Innovative Projects Realized

Using beneficial microbes to mitigate the effects of climate change on plant nutrition, resistance to insects, and drought

Climate change has major present-day and anticipated consequences for Canadian and global food security. Increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) levels can lead to decreased plant nutritional quality: more fixed carbon and sugar means that plants have less protein and micronutrients per gram. Additionally, increased CO2 levels can exacerbate insect pests on crops because elevated CO2 interferes with plant signalling and suppresses plants’ ability to respond to stressors. Below ground, plant roots associate with complex communities of microbes (called their microbiome) that can promote growth and protect plants from insect pests. Individual microbes can positively affect plant traits that are negatively impacted by climate change including plant pest resistance, food quality and drought tolerance. The goal of this research is to determine whether beneficial microbes can directly mitigate the detrimental effects of climate change on plant nutrition, resistance to insects, and to drought under elevated CO2. TO BE CONT’D

Sperm whale dialect evolution in the Mediterranean Sea

Culture is often thought of as a human trait, but recent research indicates that many animals have rich and varied cultures. Sperm whales have culturally-based population structure, with groups of whales that share vocal dialects interacting to form clans. In the Tropical Pacific and Eastern Caribbean, multiple clans occupy the same waters. In contrast, only one dialect has been recorded in the Mediterranean Sea. With the support of Mitacs, I am using a long-term acoustic dataset to determine if and how the Mediterranean sperm whale clan dialect has changed over time. By comparing results from the Mediterranean with those from the Tropical Pacific and Eastern Caribbean, I will investigate dialect evolution on a global scale. This research will expand what we know of Mediterranean sperm whales: an endangered but understudied population. A better understanding of sperm whale dialect evolution will ultimately help incorporate cultural diversity into sperm whale management plans.

Livre blanc sur les registres distribués et les chaînes de blocs au Québec

Le projet consiste à alimenter les travaux visant la rédaction d’un livre blanc sur les registres distribués et les chaînes de blocs au Québec. Cet exercice permettra d’atteindre différents objectifs. Entre autres, il servira à présenter les registres distribués et les chaînes de blocs de manière simple afin de contribuer à leur acceptabilité sociale; à mieux comprendre le potentiel souvent révolutionnaire de cette technologie; à saisir les enjeux, pour le Québec, de leur développement et de leur utilisation; à décrire les forces et les faiblesses de l’écosystème québécois en la matière ; et à définir des pistes d’action pour le développement de cet écosystème. Il est souhaité déposer un rapport pour fin de consultation en août 2019 et remettre un rapport final en novembre 2019.

Don d’organes au Québec : étude des moyens normatifs d’optimisation

Ce projet vise à déterminer les avenues de réformes qui permettraient d’optimiser le don d’organes au Québec. Il s’inscrit dans le Plan d’action 2016-2021 pour Transplant Québec et pour le don d’organes au Québec. Spécifiquement, le cadre normatif applicable au don d’organes au Québec sera analysé puis comparé à celui de d’autres juridictions, notamment celles où des réformes importantes ont été adoptées depuis les 10 dernières années. Seront notamment étudiés, les sujets du consentement présumé, le respect du consentement du défunt, le don d’organes dans un contexte d’aide médicale à mourir et la qualité de la formation propre au don d’organes qui offerte aux acteurs impli

Municipal Energy Futures Project: A Case Study of Regina, Saskatchewan

Meeting Canada’s commitment to the Paris Agreement will require a fundamental shift in the energy systems of
Canadian cities. Regina, Saskatchewan is located in the sun-belt of Canada and also lies within the Great Plains wind corridor. Recognizing this potential for renewable energy, the City of Regina has committed to a target of meeting 100% of its energy needs using renewable energy by 2050. This research project will support the City of Regina’s efforts by engaging with residents, industry, and expert stakeholders to identify consensus pathways for moving towards the 100% renewable energy target. We will conduct surveys and interviews of residents and businesses and hold deliberative dialogues on Regina’s energy future. The insights from the deliberative dialogues will be used to inform community conversations (workshops, or forums) in partnership with David Suzuki Foundation to engage the public on Regina’s energy future and support municipal governments to achieve renewable energy targets.

An Evaluation of Alternative Explanations for Cross-Cultural Variance in Polynesian Tattooing Traditions

Tattooing has been integral to many belief systems and cultures for thousands of years. Unsurprisingly, scholars have been interested in what factors influenced the widespread growth and adoption of this practice. Some hypotheses include that tattooing legitimized social hierarchies, signaled group membership or mate quality, and eased living in warm climates by reducing sweating. However, these claims have not been subject to rigorous cross-cultural tests. Here, we propose a study to test these hypotheses by applying phylogenetic methods to a geographically and socially diverse case study of Polynesian cultures. This research will help us understand why individuals in the past and today risk severe health risks to painstakingly carve tattoos into their bodies.

Development of biophilic design strategies in schools to enhance health and well-being

In school buildings, the availability of natural light, indoor temperatures and natural ventilation are factors that can improve student achievement. Biophilic architecture, which promotes a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, can be beneficial for the well-being of the occupants. However, much remains unknown about these potential benefits in cold climates and during winter. The research aims to provide architects with a better understanding of the architectural challenges and opportunities that affect the health and well-being of students and school staff. The project will develop a classification of design strategies based on their potential to help architects create links between indoor and outdoor spaces in schools. This will emerge from the analysis of a random sample of primary schools in Quebec, the designs proposed by architecture students for case studies and the simulation of school renovation options. TO BE CONT’D

Medical Grade Programmable Smart Battery Charger and Analyzer

Power consumption optimization, space reduction, increased mobility and safety of medical devices in health care

facilities while maintaining efficiency of these devices by using rechargeable battery pack are key issues for cost

saving, durability and reliability, inventory control, and environmental requirements. For these reasons, more and

more medical devices powered by rechargeable battery packs are being used in health institutes around the world.

The main objective of this project, which is jointly investigated by Concordia University and TDE Techno Design, is the

development of a programmable smart battery charging and analysis system that exhibits (1) increased flexibility

(programmable), (2) wider usability (smart), (3) high accuracy and efficiency, and (4) high reliability and safety levels

(approved for medical/ pharmaceutical applications). The battery charger and analyzer shall meet and exceed stateof-

the-art industry standards in performance and therefore shall be validated with the latest verification technologies

for medical and pharmaceutical applications. The deliverable of this project will be the development of………………….TBC

Applications Development of Plasma·Derived Nanostructured Carbons

NanoNB Corp (NNB) is a small business concern established in 2005 in New Brunswick,

Canada. The company manufactures fullerenes/nanotubes and performs application

development. The Intern Cluster (4 students) will focus on process improvements of the

company’s plasma reactor to improve yields and efficiency of fullerene recovery. As well, two

interns will work on conversion of fullerene product to a form used for plastic solar cells. NNB

has established a direct market link for these materials and is heavily market-oriented.

Improvement of yields and conversion will support their fastest growing customer base,

lowering manufacturing costs and increasing production volume to meet the expected

demand of 6 tonnes per gigawatt solar cell capacit

Discovery of Antimicrobial Agents from Marine Microbes

The general aim of this proposal is to discover new natural products with antibacterial activity of relevance to companion animal health. While numerous discoveries of natural products have been made, the rate of discovery of new natural products has declined in recent years. The strategy outlined in this project aims to provide a streamlined approach to the discovery of new bioactive natural products. Nautilus Biosciences is the partner organization that will benefit directly from this project. Completion of the project outlined in this proposal will generate new lead molecules for use as antibacterial agents for companion animals that Nautilus will develop.

Research into grid-forming methods for off-shore wind farms

Conventional power systems rely on synchronous machines for generation of power and also for formation of an interconnected network of generation to which loads are connected via a transmission system (known as a grid). Increasingly renewable sources of energy are interconnected to a grid via power electronic converters. These converters have been traditionally operated with the assumption of an existing grid thanks to the presence of synchronous machines. In recent years, it has been noted that operating conditions have arisen that require the normally grid-following converters to assist in establishment of a grid, a mode known as grid forming. This proposal looks into the methods and algorithms that are required for grid-forming operation of wind energy systems in particular those with a diode rectifier unit. TO BE CONT’D

Creating an autonomous underwriting system for financing approval

This project aims build an autonomous underwriting system that can provide debt financing to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the technology sector without human intervention. The research will explore mathematical methods and key factors that are unique to evaluating creditworthiness of those SMEs. The result will be an underwriting system that incorporates statistical methods and machine learning algorithms to perform prediction with higher accuracy than what humans can achieve. Such intelligent and autonomous debt approval system will streamline the lender’s decision-making process and ensure the SMEs get the funding they need at a lower cost. This will lead to more successful companies, higher employment, and more technological innovations in Cana