Innovative Projects Realized

Improving the properties of active pharmaceutical ingredients by polymorph, salt and cocrystal screening

Solids exist as crystals, amorphous or subcooled liquids. The degree of crystallinity determines the long range order in a solid phase. Molecules when transferred from the solution to the solid phase may take many different crystal forms (polymorphs, solvates/hydrates, salts, co-crystals). Theoretically, there are 230 space groups describing the diversity of a crystalline material. About two thirds of pharmaceutical small molecules exist in more than one polymorphic solid form. Crystallization of polymorphs still has a touch of art. Various solid forms often display different mechanical, thermal, physical and chemical properties that can influence the bioavailability, hygroscopicity, stability and other performance characteristics of an API. The goal of this project is to unravel the inter- and intra-molecular forces that are responsible for the molecular packing, conformational polymorphism, and salt/cocrystal formation and therefore, predict and screen possible polymorphs, salts and cocrystals of a given API. This will be achieved by performing high-throughput experimentation to guarantee a product with desirable solubility, dissolution rate, and stability.

Effects of Nozzle Design and Tool Rotational Speed on MQLPerformance in Machining of Aerospace Materials.

Minimum Quantity lubrication (MQL) is a new technology used nowadays in machining

processes and is very promising for near dry machining. Compared to dry machining and

flood machining processes MQL has clear economical and ecological advantages. However,

MQL implementation is still applied using a trial and error approach.

Limited research work has been done on evaluating the effect of MQL on product quality,

especially, in aerospace materials (composites and difficult to cut materials like

Inconel).Therefore an extensive study is critically needed for understanding and optimization

of MQL application in machining of aerospace materials thereby increasing the applicability of

the technique.

In this project, an experimental investigation will be carried out to evaluate the performance of

two MOL systems in machining of aerospace materials for external supply. This will help in

understanding the parameters of MOL and thereby optimizing the effect of these parameters

on the cutting forces, temperature, tool wear, surface roughness, which affect the product

integrity and mechanical performance…………………………………

Weed Classification and Density Estimation for Variable Rate Herbicide Prescription

Precision agriculture is the technique to replace the traditional farming methods in order to sustainably improve the crop productivity without adversely impacting the environment. Precision agriculture is the solution to our growing food needs. CropPro consulting generates SWAT maps using soil, water, and topography information which divides the agriculture land into multiple zones. Each zone has its own requirement in terms of fertilizer, water, nutrients, etc. The objective of this project is to apply computer vision and machine learning techniques develop methods for weed detection and classification along with the weed density estimation. The weed information will be consolidated with the SWAT maps and variable rate site-specific herbicide maps will be generated. Variable rate herbicide usage will reduce the overall usage of chemicals which will result in better profitability for farmers and lower environmental impact.

Influence of spatial connectivity on food web stability

Natural communities are undergoing accelerated changes due to human pressures such as habitat fragmentation and species invasions. One way of anticipating community responses to these changes is through dynamical food web models whereby key species traits are altered and the community repercussions are assessed. These modeling approaches, however, overlook the spatial dynamics which are critical for community processes. Here, I propose to adapt techniques from infectious disease models and previous food web models to link smaller food webs in space, building up into these complex food webs. Predicting the response of communities to global changes is of critical importance. These communities, however, do not act in isolation. Thus, forecasting species’ response to perturbations across scales is an essential task. Yet, the inherent complexity of natural communities makes this a difficult undertaking. The approach described here should allow us to reconstruct communities in scalable patterns making global conclusions more tangible.

Numerical and experimental analysis of the capture efficiency of domestic range hoods

Cooking activities are the main source of indoor pollutant emissions. Domestic range hoods are the most efficient technology to ensure a good indoor air quality. However, a label guaranteeing a high capture efficiency does not exist yet in North America. Thus, running low efficient hoods at high air flowrates during and after cooking may ensure low concentrations of indoor pollutants in the kitchen, while being high energy demanding and noisy and leading to depressurize airtight. It is then of prime importance to develop numerical and experimental methodologies to first evaluate the capture efficiency of existing hoods and then to define new scenarios for future labelling purpose. A better insight into the flow dynamics and pollutant concentration is necessary to achieve those objectives.

Analyse des décisions des ménages pour les assurances contre les catastrophes naturelles au Canada

Deux constats majeurs constituent le point de départ de cette étude. D’une part la recrudescence des catastrophes naturelles au Canada dont particulièrement les inondations jumelées à d’énormes pertes financières ; d’autre part, une faible volonté des populations à entreprendre des mesures nécessaires pour se prémunir contre les conséquences liées à la survenance des catastrophes. Le but de ce travail de recherche est d’identifier et de comprendre les raisons pour lesquelles les agents économiques semblent accorder peu d’intérêt aux mesures préventives contre les pertes associées aux chocs naturels, notamment, les assurances contre les inondations et les tremblements de terre. Les résultats issus de cette étude permettront à l’organisme partenaire Desjardins de mieux prendre connaissance de tous les éléments qui déterminent le choix des agents à souscrire ou non pour ces produits d’assurance ; et par conséquent à les prendre en considération lors de l’élaboration des contrats.

Évaluation multiméthode de l’engagement des spectateurs en contexte de jeu social

Le projet vise à comprendre les facteurs qui influencent les spectateurs d’un jeu compétitif à interagir pour influencer le jeu en fonction de leur partisanerie pour l’une des deux équipes sur le terrain. Avec des tests utilisateurs où on recrée l’environnement de jeu, on mesurera physiologiquement ainsi qu’à l’aide d’entrevues, l’intensité de l’engagement que le public ressent du début à la fin de la partie. Ainsi, l’organisme partenaire pourra connaître précisément les meilleurs incitatifs à la participation. Ces découvertes s’enlignent avec l’objectif de l’entreprise de créer des expériences collectives, où le rassemblement est encouragé.

Atmospheric Copper Leaching in Oxygen Supersaturated Solutions: Evaluating the Application of Ultrasonic Oxygen Solubilization in Copper Leaching

The project has been defined to address the growing concerns of the mining industry towards sustainable copper production with low cost and environmentally friendly process option. The current processes for copper extraction are either expensive or have detrimental impact on the environment. This proposed project pertains to the development of a technology that applied green energy (electricity) as well as ultrasonic technology to recover copper from the main copper minerals (chalcopyrite and enargite) with minimum cost and highest efficiency.

Managing for old-growth in Quebec’s boreal forest: how much is enough andhow can adequate levels be maintained?

This project aims to develop guidelines regarding the maintenance of old-growth in the

managed boreal forest. Presently, several institutions, including the Government of Quebec

and the Forest Stewardship Council require that a third of the preindustrial levels of old

growth be maintained on the managed landscape. However, there is little if any scientific

evidence to indicate that this will maintain old-growth species, nor do we know whether the

spatial configuration of remaining old-growth is important. I therefore propose to examine (1)

how much old-growth forest is necessary to maintain old-growth songbird species in the

managed forest, (2) whether the configuration of this old-growth matters, and (3) which

combination of various management practices will help maintain required levels of old

growth. The results of this project will help AbitibiBowater and others involved in boreal forest

management to develop more ecologically-friendly management practices and allow for oldgrowth

species to be maintained in the managed landscape.

Accelerate development of new technologies and applications for advanced water treatment – Year 2

Global population growth, urbanization and changing climate patterns have increased the demand for potable water, wastewater reuse and value recovery from wastewater, and for remediation of industrial process water. Population growth also results in increased demand for the shipping of goods by ocean freight, with the associated risk of the transport of unwanted marine life from one location to another by the discharge of ballast water. Also, the increasing sophistication of food and drug production requires a corresponding development of fluid protection technologies to prevent contamination by undesirable microbes. Consequently, there is increased demand for improved technologies that can provide sustainable treatment of water and wastewaters, protection of the water supply, and development of new fluid treatment methods. Trojan Technologies executed an initial Mitacs cluster program entitled “Steering the Innovation Process: Accelerating “Ideas to Impact” in Water Treatment”, resulting in a comprehensive research program and innovation process to advance the science of reactor development and validation for innovative technologies in water and wastewater treatment. With these new technologies and advancement in the understanding of water treatment, it is now important to apply them to the core business areas…To be continued.

A Regular Solution Based Model for Evaluating Asphaltene Stability of Upgraded Heavy Oils – Year two

Most of the heavy oil and bitumen produced in Western Canada is transported through pipelines to refineries in North America. Prior to transportation, the high viscosity of those fluids must be reduced by either dilution with a light solvent or upgrading. The high costs associated with handling diluents has increased the interest in upgrading; that is, the thermal conversion of high viscosity heavy oil or bitumen into a less viscous product. Upgraded heavy oils and bitumen require less solvent prior to pipeline transportation and have a higher market value compared to diluted heavy oil or bitumen. However, the changes in chemical composition of the fluid during upgrading can trigger the precipitation of heavy components which can then deposit on surfaces and cause fouling.
The aim of this study is to develop and test a Regular Solution based approach to model the precipitation of heavy components from upgraded fluids. An existing model will be modified as necessary based on a comprehensive database collected from a pilot plant. The proposed approach will be a valuable tool in the simulation and scaling of the BituMax™ partial upgrading process being developed by NEXEN Energy ULC.

A Regular Solution Based Model for Evaluating Asphaltene Stability of Upgraded Heavy Oils

Most of the heavy oil and bitumen produced in Western Canada is transported through pipelines to refineries in North America. Prior to transportation, the high viscosity of those fluids must be reduced by either dilution with a light solvent or upgrading. The high costs associated with handling diluents has increased the interest in upgrading; that is, the thermal conversion of high viscosity heavy oil or bitumen into a less viscous product. Upgraded heavy oils and bitumen require less solvent prior to pipeline transportation and have a higher market value compared to diluted heavy oil or bitumen. However, the changes in chemical composition of the fluid during upgrading can trigger the precipitation of heavy components which can then deposit on surfaces and cause fouling.
The aim of this study is to develop and test a Regular Solution based approach to model the precipitation of heavy components from upgraded fluids. An existing model will be modified as necessary based on a comprehensive database collected from a pilot plant. The proposed approach will be a valuable tool in the simulation and scaling of the BituMax™ partial upgrading process being developed by NEXEN Energy ULC.