Innovative Projects Realized

Genomic and epigenetic research of childhood trauma.

Childhood Trauma (CT) is considered to be an important environmental risk factor for schizophrenia. Exposure to childhood trauma can cause immune system disorders, which affect the early development of the central nervous system and the susceptibility to schizophrenia. However, the mechanism of CT is unclear. Genes can be regulated through the activity of several noncoding RNA transcripts that act as fine-tuners and on-off switches of gene expression patterns. Among the noncoding RNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been the most extensively studied. And human brain development is orchestrated by complex transcriptional programs, which are guided and reinforced by epigenetic modifications to DNA and histone proteins. DNA methylation is the most extensively studied epigenetic modification, having a key role in many important genomic regulatory processes. We aim to identify potential new molecular targets for antidepressant treatment and investigate epigenetic regulation of the earl-life environment.

Domaines géométallurgiques dans un gisement aurifère : le cas du dépôt Whale Tail, projet Amaruq, Nunavut – Volet 2

L’étude métallurgique est une étape essentielle de tout projet minier. Cette étape permet de concevoir un procédé afin d’extraire un métal d’intérêt (c.-à-d. l’or dans le cadre de ce projet) des roches. Ce procédé dépend des types de minéraux qui renferment l’or et tient compte des polluants que peuvent contenir ces minéraux. L’étude métallurgique s’appuie cependant sur une quantité limitée d’échantillons, ce qui ne permet pas d’adapter le procédé de récupération de l’or aux diverses parties d’un gisement. Ce projet se propose d’utiliser les abondantes données de forages acquises en amont de l’étude métallurgique afin de modéliser la variabilité minéralogique d’un gisement et d’ainsi définir des domaines géométallurgiques. Cette méthodologie permettra à la compagnie partenaire, Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., d’adapter un procédé de récupération respectueux de l’environnement aux diverses parties du gisement Amaruq.

Favoriser le dialogue entre chercheurs et praticiens autour du développement d’une structure alternative de scolarisation (le Lab école Agora) au secteur de l’éducation des adultes

Le projet vise à soutenir l’action du comité de développement pour la création d’une structure alternative de scolarisation : le Lab école Agora. Le Lab école Agora repose sur la collaboration entre un organisme communautaire (l’organisme porteur du projet Déclic ) et un centre d’éducation pour adultes; il a pour mission d’offrir un enseignement adapté et divers services complémentaires (services psychosociaux, alimentaires, logement, défense des droits, etc.) à des jeunes raccrocheurs de 16 ans. Le comité de développement a pour objectif de réunir et de mettre en dialogue des chercheurs (savoirs scientifiques) et des praticiens (savoirs d’expérience) autour de la constitution du Lab école. Cet objectif se décline en deux objectifs spécifiques complémentaires. Le premier est de faciliter la démarche réflexive des acteurs (direction, enseignants, intervenants) à travers l’expérimentation, la recherche et la co-construction des pratiques qui favorisent le raccrochage scolaire de jeunes adultes. Le deuxième objectif spécifique est de renseigner le processus de création du Lab école; le comité de développement devenant une instance de production de savoir sur la création de la structure. L’articulation des deux niveaux se réalisera autour de la production et du partage de connaissances scientifiques, de la formation et du développement professionnel.

Human Body Capture and Prediction from Rehearsed Live Performances

We address the problem of 3D human body motion capture and prediction to be used in the context of a live music concert performances. The difficulty of capturing the motion of a performer in this context comes from the harsh environment in which it takes place that includes strong and varying lighting, smoke generators, and other visual pollution. The intern will develop novel technique for the capture and prediction of the motion of the performer, knowing that the performance has been rehearsed beforehand. The partner organization benefits from the expertise in computer animation research that has been conducted over the years at McGill University. This collaboration is also beneficial for the the intern and the university in that the partner has a great experience developing cutting-edge computer vision algorithms that are used in music concerts all over the world. They also provide all the necessary equipment to conduct this research.

Planning of Renewable Energy for Canada

The project intends to adopt a graphical technique called Carbon Emissions Pinch Analysis (CEPA) to develop an energy planning model for Canada in renewable energy utilization. This project is driven by the commitment made by Canada in Copenhagen 2015, which is carbon reduction targets of 17%, 30% and 80% for the years of 2020, 2030 and 2050 respectively from the year 2005. Based on information published on CBC news, it is expected that the emission target for the year 2020 is very unlikely to be achieved, which suggest the needs for a more robust energy planning model for the following years in Canada to avoid further noncompliance in carbon reduction. The CEPA model has been adopted in many countries, including Ireland and China, which are the world leaders for renewable energy. By utilizing process integration and CEPA model, it is expected that the carbon reduction target of Canada in year 2030 and 2050 is achievable through the meticulous energy planning model in this project, developed based on various scenarios of renewable energy available in Canada.

Planification de personnel pour le commerce de détail

L’objectif de ce projet est de proposer des méthodes performantes pour la planification

d’horaires de personnel pour le commerce de détail. En effet, dans ce secteur hautement

concurrentiel où les marges bénéficiaires sont généralement faibles, la gestion efficace de la

force de travail à disposition peut générer des bénéfices notables. Ce problème consiste à

affecter à un ensemble d’employés des quarts de travail sur un horizon de planification est

respectant, par exemple, leurs qualifications, leurs disponibilités ou encore les règles issues

du code du travail et des conventions collectives. Si le projet envisagé est concluant, le

partenaire Omega Optimisation pourrait améliorer ses outils de planification de personnel

pour le commerce de détail, permettant ainsi à ses clients de réaliser d’importantes

économies opérationnelles.

The role of digitalization and value chain management for competitive advantage in forest industry transformation to the bioeconomy – Year two

The forest industry is going through a transformation worldwide. Competitive limitations faced by companies starting with the newsprint demand decline have required process modernization and portfolio diversification. As a result, the forest biorefinery emerged – facilities for the production of biofuels, biochemicals, and biomaterials. The forest sector has adopted the biorefinery concept globally because it represents an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, diversify revenue and respond to the demand for sustainable bioproducts. As this concept grows, competitiveness in this highly uncertain market will grow. Bioproducts will replace or substitute petroleum-based commodities and specialty products. Digitalization and integration of supply chain (SC) technologies will be essential to achieve flexible and robust operations, and long-term competitiveness. This will be a challenging task requiring companies to be proactive, create opportunity through an early start, and invest heavily in innovation capacity to succeed. It is unclear however, how well the industry recognises the importance of data integration and SC management (SCM) for long-term competitiveness, and the approaches they plan to use. This project will identify how the forest industry plans to manage this issue, and develop a methodology to systematically mitigate SC risk, while helping biorefineries to emerge strengthened through SCM fundamentals.

The role of digitalization and value chain management for competitive advantage in forest industry transformation to the bioeconomy

The forest industry is going through a transformation worldwide. Competitive limitations faced by companies starting with the newsprint demand decline have required process modernization and portfolio diversification. As a result, the forest biorefinery emerged – facilities for the production of biofuels, biochemicals, and biomaterials. The forest sector has adopted the biorefinery concept globally because it represents an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, diversify revenue and respond to the demand for sustainable bioproducts. As this concept grows, competitiveness in this highly uncertain market will grow. Bioproducts will replace or substitute petroleum-based commodities and specialty products. Digitalization and integration of supply chain (SC) technologies will be essential to achieve flexible and robust operations, and long-term competitiveness. This will be a challenging task requiring companies to be proactive, create opportunity through an early start, and invest heavily in innovation capacity to succeed. It is unclear however, how well the industry recognises the importance of data integration and SC management (SCM) for long-term competitiveness, and the approaches they plan to use. This project will identify how the forest industry plans to manage this issue, and develop a methodology to systematically mitigate SC risk, while helping biorefineries to emerge strengthened through SCM fundamentals.

Interfacial Engineering of High Energy Density and Safe Solid-State Li Metal Batteries for Electric Vehicle Applications – Year two

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become a key player in the growing need for electric vehicles (EVs). State-of-the-art LIBs, using liquid electrolytes, still have significant challenges in their safety, lifespan, and energy density. Accordingly, solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLBs) have recently been attracting increasing research and industrial attention due to their ability to overcome intrinsic disadvantages of flammable liquid electrolytes used in current LIBs. The objective of this proposed research is to engineer the electrode/solid-state electrolyte interface by atomic/molecular layer depositions (ALD/MLD) to achieve the safe and high-performance SSLBs. The project includes two main directions: (1) gradient interface engineering on cathode/sulfide-based SSEs; and (2) design of multi-protective layers for Li metal anode by ALD/MLD. GLABAT SOLID-STATE BATTERY INC. as an industrial partner will support and be involved in this project. The innovative research will help both GLABAT and Canada increase their global competitiveness and create new economic ventures.

Mixed-species forest plantation management in Panama

Traditionally, forest plantation management practices in Central America have revolved around clear-cut management and the use of a single, exotic tree species. While these practices simplify the management and planning of plantations, they often leave much to be desired when considering overall environmental impacts. The goal of this study is to determine how a tropical forest plantation can be transitioned into a multiple-species forest composed of native trees. Information on naturally occurring native species has been collected in a plantation located in Panama and will be used to form the basis of our projections. By analysing tree growth and yield data, modeling possible forest management scenarios, and determining potential monetary returns, this project aims to provide tropical forest landowners with the information they need to make an informed decision regarding more sustainable management options.

Interfacial Engineering of High Energy Density and Safe Solid-State Li Metal Batteries for Electric Vehicle Applications

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become a key player in the growing need for electric vehicles (EVs). State-of-the-art LIBs, using liquid electrolytes, still have significant challenges in their safety, lifespan, and energy density. Accordingly, solid-state lithium metal batteries (SSLBs) have recently been attracting increasing research and industrial attention due to their ability to overcome intrinsic disadvantages of flammable liquid electrolytes used in current LIBs. The objective of this proposed research is to engineer the electrode/solid-state electrolyte interface by atomic/molecular layer depositions (ALD/MLD) to achieve the safe and high-performance SSLBs. The project includes two main directions: (1) gradient interface engineering on cathode/sulfide-based SSEs; and (2) design of multi-protective layers for Li metal anode by ALD/MLD. GLABAT SOLID-STATE BATTERY INC. as an industrial partner will support and be involved in this project. The innovative research will help both GLABAT and Canada increase their global competitiveness and create new economic ventures.

Understanding Disengagement from Early Psychosis Intervention Services – Year two

While the effectiveness of early psychosis interventions (EPI) for young people with first-episode psychosis has been well-established, research suggests that almost one-third of patients disengage from services. Although lack of family involvement and substance use have arisen as consistent factors associated with EPI disengagement, many other factors remain unexplored. Furthermore, few studies have explored patient and family member perspectives on engagement. The proposed study will address this critical gap by investigating factors associated with disengagement from EPI services and eliciting patient- and family-reported facilitators and barriers to engagement. Expected results include the development and implementation of innovative strategies to keep young people engaged in services and an evaluation of these interventions. The CAMH Foundation is committed to supporting cutting-edge research and patient-centered services at CAMH and will benefit from a project that will increase access to CAMH’s EPI services, engage young people in treatment, and improve their potential for recovery. The fellow will lead analysis and knowledge translation efforts, including engaging knowledge users in using the results to develop interventions to improve EPI engagement.