Innovative Projects Realized

Study on the hydro-geotechnical properties and establishment of a numerical model for waste rocks – Year two

Mines produce large amount of waste rocks, mostly disposed on ground surface in form of pile. In underground mines, waste rocks are increasingly used to construct barricades to retain mining backfill in the stopes. Waste rocks can also be used as inclusions to accelerate the drainage and consolidation of tailings. To properly evaluate the stability of these infrastructures, numerical models are needed. However, the existing numerical models suffer from two major limitations. First, it is difficult to determine the mechanical properties of full-scale waste rocks, due to the excessively large size of the particles. Second, the most commonly used Mohr-Coulomb model fails to describe the nonlinear behavior of waste rocks. To overcome the two limitations, the objectives of this project are (i) identifying or proposing a method to correctly predict the hydro-geotechnical properties of the full-scale waste rocks and (ii) establishing a numerical model to describe the hydro-geomechanical response of the waste rocks. A more efficient failure criterion, called MSDPu criterion, will be introduced and built in FLAC 3D for stability analysis. It is expected that the infrastructure design based on the results ensuing from the realization of the project will be more economic and more reliable.

Study on the hydro-geotechnical properties and establishment of a numerical model for waste rocks

Mines produce large amount of waste rocks, mostly disposed on ground surface in form of pile. In underground mines, waste rocks are increasingly used to construct barricades to retain mining backfill in the stopes. Waste rocks can also be used as inclusions to accelerate the drainage and consolidation of tailings. To properly evaluate the stability of these infrastructures, numerical models are needed. However, the existing numerical models suffer from two major limitations. First, it is difficult to determine the mechanical properties of full-scale waste rocks, due to the excessively large size of the particles. Second, the most commonly used Mohr-Coulomb model fails to describe the nonlinear behavior of waste rocks. To overcome the two limitations, the objectives of this project are (i) identifying or proposing a method to correctly predict the hydro-geotechnical properties of the full-scale waste rocks and (ii) establishing a numerical model to describe the hydro-geomechanical response of the waste rocks. A more efficient failure criterion, called MSDPu criterion, will be introduced and built in FLAC 3D for stability analysis. It is expected that the infrastructure design based on the results ensuing from the realization of the project will be more economic and more reliable.

Techno economic assessment of state-of-art innovative fast pyrolysis solutions in bio-economy processes – Year two

The present project will evaluate the techno-economic and environmental performance of an Integrated Biorefinery System that employs an innovative state-of-art fast pyrolysis processes for the production of bio renewable fuels in the bio-economy. A systematic design methodology will be defined using state-of-the-art process systems engineering tools which include market analysis, techno-economic assessment, cost accounting, energy integration analysis, life cycle assessment, as well as multi-criteria decision-making to identify forward the most preferred biorefinery strategies that fulfill the needs of the forest industry partner considering best case scenarios and critical risk issues. The outcomes of the project will illustrate the effectiveness of a comprehensive technical and economic framework for the identification of innovative biorefinery strategies within an existing Canadian paper and pulp mill that represents an attractive investment, and at the same time is environmentally beneficial especially with regards to climate change. The industry partner, Domtar, seeks to identify this solution in the context of their overall biorefinery strategy – and will be closely involved at all stages of the project.

Techno economic assessment of state-of-art innovative fast pyrolysis solutions in bio-economy processes

The present project will evaluate the techno-economic and environmental performance of an Integrated Biorefinery System that employs an innovative state-of-art fast pyrolysis processes for the production of bio renewable fuels in the bio-economy. A systematic design methodology will be defined using state-of-the-art process systems engineering tools which include market analysis, techno-economic assessment, cost accounting, energy integration analysis, life cycle assessment, as well as multi-criteria decision-making to identify forward the most preferred biorefinery strategies that fulfill the needs of the forest industry partner considering best case scenarios and critical risk issues. The outcomes of the project will illustrate the effectiveness of a comprehensive technical and economic framework for the identification of innovative biorefinery strategies within an existing Canadian paper and pulp mill that represents an attractive investment, and at the same time is environmentally beneficial especially with regards to climate change. The industry partner, Domtar, seeks to identify this solution in the context of their overall biorefinery strategy – and will be closely involved at all stages of the project.

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.