Innovative Projects Realized

Anion Exchange Membranes for use in Industrial Electrolysis Systems for Salt-Splitting

Salt splitting is a technology in which an electrochemical cell containing 2 membranes to transport positive and negative ions, is used to produce sulfuric acid and caustic soda from sodium sulfate, a compound found commonly from industrial brine streams. Salt splitting electrolysis is a sustainable solution for the expanding markets of acid and caustic recovery and treatment of neutralization waste products, which would otherwise be disposed. One of the major challenges of this technology is to produce a relatively concentrated sulfuric acid product with high efficiency and low power consumption, due to leakage through the anion exchange membrane. Therefore, developing an anion exchange membrane with the capability of effectively blocking protons is key to the success of this technology.

PIC computer studies of plasma wave instabilities in the exhaust plume of the VASIMR propulsion engine

My proposed research project is devoted to Particle-in-cell (PIC) computer simulations to study the plasma waves instabilities in the exhaust plume of the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) device. VASIMR is a type of electric propulsion plasma device, using the plasma as propellant, potentially for a long-term space mission with a much higher specific impulse than traditional chemical rocket.
Using a 2D3V PIC code and a VSim frameworks, the analysis of different instabilities present in this plasma device will be performed and compared with previous results. The focus will be on identifying the presence of instabilities in conditions of this device, study of the plasma instabilities mechanisms and its effects on performance of the device, and parametric studies of the role of different external parameters.

Geochronology and stratigraphy of the Eqe Bay greenstone belt, northern Baffin Island, Nunavut: implications for Archean geodynamics and mineral exploration in the Mary River

Greenstone belts are hosts to several types of mineral deposits worldwide, but such belts in Canada’s remote Arctic remain underexplored. Here we focus on greenstone belts of the ~2.7 billion-year-old Mary River Group, namely those exposed at Eqe Bay, northern Baffin Island, representing the best-preserved portion of the Group. A stratigraphically lower package of volcanic/sedimentary rocks is separated from an upper sedimentary package by an unconformity, a geological contact representing non-deposition (geological “lost time”). Both the lower and upper units contain quartzite; this rock contains appreciable zircon, which contains very small amounts of uranium that are used for absolute geochronological dating. Therefore, the analysis of detrital zircons from quartzites above and below the unconformity will allow us to determine how much time is lost between both packages. Results will have implications on the exploration program of our industry partner, Baffinland Iron Mines Corp., which holds mineral claims at Eqe Bay.

Quantitative Security Metrics in 5G Environment

The advent of 5G (fifth generation) telecommunication networks also brings new security challenges, in addition to many benefits to the community. Such is exemplified by its special nature of technology (as well as the new business model) and its deep involvement in people’s everyday life, hence more critical. We need proper security metrics to tell how secure these new networks are especially for decision makers. Our preliminary studies show that existing security metrics are insufficient for 5G networks (as they are not designed so). We would like to thoroughly study the state-of-the art metrics and standards and propose new security metrics that are more suitable for 5G networks.

Narrowing the Gap Between Software Requirements and Tests

Safety critical software systems such as those that control nir navigntion nre subject to very high standards of quality. They need to explicitly provide system requirements nnd make sure there nre enough test cases that nssure an acceptable level of quality, per requirement. However, with the current fnst pace ofsollworo development, sometimes the program and tests are solid but the requirement documents get outdated. It is also possible thnt tho requirement documents are up-to-date, but the tests nre incomplete. Therefore, to narrow the gap between these two sets of artifacts, with the higher goal of increasing software quality, one would benefit from an automated system that identifies the missing pieces and automatically generates them. This project aims this target and proposes a mix of techniques to trace requirements to source code and tests, find missing requirements and tests, and by an iterative process, generate new tests and specification documents.

Low Dose Computed Tomography Denoising Using Deep Learning

CT (Computed Tomography) scans are widely used medical images used to diagnose disease such as cancer. CT Scanners pass x-rays through the body in order to generate cross-sectional images. Unfortunately pro-longed exposure to radiation (via x-rays) can damage the body, and thus one aims to minimize the x-ray dose they receive. However, modern CT scanners produce lower quality images when using low x-ray dose which defeats their purpose as a diagnostic tool. We propose a post-processing algorithm to enhance the quality of CT images produced at low radiation dose. The industry and partner organization will benefit from this by integrating this algorithm into products that can be marketed towards radiologists.

Development of the Metaplex Immuno-Oncology Platform – Formulation Component

Current cancer immunotherapies, although highly successful, are complex to implement, costly, and only effective in small patient populations with specific cancer types. We propose to overcome these problems by developing small molecules to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD), a cancer cell death process that engages the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells and to generate immunological memory. Cuprous Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CPI) has identified ICD-inducing compounds that are enhanced by copper (Cu) as an adjuvant. Using CPI’s Metaplex technology, Cu and small molecules are co-delivered in nanoparticles to overcome solubility and drug delivery barriers. This research will evaluate how ICD-inducing nanoformulations engage the immune system in animal models and identify lead candidates. Two Elevate Fellows with expertise in immuno-oncology and nanoformulations will contribute to the proposed research, which is anticipated to generate data packages needed to establish strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical partners, ultimately translating the technology to the clinic.

This application describes both projects generally, and the objectives to be completed by Kent Chen (Formulations component)

Development of the Metaplex Immuno-Oncology Platform – Immuno-Oncology Component

Current cancer immunotherapies, although highly successful, are complex to implement, costly, and only effective in small patient populations with specific cancer types. We propose to overcome these problems by developing small molecules to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD), a cancer cell death process that engages the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells and to generate immunological memory. Cuprous Pharmaceuticals Inc. (CPI) has identified ICD-inducing compounds that are enhanced by copper (Cu) as an adjuvant. Using CPI’s Metaplex technology, Cu and small molecules are co-delivered in nanoparticles to overcome solubility and drug delivery barriers. This research will evaluate how ICD-inducing nanoformulations engage the immune system in animal models and identify lead candidates. Two Elevate Fellows with expertise in immuno-oncology and nanoformulations will contribute to the proposed research, which is anticipated to generate data packages needed to establish strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical partners, ultimately translating the technology to the clinic.

This application describes both projects generally, and the objectives to be completed by Brian Hsu (Immuno-Oncology component)

Compression Lap-Splices of FRP Bars in Reinforced Concrete Columns under Static and Cyclic Loading

Corrosion of steel bars stands out as a significant factor limiting the life expectancy of reinforced-concrete infrastructure exposed to harsh environmental conditions. In the last decade, the use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars as an alternative reinforcing material in reinforced-concrete (RC) structures has emerged as an innovative solution to the corrosion problem. In the field application, it is inevitable to connect FRP bars because of limited length of bars for storage and transportation. The easiest and practical method to connect FRP bars is over lap splicing. The critical parameter affecting strength of spliced bars is over lap splice length. The main aim of this project is to develop an equation to calculate splice length of FRP bars. The outcomes of this project promote utilization of this new material in construction industry and extend the life expectancy of infrastructures in Canada and consequently decrease the infrastructure maintenance cost.

Fatigue des assemblages conducteurs aériens – pince semi-rigide

Les conducteurs aériens des lignes de transport d’énergie sont des structures très flexibles et

ils sont retenus à chaque pylône à l’aide de pinces de suspension. Sous l’effet du vent, le

conducteur peut être excité, en particulier par les vibrations éoliennes modulées par un

détachement tourbillonnaire en aval du conducteur. La vibration produit une flexion répétée

du conducteur au niveau du contact avec la pince de suspension qui peut amener ce dernier

à se briser en fatigue. Une nouvelle pince de suspension a été développée à l’IREQ

conjointement avec un partenaire industriel. Cette pince semi-rigide réduit la sollicitation en

fatigue du conducteur face aux vibrations comparativement aux pinces métal-métal

habituellement utilisées.

Le but de ce projet de recherche est de procéder à des essais de fatigue de l’assemblage

conducteur-pince afin de déterminer sa limite d’endurance et de la comparer

quantitativement avec celle de l’assemblage d’un conducteur du même type avec une pince

métal-métal conventionnelle….

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.