Innovative Projects Realized

Imaging and spectral characterization of exosomes as carriers of Alzheimer’s Disease biomarkers in peripheral bodily fluids

We propose the development of tools that can help identify cognitively normal subjects at risk for developing Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The tests will use small volumes of peripheral fluids (blood, saliva, urine). Our goal is to evaluate the potential of exosomes to be used as “carriers of AD biomarkers”. These markers will be essential for the assessment of susceptibility/risk for AD. We also propose to identify and develop technologies for the detection of exosomes and the AD markers they contain. Exosome isolation techniques, plasmonic-based biosensor technologies, and novel optical microscopy tools will be developed and used.

Exploration of Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) movements and behaviours in response to vessel noise and marine mammals

A decrease in ice cover in the Arctic ocean is allowing for increases in vessel traffic and noise in this previously undisturbed environment. The remoteness and reduction of species richness poses a challenge when trying to monitor Arctic ocean wildlife, but recent technological advances in animal tagging have supplied further opportunities for surveillance of Arctic animals and their behaviours. Here, we set out to explore fish behaviour in a large predatory species, the Greenland shark, with the use of novel digital acoustic recording tags (DTAGs). Hydrophones and accelerometers within DTAGs allow us to compare acoustic and movement data to better understand the shark’s behaviour. Preliminary examination of the hydrophone recordings has shown a potential association between Greenland sharks and narwhals with a few occurrences of boat noise. Further analysis of accelerometer data may shed light on possible foraging events of Greenland sharks on narwhals and potential avoidance behaviours from boats.

The impact of governance on cemetery trees: A comparison between the cities of Malmö, Sweden and Halifax, Canada

The human population is increasing, as is the number of individuals living within cities. This is increasing the demand for infrastructure, which cities are now attempting to meet through densification instead of urban sprawl. However, densification is threatening the quality and extent of urban greenspace. One atypical form of greenspace, urban cemeteries, may be better suited to withstand this densification pressure due to their cultural and historical significance. The trees within these cemeteries provide a vast array of benefits to humans and proper management is essential to ensure their survival and prevent large losses of tree canopy. Canadian cemeteries are owned by various entities, including government, families, churches/synagogues, and private companies, and rely on funding from the sale of burial plots. Swedish cemeteries, on the other hand, are publicly owned and funded through taxes. TO BE CONT’D

Mechanical Characterization of Nanocomposites to Identify Structure-Function Relationships of Plant Cell Wall Components

In nature, a complex network of cellulose and hemicellulose interacts to provide plant cell walls with their mechanical strength, flexibility, and light weight. However, there is still little known about the relationship between the cellulose-hemicellulose interactions and how that influences the resulting mechanical properties of plants. In this work, we will use films thinner than a single human hair, of cellulose nanocrystals (nanoparticles extracted from cellulose) and xyloglucan (a common hemicellulose) to model the plant cell wall and study how cellulose and hemicellulose interact in nature. The films are shrunk at high temperature, or by mechanical compression, to create wrinkles on the surface. The thickness and size of these wrinkles can be measured to quantitatively evaluate the film’s mecanical properties. This success of this project will provide insight into structure-function relationships in plant cell walls, which could lead to material advancements in biosensing, packaging, and tissue engineering applications.

Linking foraging flexibility and energetic physiology of an Arctic seabird to environmental variability

In the Arctic, environmental variability is currently increasing. Variability in sea ice dynamics, such as the timing of ice-off and concentration of sea ice, these in turn affect distributions and abundance of fish and invertebrate species. Thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia), an Arctic-breeding seabird, are expected to be greatly affected by changes in sea ice dynamics, as they prey upon fish and invertebrates. In order for Arctic species to succeed and persist in a rapidly changing climate, they must be able to adapt their foraging strategies to match current environmental conditions. The goal of this study is to determine if thick-billed murres are able to alter their foraging strategies in response to varying environmental conditions. We will take an integrative approach using energetic physiology and diet to predict the success of different foraging strategies (measured via GPS tracking) in response to sea ice concentration at Coats Island, TO BE CONT’D

Resiliency to climate change in an arctic seabird: a multi-scaled trophic analysis of foraging niche, and links to reproductive parameters

The arctic is warming at an accelerated rate, and this current speed of change is largely driven by industry. These changes to the oceanic conditions in the arctic are causing perturbations throughout the water column, causing disruptions throughout the food-web. These warming patterns are not consistent across the arctic; species persisting in these regions are showing differing responses at a population-level. Common eider (hereafter eider), an abundant species of seabird, whose range spans across the arctic and temporal regions, forage on multiple different prey items throughout the water column. The abundance of an eider’s prey is tightly linked with environmental conditions, and timing of key environmental processes, such as sea-ice break up. As such, an eider’s reproductive decision making are also tied to the timing of the same environmental processes. TO BE CONT’D

Sphere Gyroscopique

Le domaine du cirque implique la conception de numeros acrobatiques de plus en plus

impressionnants afin de creer une experience nouvelle memorable pour I’audience.

L’utilisation de la technologie de pointe telle que la mecatronique permet de creer de

nouvelles possibilites autrefois inimaginables. Le projet propose ici entre dans Ie cadre d’une

collaboration entre I’Ecoie Poly technique de Montreal et Ie Cirque du Soleil qui a debutee en

septembre 2010 dernier et dans laquelle des etudiants de quatrieme annee de la

concentration mecatronique – une combinaison de genie mecanique, d’informatique et

d’electronique – ont eu la chance de travailler sur Ie developpement d’un prototype d’un

element scenique pour des numeros de cirque futurs. Le stagiaire va travailler sur la

conception du systeme de commande automatique de ce prototype afin de Ie rendre

premierement fonctionnel puis performant, fiable et robuste.

Solar Powered Intermittent Cathodic Protection of Reinforced Concrete

Canada’s reinforced concrete structures which includes bridges and building are deteriorating rapidly due to rusting of the steel that reinforces the structure. When steel rusts it takes up more space than non-rusting steel. This puts pressure on the surrounding concrete and causes it to break off. The proposed project aims to research a new solution for steel in concrete structure deterioration. The project would look at whether providing rust protection to the steel periodically would provide enough protection to reduce or eliminate the current rust development. The new approach would use solar panels to power the protection system. The result would be a simple and cost-effective strategy that would prevent rusting of steel in concrete structures. This would increase the service life of our structures and therefore, reduce the frequency of repairs and replacement of steel and concrete structures.

Développement d’un système de levage pour plateforme élévatrice sur mâts

La plateforme élévatrice Hydro-Mobile de série M s’adresse au marché de la maçonnerie. L’application requiert le déplacement de charges lourdes à faibles vitesses sur des hauteurs allant jusqu’à 76 m. Afin d’améliorer la sécurité et simplifier l’opération de la plateforme, Hydro-Mobil souhaite développer un nouveau système de levage complètement conforme aux nouvelles normes en vigueur. Actuellement, le système de levage de la plateforme modèle M2 est muni d’un système à crochets engagés dans deux mâts. Durant ce stage l’étudiant devra proposer un nouveau mécanisme de levage, et réaliser les calculs de dimensionnement d’une première version du nouveau concept. Le dimensionnement sera basé sur des chargements normalisés combinés à des évaluations tirées de l’expérience de l’entreprise et de modèles. Il s’agira d’établir les contraintes de fonctionnement par la méthode des éléments finis. Une étude de faisabilité économique prenant en compte l’industrialisation et la fabrication sera aussi intégrée au projet.

Simulation and Analysis of Physical Mechanisms Related to Unsteady Pressure Fluctuations in Gas Turbine Testing Facilities

Large test cells are used to evaluate the performance of modern jet engines. MDS Aero Support Corporation is a leading designer and manufacturer of these test cells. In a large engine test cell, it is common to experience large amplitude, low frequency unsteady pressure fluctuations at various sections of the facility. If not treated properly, they can be detrimental to the facility and engine testing. Work is currently underway to determine how exactly the flow in the test cell gives rise to the unsteady pressure fluctuations by studying the underlying physical processes at play. In the present project in collaboration with Dr. Jeff Defoe at the University of Windsor, that insight will be applied to develop design changes expected to reduce the pressure fluctuations. These will then be assessed using high fidelity numerical simulations of the air flow in the test cell.

A data driven estimating procedure for an accurate cost and labor assessment in mold manufacturing

Cost estimation within mold manufacturing is critical for maintaining profitability and competitiveness. This project will look at a data-driven estimating method for accurate cost and labor assessment for quoting of complex molds. We will first analyze the features of molds and manufacturing processes. Next, investigate different methods for cost estimation, such as variant-based (case-based, and parametric), generative (activity-based, feature-based) and hybrid. This procedure will be integrated within manufacturing supply chains, both internal and external processes, such as shipping, steel hardening, and sandblasting, which are outsourced. We plan to develop numerical models to assist in different labor and material cost estimations. These models are expected to be implemented using MS Excel, Visual Basic or other widely available software platforms. Due to pricing of raw materials and outsourcing requirements, dynamic and automated updating will be studied. A data driven integrated method will be developed, which will be tested and compared with practical situations.

Local adaptation of populations : deciphering the role of sexual reproduction

According to evolutionary biology, adaptation of a population to a new environment results from an equilibrium between various trends. Adaptation is shaped by selection forces, such as fecundity, mortality and competition for resources, by migration, and by the generation of diversity at reproduction. The type of reproduction, whether it is mainly clonal (asexual) or it involves two parents (sexual), drives the structure of diversity which is created. When the relative diversity is low in comparison to the other biological phenomena, evolution is expected to occurs on a long time horizon. Mathematical analysis enables to predict the long-term dynamic and asymptotic state of the population. Also, precise knowledge about biological processes can often bring new intuitions to the mathematical analysis strategy. Combining theses two points of view on the problem of local adaptation with sexual reproduction is therefore the aim of this project.The focus will be put on spatial effects: how migration of individuals and hybridization with endemic populations shape the local adaptation of species.