Innovative Projects Realized

Water-based binders for the 3D printing and sintering of metals

Rapidia has developed a water-based approach to metal 3D printing that is faster, simpler, and more cost effective than the current systems on the market. This novel approach enables printed parts to be sintered directly, eliminating the time- and chemically- intensive intermediate de-binding step required for other processes. In order to implement this technique, the formulation of the initial paste used for printing is an essential component to optimize. We will be studying how the chemical composition of the paste formulation impacts its performance in the printing and sintering steps, with the ultimate goal of developing advanced formulations to optimize the quality of the final metal parts. This research project could significantly advance Rapidia’s technology, accelerate their growth in the industry, and stimulate the Canadian economy.

Development of Technologies for Treatment and Management of OTSG and Evaporator Blowdown Wastes from Oil Sands Operations

The steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) is the most commonly employed process for extraction of oil or bitumen from oil sands reservoirs. This process involves injection of large quantity of steam into the oil reservoir. The injected steam is further recovered as produced water which constitutes high concentrations of hydrocarbons and mineral salts. Due to the large requirement of water for oil sands processing, the produced water is recycled for the production of steam to reduce fresh water intake. Continuous recycling of produced water leads to accumulation of inorganic salts and minerals and organics constituting production chemicals, natural soil organics and hydrocarbons. Of these contaminants, presence of high concentration of silica and its interaction with organics leads to numerous operational challenges in boilers and evaporators. Removal of silica from the produced water is also challenging due unreliable performance of silica removal processes practiced in the industry due to the complex interactions of silica with other constituents. This project will focus on improving the performance of silica removal process by enhancing the scientific understanding of the process.

Contextually appropriate content to support understanding unfamiliar word(s)

The broad objective is to develop (or investigate the feasibility of developing) a

prototype software module that can be used in one or more of goQ (Quillsoft Ltd .)

software products for when a user initiates a word or phrasal lookup within some text.

During reading or writing , the module provides contextually appropriate content that

supports the user in understanding the unfamiliar word or phrase. The module may

provide one or more of the following : a definition, usage examples, andlor synonym(s)

for a search word or phrase. The application of this technology is to assist individuals

with a broad range of reading and writing difficulties, such as those individuals who

have learning disabilities, those individuals who are second language learners, and

those individuals who are emergent readers.

Les effets de la Dexmedetomidine IV sur la variabilité du rythme cardiaque chez les nouveau-nés admis en soins intensifs pédiatriques.

La prescription de médicaments en pédiatrie et particulièrement en néonatologie est un versant délicat de la pratique quotidienne. En effet, les données sur la sécurité d’emploi et les effets de nombreux traitements utilisés chez le nouveau-né demeurent insuffisantes. Dû à l’absence d’alternative thérapeutique, la plupart des molécules sont utilisées en dehors de leur recommandation officielle devant l’absence de d’étude sérieuses sur leur utilisation en néonatologie. Les études en pharmacologie clinique sont donc très importantes à mener pour pallier ce manque de données.

Mon projet de recherche au CHU Sainte Justine s’intéresse à une alternative sédative récente et au mode d’action différent et original : la dexmedetomidine. L’objectif de cette étude est donc d’analyser son utilisation et ses effets chez le nouveau-né et ainsi de guider la prescription dans cette population, si particulière. Ses principaux effets secondaires connues sont liés à son effet sur le rythme cardiaque pouvant induire des bradycardies sévères. Celles-ci pourraient s’avérer particulièrement symptomatiques chez le nouveau-né qui est davantage dépendant de sa fréquence cardiaque pour maintenir son débit cardiaque par rapport à l’adulte ou l’enfant plus âgé.

Development of Superoleophilic Coating for High-Efficiency Oil and Water Separation

Oil/water separation is one of the most challenging processes in oil production processes. Materials with superoleophilicity can selectively filter or absorb oil from oil/water mixtures. These materials can be highly efficient with a minimum footprint in the selective separation of oil and water. They can also be designed to be integrated with many conventional oil/water separation processes/equipment, for instant, the boost of separation efficiency. In this project, a surface modification technology will be developed for metal mesh for the fabrication of superoleophilic functional materials; multiple coating and surface modification techniques will be tested and optimized; separation efficiency and durability will be examined under various operational settings; the prototype mesh will be coupled with commercially available screens, and its performance will be comprehensively examined. More developments will be carried out that will focus on process design and cost analysis. Multiple solutions will be designed and investigated to reduce water accumulation. The proposed technique is a highly feasible, economical solution for downhole oil/water separation. It will be design to be compatible with in-situ mechanical conditions, and can be easily integrated with many conventional oil/water separation process/equipment for an instant boost of separation efficiency.

Do existing lending products of credit unions meet the financing needs of co-operatives – The case of Libro Credit Union and Ontario’s Co-operative Sector

Credit unions and co-operatives share a common identity and foundational values as organizations that meet the economic, social, and cultural needs of their member-owners. A perennial concern for the credit union and co-operative sectors has been the need to identify opportunities for collaboration to advance the prominence of member-owned models. This research surveys and interviews co-operatives in Southwestern Ontario to understand their financing needs, and to identify why existing financial products do not meet these needs. The researchers will facilitate a focus group with Libro Credit Union staff to reflect on the survey and interview findings with the goal of identifying opportunities for new lending products that meet the needs of both credit unions and co-operat

La radicalisation des combattants au sein des guerres civiles

Ma thèse s’intéresse aux processus au travers desquels les combattants au sein des guerres civiles se radicalisent, au point où ils en viennent à cibler la population civile. Ma recherche repose donc sur deux littératures distinctes, à savoir celle relative à la violence envers les civils dans les conflits intra-étatiques et celle associée aux processus de radicalisation menant à l’extrémisme. L’objectif principal est d’interroger le manque de dialogue entre ces deux programmes de recherche qui, malgré leur compatibilité, ont très peu été employés de manière conjointe. Plus spécifiquement, je me concentre sur les trajectoires individuelles ainsi que les processus psycho-cognitifs qui mènent les combattants à tuer des civils innocents en temps de guerre.

Durant mon séjour à Oxford, je prévois accomplir trois tâches principales. Premièrement, j’envisage de faire une recherche documentaire exhaustive sur les deux thématiques au cœur de ma thèse. Ainsi, cette recherche me permettra de sonder à la fois les documents historiques relatifs à mon étude de cas se trouvant dans les Oxford University Archives, ainsi que les données sur les conflits armés du Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict (OIELAC) et du Centre for the Resolution of Intractable Conflict (CRIC).

Chronotype-based recommendations for shift workers to improve sleep and work performance

During night shifts, workers’ circadian rhythms (or “body clocks”) do not align with their work schedules. This misalignment results in poorer sleep and more workplace errors relative to working during the day. It is possible to align the body clock to night shift schedules by controlling one’s exposure to light. However, the effectiveness of this approach may vary depending on people’s work schedules (e.g., rotating or permanent night shifts) and chronotype (i.e., their biological preference for usual sleep and wake times). The goals of the proposed project are to (1) validate an intervention for rapidly rotating shift workers to help align their circadian rhythms with their work schedules, and (2) identify individual factors (e.g., chronotype, age, sex) that predict this alignment. Our results will enable workers to reduce the negative consequences associated with working rotating shifts. The proposed project will also benefit the partner organisation by helping them tailor their sleep improvement recommendations to different populations.

Development of an Extensible Framework for Assessing Digital Health Innovation Hubs (DHI-HUB)

New information technologies are becoming an important part of the health care system. A priority both provincially and nationally is the establishment of an enhanced network of general practitioners using the latest information technologies to acquire, store and use patient information. This will involve deployment of person-centred digitally-enabled information technologies in a new structure known as Digital Health Innovation HUBs (DHI-HUBs). The hubs will provide an opportunity to test innovative health technologies in health care. In this project, we will develop a framework for evaluating the effectiveness and outcomes of DHI-HUBs. The research methods will include ideas from implementation science, health IT project management and the emerging field of health informatics. The approach to evaluation of an implementation of a set of innovative health technologies will be applied in the Okanagan region of Canada and will be designed to be generalizable to other health regions.

Caractérisation en bioréacteur de la dose efficace d’un nouveau probiotique destiné au porc pour limiter la colonisation par Salmonella et la dysbiose intestinale

Au Canada, l’industrie porcine représente une part importante de l’économie reliée à l’agriculture. Pour rester compétitive, elle doit améliorer sa rentabilité tout en conservant de hauts standards de salubrité. Pour ce faire, l’utilisation de probiotique pourrait limiter la contamination des porcs par la salmonelle, important pathogène alimentaire, tout en atténuant les troubles digestifs des cochons. Dans ce projet, un nouveau probiotique sera mis au point. Classiquement, les probiotiques sont rapidement testés sur des animaux. Pour limiter les coûts en termes de vies animales et économiques reliés à cette pratique, le présent projet de recherche utilisera un bioréacteur pour simuler l’environnement intestinal du porc afin de finement dessiner le nouveau probiotique qui aura pour vocation d’inhiber Salmonella et d’agir positivement sur les bactéries de l’intestin du porc. Ces résultats perm

Studies on uptake and translocation of patented active ingredients in plants

The Suncor/McMaster partnership is generating a pipeline of novel, green, agricultural chemicals to be applied as crop sprays. One of the challenges with treating plants by spraying leaves (foliar treatment) is targeting the transport of the active ingredients (AI) to specific parts of the plant. An example is preventing bacterial growth in the xylem, channels that carry water from the roots up the plant. The transport of AI on leaf surfaces to the xylem is difficult and possibly impossible in some plants.
The new McMaster/Suncor researcher will be developing methods to measure transport into plant tissues, including the xylem fibers and phloem tissues, and to enhance this transport by additives in the crop spray formulation.

Examining the effects of Neuropeptide Y5 receptor antagonsim onprimary tumor growth in murine model of breast cancer

Our laboratory has recently provided evidence that NPY is also involved in the progression of breast cancer. We have

demonstrated that breast cancer tumors have sympathetic nerves, NPY and NPY receptors. Also, we

have shown in cell culture studies, that when NPY binds to the Y5 receptor on breast cancer cells,

those cells will divide at a greater rate. Therefore, in the proposed project we will test whether treating

tumor bearing mice with a specific Y5 receptor blocker will slow tumor growth. Tumor bearing mice will be treated daily with a Y5 receptor blocker provided by Triphase Accelarator. Tumor growth will be monitored during a two month period.