Innovative Projects Realized

Micro-level mapping: Understanding service hubs from service users’ perspectives

This research project seeks to explore the resilience of Edmonton’s service hub in the wake of Housing First, which was introduced in 2009. The aim of the proposed study is to explore Edmonton’s service hub from the perspectives of homeless individuals.

Methodologically, it will adopt a bottom-up approach to mapping the city, from service users’ perspectives. I will recruit participants on a convenience basis, using GPS technology to track their daily movements, creating an individual service hub map. This method will be combined with auto-photography and unstructured interviews. This study will locate individual narratives within the changing terrains homeless governance, in order to explore the resilience of Edmonton’s service hub.

These methods will be used to explore a number of questions: 1) What are the individual’s patterns of service use? 2) What are their experiences of service use? 3) Which places are important to the individual and why? 4) How does this relate to the wider context of homeless governance?

Synthesis and characterization of a new generation of bone targeting anabolic prodrugs – Year two

Prostaglandin E2 stimulates bone formation in vivo and exerts its effects through the EP4 receptor. Unfortunately prostaglandin E2 and agonists for the EP4 receptor also cause unacceptable systemic side effects which have limited their clinical use as anabolic agents. We developed novel bone-targeting prodrugs that can deliver EP4 agonists selectively to bone and liberate active drug slowly in situ to effect bone formation while avoiding the side effects. These prodrugs rely on enzyme activity in the bone to liberate the drug and it is not clear if active drug liberation will be replicated in humans.
The subject of this project will be to synthesize a new class of prodrugs designed to liberate the active EP4 drug spontaneously and thus do not require enzymes for hydrolysis. Preliminary studies identified several candidates and we will now scale up the synthesis (including radiolabelled prodrugs) and test these compounds to demonstrate that they bind to bones in vitro and in vivo, liberate the active drug in vivo with a predictable and consistent half-life and are effciacious. Several analogs will be tested and the optimal release rate of 200 hr (suitable for once-weekly dosing) will be the goal.

Synthesis and characterization of a new generation of bone targeting anabolic prodrugs

Prostaglandin E2 stimulates bone formation in vivo and exerts its effects through the EP4 receptor. Unfortunately prostaglandin E2 and agonists for the EP4 receptor also cause unacceptable systemic side effects which have limited their clinical use as anabolic agents. We developed novel bone-targeting prodrugs that can deliver EP4 agonists selectively to bone and liberate active drug slowly in situ to effect bone formation while avoiding the side effects. These prodrugs rely on enzyme activity in the bone to liberate the drug and it is not clear if active drug liberation will be replicated in humans.
The subject of this project will be to synthesize a new class of prodrugs designed to liberate the active EP4 drug spontaneously and thus do not require enzymes for hydrolysis. Preliminary studies identified several candidates and we will now scale up the synthesis (including radiolabelled prodrugs) and test these compounds to demonstrate that they bind to bones in vitro and in vivo, liberate the active drug in vivo with a predictable and consistent half-life and are effciacious. Several analogs will be tested and the optimal release rate of 200 hr (suitable for once-weekly dosing) will be the goal.

Evaluation, optimization and modeling of sequencing batch reactors (SBR) operation for treatment of municipal wastewater

Sequencing batch reactor (SBR) is an activated sludge process that has been used successfully in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment. SBR process is operated in a batch mode where different batch phases run successively in a single tank or several tanks operating in parallel. Many studies on real-time control strategies have been employed to check the effects of parameters on SBR operation. However, due to highly nonlinear nature and time variations, fluctuations in hydraulics and components and possible equipment unreliability, a single control strategy based on multiple indirect parameters may not be successful. Therefore, using model-based approaches represents an advantage when defining and evaluating the control strategies and consequently saving time and money. Intelligent control strategy (ICS) such as fuzzy logic, artificial neural network (ANN) and also Gaussian process (GP) model can be used as an advanced form of real-time control strategy to optimize the SBR process. Besides, mathematical models and model based optimization can be developed for an effective control of nutrient and other contaminants in combined biological processes like SBRs. This project will examine different modeling approaches to optimize different SBR systems. Effects of operational parameters, climate and other environmental changes will also be considered in the modeling.

Terahertz material characterization of organic semiconductors usingterahertz time-domain systems

stage of its product development project, which is collecting a complete set of measurement
data for an array of organic materials with different levels of purity and demonstrate the
capability of its proprietary terahertz sensing techniques to qualify and quantify purity and
integrity of OLED organic materials with the level of precision required in OLED deposition
and material purification processes. The results of this research project will be the first step
towards development of a compact in-line terahertz sensor system integrated into the OLED
production lines to enhance the quality and lifetime of OLED displays facilitating their
adoption in consumer mass market. There is currently no terahertz system on the market to
address this problem in the OLED market.

Water-based “Ink” Formulations for Metal 3D Printing

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.

Role of Wetlands in Carbon Export from Forested Watersheds

forWater Network researchers at Dalhousie University are working with Halifax Water and Westfor Management Inc. to determine how the Pockwock forested watershed can be managed to improve water treatability. A key issue here is the movement of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). DOC movement from the land to the water has increased in recent decades, and that increases the cost of treating drinking water to acceptable standards. The Halifax study centres on integrated simulation modelling to build and analyze long-term scenarios of forest management and climate change and their effects on DOC levels in Lake Pockwock. The modelling is supported by monitoring of water moving through the forested landscape as well as detailed measurements of the carbon stocks in the forests themselves. The work proposed herein is to make a thorough quantification of a critical but poorly understood component of ecosystem carbon – that of the wetlands. As part of the field program to characterize all major components of the terrestrial-ecosystem carbon pools, the student will take samples of wetland organic soils (to be analyzed for carbon in a commercial lab) and analyze those carbon pools for incorporation into the simulation models.

Catalytic Heavy Oil Upgrading Using Natural Gas – Year two

The proposed project aims at developing new catalytic processes and corresponding catalysts for heavy oil upgrading with the assistance of natural gas. Compared with traditional hydrotreating processes, these new processes provide alternative ways for heavy oil and natural gas utilization, which are economically and environmentally favorable in terms of higher profit margin, lower operating cost, energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission. A variety of catalysts with particular functions will be developed and a series of reaction evaluations in different forms of reactors will be carried out. Besides, mechanistic study will also be performed, which throws light upon the evolution of various fractions in petroleum during the upgrading process, accelerating the catalyst development and optimization process. After a promising lab-scale and small pilot scale operation is established, a stepwise scaling up practice toward industrial production will be launched based on the cooperation of the proposed supervisor and partner organization. The industrialization of this novel process will benefit both the petroleum and natural gas industries in Canada, where abundant heavy oil and bitumen extracted from oil sands are widely reserved. The corresponding investigation also provides guidance for the daily operation and long-term planning of the partner company regarding oil upgrading process.

Catalytic Heavy Oil Upgrading Using Natural Gas

The proposed project aims at developing new catalytic processes and corresponding catalysts for heavy oil upgrading with the assistance of natural gas. Compared with traditional hydrotreating processes, these new processes provide alternative ways for heavy oil and natural gas utilization, which are economically and environmentally favorable in terms of higher profit margin, lower operating cost, energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission. A variety of catalysts with particular functions will be developed and a series of reaction evaluations in different forms of reactors will be carried out. Besides, mechanistic study will also be performed, which throws light upon the evolution of various fractions in petroleum during the upgrading process, accelerating the catalyst development and optimization process. After a promising lab-scale and small pilot scale operation is established, a stepwise scaling up practice toward industrial production will be launched based on the cooperation of the proposed supervisor and partner organization. The industrialization of this novel process will benefit both the petroleum and natural gas industries in Canada, where abundant heavy oil and bitumen extracted from oil sands are widely reserved. The corresponding investigation also provides guidance for the daily operation and long-term planning of the partner company regarding oil upgrading process.

Supercritical water gasification of bio-oils for synthetic jet fuel – Year two

Greenfield Global is currently developing a conversion process to produce jet fuel from renewable feedstocks. Collection and densification of different biomass waste materials and municipal waste at satellite facilities to produce bio-oils, which are then processed at a central facility, is expected. The first processing step at the central facility is supercritical water gasification and it is the focus of this project. The bio-oils are converted by supercritical water gasification to produce synthesis gas. After removal of potential contaminants, the synthesis gas is converted by Fisher-Tropsch synthesis and appropriate refining steps into jet fuel.

Improved understanding of how bio-oil composition affects gasification, gasifier operation, and product yields is one of the deliverables of this work. Specific attention will be paid to trace products that could affect downstream processes. The second major deliverable from this work is to establish a relationship between bio-oil properties and synthesis gas contaminants, which is critical to the appropriate design and sizing of the gas cleaning step, and would potentially qualify or disqualify bio-oils as feeds. The work will involve both experimental investigations and engineering work to integrate the know-how into the Greenfield Global process.

Bayesian hierarchical modelling of exposure to accident benefit claims

The project will assess the financial risks to DGAG (Desjardins Groupe d’assurances
generales) associated with payments of accident insurance claims. A large database is
available on the losses incurred due to different aspects of insurance claims (medical costs,
rehabilitation and attendant care, etc.), and this project will assist DGAG in developing
exposure assessments for future accident benefit claims. By adopting a Bayesian statistical
approach, the uncertainties associated with various data sources and modelling assumptions
can be integrated into a single, coherent framework. The complexity and magnitude of the
database render Bayesian modelling a challenging task, so a major part of the project will
address efficient computational strategies. The intern will develop code in the free statistical
software R that will allow DGAG to develop and implement coherent financial management
strategies.

Supercritical water gasification of bio-oils for synthetic jet fuel

Greenfield Global is currently developing a conversion process to produce jet fuel from renewable feedstocks. Collection and densification of different biomass waste materials and municipal waste at satellite facilities to produce bio-oils, which are then processed at a central facility, is expected. The first processing step at the central facility is supercritical water gasification and it is the focus of this project. The bio-oils are converted by supercritical water gasification to produce synthesis gas. After removal of potential contaminants, the synthesis gas is converted by Fisher-Tropsch synthesis and appropriate refining steps into jet fuel.

Improved understanding of how bio-oil composition affects gasification, gasifier operation, and product yields is one of the deliverables of this work. Specific attention will be paid to trace products that could affect downstream processes. The second major deliverable from this work is to establish a relationship between bio-oil properties and synthesis gas contaminants, which is critical to the appropriate design and sizing of the gas cleaning step, and would potentially qualify or disqualify bio-oils as feeds. The work will involve both experimental investigations and engineering work to integrate the know-how into the Greenfield Global process.