Innovative Projects Realized

La reconversion de bâtiments inustriels – Étude comparative d’un cas montréalais et brummi

Le projet de recherche proposé s’intéresse aux éléments caractérisant la reconversion architecturale de bâtiments industriels à Montréal ainsi qu’à Birmingham. À cette fin, je réaliserai une étude de cas comparative me permettant de comparer le recyclage du Centre Phi à un cas brummi qu’il me faut encore sélectionner.

Je me pencherai, d’une part, sur le processus ayant permis la reconversion des deux bâtiments. J’étudierai, d’autre part, le rapport entre l’écosystème patrimonial et le projet afin de mieux saisir comment l’encadrement institutionnel, le projet privé et les pressions extérieures ont été arrimés autour du projet de reconversion. Je m’appuierai à la fois sur une recherche documentaire et sur des entretiens semi-dirigés auprès d’acteurs clés.

L’intérêt de cette recherche exploratoire est à la fois scientifique et sociétal. Scientifique parce qu’elle cherche à mieux définir un phénomène complexe et peu étudié au Québec soit la reconversion de bâtiment industriel. Sociétal parce que ces retombées pourraient faciliter la reconversion de bâtiments québécois et ainsi favoriser une meilleure conservation et mise en valeur du patrimoine tout en encourageant un développement immobilier plus durable.

Self-Assembly of Nanoparticle-based Colloidosomes via Click Chemistry for the Formation of Inorganic Prototissues

The concept of artificial cells, or protocells, serves to provide researchers with deeper insights into primitive cellular functions and behaviours through the study of non-living cellular analogues. Protocells are synthetic, cell-like microcompartments designed to mimic key aspects of living cells. Recently, Dr. Pierangelo Gobbo made a remarkable step forward in this research field and utilized biocompatible click chemistry (clean and simple chemical reactions with minimal purification required) to assemble protocells into tissue-like constructs, termed prototissues. These chemically-interlinked prototissues displayed collective temperature-regulated contractibility and expansion. Most importantly, his work opened up the first synthetic route to the synthesis of tissues-like materials capable of collective behaviours. Among the different protocell models, inorganic protocells are receiving increasing attention because they can offer relevant benefits compared to their biological counterparts such as increased chemical, thermal and mechanical robustness. While inorganic protocells have been prepared from silica nanoparticles or magnetic nanoparticles, the use of functional gold nanoparticles (AuNP) remains essentially unexplored. In recent years the Workentin Group demonstrated that the AuNP surface can be engineered to undergo a plethora of surface biocompatible click reactions to add function to these materials. TO BE CON’T

The Effect of Accumulation of Cerebrovascular Senescent Endothelial Cells in Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

Cognitive functions decline with aging and a vascular contribution to neuronal damage has been proposed. Accumulation of senescent cells (SnC) is associated with age. SnC remain metabolically active and release numerous factors of Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype potentially harmful. Our hypothesis is that accumulation of cerebrovascular senescent endothelial cells (SnEC) contributes to vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). We pose that elimination of SnEC maintains cerebrovascular homeostasis and prevents cognitive dysfunction. To test our hypothesis we will eliminate SnEC by targeting angiopoietin-like 2 (angptl2), a new target in SnEC that leads to their death by apoptosis upon inactivation. A shRNA targeting angptl2 will be delivered to endothelial cells using AAV1 in a mouse model of VCID, severely dyslipidemic/atherosclerotic. Cognition will be assessed three months post injection, cerebral blood flow measured by 7T-MRI, followed by brain immunohistochemistry and molecular determination of SnC load. This novel therapeutic concept called senolysis is emerging and promising.

Developing clean dual-fuel natural gas engines for heavy-duty trucks

Dual-fuel diesel-natural gas engines have the potential to be an economical and low-emission alternative for heavy-duty transport applications. These engines combust pre-mixed natural-gas/air mixtures by ignition with a pilot injection of diesel fuel. The fraction of energy provided by each fuel can be varied for engine operating conditions. Natural gas is less expensive than diesel so higher amounts of natural gas is generally preferred. However, if natural gas substitution rates become too high (e.g. ~>50%), methane emissions may be significant.
The primary research objective of this research project is to determine the tailpipe emissions of methane and particulate from a modern dual-fuel engine (Paccar MX-13) with stock emission aftertreatment with varying amounts of natural gas substitution. This will be used to optimize the industrial sponsor’s fuel and combustion control strategy so that the Paccar engine can meet emission regulations while maximizing natural gas substitution

Beaver Hills Biosphere Communications: Advancing place-based heritage appreciation and stewardship

The Beaver Hills Biosphere is a newly established biosphere reserve that needs to communicate why it is a special place to its residents and visitors. The UNESCO Biosphere program wants biosphere reserves to promote the exchange and transfer of knowledge on environmental problems and solutions, and to foster environmental education for sustainable development. Research related to environmental education, public history, Indigenous histories and communications efficacy can highlight the importance of personal place-relationships within a biosphere. This research can address a fundamental biosphere-related objective — to understand the stories of citizens and visitors of the area and to develop community connections to the biosphere, contributing to sustainability, resilience, and knowledge mobilization goals. TO BE CONT’D

A mixed-methods pilot pragmatic randomized controlled trial examining the real-world effectiveness of the MOVR mobile application

There are thousands of mobile apps available for download that are geared towards health and fitness, yet limited research evaluating the real-world effectiveness of such apps exists. The MOVR app is designed specifically to enhance one’s functional abilities, fitness, and functional well-being through personalized exercise prescriptions based on individual needs. While MOVR has had anecdotal success, the app’s effectiveness at influencing physical function, fitness, and wellbeing, and its ability to enhance the quality and enjoyment of physical activity has not yet been established empirically. The objective of this research will be to examine the real-world effectiveness of MOVR for improving functional movement and perceptions of health, and to better understand individual experiences with using the MOVR app. The study will involve an 8-week pilot pragmatic randomized controlled trial (RCT) whereby participants will be randomly assigned to either 8 weeks of use of the MOVR app or 8 weeks waitlist control.

Advanced sensor control implementations for energy optimization in commercial buildings using machine learning and data visualisation applied to building automation systems

The objective of the research is to develop a system leveraging data captured for commercial building management systems (BMS) to take decisions in to reduce energy consumption without affecting comfort. The idea is to showcase how intelligent control can be implemented in existing BMS to optimize energy consumption. The project is divided in three parts: data visualization and insight (discovery of potential avenues for the improvement of energy optimization), time-series prediction (prediction future energy consumption), and control (acting on said predictions).

Développement et Optimisation d’une bioraffinerie des Hémicelluloses Intégrée et Verte

Le projet de stage de recherche proposé s’articule autour de la validation et de l’amélioration

de simulations existantes de modèles d’usine de pâte dissoute et de bioraffinerie. Ces

simulations développées sur deux plateformes distinctes CADSIM Plus et ASPEN seront

dans un premier temps validées et/ou modifiées pour par la suite être reliées via une

interface de communication; Excel; afin de constituer un modèle de bioraffinerie intégrée. La

collaboration avec les deux organismes partenaires FPInnovations et GreenField Ethanol

sera cruciale pour développer des simulations fiables qui soient au plus près des réalités industrielles Les résultats obtenus dans le cadre de ce stage pourront être utilisés par les

deux organismes dans le cadre de leurs études exploratoires concernant l’eau, l’énergie, les

produits chimiques, les modifications de procédé de mise en pâte ou encore les technologies

de bioraffinage

Sum rules and coset functions in multiphoton interferometry

We study an interferometer where light is injected via a fixed number of input ports. Inside the interferometer, light coming from different ports interacts, generating non-trivial outputs. Simulation of the output is exponentially hard for a classical computer: validating the output cannot be done under realistic conditions.
We seek to formulate a validation procedure, i.e. a series of tests, to certify that the interferometer functions as expected. Instead of studying the distribution of outputs at individual ports, we analyze sets of them, reducing the amount of data to be considered and the complexity of this data.
In this project, we will understand how to reduce the complexity of the matrix simulating the device when considering sets of outcomes. We will next evaluate how this simplified matrix can decreases the simulation complexity for sets of outcomes. Finally, we will develop tests for implementation in experiments.

Decoding communication profiles of AMF-soil microbiota with cannabis for higher yield and environmental safety

Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are extensively used for commercial growth of cannabis alike other crops. More than 40% of unused fertilizers cause serious environmental problems such as contaminants transform into our food chain, and eventually repeated application of chemical fertilizers increase human and ecosystem (human health, floral and faunal diversity) health risks over the time. But mutualistic association with Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) increases the supply of nutrients and protect plants against pathogens and pest in exchange of carbon. In my project AMF strains and microbial suspension originating from naturally rich environment will be used to decode cannabis-AMF-soil microbiota communication and develop microbial hub networks linking cannabis and soil nutrients in better understanding of role of cannabis associated microbes. We will use high throughput assays for validating the utilization of AMF strain and microbe for better yield in cannabis aiming organic farming to keep the environment safe.

Electrochemical detection of Micro-RNA

MicroRNAs (miRNA) can be used as biomarkers for different types of cancer diagnostics. Therefore, obtaining point-of-care (POC) device for miRNA detection is of high value. Conventional miRNA sensing strategy usually involves reverse transcription PCR or target recycling strategy and hence those techniques are not suitable for POC devices. In the proposed work, electrochemical sensing strategy will be used to detect miRNAs as electrochemical transducer can be easily fabricated for POC device. A gold electrode containing complementary capture probe is used for the miRNA detection. Using toehold mediated strand displacement strategy with MB-tagged DNA strand the miRNA is replaced. The concentration of MB will be directly co-related with target miRNA concentration.

The Net Effect of Technical Non-Tariff Measures in OCDE countries on African Exports of Vegetable products

Durant les trente dernières années, l’utilisation des mesures non tarifaires (MNT) des chapitres A (SPS) et B (OTC) s’est accrue dans les pays développés. Elles représentaient 59% des MNT en 2012 (WTO 2012) et 70% en 2017 (UNCTAD, 2017). Ces mesures techniques traitent diverses préoccupations (qualité et sécurité sanitaire) liées à la production et aux échanges internationaux de produits. Il est établi que ce sont les pays de l’OCDE qui imposent des réglementations plus nombreuses et/ou sévères que celles recommandées au niveau international. Tandis que pour la majorité des pays africains, les réglementations sont moins contraignantes ou même absentes. De ce fait, les réglementations des pays développés peuvent représenter des obstacles aux exportations des pays africains surtout dans les filières à fort potentiel d’exportation comme celles du secteur des produits végétaux. TO BE CONT’D