering;Boundary Turbines Inc

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

The University of British Columbia - Okanagan

Program:

Accelerate

Frontline organizations and emergency planning in the COVID-19 pandemic

Emergencies in inner-city neighbourhoods come in many forms—illness, fire, violence, homelessness. The COVID-19 pandemic is a different kind of emergency. It is a global crisis, and requires unprecedented changes to everyday life to protect all members of society. COVID-19 has highlighted many long-standing gaps in access to basic needs and has expanded understandings of basic necessities for survival. While frontline organizations are well-placed to address local emergencies, the all-encompassing nature of the pandemic requires new strategies. Focusing on Winnipeg’s inner city, this research asks how community-based and frontline organizations can be ready to continue to deal with the everyday crises of life in vulnerable neighbourhoods, while also responding to the extraordinary challenge of the COVID-19 emergency.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Sarah Cooper

Student:

Partner:

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Life Sciences (not health); Public Service, Policy, and Governance; COVID-19 related Research and Solutions

University:

University of Manitoba

Program:

Accelerate

Emergency Management Planning for Indigenous Communities

For Indigenous communities, emergency management involves adopting community strategies and activities that meet the health and safety requirements of citizens while protecting, sustaining and enhancing the community infrastructure and resources that will be needed in the future. This research project will consider recent developments that resulted from the COVID-19 global pandemic and will explore how to promote collaborative emergency management planning between Indigenous governments and external stakeholders. The research will involve three steps: first, a review of current emergency management strategies employed by federal/provincial/territorial governments; second, a review of how emergency management strategies can be integrated into the administrative structures of Indigenous governments; and, third, a theoretical assessment of how to enhance the coordination of emergency management planning by Indigenous governments with external stakeholders in accordance with the inherent Indigenous right to self-determination.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Brent Mainprize;John Borrows

Student:

Partner:

Brian Payer and Associates Inc

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Victoria

Program:

Accelerate

Development of SARS-CoV-2 antibody test technologies suitable for on-site diagnosis

This proposal aims to develop essential technologies for rapid and accurate SARS-CoV-2 antibody test in serum and droplet blood using microflow cytometry immunoassay (MCIA) for on-site testing. The test will assess levels of immunoglobin G (IgG) and immunoglobin M (IgM) antibodies produced in response to SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Unfortunately, none of the antibody testing tools currently available are suited for rapid and accurate on-site testing. The proposed MICA antibody test would serve as a much-needed on-site test method of infection and immunity screening. The developed antibody testing can change the game in the fight against COVID-19. The proposed MCIA antibody test is a revolutionary new tool that offers faster and more accurate SARS-CoV-2 infection and immunity testing compared to existing methods, providing on-site test results within mere minutes, completely altering the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Chang-Qing Xu

Student:

Partner:

Forsee Instruments

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

McMaster University

Program:

Accelerate

GPU-Based Fast Fluids for Video Games

Animated fluid effects based on physical simulation have been a staple part of visual effects industry. They are characterized by offline simulation and rendering that produces high-fidelity dynamics and visuals. As the technology for computer games advances, the opportunity to create such effects in real-time as either a playback technique or dynamic simulation is becoming feasible. The internship will explore the integration of fast methods for fluid dynamics to determine their effectiveness for use in the video game industry.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Robert Bridson

Student:

Partner:

Microsoft Canada

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

Inventory optimization model to support customer needs while meeting business targets

Manufacturing is a $174 billion industry in Canada, representing over 10% of total GDP and 68% of merchandise exports. Inventory is the largest spend and asset for manufacturing companies, and efficient inventory management is a proven strategy to increase profitability in the manufacturing sector. The aim of inventory management is to achieve satisfactory levels of customer service while minimizing inventory costs in order to maximize profitability. The proposed research will create an inventory optimization model to assess factors influencing inventory of a Canadian electronics manufacturer and predict optimal levels of inventory to support customer needs while meeting business targets. This predictive model will provide significant cost-savings and improve customer satisfaction, supporting the company’s continued growth and creating high-quality jobs for Canadians.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Brent Clemens

Student:

Partner:

Creation Technologies (ON)

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology

Program:

Accelerate

Understanding the mechanism of operation of Solistra Corp.’s dry reforming photocatalyst.

Solar-driven dry-reforming is an ideal solution for recycling greenhouse gasses (GHGs) while producing valuable chemical feedstock. These anthropogenic emissions of the GHGs are the leading cause of global climate change. Furthermore, these emissions are related to the manufacture of fuels and carbon-based products. Solar fuels technology addresses both of these issues. Solistra is developing photocatalyst technology in partnership with NRC, through the Materials for Clean Fuels Challenge program, and the University of Toronto’s Solar Fuels group. Photocatalysts, nanomaterials engineering to directly use solar energy, can convert carbon dioxide and methane into the same carbon-based consumer products we rely on every day using sunlight. This technology represents an advancement toward a clean and carbon recycling economy.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Geoffrey Ozin;Benjamin Hatton

Student:

Partner:

Solistra

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Toronto

Program:

Accelerate

Development of CuO-doped phosphate glass in Hydrogel matrix for bone regeneration

In the framework of developing of low-cost bones regeneration implant, bioactive copper oxide phosphate glasses/HA-Chitosan hydrogel are to be investigated to determine optimal formulation producing a HA/hydrogel matrix with structure similar to that of natural bone.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Federico Rosei

Student:

Partner:

Bioastra Technologies Inc

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Université du Québec : Institut national de la recherche scientifique

Program:

Accelerate

Geochemical implications of soil covers for oil sands sulfide tailings

Recent studies have highlighted the need to investigate potential for acid generation and metal(loid)s release froth treatment tailings generated at oil sands mining operations. In addition to residual hydrocarbons, froth treatment tailings contain minerals that make them geochemically distinct from sulfide-bearing tailings generated at metal-mining operations. The proposed research will integrate field studies, laboratory experiments, and modelling to investigate the geochemical implications of potential reclamation approaches for froth treatment tailings. Research findings will help advance understanding of the geochemical behaviour of these tailings under different reclamation scenarios, which will guide reclamation efforts at oil sands mining operations. In turn, this research will allow SRK Consulting to improve its environmental consulting services for oil sands operators.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Matt Lindsay

Student:

Partner:

SRK Consulting (SK)

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program:

Accelerate

Continuation of Characterization and Design of Additively Manufactured Components for Materials Integrity

Rapid prototyping, or 3D printing, has inspired the imagination of the general public, from simple build-it-yourself “hobby” machines using polymer-based binder material with inkjet functionality, to portable printers that can fashion components in zero gravity on the International Space Station. The functionality is user-friendly, in that printed material is dropped onto a substrate in viscous plastic form, which solidifies to take on the designed shape. The resulting piece is a plastic prototype that may be used as-is, for some applications, or as scaled models to assist the product development process. This work focuses on 3D metal printing, specifically, direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), to build three-dimensional, complex parts using metallic powders. We integrate materials science, design of experiments, and engineering design for the purpose of manufacturing components with complex geometries and lightweight, high-strength metallic-alloy properties for aircraft applications. By investigating how process parameters affect the properties of materials, we expect to reduce run-to-run variations in the DMLS process, reduce production and post-production time and costs, and contribute to innovation in using an additive approach to the engineering design of complex components.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Amy Hsiao;Grant McSorley

Student:

Partner:

MDS Coating Technologies

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Aerospace; Advanced Manufacturing; Technology

University:

University of Prince Edward Island

Program:

Accelerate

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Mitacs — Return on Innovation

Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.