Innovative Projects Realized

Development of Applications of Simultaneous Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging – Year two

Funded through a series of NSERC partnership grants, Cubresa Inc. have been working with the applicants to develop technologies for pre-clinical imaging for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and PET friendly radiofrequency (RF) coils for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of small animals. To date, our collaboration has played a direct role in Cubresa being the first to market with a commercial Silicon Photomultipliers-based pre-clinical PET product which when placed inside a 20cm MRI magnet equipped with an 11.5 cm diameter gradient can provide both PET and MR rat images simultaneously. We are currently developing techniques which will allow PET images to provide molecular images of the brain simultaneously with functional MRI images and developing high resolution MRI imaging techniques to improve quantification of PET images further. The success in developing these technologies is key to Cubresa’s overall product application development roadmap because they demonstrate scientifically credible results and important applications of simultaneous PET/MRI, a necessary marketing tool. Cubresa aims to be the first to market with a commercial pre-clinical product illustrating the significant advantages of simultaneous PET/MRI. The Mitacs application will be used for the postdoctoral candidate to develop image analysis techniques which allow the images to provide quantitative information.

Development of Applications of Simultaneous Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Funded through a series of NSERC partnership grants, Cubresa Inc. have been working with the applicants to develop technologies for pre-clinical imaging for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and PET friendly radiofrequency (RF) coils for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of small animals. To date, our collaboration has played a direct role in Cubresa being the first to market with a commercial Silicon Photomultipliers-based pre-clinical PET product which when placed inside a 20cm MRI magnet equipped with an 11.5 cm diameter gradient can provide both PET and MR rat images simultaneously. We are currently developing techniques which will allow PET images to provide molecular images of the brain simultaneously with functional MRI images and developing high resolution MRI imaging techniques to improve quantification of PET images further. The success in developing these technologies is key to Cubresa’s overall product application development roadmap because they demonstrate scientifically credible results and important applications of simultaneous PET/MRI, a necessary marketing tool. Cubresa aims to be the first to market with a commercial pre-clinical product illustrating the significant advantages of simultaneous PET/MRI. The Mitacs application will be used for the postdoctoral candidate to develop image analysis techniques which allow the images to provide quantitative information.

Framework for Enterprise IT DevSecOps Governance to enable Continuous Security

In today’s business context, companies need to release software quickly in order to remain competitive. This requires internal teams to work closely together from the outset. Unfortunately, security is typically considered only at the very end. This means if any issues are discovered by the security team, it requires extensive rework. Typical responses are to bypass security or to consider fixing the issues after releasing the software. Neither one is optimal for managing business risk. A better solution is to include security as part of the collaboration at the outset. This project will examine how such cross-team collaboration might work with the necessary assurance in place to manage business risk.

Étude des pratiques de gestion favorisant l’intégration de la robotique collaborative en contexte manufacturier

Parmi les nombreuses intégrations technologiques en milieu de travail, figurent les robots collaboratifs (cobots). Avec ce type de robots, la collaboration humain-robot est inévitable et ira au-delà de la simple interaction, affectant la réalité même de travail. Ainsi, la gestion optimale d’un tel changement, d’une perspective managériale, mais surtout humaine, sera explorée. Ce présent projet vise donc à faire état des pratiques à mettre en place au sein de l’organisation en termes d’intégration humain-machine en contexte manufacturier. Le partenariat établi dans le cadre de ce projet favorisera l’avancement des connaissances basées sur une réalité manufacturière québécoise. De plus, ce partenariat permettra d’outiller l’entreprise partenaire afin de faire face de façon aux enjeux managériaux et humains de la collaboration humain-machine.

Non-targeted characterization of natural extracts from red beet and cabbage using LC-HRMS

Capol Inc works with several natural extracts to produce alternative to synthetic colourants. Research shows that these natural extracts might contain molecules that could be beneficial to human health, predominantly in the families of chemicals that give these extracts their vibrant colours. This project proposes to analyze these extracts with a new depth to determine what chemicals are present in them and confirm which exact molecules are giving the extracts their colour, and whether or not these align with molecules that could be beneficial when ingested. Increased understanding allows Capol Inc. to continue to innovate and develop new high quality natural ingredients that that respond the consumers demand for natural and healthy ingredients.

Conception d’un procédé pour évaluer l’effet des taux d’occupation dynamique sur la productivité des chantiers de construction

Les nouvelles technologies émergentes dans la construction, notamment celles liées au BIM et aux simulations 4D à 7D, créent une rupture dans les méthodes de gestion et entrainent des changements majeurs dans la manière de gérer, coordonner, modéliser et planifier les chantiers, de même que la communication des informations. Cependant, lors de la planification, les méthodes traditionnelles d’ordonnancement, notamment le diagramme Gantt/Précédence, sont peu adaptées à cette nouvelle réalité. Orientées uniquement vers une représentation graphique des activités et de leurs contraintes, elles omettent plusieurs aspects essentiels pour la modélisation des opérations de construction, notamment l’emplacement des travaux, la circulation et l’enchaînent des équipes sur le chantier. TO BE CONT’D

Étude comparative de points d’opérations sans charge sur une turbine hydraulique de moyenne chute à échelle prototype

Le projet réalisé dans le cadre de stages Mitacs vise à renforcer et augmenter les connaissances sur la dynamique de l’écoulement traversant les turbines hydrauliques de type Francis de moyenne chute lorsqu’elles sont opérées en régimes hors production (sans charge). Ces conditions d’opération de plus en plus fréquentes et faisant partie intégrante des régimes transitoires, tels que les arrêts ou démarrages de turbine, sont parmi les plus dommageables pour les turbines. Donc, en améliorer la compréhension permettra, à long terme, d’allonger la durée de vie des machines, augmenter leur fiabilité et réduire les coûts d’opération. L’association des connaissances et compétences de l’Université Laval et Andritz Hydro permettra d’approfondir les connaissances sur la mécanique des fluides grandement turbulents lors d’opérations sans charge de turbines hydrauliques ainsi qu’une amélioration des méthodes de simulation visant reproduire la dynamique de l’écoulement.

Researching Subsea Equipment for Lab Testing and Plume Migration

The project will research software and models of plume migration for subsea oil and

gas productions. Plume migration is important because when a leak takes place

subsea it needs to set off a sensor, and to do that for point sensors, the product must

come near the sensor. Knowing how oil will move under water will help the placement

of sensors and improve the overall leak detection of the system for any given

environment. Another aspect of the project is to develop a lab model for testing leak

detection technologies. Instead of testing products in the ocean, or as a software

simulation, a lab could be setup to model the near conditions of the ocean. This will

allow the best testing of subsea leak technologies without deploying them in the field.

Exploring action plans for enhancing community sustainability in Baie Verte

The mining industry forms an integral part to the economy of Newfoundland and Labrador. The island of Newfoundland is particularly important to the NL mining industry, as it houses several active mining operations, as well as minerals exploration and developments in several areas including the Baie Verte peninsula. As mining operations are noted as impacting and contributing to the sustainability of communities, the proposed research seeks to understand and give an overview of the sustainability vision of Baie Verte, assess the state of sustainability in Baie Verte, and recommend community action plans that can help enhance sustainability in Baie Verte. In doing so, the project will rely on review of community documents, review of literature, a three-capital based sustainability assessment framework, public surveys, and consultations with community stakeholders.

Parenting an adult child with autism spectrum disorder: A qualitative examination of the lived experience

Parenting an adult child with autism spectrum disorder and an intellectual disability (ASD-ID) presents unique challenges, which often leads to parental distress, anxiety, depression, and uncertainty of their child’s future. To date however, there has not been an intimate, authentic account of this parental experience. Moreover, this strength-based approach will provide an important addition to what has traditionally been a deficit-based narrative. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to explore the lived experience of parenting an adult child diagnosed with ASD-ID, with the aim of creating a rich, authentic narrative that outlines positive outcomes, navigation of challenges, and overcoming parental concerns. Through a two-step interview approach, intimate details of this unique parental role will be explored. In doing so, Community Living Essex County will gain knowledge related to the experience of parenting an adult child with ASD-ID, which will inform future supports and services provided by this partner agency.

Photonic Quantum Computing for Machine Learning

In the recent years, the advances of machine learning, and more precisely deep learning, have lead to incredible progress in areas such as computer vision, speech recognition and natural language processing. Training algorithms based on deep neural networks can take a huge amount of time and computing resources. The first generation of quantum computers currently being built, although imperfect, is excepted to provide a speed-up over classical computers in several areas including machine learning. One particular paradigm of quantum computing where machine learning algorithms could be accelerated is called Continuous-Variable (CV) ?? or photonic ?? quantum computing. The proposed research project is to identify and implement suitable machine learning algorithms on a photonic quantum computer.

Additive Manufacturing Exploration

The project will involve making and designing reference parts, and then producing 3D scans of those parts and providing some measurement analysis. Documentation on collection and safety must be followed throughout. 3D printing is not only a very unique way of creating something, but it also gives its user a very wide range of design options as there are few restrictions. This research project is of great interest to me because the accuracy of these machines is crucial to their progression. If there are other machines that can fabricate something to a greater degree of accuracy, they may be favoured over 3D print manufacturing. Researching this issue will help narrow down the variables that cause these uncertainties in the dimensioning of the parts and will help increase the accuracy that these machines can print to. TO BE CONT’D