Innovative Projects Realized

Development and integration of feature detection algorithms for metal-based direct deposition processes

Metal-based direct energy deposition processes, such as robotic welding and laser powder fed additive manufacturing, ideally require feedback sensing of the deposition quality using vision detectors. Image processing algorithms are challenging to develop due to changing process operating conditions. Despite challenges, implementing in-process image processing algorithms is beneficial for traceability and quality assurance, for calibrating process models, and for developing closed loop control algorithms which are able to maintain deposition quality within acceptable quality margins. The objective of this research is to develop and integrate feature detection algorithms which are adaptive to the changing operating conditions typically present in metal-based direct energy deposition processes. Such algorithms are directly applicable to low-cost and industrially relevant high dynamic vision detectors. The outcomes will apply directly to future in-process vision-based sensing of features such as, but not limited to, process signatures (melt-pool size and shape, plasma plume characteristics, intensity map, particle ejections) and/or deposition qualities (geometry, continuity).

Analyse dynamique de bâtiments industriels supportant des équipements vibratoires attachés avec des supports flexibles

Ce projet de recherche a pour objectif principal d’optimiser l’évaluation des limites de vibration dans les bâtiments industriels supportant un tamis vibrant attaché à la structure avec des supports flexibles.
Afin d’obtenir les résultats réalistes d’une analyse de structure supportant des tamis, les ingénieurs dans la pratique sont souvent confrontés à la modélisation complexe de celle-ci. La difficulté de l’analyse repose sur le choix du modèle numérique et dans l’application des charges dynamiques fournies par le fabricant de ces équipements.
La méthodologie proposée dans ce projet de recherche consiste à évaluer la fiabilité du modèle d’analyse dynamique à utiliser pour obtenir les vibrations qui seront comparées aux limites de vibration à respecter dans les critères de conception.
Ce projet de recherche permettra ainsi d’augmenter le niveau d’exactitude de la formulation des hypothèses de conception de structures soumises à des charges dynamiques et d’accélérer le temps requis par les ingénieurs en pratique pour faire une analyse dynamique.

XFEM-based fatigue crack growth simulation and surrogate model development for probabilistic remaining fatigue life prediction of pipelines

Pipelines have significantly contributed to the Canadian energy industry and overall economy. Specifically, nearly 60% of energy consumed in Canada comprises of oil and gas delivered through pipelines. However, in pipeline steel, many failures were caused by cracks during pipeline operation. The proposed research project aims at developing a reliable and effective tool to predict fatigue crack growth under cyclic fatigue loading. Specifically, this project will explore the use of the newly developed extended finite element method (XFEM) for fatigue crack growth modeling in conjunction with well-established fatigue crack growth laws. The XFEM models will be validated and further used to develop efficient data-driven models. The surrogate models will eventually be used with the data from real-world pipelines, including SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) data and ILI (in-line inspection) data to predict the remaining fatigue life of pipelines.

Impact de l’utilisation d’un modèle périodique autorégressif et à moyenne mobile dans la gestion moyen-terme de la production hydroélectrique

Pour planifier à moyen-terme un système hydroélectrique, il est nécessaire de déterminer une politique de gestion de ses réservoirs, c’est-à-dire la quantité d’eau à utiliser à chaque semaine pour répondre à une demande électrique ou d’autres contraintes. Cette politique de gestion couvre un horizon allant jusqu’à 2 ans et doivent tenir compte de la principale source d’incertitude : le volume d’eau reçu par le système dans le futur. En utilisant des modèles hydrologiques et statistiques plus complexes, on peut représenter plus fidèlement les caractéristiques de la distribution de ce volume d’eau. Nous nous proposons de développer une méthode de calcul d’une politique basée sur l’utilisation d’un modèle multiplicatif autorégressif et à moyenne mobile et d’en tester l’efficacité dans un contexte de gestion normale, puis d’intégration des énergies renouvelables variables à Hydro-Québec Production.

Ovarian Cancer Research Program

Ovarian cancer has a high mortality rate and cannot be detected by screening. Strategies to decrease the burden of OC in Canada will need to improve the delivery of effective prevention, particularly risk-reducing surgery. This initiative is designed to execute three projects that focus on possible strategies to improve the effective delivery of evidence-based OC prevention for women in NL.

A Holistic Analysis of the Role of Canada in the EU’s Socialized Constitutionalization of the WTO

Canada and the EU are traditional allies in promoting the UN’s sustainable development goals (SDGs). As many scholars note, the WTO is an indispensable forum for realizing these laudable goals, for instance, the goal 13 fighting against climate change, for the WTO is nearly the only international organisation that has ability to enforce the implementation of these 17 SDGs, relying on its sound dispute settlement body and considerable economic interest associated with itself. Nevertheless, the WTO is used to give priority to economic issues rather than environmental issues and human rights-based issues over decades. From a European perspective, the means that is able to change the current WTO into a sustainable trade organisation is socialised constitutionalization of the WTO. Despite a similar constitutional tradition as that of the EU, is Canada going to support the EU’s proposal due to its national interest? If so, how, and to what extent, Canada can play a role in the socialised constitutionalization of the WTO?

Numerical Simulations on exotic magnetic materials

Data storage devices as hard drives or solid state disks rely on the magnetic properties of special materials. As the amount of data produced is increasing every day; new, more efficient, with more storage capacity, and faster devices are needed. One plausible option is to investigate exotic magnetic materials. We will run numerical simulations to study these exotic magnetic materials considering specific parameters as size, temperature, and magnetic properties. We expect by the end of the stay to be able to determine the most favorable experimental conditions to utilize such materials.

Biomimetic functional coating for flux control

We would like to develop slippery liquid infused surfaces for molding applications. Molding technology is of great importance in industry and understanding the wetting behavior of molding liquids (polymers/metals) is of fundamental interest and non-trivial as well because of the involved phase transition from liquid to gel/solid upon cooling. Thus, both wetting and post solidification adhesion needs to be accounted for while designing a surface. Often a de-wetting mold-liquid combination is desirable as it facilitates separation of the final product from mold cavity and prevents formation of unwanted defects due to sticking of molten liquids to the surface. We intend to address this by designing slippery liquid infused coatings. This novel surface manipulation technique was conceptualized independently by the groups of Aizenberg and Quéré in 2011. They proposed infusing a textured porous substrate with a wetting liquid to create pressure-stable slippery outer layer, which exhibits excellent liquid repellency and self-cleaning properties by making undesirable liquids slide off and wipe away surface contaminants in the process. In this collaborative project, we intend to utilize our knowledge on wetting behavior in conjunction with the advanced material processing and characterization facilities at NIMS to tackle this fundamentally interesting problem of significant practical relevance.

Investigating the efficacy of GelDerm* in detection of wound infection in a rat model

Burn injuries and wounds caused by burns are big health problems and in Canada alone cost nearly $290 million. Additionally, these wounds usually persist and become infected and subsequently drastically compromise patients’ health, result in significantly longer hospitalization, delayed wound healing, higher costs and higher risk of death. Therefore, prevention and management of wound infections have priority in treatment of burn patients. In order to early diagnose microbial infections in wounds and accelerate wound healing to such injuries, 4M Biotech under leadership of Dr. Akbari has developed a smart dressing in a form of a gel patch referred to as GelDerm* and confirmed it efficacy using in vitro and ex vivo models. The objective of the proposed study is to test the efficacy of GelDerm* in an animal model to evaluate the efficacy of GelDerm* to detect wound infection by sensing the variations in wound pH. We anticipate that the application of GelDerm would enhance the early detection of wound infection and thus provide the opportunity for timely interventions to treat wound infection.

Identifying probiotics that modulate mitophagy in models of mitochondrial dysfunction

Mitochondria are critical producers of energy and are the platform for various metabolic reactions that support cellular health. Mitochondria suffer from a variety of damage as a consequence of housing these reactive pathways. In order for cells and organisms to survive this damage, dysfunctional mitochondria are removed from the cell in a process termed mitophagy. The goal of this proposal is to identify probiotics that enhance mitophagy, thereby serving as ideal promoters of health by preserving mitochondrial, cellular and organismal function.

Évaluation du logiciel de dimensionnement de Cogeco pour la simulation destendances vidéo futures du réseau Internet

Le trafic vidéo occupe une proportion croissante de la capacité du réseau Internet. Dans

cette optique d’évolution, le stage proposé effectue une étude des tendances et technologie

de vidéo sur Internet. Le partenaire, Cogeco est un câblodistributeur et fournisseur d’accès

Internet. Le coeur du projet est l’utilisation d’un logiciel de dimensionnement de Cogeco qui

permet d’effectuer des simulations de capacité et de performance de réseau. Durant le stage,

plusieurs scénarios de demande future, en particulier reliés aux services Vidéo seront ainsi

évalués. Pour cela, l’étudiant devra se familiariser avec le logiciel, l’architecture et les

services de COGECO, faire une revue approfondie des nouvelles tendances en Services

Vidéo et proposer et effectuer des scénarios d’études de simulation. L’idée du stage étant de

fournir au partenaire des données qui montreraient comment maintenir l’efficacité de son

réseau en suivant les tendances d’évolution rapide de la demande par des « what if »

réalisés à l’aide du logiciel de dimensionnement.

Developing octenyl succinic maltodextrins as replacements for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in molded fiber bowls

In this Mitacs proposal, the Carbohydrate Chemistry and Utilization Program at the University of Saskatchewan (Usask) aims to collaborate with a leading producer of compostable molded fiber bowls ? SustainaPulp Canada Inc. ? to develop replacements for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in their products. The alternatives will be prepared from maltodextrins, a common food ingredient that is generated from starch. The maltodextrin-based replacements will be produced at the Usask, and their performance in molded fiber bowls will be assessed by the partner organization. It is the goal of the research team to develop safe, bio-degradable and sustainable materials that can be used in molded fiber bowls for serving hot, wet, greasy and healthy foods to consumers.