Innovative Projects Realized

Forestry Cloud App Project

Digital imaging has become a leading feature in cell phones, security camera and satellite images. In addition to a race for picture clarity, the opportunities for data analysis and artificial intelligence (AI) are among the key elements attracting attention. The emergence of image enhancement and AI is relatively new, although it has a number of players taking differing perspectives and positioning. This project is for research and development to extend the existing image fusion technology for applications in the forestry industry; specifically to identify species of trees using satellite imagery with an accuracy level of 60% or better. The outcome will eliminate the need by landowners/foresters to use “Photo Interpreters” (process where a person physically views the trees from a plane and estimates percentage of tree species in area) to analyze the percentage of trees by species on their land. This will save time and reduce costs significantly.

Expanding SIKU across the Canadian Arctic: an Inuit-driven platform for climatechange resiliency and self-determination

For the Inuit communities that reside in the Canadian Arctic, climate change and regional development have impacted people’s access to essential resources and their preservation of Inuit knowledge. By partnering with the Arctic Eider Society (AES) and Ocean Wise Ikaarvik program, I will translate my primary research in phytoplankton remote sensing into relevant information for northern communities using SIKU.org, an information sharing and social media platform that provides tools for monitoring, archiving and responding to environmental change. Combining field research, satellite remote sensing and engagement efforts to co-develop SIKU with communities across Nunavut, this partnership will shed light on localized patterns of marine ecosystem change across the Canadian Arctic coastline. Ultimately, these endeavors will build capacity for northern communities to manage environmental knowledge and adapt to climate change.

Amélioration de la résistance à la corrosion de réfractaires par des alliages d’aluminium en fusion (partie 2)

Le contexte du projet est que les réfractaires sont des produits manufacturés qui bénéficient de plus en plus des résultats de recherche sur les nouveaux matériaux qui sont développés pour l’industrie aérospatiale. En effet, il y a de plus en plus de composites utilisés comme matériaux réfractaires et les protections de ces matériaux réclament des solutions qui actuellement sont de type trempage-séchage-cuisson. Ces solutions existantes ajoutent des coûts non négligeables à l’élaboration de refractaires. Pour éviter de chauffer toute la pièce, avec les temps de montée et température et surtout de refroidissement, il est prévu, dans le cadre de ce projet, de privilégier une solution qui fait intervenir la technologie des plasmas thermiques avec une technologie développée à l’université de Sherbrooke, la projection par plasma de suspensions. Cette solution permet de réaliser des revêtements minces (de quelques microns à plusieurs centaines de microns) avec une grande efficacité, et un temps de cycle très faible. Il reste donc à faire la recherche et développement nécessaire à développer cette technologie pour les réfractaires céramiques, la tester, l’évaluer et prendre des décisions de mise à l’échelle du procédé développé.

Digital Manufacturing of 3D Printed Wearable Sensors (D-SENSE)

The Soft Transducers Laboratory (LTMS) focuses on the development of processes to incorporate sensors into 3D printed wearable devices. This includes the design, fabrication and characterization of printed sensors within elastomeric materials (i.e. materials exhibiting elastic, rubber-like properties). This also includes the incorporation of discrete components into the digitally manufactured systems for the implementation of electronic and communication functionalities. The student will be involved in an R&D project regarding the development of smart wearables, notably a shoe insole with embedded sensors, digitally manufactured entirely by 3D printing. The integration of various types of sensors including: piezoresistive, capacitive, triboelectric and piezoelectric force sensing devices, will be considered. The work will consist of designing, producing and testing the device’s electronic hardware, addressing wireless data transmission, reception and storage for further analysis. Time permitting, the creation of a data user interface for smartphones could also be addressed.

Improving conservation of fish populations through connectivity: the importance of swimming performance and biomechanics

Access to quality habitat is essential to maintaining healthy fish populations. Natural and anthropogenic features of the riverscape such as falls, dams or road crossings may hinder fish movements and lead to loss of connectivity between complementary habitats. The knowledge of fish swimming performance and mechanics is critical to assessing the ability of individual species to surmount environmental barriers. Although swimming performance has been studied for many species, the most common methods used to measure it greatly underestimate the abilities of free-swimming fish. Moreover, little is known about sprinting performance of fish as well as their swimming behavior and kinematics at high speeds. This information is nevertheless essential to develop reliable swimming performance metrics, identify complete or partial barriers to fish movements and propose mitigation measures in order to improve conservation of fish populations. It may also be useful to develop exclusion devices for invasive species. As part of an ongoing postdoctoral project, I characterize swimming performance and locomotion patterns of various species of diadromous and freshwater fish such as eel, trout, salmon, sturgeon and lampreys in a large, open flume connected to the river. I propose to do collaborative research at Harvard University to learn biomechanics analysis techniques and

Incorporation de matériaux écologiques dans les skis alpins

Une très grande majorité des skieurs alpins ont une très grande conscience environnementale et ceci est en partie dû au fait que la nature est avant tout leur terrain de jeu. À travers le vaste éventail de modèles de skis disponibles sur le marché, aucune option d’achat écoresponsable n’est disponible pour les clients ayant une pensée écoresponsable. L’entreprise Ferreol a recours à ce projet de recherche pour remplacer les matériaux présentement utilisés dans l’industrie par des matériaux à faible empreinte écologique afin de fabriquer des skis alpins de haute-performance et écologiques. Par exemple, la recherche visera à remplacer la fibre de verre et la fibre de carbone par de la fibre de lin et/ou de la fibre de chanvre. Plusieurs autres substitutions seront faites, notamment l’incorporation d’époxy naturelle, de bioplastiques et de diverses essences de bois écoresponsables. L’objectif ultime de Ferreol est de produire des skis biodégradables rendus en fin de vie.

Validation de l’AMERA G8 comme outil d’évaluation et d’entraînement del’articulation du genoux chez des adultes sains.

L’objectif principal de cette recherche est de 2 ordres. Le premier objectif est de valider les

paramètres de détermination de la force maximale isométrique à différents angles (0 à 90°)

lors de mouvements de flexion et d’extension des genoux. En deuxième lieu, de vérifier

l’efficacité de l’appareil à des fins d’entraînement de la force maximale et de l’endurance

musculaire chez une population saine adulte. Le projet permettra également au partenaire d’orienter les correctifs où les améliorations

à réaliser pour une clientèle vivant des pathologies aux genoux (clientèle desservie par

l’organisme partenaire).

Origin of improved stability and polarization effect in polymer-integrated organic lead halide perovskite

Organometal halide perovskites (ABX3, where A is an organic cation, B is a metal cation and X is the halide anion, such as MAPbI3, where MA is methyl ammonium) have experienced a great upsurge in research due to their excellent optical and electrical properties. For instance, the perovskite solar cells have already achieved a certified power conversion efficiency of 23.7%, and are also being applied in other areas such as lasers, sensors, displays and single-photon sources, photodetectors, X-ray and ?-ray detectors. At present, the most challenging issue in perovskite devices is the long-term stability, which has limited their progression to commercialization. The ion migration under applied electric field and structural degradation due to exposure of light, air, and moisture are the major causes for the instability in the perovskites. We are addressing this problem by using a polymer (polystyrene) that interacts with the perovskite precursors. The interaction is based on the Lewis acid nature of PbI2 that leads to cross linking of the polymer chains within a perovskite film and hence improving its stability under harsh conditions. By using the spatial nanoscale imaging techniques, specifically Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PFM), and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) in Israel, I am going

Spatial and Temporal Variability of Primary and Secondary Production in the Salish Sea from a Coupled Model (SalishSeaCast with SMELT) – Part 2

We have developed a model that simulates currents, nutrient distributions, and plankton growth in the Salish Sea. This project focuses on continued development of that model and its application to answering scientific questions. These questions include: 1) How much does the timing and amount of plankton growth vary from year to year, and what factors explain increases or decreases? 2) What is the impact of the timing and amount of plankton growth in the Salish Sea on food availability for salmon populations, particularly along migration routes? Answering these questions directly contributes to the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s investigation of the drivers of declines in Chinook, Coho, and Steelhead salmon populations. This work addresses the hypothesis that declines in Salish Sea salmon populations may be due to changes in the timing or amount of phytoplankton and zooplankton growth in the Salish Sea.

Study the bond strength of adhered manufactured stone/thin brick veneer units and setting bed mortar at different temperatures and different cycles of freeze-thaw (Part 2)

The bond between adhered manufactured stone masonry veneer units and the setting bed mortar will be studied. It will involve testing shear, and tensile bond on small samples. Samples will consist of 2 types of adhered manufactured stones; two types of setting bed mortar (Type S, and modified dry-set cement mortar); and two types of substrates (simulated scratch coat and metal lath, and exterior grade cement board). Samples will be tested at 3 different temperatures (-40, 0 and 20°C), and 2 different numbers of freeze-thaw cycles. Three samples will be cast and tested for each combination. Reliability analysis will be conducted on the results to suggest which combination works best at different temperatures or with respect to the number of cycles of freeze-thaw. In addition, some factors that modify the bond strength equations will be investigated to determine if their inclusion better predict the bond strengths.

Textual Analysis of Climate-Related Disclosures

When faced with difficult issues such as climate change, some organizations decide to disclose information on relevant risks, opportunities, and strategies. The language used in these disclosures can theoretically reflect how managers process information in complex and uncertain environments, and by extension, their abilities in creating value for the firm. This research collaboration examines linkages between the language of climate-related disclosures and firm performance. From a theoretical perspective, findings from this collaboration could explain why different firms experience different outcomes when faced with complex issues. From a practical perspective, this collaboration could help establish foundational knowledge to evaluate the capabilities of firms in complex environments.

Projet de recherche applique dans la gestion de marketing

L’elaboration d’un plan de marketing et la mise en ceuvre programmee des ressources marketing font

partie d’un processus qu’il faut mettre en place pour atteindre les objectifs de I’entreprise Charlebois.

La planification marketing est susceptible d’avoir un impact majeur sur les resultats commerciaux de

Charlebois. II s’agit donc d’evaluer la situation concurrentielle de I’entreprise et d’ajuster efficacement

ses ressources aux opportunites du marche.

La stagiaire a pour but de mettre en place les objectifs, les ressources et les competences d’une

entreprise avec les opportunites offertes sur Ie marche. L’elaboration d’un plan de marketing

com porte certains phases : analyse de I’environnement externe et interne en identifiant les forces,

faiblesses, opportunites et menaces; formulation du diagnostic; definitions des objectifs; formulation

des strategies et elaboration des plans d’actions.