Innovative Projects Realized

Evaluation of the reinforcing capabilities of cellulose filaments in elastomeric matrices

Performance BioFilaments Inc. (PBI) is focused on the development of commercial applications for cellulose filaments (CF), one of the world’s most exciting and abundant biomaterials. Cellulose filaments have unique performance-enhancing properties with significant potential to improve a wide array of consumer and industrial products. Derived from wood fibre – a renewable natural resource – cellulose filaments optimize the strength, stability, flexibility, and longevity of a variety of materials. One of the potential applications for cellulose filaments is to use them as reinforcing agents in polymeric matrices. In partnership with PBI, the proposed research aims to evaluate the best incorporation strategy for cellulose filaments as a suitable reinforcing additive in elastomeric matrices such as styrene-butadiene and natural rubbers, used for transportation applications, and to evaluate potential additives to improve loss of elongation. Gaining such insights will enable PBI to develop practical solutions to improve the elongation behavior of cellulose filled rubbers.

Assurance qualité en continu pour la maintenance d’applications web

Les sites et les applications web contiennent souvent des bugs d’affichage : boutons mal placés ou non fonctionnels, éléments partiellement cachés par d’autres, etc. Ces bugs peut relever d’un simple problème esthétique, ou, de manière plus sévère, compromettre la fonctionnalité de l’application

Interactive Video Tutoring Module

The online video-based tutoring industry is growing fast but there is a lack of interaction between student and tutor. Some survey studies suggest that interactive video-based tutoring like giving bookmarks, hints, nudges, and quizzes in between video lectures helps the student in improving concentration and learning. We propose an interactive video tutoring module which given a student profile and past behavior (in different videos), predict the time points where a student would pause a video (or bookmark it), speed up or return to a video after exercise, or a combination of these. This can be formulated as a bookmark recommendation system and a standard approach to solve this problem is Collaborative Filtering. We will use a baseline based on matrix factorization, which is a class of collaborative filtering algorithm. Later, we aim to experiment with more advanced techniques that may use deep learning.

Stand-alone Low-cost Millimeter-Wave/Terahertz Security Inspection Imaging System

The exponential growth of e-commerce in conjunction with threats pertaining to the drug trade, the online pharmacy, and terrorism are creating a significant need for inspection sites (i.e. postal processing centers) to upgrade and expand their capabilities. Therefore new solutions are needed. In the frame work of this project, our goal is to develop a low-cost security imaging inspection system that can see not only through opaque postal packages but can also differentiate various objects and materials from each other within a reconstructed image of package interior without the need for opening them at the border or mail processing centers.

Création d’un indice de santé numérique pour les restaurateurs

Le projet a pour but la création d’un indice de la santé numérique des restaurateurs ayant recours au service de UEAT. Grâce aux données que génèrent les systèmes implantés chez les restaurateurs, il est maintenant possible d’obtenir un portrait relativement fiable de la santé numérique d’un client de UEAT. Le filon principal du projet est de fournir un rapport périodique aux restaurateurs indiquant l’état de leur face à leur compétiteur et leur propre filiale (si franchisée) en présentant différentes métriques de performance. Ces métriques seront une façon simple pour le client de savoir quels aspects de ses ventes numériques doit-il tenter d’améliorer. Puisque le modèle d’affaire de UEAT est basé sur une rémunération par transaction effectuée sur les différents sites web de leurs clients, une augmentation de revenu pour le restaurateur est directement reliée à la rentabilité de l’entreprise.

Selectomics to monitor and predict the emergence of resistance to new therapeutic approaches

Multiple antibiotic resistance has increased over the past decades, challenging our ability to treat

bacterial infections and thwarting our ability to develop new antimicrobial agents. Many resistance

genes have not evolved within the pathogenic isolates but were acquired by lateral transfer. We

recently showed that genes conferring glycopeptide resistance are highly prevalent in the human flora.

Some of these genes are present in novel commensal anaerobic species of the gut suggesting that these

bacteria may serve as a reservoir for resistance genes. We will use the human gut microbiome to

monitor the emergence of resistance genes that could have the potential to be transferred to pathogens

and address the question of how these reservoirs of resistance detenninants respond to antibiotic

pressure. The selectomics strategy generated by this project will constitute useful tools to assess the

potency of novel chemical compounds to select for resistance.

Single fit bespoke bra for atypical breast dimension and shape

Many women face large hurdles when looking for a bra that is fitting, supporting, and comfortable. This is especially true for women with oversized breasts or who have undergone mastectomy. In additional to emotional distress and poor self-esteem, the lack of fitting and supporting bra may lead to back and chest pain, and negatively impact sleep, sexual activity, and quality of life among others. To solve this issue, the project will build up on a patented system and method for garment fitting and fabrication that allows the production of customized garments through a single fit process by using pre-fabricated modular fabric pieces, which are draped on the wearer during the fitting session. Smart functionalities will also be added for intense activities so that bra support and comfort can be preserved when exercising.

Synthesis, Reactivity and Catalysis with Boron-Containing Nickel Complexes

Boron-containing organic materials are increasingly important in high-tech applications such as sensors, optoelectronics and pharmaceuticals. We recently developed a highly reactive nickel precursor that was able to activate a variety of substrates and showed a strong predilection for unsaturated systems. The proposed research aims to test the ability of this system to activate a variety of unsaturated boron-based substrates developed or commonly used in the Braunschweig group, which is recognized as leading the field in the characterization of metal-boron compounds in particular and reactive boron intermediates in general. Following activation, the ability of these reactive intermediates to generate boron-containing organic materials in catalytic processes will be assessed with the support of the Radius group, which has extensive expertise in nickel catalysis. The proposed research aims to test the ability of this system to activate a variety of unsaturated boron-based substrates developed or commonly used in the Braunschweig group, which is recognized as leading the field in the characterization of metal-boron compounds in particular and reactive boron intermediates in general.

Production de bioproduits commerciaux dans un réacteur biologique aérobique d’uneindustrie papetière

L’usine Kruger de Trois-Rivières dispose d’un système de traitement biologique des effluents

imposant pouvant traiter plus de 70000 mètres cubes d’eau usée par jour. Suite à la récente

fermeture de 5 machines à papiers et de deux coucheuses, le système de traitement

biologique des eaux usées par boues activées (aussi nommé un réacteur biologique

industriel) n’est plus opéré à pleine capacité. Afin de maintenir les emplois à l’usine, il y aurait

lieu de trouver une nouvelle utilisation aux équipements comme le système de traitement

biologique. Le traitement des eaux usées municipales de la Ville de Trois-Rivières est

proposé. Il serait ensuite opportun d’utiliser le système de traitement biologique pour produire

à grande échelle des microorganismes industriels et leurs produits d’intérêt commercial.

Également, les boues industrielles et municipales générées par un tel système pourraient

être utilisées comme milieux de culture alternatifs et bon marché pour des microorganismes

industriels dont les produits microbiens sont utilisables sur place ou localement…

Insecurity of tenure as a lesser known health and wellbeing crisis: Health and wellbeing perspectives of young families and children living without security of tenure

Major cities in Canada and across the world are undergoing housing crises that are pushing its vulnerable residents into housing insecurity. Security of tenure is a lesser-known and researched element that contributes to housing insecurity and its negative health and wellbeing impacts. To ensure the positive health and wellbeing outcomes of cities’ families and their children, developers and housing policy-makers should understand how insecurity of tenure, a critical challenge in housing insecurity, can affect the health and wellbeing perspectives of families and their children. This research will provide unique insight into the experiences of young families with children as they navigate housing insecurity, and the lesser known housing barrier of insecurity of tenure.

Cognitive Control of Auditory Environment (CCAE)

The CCAE project aims to create a hearing assistance device that is steered by brain activity. We will monitor brain signals that reflect the user’s attentional focus by the use of non-invasive brain recording called electroencephalography (EEG). These recordings will be used to help the hearing assistance device to separate, identify, and enhance sounds of interest to the user in a noisy environment. The project combines neuroscience, advanced acoustics, and artificial intelligence to produce a device that can benefit the growing population of people with hearing impairment, advance the state-of-the-art in each of these fields, and provide cutting-edge research value to the partner organization.

Desorption and sorption isotherms of hemp seeds with dockage

Very few guidelines (such as the isotherm equations – the moisture content of hemp seeds at a given temperature, and relative humidify) exist on aeration, natural air drying, and storage of hemp seeds. If producers and managers used wrong isotherms, spoilage or over drying of the binned hemp seeds might occur during storage. The objectives of this study were to establish the desorption and sorption isotherms of hemp seeds of two common varieties with different percentages of dockage (0, 5, 10, and 15%) by using two most-used methods: static and dynamic methods, and determine the difference of the desorption and absorption isotherms among different hemp varieties. After using the developed isotherms by the producers and managers, the quality of the processed hemp seeds can be improved, so the Canada consumers of the hemp industries can be benefitted from the high quality hemp seeds.