Innovative Projects Realized

Application of Behavioral Synthesis to Multimedia Chip Design

In this project, we attempt to investigate the feasibility of using behavioral synthesis

technology for large scale multimedia chip design project. The project will be completed in

Metabacus Inc, an Ontario startup company that develops and markets behavioral synthesis

technology, which automatically converts software into chip designs. Although promising, one

obstacle for the wide deployment of behavioral synthesis as the next generation chip design

methodology is demonstrating the success 01 Ihe technology on large-scale chip project The

proposed research attempts to build a state-of-the-art, multi-standard, multi-resolution video

decoder with Metabacus’ behavioral synthesis technology. The decoder finds many

applications in TV, DVD, portable media players, and automobile entertainment systems. By

building a realistic application of large scale, this research shall provide answer to many key

questions of interest both to academia, and the partner company.

Analysis of socio-demographics with missing values in the UK Biobank

Data acquisition at scale implies missing values: in the biological signals as well as in the demographics and questionnaire data. These missing values are structured –missingness appears as blocks– and often causal –more missing health information for lower income individuals. While there are many works on the treatment of missing values in the clinical trial literature, little so far has been done on the specific case of the UK biobank cross sectional data and the impact of the missing data strategy on the estimation of the statistical links between behavioral or clinical assessments and imaging phenotypes.
The goal of this project is to investigate new strategies for the handling of missing data in population imaging dataset. A standard practice for the treatment of missing values consists in applying multiple imputation procedures. For predictive studies, recent theoretical results show how imputation should be combined with predictive models and cross validation procedures to give a prediction that is optimal when the data are missing at random. However, in population imaging, data are seldom missing at random.

Addressing intermittent water supply problems in developing nations

While most people get drinking water through underground water pipes, in some areas these pipes only provide water for a few hours each week. Globally, more than one billion people are served by these “Intermittent Water Supply Systems (IWS)”. In severely degraded systems, keeping pipes empty most of the time can reduce leakage and conserve source water, but it can also allow mud or sewage to enter through holes or cracks in the pipes, contaminating the water. During my time at the University of Toronto, I am going to create a simple model that will approximate how intermittent systems behave. Most of my work will be in the field of improving equity in IWS. This model will help to create and validate equity-focused models which will enable network designers and managers to maximize the equity in their IWS.

Neuromorphic computing with memristor devices

Neuromorphic computing is an approach to artificial intelligence (AI) that uses hardware elements inspired by the components of the brain and presents an alternative to the dominant von Neumann computing paradigm based on digital hardware. Recently, nano-scale devices known as memristors have been identified to offer area- and energy-efficient solutions when used in neuromorphic computing circuits that would require circuitry consuming hundreds of µm2 of die area to replicate with digital CMOS. Measurement of the static and dynamic electrical properties of memristor devices is therefore a strong concern for developing neuromorphic capabilities. However, given the stochastic nature of memristor switching, acquisition of massive amounts of switching data and a statistical treatment of that data is required for characterizing the devices and designing circuitry based on them. Currently, the lack of efficient testing and data acquisition methods is a major bottleneck facing the development of memristor-based neuromorphic devices.

3D Finite Element Simulation of Residual Stress Distributions Induced by Rough Milling Processes in Large Steel Blocks

This research project aims to identify the defects in large steel blocks and remove them by providing a practical solution which causes to optimize the machining operations and improve the product quality. The solution will be found using simulations instead of expensive, time-consuming experiments, which are impossible to conduct in large blocks to recognize the defects. This will enable the industry to resolve its problem appropriately by saving time and money. Finally, the deliverables in this project will lead a growth in research activities of the partner organization, a rise in productivity, a reduction in production costs, and an increase in demand for high-quality products on the market.

Étude de faisabilité de soudure par FSW sur section de tour 412

SBB désire changer de procédé de soudage pour un de leurs produits. Ils veulent remplacer 3 soudures présentement effectuées à l’arc électrique, par des soudures par friction malaxage (FSW). Le soudage par friction malaxage est un procédé relativement nouveau qui utilise la friction générée par un outil en rotation pour mélanger l’interface de deux pièces et les assembler. Ces soudures sont effectuées sur des tours d’urgences en aluminium servants à rétablir rapidement l’électricité lors de bris de lignes hautes tensions. Le soudage par friction-malaxage est procédé attrayant pour SBB en raison de sa propreté, de son automatisation facile, et de la résistance accrue des soudures comparativement au soudage conventionnel à l’arc. De plus, le projet mettra en pratique un nouvel équipement permettant d’effectuer le soudage et l’usinage du produit dans une seule machine, augmentant potentiellement la cadence de production.

The Development of Multifunctional Nanocomposites for Tandem ReactionCatalysis

Advancement of green chemistry, the principles of which are more efficient, cost effective and

environmental-friendly processes can be achieved through the use of improved catalysts. In this

project, a novel, inherently green synthesis process will be used to produce multifunctional heterogeneous

nanocomposite catalyst system that can be applied to facilitate tandem reactions.

The synthesis method is versatile, and can be used to incorporate most metals and either acidic

of TBC

Orpheus VR – Exploring Intersections of Narrative and Sound in Virtual Reality

OrpheusVR is a new operatic experience that immerses audiences in a virtual, mythical world and allows them to have agency over the outcome of the narrative as well as the music and orchestration that drive the storytelling. The experience uses interactive sound to enable creative gameplay that will guide audiences through a fresh new take on the ancient myth of Orpheus & Eurydice.

Étude sur la rétention des étudiants et le profil des finissants dans les programmes aéro (ÉMAM et ÉNA)

Ce projet de recherche vise à identifier les facteurs susceptibles à expliquer les raisons sous-jacentes a la réussite, la persévérance et l’engagement des étudiantes et étudiants inscrits aux programmes de formation initiale en aérospatial. À l’aide d’un questionnaire en ligne basé sur des échelles motivationnelles, ce projet identifiera: (1) les raisons pouvant pousser les étudiants à abandonner leurs formations ou à être diplômés et (2) des profils de caractéristiques personnelles des travailleurs en aérospatial pouvant expliquer l’origine de leurs intérêts ou de leurs passions pour leur domaine et (3) les démarches à suivre pour cibler les potentiels futurs étudiants. Les résultats devraient fournir aux différents acteurs concernés des informations visant à soutenir les actions à entreprendre pour favoriser davantage l’épanouissement des étudiantes et étudiants inscrits dans les programmes en aérospatial et pour réduire ou de combler la pénurie de finissants et d’emplois liés aux formations à l’étude en aérospatial.

Amélioration de la caractérisation des habitats du saumon des rivières de Gaspé

Le projet vise à améliorer la caractérisation des habitats du saumon atlantique, une espèce de poisson dont la pêche sportive constitue une grande valeur économique pour les provinces de l’est du Canada. Dans un premier temps, des méthodes géomatiques à la fine pointe de la technologie seront utilisés pour produire une cartographie semi-automatisée, à jour, et précise des habitats des rivières Dartmouth, York et St-Jean. Cette nouvelles cartographie permettra de mieux évaluer le potentiel de production de ces rivières et d’ainsi mieux en gérer l’exploitation par la pêche sportive. L’utilisation des tributaires par les saumons juvéniles sera déterminée sur le terrain et les ces habitats inclus dans le calcul du potentiel de production des rivières.

Data use for HIV Prevention in Malawi

HIV prevention is a growing, and essential facet, of halting the HIV epidemic. Reducing the transmission of HIV and ensuring individuals are tested and put on antiretroviral therapy (ART) cannot effectively and efficiently be accomplished without decisions that are founded on high-quality evidence. Current projects focus on data availability and use among decision-makers and actors in the health sector, in an effort to understand barriers to data use and encourage decision-making that is founded on high quality evidence. The data user study aims to addresses these challenges, by increasing our understanding of who uses data, the data elements and systems they use to make decisions and what gaps and bottlenecks exist that disincentivize the use of data.
The work the interns will be doing is foundational in the success of the projects and Cooper/Smith’s work, as it assists with program design and monitoring and evaluation to amend and adapt our programs effectiveness moving forward. This work also provides a baseline for our sample population, so we have an understanding of the impact the work is having throughout implementation. Their communications outputs will also assist Cooper/Smith in raising awareness about our innovative work, and informing partners of progress and findings.

Developing a Multiphysics FEA Model of an Inductive Conductivity Sensor

The CTD is a rosette structure which is circular in shape and houses a number of elements. These elements include sensors, water sample bottles, ropes and cables to support the CTD structure. The sensors included in the CTD are not limited to conductivity, temperature and depth, but also include sensors to determine other physical properties. In this research, a model of the CTD sensor designed by RBR will be developed for the purpose of measuring conductivity and determine the nature of the water sample by calculating indirect parameters associated with it. Other parameters such as temperature, pressure and material properties of the sensor are taken into consideration. An objective of this work is also to understand the proximity effect which affects the sensor due to the presence of other known elements near it. COMSOL Multiphysics is utilized to perform simulations for refining the model based on the results.