Innovative Projects Realized

Exploring the use of physical modelling for assessing urban stream restoration design

Urban streams are prone to flooding and bank erosion as a result of the large amount of stormwater that is transported into the channel across the paved floodplain. Many streams in urban areas are being restored to a more natural state so that they are able to accommodate flood pulses as well as to increase habitat areas in and around the channel. Prior to the installation of restoration designs in urban areas, it is necessary to test that they will hold up under a range of flows and sedimentation. Physical modelling is useful in predicting channel response to imposed conditions, however it is not commonly used to test urban stream restoration designs. In this project we will 1) explore the use of physical modelling for testing the effectiveness of a design developed by GEO Morphix, and 2) design and build a small physical model for use in the GEO Morphix office. This project will equip GEO Morphix with a new rigorous method of testing their urban stream restoration designs prior to installation.

Rugged Silicon Photonic Transceiver

Rugged transceivers, which can sustain harsh environments, are in high demand in the applications such as telecommunications, avionics, and space. Vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL)-based transceivers have been a cost-effective approach to address the demand. However, the exponential growth in the data volume, push the technology toward higher speeds at longer reaches. Reflex Photonics has been developing rugged VCSEL-based transceivers for the short-reach interconnects. However, with the existing technology, the maximum allowable speed over a 100 m reach is 12.5 Gb/s. Silicon photonics (SiP) is an emerging technology that provides a unique opportunity for integration of photonic components by harnessing well-developed micro-electronic fabrication technology. Furthermore, SiP provides an excellent platform for developing high-speed optical interconnects. Moreover, advanced packaging techniques allow hybrid compact electronic-photonic system design for rugged applications. However, a few challenges are involved in developing new transceivers. Among them, coupling light from the laser into the photonic integrated circuit (PIC) and from the PIC waveguide into the single-mode (SM) fiber, and compatibility with the existing packaging technology are more of concern. TO BE CONT’D

Next-generation sequencing for the analysis of antibody development in vaccinated rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and in a humanized rat (Rattus norvegicus OmniRat) model.

ImmunoPrecise antibodies is a company that specialized in the production of custom antibodies, the Y-shaped molecules produced by living things to defend itself from infection. Their ability to recognize and bind to specific targets allows for their use in diverse scientific analyses where their specificity of binding is manipulated to allow for localization and/or isolation of specific targets. Using next-generation sequencing the sequence that produces these molecules can be determined and they can be made synthetically decreasing the cost and time required for their production as well as increasing the number of different antibodies that can be produced in the same timeframe.

A Finite Element Framework for Non-linear Material Constitutive Modelling of Superalloy Additive Manufactured Parts

Due to its versatility, time and cost saving, additive manufacturing (AM) technology, and more specifically selective laser melting process (SLM), is replacing conventional manufacturing processes, particularly for producing complex geometry components. In this technology, the near net shape parts are incrementally built by fusing layers of powder material using an intensive heating source/
Structural stress analysis and lifing assessment via finite element (FE) analysis are well-accepted modern engineering practices within product development procedures. The use of this solution method reduces trial and error costs as well as risks of failure, among other. Because of the unique microstructure/texture of the additively manufactured superalloy products, the resulting mechanical properties are highly anisotropic as opposed to conventionally manufactured parts which are commonly isotropic. Consequently, efficiently predicting the mechanical properties and functional performance of SLM components through FE simulations become crucial. In this context, the main objective of this project is to create a reliable FE simulation framework for predicting operating performance of SLM manufactured gas turbine hot section components for Siemens Canada. In this research, advanced phenomenological material constitutive models for additive manufacturing applications will be identified and developed. Also, numerical predictions will be validated against experimental data.

Efficacy of a perceptive-cognitive training to improve ice-hockey performance

The Neurotracker training requires participants to follow and identify holographic tennis balls moving randomly in a 3D environment. The company developing this training, CogniSens, inc. claims that it can improve sports performance by enhancing, among others, selective attention and working memory. This research project tests the efficacy of the NeuroTracker training to improve sports performance in ice-hockey. More specifically, major junior ice-hockey players will complete a battery of tests measuring selective attention, working memory, time perception, pattern recognition, temporal equivalence in mental imagery and ice-hockey performance per se. They will then train on the NeuroTracker for 18 weeks, before completing the battery of tests again.

Towards understanding and solving aqueous and interfacial chemistryissues in mineral beneficiation processes

The aim of the project is to better understand aqueous and mineral surfaces interactions under

conditions specific to flotation and cyanidation plants that are sponsoring COREM’s research.

Innovative and integrated research studies have proved to be useful in increasing plant performances

over the years and the industry is promoting a better understanding, through detailed characterization

work, of deleterious reactions specific to their systems. The three postdoctoral fellows will focus on

describing the exact nature of reactions between solid interfaces and an aqueous media, in selected

and simplified systems, using a set of approaches from numerical modeling of molecular interactions

to laboratory evaluations of process performances. In this project, the general methodology consists

in coupling (1) lab-scale process performance evaluations by fast-tracking methods and (2) a better

understanding through various interfacial and aqueous characterization methods. Highly qualified

post-doctoral fellows supported by MITACS will hold the innovative part of the research at Laval

University under the supervision of Pr. F. Larachi.

Characterization of Stabilized Lithium Ion Battery Materials

Micro-scale particles composed of high-voltage spinel LNMO (LiNi1-xMnxO4) will be characterized using electron microscopy techniques. These particles are stabilized through the inclusion of coating materials. The methods to prepare these particle coatings consisted of either an in-situ or post-synthetic method. The interface between the particle and the coating will be characterized at the atomic-scale by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). Specifically, the composition, their relative concentrations, the distribution of these elements, and structural information of the materials will each be acquired through these electron microscopy techniques. Nano-scale cross-sections of particle coatings to view the interface between these materials will be prepared through specialized sample preparation techniques. Focused ion beam milling and microtome methods will be employed to achieve these cross-sections. The data from these analyses will be used to elucidate a mechanism for observed enhancements to the performance of these cathode materials in assembled batteries.

Évaluation d’impact en santé intégrée aux procédures d’aménagement du territoire: guide d’aide à la décision – Year two

Plusieurs municipalités dans la région de Québec visent l’innovation des pratiques pour construire des quartiers sécuritaires favorisant les saines habitudes de vie. Parallèlement, l’OSBL Vivre en Ville veut informer/sensibiliser les décideurs aux impacts de leurs décisions sur la qualité de vie citoyenne. L’objectif du projet proposé est d’intégrer l’Évaluation d’Impact sur la Santé (EIS) aux procédures d’aménagement du territoire dans la région de Québec pour développer des projets favorables à la santé et à la sécurité. Les retombées attendues sont : 1) d’analyser les impacts et retombées des EIS effectuées depuis 2013 sur les traumatismes (p. ex. accidents), les déterminants sociaux de la santé (p. ex. cohésion sociale), l’environnement (p. ex. qualité de l’air) et la prise de décision; 2) de développer un guide destiné aux municipalités et entrepreneurs immobiliers, afin de faciliter l’intégration, des considérations de santé dans les projets en aménagement et d’identifier, pour les personnes en situation de handicap, les éléments liés à l’accessibilité universelle à considérer en EIS. Le développement d’une expertise en EIS dans la région de Québec sera soumis à l’« International Observatory of Mayors on Living Together» pour échanger des expériences urbaines favorisant la création de milieux de vie sécuritaires et en santé.

Évaluation d’impact en santé intégrée aux procédures d’aménagement du territoire: guide d’aide à la décision

Plusieurs municipalités dans la région de Québec visent l’innovation des pratiques pour construire des quartiers sécuritaires favorisant les saines habitudes de vie. Parallèlement, l’OSBL Vivre en Ville veut informer/sensibiliser les décideurs aux impacts de leurs décisions sur la qualité de vie citoyenne. L’objectif du projet proposé est d’intégrer l’Évaluation d’Impact sur la Santé (EIS) aux procédures d’aménagement du territoire dans la région de Québec pour développer des projets favorables à la santé et à la sécurité. Les retombées attendues sont : 1) d’analyser les impacts et retombées des EIS effectuées depuis 2013 sur les traumatismes (p. ex. accidents), les déterminants sociaux de la santé (p. ex. cohésion sociale), l’environnement (p. ex. qualité de l’air) et la prise de décision; 2) de développer un guide destiné aux municipalités et entrepreneurs immobiliers, afin de faciliter l’intégration, des considérations de santé dans les projets en aménagement et d’identifier, pour les personnes en situation de handicap, les éléments liés à l’accessibilité universelle à considérer en EIS. Le développement d’une expertise en EIS dans la région de Québec sera soumis à l’« International Observatory of Mayors on Living Together» pour échanger des expériences urbaines favorisant la création de milieux de vie sécuritaires et en santé.

Designing Soft+Stiff Haptic Interactions with Opensource Authoring Toolkits – Year two

Our sense of touch is vital to most daily activities we engage in, but is underused by most existing computing devices. Though haptics is an active research field, the main outcomes of three decades of research are limited to cost-effective vibrotactile feedback (as in mobile phones) or expensive force-feedback devices (mainly for surgical operation simulation). Software frameworks for haptics offer comprehensive haptics and physics simulation capabilities, however require expert engineering and software development skills. Haply Robotics offers a cost-effective force-feedback hardware toolkit. The Haply development environment targets designers and students, however its expressivity in haptics and physics simulations is more limited. There is still a huge potential for haptic applications to unleash creativity and expressivity: improving communication (as in information visualization) and interpretation (as in digital musical instrument design). Recent advances in soft robotics offer opportunities to develop soft haptics applications with greater degrees of freedom.
We will create a second generation Haply toolkit for soft haptics building upon the recent advances in soft robotics. We will create an authoring tool that support novices and experts (in design, development and engineering) compatible with both toolkit generations. TO BE CONT’D

Designing Soft+Stiff Haptic Interactions with Opensource Authoring Toolkits

Our sense of touch is vital to most daily activities we engage in, but is underused by most existing computing devices. Though haptics is an active research field, the main outcomes of three decades of research are limited to cost-effective vibrotactile feedback (as in mobile phones) or expensive force-feedback devices (mainly for surgical operation simulation). Software frameworks for haptics offer comprehensive haptics and physics simulation capabilities, however require expert engineering and software development skills. Haply Robotics offers a cost-effective force-feedback hardware toolkit. The Haply development environment targets designers and students, however its expressivity in haptics and physics simulations is more limited. There is still a huge potential for haptic applications to unleash creativity and expressivity: improving communication (as in information visualization) and interpretation (as in digital musical instrument design). Recent advances in soft robotics offer opportunities to develop soft haptics applications with greater degrees of freedom.
We will create a second generation Haply toolkit for soft haptics building upon the recent advances in soft robotics. We will create an authoring tool that support novices and experts (in design, development and engineering) compatible with both toolkit generations. TO BE CONT’D

Improving energy system planning solutions by accounting for inherent uncertainties through robust optimization – Year two

More and more distributed energy resources (smart loads, self-generation, electric vehicles, etc.) are installed directly at the customers. This causes fluctuations in the distribution network that can reverse the power flow or increase the cold pick-up effect. The infrastructures in place have not been designed for this new reality and they must be adapted accordingly, and ideally, at minimum costs. Herein, we will develop a new methodology to optimize such networks in presence of local renewable energy producers (new control device location, generation type limitations, nominal power, battery storage eventually). To accomplish this, we will extend the mesh-adaptive direct search algorithm (MADS) to perform robust optimization on high-dimensional and time-consuming models with inherent uncertainties and apply it to the present problem.