Innovative Projects Realized

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

31620 Completed Projects

2978
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5221
BC
856
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696
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899
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9419
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9858
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98
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619
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1192
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Projects by Category

Rapid scaling of viral spike protein production for SARS-CoV-2 testing using Phaeodactylum tricornutum

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is currently causing a pandemic that is overburdening the healthcare system and causing unprecedented economic disruptions on a global scale. A method called serological testing uses viral proteins to determine if the someone has been infected and has now become immune to the virus; however, it is currently very expensive to produce. If someone is known to be immune to SARS-CoV-2, then they can go back to work without spreading the virus.
The goal of the project is to facilitate a rapid test to identify people with immunity to SARS-CoV-2. This project will generate the proteins needed for this test using an alga called Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Most of the people affected do not display symptoms and can spread COVID-19 without even knowing it. Furthermore, identifying people who have been exposed would allow the healthcare system to identify people who can return to work without worry.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Gregory Gloor;David Edgell

Student:

Partner:

Suncor Energy Inc (Sarnia, ON)

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

The University of Western Ontario

Program:

Accelerate

Technology portfolio management approach for new biopesticides products

New biopesticides products development usually incurs high cost and high risk for clean tech companies. R&D resource allocation is challenging. There are difficulties with technical/market uncertainty and with evaluating the potential contributions of technological investments to firm specific intangible assets. Technology portfolio management (TPM) is a dynamic decision process in which new development projects are evaluated, selected, and prioritized and R&D resources are allocated across development projects to maximize the value of the portfolio, seek the right balance of
projects, ensure that the portfolio is strategically aligned, and make sure there are not too many projects for limited resources. The intern will design and develop the most appropriate technology portfolio management approach for new biopesticides products. The sponsor organization will adopt this approach for its TPM to demonstrate practical application of the research.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Colleen Collins

Student:

Partner:

SemiosBio Technologies Inc

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program:

Accelerate

Cyber-résilience des institutions financières : identification des vulnérabilités et sensibilisation en matière de compromission des identités

Le projet de recherche ci-présent traite de la compromission des identités des clients et des employés au sein du secteur financier et se focalise plus spécifiquement sur trois moyens qui s’y rapportent : l’hameçonnage, le
« credential stuffing » et le « password guessing ». Le projet a comme objectif de prévenir ces cyberattaques par la mise en place de stratégies d’identification et de sécurisation des comptes compromis de même que par l’implantation de stratégies de sensibilisation pour les employés et les clients sur la protection de leurs identités. Les recommandations se basent sur une revue de la littérature grise et scientifique, des entrevues avec 5 à 10 experts de sécurité informatique. L’organisme partenaire aura ainsi un meilleur aperçu de l’enjeu et implantera de meilleures pratiques pour y remédier.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Benoit Dupont

Student:

Partner:

Mouvement des caisses Desjardins

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Other; Technology

University:

Université de Montréal

Program:

Accelerate

Accelerated Time-Stepping for Computational Aerodynamics

The design of next-generation cleaner and quieter aircraft will rely on accurate simulations of turbulent flows. These simulations, referred to as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), are critical in the design of both the external shape of an aircraft, as well as other components such as jet engines and propellers. The industry partner, ANSYS, develops one of the most widely-used CFD solvers – Fluent. The objective of this project will be to develop new time-stepping methods for Fluent specifically for unsteady flow solutions. These time-stepping methods will allow unsteady simulations to be completed faster, with reduced computational cost. Ultimately, this will improve the performance of Fluent and allow it to obtain accurate simulations more quickly for aerospace applications, leading to improved aircraft designs.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Brian Vermeire

Student:

Partner:

ANSYS Canada Ltd.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Aerospace; Information and Communications Technology; Technology

University:

Concordia University

Program:

Accelerate

Workforce Innovation Through Social Enterprise

Social Enterprise is a catalyst for social and economic empowerment and inclusion, and has been identified as an innovative opportunity to address workforce challenges and economic sustainability in Southwestern Newfoundland. The goal of this project is to facilitate evidence-based research and analysis and to disseminate resources and practical tools which encourages and supports social enterprise growth in Southwestern Newfoundland and Labrador as an innovative tool for addressing workforce challenges, supporting rural sustainability, encouraging small business enterprise, and building a stronger economic foundation for the future.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Roberto Martinez Espineira

Student:

Partner:

Community Education Network for Southwestern Newfoundland Inc

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Program:

Accelerate

Deciphering the catalyst-ionomer interface in fuel cells: Molecular dynamics simulations of local transport properties – Year two

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells are a key technology in the race against climate challenge, and while commercial applications are increasingly common, challenges remain in cost, performance, and durability. Most of the issues that prevent full commercialization affect the catalyst layer, the region where the power-generating electrochemical reactions take place, like the oxygen reduction reaction. This layer consists of platinum nanoparticles supported on a carbon material and covered by an ion conducting polymer. Resistance to the transport of oxygen molecules to this layer causes loss of efficiency, especially at a lower platinum surface area. Driving the cost of fuel cells lower by reducing platinum loading and achieving high durability for heavy duty automotive markets both result in lower catalyst surface over the product lifetime and require increased robustness to oxygen transport losses. The small scale of the components in the catalyst layer make it a challenge to study experimentally and computational efforts are crucial at understanding the underlying interactions. To this end, we propose developing a computational model based on molecular dynamics of the platinum/carbon/polymer region to rationalize the factors affecting oxygen transport resistance and to propose design improvements that can reduce power losses and costs in next-generation fuel cells.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Erik Kjeang

Student:

Partner:

Ballard Power Systems Inc

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program:

Elevate

Deciphering the catalyst-ionomer interface in fuel cells: Molecular dynamics simulations of local transport properties

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells are a key technology in the race against climate challenge, and while commercial applications are increasingly common, challenges remain in cost, performance, and durability. Most of the issues that prevent full commercialization affect the catalyst layer, the region where the power-generating electrochemical reactions take place, like the oxygen reduction reaction. This layer consists of platinum nanoparticles supported on a carbon material and covered by an ion conducting polymer. Resistance to the transport of oxygen molecules to this layer causes loss of efficiency, especially at a lower platinum surface area. Driving the cost of fuel cells lower by reducing platinum loading and achieving high durability for heavy duty automotive markets both result in lower catalyst surface over the product lifetime and require increased robustness to oxygen transport losses. The small scale of the components in the catalyst layer make it a challenge to study experimentally and computational efforts are crucial at understanding the underlying interactions. To this end, we propose developing a computational model based on molecular dynamics of the platinum/carbon/polymer region to rationalize the factors affecting oxygen transport resistance and to propose design improvements that can reduce power losses and costs in next-generation fuel cells.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Erik Kjeang

Student:

Partner:

Ballard Power Systems Inc

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program:

Elevate

Social Influence and performance in a simulated clinical scenario and evaluation of the validity of simulation for team training

The complexity of modern healthcare requires teams of professionals to work together to identify gaps in care. Failures of the healthcare team mean that patient safety and healthcare outcomes are compromised. This series of studies will explore how cognitive load and stress influence obedience to authority, team performance and ultimately patient safety. The outcomes will be used to better prepare healthcare teams to protect the patient against human factors that hinder teams addressing behaviours and decisions that hinder patient safety.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Sharla King

Student:

Partner:

CAE Healthcare

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

University of Alberta

Program:

Accelerate

Development and Improvement of Solantro Self-Forming Nano-Grid (SFnG)

With the development of industry, more and more energy consumption has brought about a huge crisis. The development of renewable energy technologies, such as photovoltaic equipment, offers new hope for solving energy problems. Solantro SFnG has been developed and operated in the company’s lab for about 5 years. This real-life nanogrid contains PV panels, energy storage units, a variety of loads and the micro-chip controller. Based the Solantro SFnG, this project is going to develop a bidirectional, high efficiency, high power density on-board charger to enable EV charging for the current nanogrid. The proposed project involves three sub-objectives: (a) Develop bi-directional high efficiency, high power density, and low-cost power factor correction . (b) Develop high efficiency, high power density, low-cost, and safe DC/DC converter. (c) Develop optimal energy management strategies. It will provide Solantro’s customers and commercial partners the ability to unify alternative energy generation/storage and high performance integrated EV charging system.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Xiaoyu Wang

Student:

Partner:

Solantro Semiconductor Corp

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

Carleton University

Program:

Accelerate

Optimizing the use of recycled treated fines in eco-efficient concrete mixtures

Concrete is a major construction material used worldwide responsible for the production of roughly 7% of total global carbon dioxide emissions. The extent of its environmental impact relates to the energy embodied in extraction and transportation of concrete aggregates with a direct link to the amount of Portland cement (PC) used to bind the raw materials. Recent advances in design protocols, packing models, and geopolymers are increasingly being used to minimize concrete’s carbon footprint and to produce PC free mixes. In this study, we plan on using recycled materials, such as those derived from concrete construction projects, to offset raw material requirements. Yet little is known of how recycled and treated soil fines affect concrete and geopolymer mixtures in the fresh and hardened states. Using the above mentioned techniques, this work aims to incorporate recycled and treated fine materials into concrete and geopolymer mixtures at proportions that minimally affect performance.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Leandro Sanchez

Student:

Partner:

Northex Environnement

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

University:

University of Ottawa

Program:

Accelerate

Corrosion assessment of pyrolysis/hydrothermal liquefaction bio-oils: effects of upgrading treatments by catalytic hydro-de-oxygenation (HDO) in supercritical methanol/ethanol

Bio-oil derived from fast pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction of lignocellulosic biomass usually contains a high oxygen content (30-50%), leading to a relatively low heating value, high viscosity and poor stability. Moreover, the presence of organic acids in crude bio-oil results in low pH value and hence corrosion of the reactor materials (steel or alloys). To date, a wide range of bio-oil upgrading techniques have been developed, especially hydro-de-oxygenation (HDO), widely employed to remove oxygen of the crude bio-oil via water formation. By far, not much research has been done on the reactor materials corrosion during HDO upgrading. In this research, upgrading of the crude bio-oil by HDO in supercritical methanol or ethanol will be investigated, not only to develop cost-effective processes for producing high-quality bio-fuels, but to explore corrosion mechanism of metallic alloy materials during bio-oil HDO or in contact with the crude and upgraded bio-oils.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Charles Chunbao Xu

Student:

Partner:

Western Maple Bio Resources Inc

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

The University of Western Ontario

Program:

Accelerate

Twitter Data Processing

Given the plurality of voices available on the I nternet, it is often difficult to estimate the level of
expertise of the individuals that one encounters in cyber-space. On the other hand, it is also difficult
for any individual expert to establish their credibility in this sea of screaming voices. Therefore, it is
desirable to have an independent mechanism to prove a given person’s claims to authenticity and
legitimacy. One valuable source of information in this endeavour is the individual’s interactions with
content on the web, be it blogging, tweeting, etc. The specific goal of this project is to extract a
collection of topics from the links posted to a given Twitter account to identify the user’s interests and
to use that collection to provide a mechanism for comparing the acuteness of the interest of different
individuals in a given topic.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Nando de Freitas

Student:

Partner:

CrowdTrust Technologies Inc

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

University:

The University of British Columbia

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.