Innovative Projects Realized

Lifelike simulation tool for surgical training purposes

The specific aim of this project is to design and manufacture affordable, high fidelity, and high quality synthetic surgical training models of diseased valves and arteries to simulate the possible surgical options such as prolapse mitral valve reconstruction surgeries, aortic valve repair for aortic insufficiencies (novel idea) and coronary and radial arteries [side to side and end to side] anastomosis surgeries. These synthetic models can be used frequently by training surgeons in order to achieve a higher level of skill, confidence and expertise to help improve patient care worldwide.

Parallel Computing with Graphics Processing Units to Reduce Computational Overhead Associated with Math Simulations and Predictive Model Building

The objective of this project is to reduce the run time of computationally demanding

simulation and modeling tasks at the partner organization. The project involves

porting several computer algorithms to massively parallel hardware graphics devices

that can be programmed using a widely available development platform.

Improvements in performance on these computing tasks have direct implications for

product development, deliveries and income to the partner.

Optimization of Building Energy Consumption Considering Occupants Behavior and Preferences

Applying energy conservation methods plays an important role in making existing buildings more energy efficient. However, energy conservation methods are usually in contradiction with the occupants’ satisfaction. In other words, more conservative energy strategies result in less occupants’ satisfaction. Also, when it comes to shared spaces occupied by people with different preferences, finding a trade-off between the minimum energy consumption and a maximum number of satisfied occupants is a challenging issue. As a result, this study aims to develop more realistic building energy model using an integration of simulation with optimization techniques. To this end, proper sensing techniques will be applied to distinguish between occupants in shared spaces. Local control of HVAC and lighting systems based on the occupancy usage patterns are then applicable. TO BE CONT’D

Bacterial Microbiome of Cacao Fruit

Cacao (Theobroma cacao) cultivation in Latin American countries contribute 16% to the global production, employing around 2 millions of people, generating profits of around $100 million/yr to chocolate manufacturers. Cacao production is challenged by several fungal diseases that lead to decreased crop yield causing farmers to abandon the cacao business and cultivate other crops that generate a higher profit. One of the most serious disease that attacks the cacao fruits is frosty pod rot (FPR) caused by the fungal pathogen Moniliophthora roreri. One of the challenges is the induction of the disease under laboratory controlled conditions. Environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity are not well established and need to be studied to understand the infection and the spread of the fungus. TO BE CONT’D

Topographic and laminar connectivity brain mapping between visual areas

The goal of the project is to explore the information processing mechanisms of brain in conjunction with state-of-the-art imaging and anatomy techniques. Understanding how the information is processed and coded in the brain is intended to serve research of disease diagnosis and treatment. The brain can be divided into different regions according to their functions. Before constructing the encoding model, we need to track the information transmission in a specific function area, which rely on higher spatial resolution data. Vision is one of the most studied projects in in cognitive neuroscience. In this research, we will use many previous visual research results and the latest experimental data to explore the information processing mechanism between the visual areas. TO BE CONT’D

Developing a novel detection method for endangered and invasive fishes

Underwater visual analysis (UWVA) is a passive and non-invasive method gaining popularity in freshwater systems. UWVA uses underwater cameras and/or snorkel surveys to assess species richness and abundance. UWVA could also be used to detect endangered and invasive fishes, which is important for conservation and management of freshwater ecosystems. To determine the applicability of the UWVA for detection across multiple freshwater systems, data collected in various locations that differ in habitat complexity and biodiversity is required. I plan to use long-term UWVA monitoring data from South Africa from three different rivers to estimate the probability that endangered and invasive fishes will be detected. I will estimate the detection probability using occupancy modeling. I will then compare these results to data I have already collected using the same methods in Canada. TO BE CONT’D

Development of a Lower Limb Neuroprosthesis

Millions of people worldwide suffer from motor impairment due to aging and/or neurological injuries, such as stroke. It has previously been demonstrated that functional electrical stimulation (FES) can be used to artificially contract lower limb muscles to improve independent standing of individuals with neurological impairments. A system that applies FES to regulate balance is called a neuroprosthesis for standing. An intermittent control strategy, which switches between muscle stiffness and muscle activation has emerged as an effective control strategy for stabilizing standing and walking. This project intends to develop a novel neuroprosthesis for standing and walking function that will use FES to intermittently activate lower limb muscles. The objectives of the proposed study are: (1) to develop and test an intermittent controller system for FES of lower limbs; and (2) to integrate this control system into a lower limb exoskeleton, all with the aim of developing a practical system for the rehabilitation of standing and walking.

Passive Network Synthesis Approach for Modeling Multiport Frequency Dependent Network Equivalents

In this research, a new approach to model Frequency Dependant Network Equivalent (FDNE) will be introduced and implemented in PSCAD/EMTDC. FDNEs are used to accelerate and reduce the size of unnecessary part of the network under simulation. The new approach utilizes Brune’s network synthesis and Tellegen’s extension to create a multiport network whose impedance is the same as the given FDNE. Unlike other fitting methods, the proposed method inherently guarantees the passivity of the fitted network, thus no need for further passivity enforcement. The results of this study will provide a new module in PSCAD/EMTDC. It can be used for modeling the FDNEs which conventional methods can not guarantee a passive fitting. So, ultimately will enhance this part of the PSCAD library.

Development and validation of a semi-automated in-situ soil sensor using Vis-NIR spectroscopy

Soil health and fertility has important long-term implications on farming practices. However, farmers and agronomists have difficulties to integrate soil assessment into farming decisions, mainly due to the tedious and long soil sampling process. This project aims at providing an innovative tool for agronomists and farmers to determine instantaneously and accurately several soil characteristics such as the soil acidity and temperature, as well as the content of nutrient and organic matter in the soil. The proposed soil probe will be attached on a small vehicle, allowing the semi-automated acquisition of soil data over large areas. This solution would enable the agronomists and farmers to easily assess the soil health and fertility and integrate this information into daily farming decisions.

Development of Electroactive Multiffunctional Fiber

Our overall goal is to develop multi-functional electro-active yarns that can be knitted/woven to create a garment with embedded dry-textile electrodes (e-textiles). This garment will be used, for fully sensing human electrophysiological signals as well as stimulating specific muscles of the human body using textile-based wearable technology. These multi-functional fibers are going to be manufactured using functional polymers through melt-spinning and/or coating processes. This involves many factors such as functional polymers development which are extrudeable and manufacturing yarns that are knittable/weaveable. The knitted/woven sensors need to be flexible, washable and wearable. At the same time, e-textiles must be able to perform and function accurately and effectively. These polymers and extruded fibers will be characterized by various mechanical, thermal, electrical and microscopic techniques. This platform targets sensing and processing specific electrophysiological signals, namely, Electrocardiography (ECG), Electromyography (EMG) and Electroencephalography (EEG), as well as stimulating the body using electrical signals. Furthermore, the proposed platform creates a multipurpose sensing-processing-stimulating garment-based system.

Crowding and Dwell Time on Transit Vehicles: A Fine-Grained Analysis

This project will examine the relationship between transit vehicle crowding and the time it takes for passengers to board and exit the vehicle (dwell time). It will also record the total maximum number of passengers on a transit vehicle and compare them to the manufacturers’ theoretical maximum capacity. Data will be gathered through accurate counts of the number of people entering and exiting the vehicle as well as the time taken for these passenger movements. This data will be analyzed to determine the optimal level of crowding on buses and its impacts on dwell and running times. This information will allow TransLink to more efficiently plan service improvements. This data could also be used to justify reducing crowding based on the efficiency lost during longer dwells.

Insights into the creative workplace through 20 years of experience at Rethink Canada

Rethink is Canada’s largest, national independent creative agency. As Rethink enters their twentieth year, they would like to formally collect the tips, tools and wisdom — 20 years of knowledge and experience — and share it with a broader audience interested in the creative industries and the process of creativity in general. Working with a humanities scholar from Simon Fraser University, Rethink will write a book that is accessible to readers both within and outside of the creative industry. The proposed project will include existing research that bridges Rethink’s own strategies with findings from the humanities and the social sciences that demonstrates how Rethink’s tools have grounds outside of the company and the industry at large. The degree of success of the project will itself answer the broader research questions about the transferability of literary/theoretical methods to the creative workplace. The innovative way in which the content of the project book is created and shared will speak to many of the issues currently circulating in literary and media theory and will act as something of a digital culture test case for such academic-industry collaboration.