Innovative Projects Realized

Analyse et recherche d’optimisation d’un logiciel d’ingénierie

Le projet est au coeur d’une initiative ambitieuse de l’entreprise PreVu3d consistant à démocratiser un outil d’ingénierie réputé complexe, à savoir la modélisation 3D. En effet, à l’heure actuelle, la compréhension et l’utilisation de logiciels tels que CATIA V.5, AUTOCAD ou encore PTC Creo demande une expertise en ingénierie que le grand public n’a pas nécessairement. Grâce aux travaux de PreVu3D, la prise en main et l’utilisation de leur logiciel est ludique, rapide et intuitive. Continuer avec cette vision de simplicité et de partage de l’information permettra à PreVu3D de développer leurs activités dans différents milieux, qu’ils soient industriels, culturels ou encore artistique.

Amélioration du processus d’identification des camionneurs au sein du port de Montréal

L’Administration portuaire de Montréal (APM) travaille activement à déployer des initiatives innovantes, afin de se positionner comme un « port intelligent » et d’améliorer sa performance, au bénéfice de ses partenaires d’affaires. Aujourd’hui, l’APM a déjà lancé plusieurs initiatives d’amélioration avec ses parties prenantes, dont le PORTail du camionnage Le projet actuel vise à bonifier les données captées par le PORTail du camionnage en établissant une base de données des accès des camionneurs commune à tous les partenaires.
Les activités intermodales nécessitent une bonne coordination, communication et gestion des opérations. Le facteur temps est particulièrement crucial dans le processus. Une optimisation des processus d’identification s’avère une des stratégies à prioriser afin d’enrayer les enjeux négatifs liés au temps de visite des camionneurs au port. Le projet vise la mise en place d’une base de données unique qui mettra à jour automatiquement les informations relatives aux camionneurs rattachées à sa carte d’accès à partir des transactions effectuées en temps réel.

Définition et étude d’une solution permettant le partage et la mutualisation des chargements entre transporteurs routiers.

Le transport routier est un vieux domaine industriel, qui fait face à une augmentation de production. En effet, les besoins de livraison sont grandissants et la flexibilité qu’offre le transport routier participent au choix de l’utilisation de celui-ci. Or ce secteur ne parvient pas à augmenter considérablement sa productivité et reste le type de transport responsable de la majorité des émissions de gaz à effet de serre. Ses résultats s’expliqueraient par l’utilisation de camions en dessous de leurs capacités de transport maximum. Il est courant que des camions ne soient pas chargés à 100% dans un grand parti de leur trajet, voir de faire de nombreux voyages à vide.
L’objectif général de la recherche est d’étudier une solution pour d’augmenter l’efficience et la productivité des camions sur les grands axes routiers.

Press Councils in Canada: Models of Practice and Prospects for Alternatives

To compare existing press council models In Canadian provinces and similar democracies

abroad, analyze the effectiveness of and difficulties faced by councils with these varying models, and explore the

prospects for and stakeholder views on alternative models. Including that of a national Canadian council.

Fabrication and Characterization of polyurethane bio-composites for high performance applications

With the increase in polyurethane foams in manufacturing applications such as car seats, shoe soles etc., there has also been a rise in demand for higher quality and more sustainable products. This project involves the collaboration of Evoco Ltd with Dr. Hani Naguib’s research team at the University of Toronto to work on the fabrication of flexible polyurethane foams containing natural fibers. These fibers will help enhance the mechanical properties of the fiber enabling a cost-performance benefit. Additionally, microbes will be added to the foam, aimed at making it eco-friendlier. The successful application of this project will help open doors to numerous Startup and job opportunities throughout Canada.

An evaluation of alternatives to diesel fuel for use in Canada’s class 8 heavy-duty vehicles.

Canada has committed to combatting climate change. To do this, Canada must find ways to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the country’s most polluting sectors. Transportation accounts for roughly a quarter of the country’s total GHG emissions, and though electric vehicles have been identified as a promising strategy for passenger vehicles, a viable alternative to diesel for Canada’s trucking industry is unclear. This research will identify the most promising alternatives to diesel for implementation in Canada based on their ability to reduce GHG emissions at the lowest cost. It will focus specifically on Canada’s most common truck, the tractor trailer. This research will evaluate the ease of adoption of each alternative based on the scale at which the technology has previously been used.

National Disability Insurance Scheme Evaluation

Australia’s new National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has been rolled out across the country. Its primary selling point is the opportunity for users to design and manage their own care plan, which is meant to increase independence amongst users. Since its initial pilot testing, there has not been an evaluation of the NDIS amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. I will be using the data from this evaluation to determine an outreach strategy amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and create a tool to improve uptake of the NDIS. The design process is uses co-design principles that meaningfully involves Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers, leaders, and community members. The outreach strategy will inform the research team’s policy recommendations to the National Disability Insurance Agency in the Australian Department of Social Services, while the tool will be distributed in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to increase their ability to access the NDIS.

Evaluation of MRI-based estimation of cortical thickness

The most important structure in the human brain is the cerebral cortex. It makes it possible to perceive our visual environment and sounds, to perform motoric actions such as grasping an object, to speak, to understand speech, etc. The cerebral cortex is a 2-5 mm thick sheet, embedded in the skull. Analysis of MRI data makes it possible to estimate the thickness of the cerebral cortex. In certain neurological conditions such as mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis, the thickness of specific cortical areas decreases faster than in healthy aging. Therefore, cortical thickness is an important feature for MRI-based diagnosis of neurological diseases. In our study, we will evaluate algorithms and software packages for estimating cortical thickness. The results of our study will support MRI-based diagnosis of neurological diseases, the study of their pathophysiology, and using cortical-thickness as a biomarker for studying the efficacy of drugs.

A new rapid method for clay, silt and sand-sized mineral particle size measurements of soils and soil products

Information on the proportions of clay, silt and sand-sized mineral particles in soils and in soil products used for construction is critical for understanding their physical and chemical properties and for their proper use and management. However, these soil mineral particles are usually glued together with inorganic cements (calcium carbonate, iron and aluminum oxides/hydroxides) and organic matter which can make measurements of the proportions of the individual mineral size separates using current methods problematic. We propose to develop a novel rapid method to measure soil mineral particle size distribution employing pre-treatments to separate the mineral fraction into constituent clay, silt and sand-size fractions followed by an analysis called integral suspension pressure measurement using an instrument- UMS PARIO to measure their sedimentation characteristics. This instrument is newly developed by UMS AG, München, and we are the first in North America to test it.

Development & Benchtop Testing of Minimally Invasive Surgical Device

Xpan Inc. is developing a patent-pending expandable laparoscopic access port device. Xpan needs to develop its proof of concept prototype into a high-fidelity prototype through a series of iterative design, prototyping and benchtop testing.
Research must be performed to select appropriate biocompatible material that achieve user requirements. Research must also be performed to evaluate the performance and efficacy of several different designs that Xpan is contemplating to develop. Research must also be performed to investigate appropriate manufacturing methodologies for the device, as well as perform address the design for manufacturing requirements. This research will help Xpan create higher industry traction, raise private equity funding from investors and use this funding to hire talented engineers, business development professionals and ultimately establish manufacturing jobs.

Automated Generation and Integration of AUTOSAR Memory Configurations

Automotive Open System Architecture (AUTOSAR) is a system-level standard that is used worldwide by the automotive companies and their suppliers to develop the standardized software development framework for automobiles [1]. The basic software of AUTOSAR should be configured to develop an Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The information to configure the basic software is given in an Extensible Markup Language (XML) file. Currently, these XML files are interpreted by the developer and manually entered for each configuration. The process of manually configuring the basic software for each ECU is very time consuming and can be inefficient. APAG Cosyst, being one of the leading companies in ECU design and development is working on designing templates and a tool for the automated integration of AUTOSAR memory configurations. TO BE CONT’D

Validating Plantar Pressure Measurements from a Pressure-Sensing Orthotic Insole

Diabetic Neuropathy is a decrease of the perceptive ability of pressure changes and is a devastating consequence of

type two Diabetes. Neuropathy can result in ulcers, infection, amputation, and death. Providing alternative

feedback about pressure distributions in the foot is an innovative, low cost way to help reduce high level

pressures resulting in ulceration. In this study, we will calibrate a novel pressure sensing orthotic device for

accuracy in measurement compared to a gold standard pedobarograph. Three studies will be conducted to

evaluate the device’s ability to accurately quantify foot pressures. The first will be an exploration of diabetic

offloading patterns compared to a healthy population. The second study will calibrate the device against a gold

standard pedobarograph. Lastly, a study will be conducted to determine if visual feedback reduces the

frequency of high risk pressure profiles in a neuropathic population. This is the first crucial step to provide proof

of concept and is necessary for the continued development……………………………….