Innovative Projects Realized

FortisBC-UBCO Collaborative Research Project: Smart Energy Chair

Exploring the best smart energy choices to meet the growing energy needs of British Columbia (BC) is important due to Canada’s new climate change mitigation targets as well as the rising economic burdens of energy use. A collaborative study has been proposed between UBCO and FortisBC identify smart solutions energy conservation, climate change mitigation, demand side management, and the development of net-zero communities, and to provide recommendations and define long-term implementation strategies for the above smart energy choices. This study will explore the state-of-the-art technologies in building energy use and hybrid energy systems, and will provide in depth guidance to decision makers and general public on complying with energy efficient standards and making the best energy choices form their buildings and communities.

Optimisation de la chaîne logistique des blocs opèratoires

Les blocs opératoires sont un des services les plus dépendants des activités logistiques. Lors

d’une opération le chirurgien doit avoir les bons outils au bon moment pour que celle-ci se

déroule dans les meilleures conditions. Pour cela, toute une chaîne d’approvisionnement

s’organise afin d’accomplir cette tâche complexe. En effet, les produits utilisés sont des

instruments et fournitures pour la plus part à haute valeur ajoutée et périssables.

L’entreprise MindCore Conseil, spécialisée en amélioration des processus autant dans le

domaine manufacturier que dans celui des services, nous a soumis le projet d’optimiser la

chaîne logistique des blocs opératoires des hôpitaux du CHUM. L’objectif principal est ainsi

de réduire les coûts de logistique mais aussi de libérer le personnel de soin des activités

d’approvisionnement.

Dans cette étude, nous devons utiliser des outils d’optimisation logistiques qui ont déjà fait

leurs preuves dans le milieu manufacturier. Il faudra ainsi analyser l’ensemble de ces outils et

estimer lesquels pourront être adaptés et efficaces pour les implanter et………………………………..

National Smart Vehicle Demonstration and Integration Project

This Mitacs research project will help develop a data collection strategy by identifying key variables such as the kinds of data sets and frequency of collection required. In addition, this Mitacs project will help determine what types of databases are required for data storage and which analytical procedures should be used on the data sets. Data collection and data management strategies must be established in order to standardize the collected data sets for comparable analytics which will inform cities for future deployments.

OSPE advocates to all levels of government on policies and regulations related to engineering. OSPE will benefit from the research as findings are anticipated to be pertinent in developing policy recommendations to present to government. OSPE is currently developing an ‘App’ to encourage engineering students and recent graduates to seek careers in smart mobility industries. The Mitacs research will provide OSPE members, especially students, with exciting examples of how important technology is in new economy industries.

Teaching artificial agents to play complex video games from demonstrations

The goal of this research project is to develop novel technics to teach artificial agents how to play complex video games using reinforcement learning and demonstrations. Namely, we wish to propose a novel approach for learning from demonstrations, in which an agent simultaneously learns a behavior and the corresponding reward signal. This training procedure will rely on generative adversarial imitation learning in order to learn from expert demonstrations (in our case from players). We also want to tackle the problem of player-artificial agent cooperation, where we want to improve the robustness of current imitation learning techniques to mimic a player’s gameplay by extending the imitation learning procedure with reinforcement learning.

Pipeline Strain Demand and Capacity under Geotechnical Threats

Pipelines are often subjected to longitudinal stresses due to ground movements such as moving slopes and discontinuous permafrost areas. In these cases, numerical models are used to calculate strain demand which is then compared to tensile and compressive strain capacities (TSC and CSC) which are functions of the pipeline and girth weld material properties. In terms of strain demand, we have shown that current numerical models are inappropriate as they neglect the Bourdon effect–the tendency of pressurized pipes to straighten–at the location of bends and elbows. In terms of capacity, our previous work has evaluated the efficacy of XFEM to predict the TSC for pipelines. We have also produced CSC equations for pipelines under the combined effect of axial forces and bending moments. TO BE CONT’D

Augmented reality immersive simulation for flight deck design and evaluation “Holodeck”

The aircraft flight deck has increased substantively in its complexity in recent years. The input systems are more complex, and the information feeds are much more detailed. In order for a pilot to interface effectively with the aircraft systems, the cockpit control functions must be laid out in an intuitive format. To do this, a trial and error approach is required, with meaningful input at each design phase.
From conceptual through to detailed design phases, the current human machine interface (HMI) design tools are not well suited for flight deck prototyping and design. The lack of validation tools and real time simulation capability using the flight deck mock-up limits the opportunity to perform early validation of HMI requirements in an operational environment. TO BE CONT’D

An investigation of Canadian companies’ orientations towards modern slavery and extreme human exploitation in global supply chains

Slave labour continues to be used in business settings around the world and is often linked to society through the supply chains for consumer goods. Yet, the issue of slavery in modern society (“modern slavery”), despite its ties to business settings, has received very little attention in societies around the around. While countries such as the UK have introduced legislation (Modern Slavery Act) and others such as Australia have introduced proposed legislation (Modern Slavery Bill) targeting the issue of modern slavery, Canada is in the early stages of discussing similar legislation, that in part targets transparency in the supply chain of Canadian companies. Through a collaboration with World Vision Canada, a not-profit organization dedicated to protection of human rights around the world, this project will examine how companies in Canada view and approach modern slavery and human exploitation in their global supply chains.TO BE CONT’D

Toronto’s City Diplomacy: Arts, Culture, and Heritage

Our project, Toronto’s City Diplomacy: Arts, Culture, and Heritage, brings together scholars and practitioners in the cultural disciplines to consider how the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) engages in cultural diplomacy and cultural networks locally and globally. With Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival (Hot Docs) as our non-profit partner, this project examines how the business of international cultural relations is conducted by non-state actors, such as artists, ensembles, arts and cultural practitioners and programmers, and cultural institutions, in tandem with the political and cultural work of the local government. Using Toronto’s creative and cultural sector and its members as a case study, Toronto’s City Diplomacy: Arts, Culture, and Heritage examines the external and potential models of cultural relations work to determine best practices and establish actionable strategies that organizations such as Hot Docs can implement. This project seeks to chart a new course in city diplomacy to recognize the importance of culture – and the work of artists, ensembles, arts and cultural practitioners, cultural institutions and municipal officials in cultural services – in a city’s global cultural relations.

Développement d’une plateforme de calcul d’équilibres chimiquescomplexes et adaptation aux problèmes électrochimiques et d’équilibres contraints

Le secteur de I’efficacite energetique prend une place de plus en plus importante pour les

entreprises. O’ailleurs, un des problemes qui peut survenir frequemment est d’aller mesurer

la composition des composes chimiques dans des conditions difficiles d’acces. Pour pallier a

ce probleme, il faut creer et valider des modeles mathematiques qui vont calculer la

composition de ces systemes. La plupart des modeles actuels ne repondent pas

adequatement lorsque Ie systeme est soumis a des contraintes. Ainsi, I’objectif global du

projet de recherche est de developper un outil de calcul d’equilibres chimiques complexes

(plusieurs reactions et plusieurs phases) et I’adapter aux problemes electrochimiques et

d’equilibres contraints. L’lnstitut de recherche d’Hydro-Quebec aura /’avantage d’utiliser cet

outil notamment dans la conception de piles au lithium puisque tres peu de moyens d’analyse

et de diagnostics existent presentement sur Ie marche. Enfin, la modelisation est un bon

moyen de predire des resultats en eliminant beaucoup de coat au niveau experimental en

recherche et developpement.

Cultivating Ethos in the Tech Sector

The rapid development of technology and its ubiquitous integration with modern society has clarified for business and technology leaders the need for ethical conversations about the role technology can and should play in our lives. By interviewing primary stakeholders in the technology sector and putting their ideas in conversation with literature about the role of ethics in tech, this project will foster a critical dialogue between businesses, governments and users to overcome the ethical challenges posed by technological innovation. This research will inform the design of an interview protocol that will be conducted with chief technology and infrastructure officers at tech companies across North America. This will help inform knowledge exchange workshops conducted with tech companies at the Critical Media Lab, located at the Communitech Hub in downtown Kitchener, focusing on ethics, inclusion, and equity in the technology sector.

Une meilleure littératie financière pour les jeunes du Nouveau-Brunswick

Ce projet de recherche porte sur la littératie financière (LF) des jeunes Néobrunswickois, concept que l’Agence de la consommation en matière financière du Canada définit comme: «[…] le fait de disposer des connaissances, des compétences et de la confiance en soi nécessaires pour prendre des décisions financières responsables.» Or plusieurs études nous indiquent que bon nombre de Canadiens adoptent des comportements financiers inadéquats, ce qui les empêche de jouir d’une sécurité financière, leur permettant de vivre en toute quiétude. Cette constatation nous amène à nous poser la question de savoir comment motiver les jeunes du Nouveau-Brunswick, à acquérir et à disposer des connaissances, des compétences et de la confiance en soi nécessaires en vue de prendre des décisions financières responsables pour en arriver à un revirement de la situation. CPA NB souhaite utiliser les résultats de cette étude pour élaborer des stratégies permettant d’améliore niveau de LF au sein de la population Néobrunswickoise.

The Future of Learning

Today’s technological advancements are changing job requirements and skills expectations at a rapid rate. Businesses are consistently striving to investigate these trends and prepare for upcoming “disruptions.” In terms of job automation, there are many barriers that people experience when trying to access learning platforms such as online learning tools and micro learning sessions, as the majority of these platforms are aimed at individuals who already have a post-secondary education, and other credentials. This project will develop a white paper outlining strategies and recommendations to help businesses and individuals structure collaborative learning platforms aimed at helping people consistently refresh their skill sets and stay relevant in their chosen industry, or give them the ability to move into new industries.