Innovative Projects Realized

BC Pulp and Paper Bioproducts Alliance: Development and demonstration of forest residues to renewable natural gas technologies

This proposed project will support our ongoing efforts in scanning and screening existing technologies and de-bottlenecking key technology barriers in converting low-cost biomass residues to renewable natural gas in British Columbia pulp, paper and lumber mills. Specifically, we will focus on developing a bauxite residue (f.k.a., red mud) based catalyst for the removal of tar from gasification syngas to yield clean syngas for methanation to biomethane, and evaluating and improving the commercial methanation catalyst. Over the past 5 years, we have accumulated extensive experience in biomass gasification and catalytic conversion of syngas to liquid biofuels including higher alcohols and biodiesel. For the clean-up of syngas, we have developed a unique low-cost iron-based catalyst derived from bauxite residue, a waste from bauxite processing, which shows promising performance based on the tests in a bench scale fixed bed reactor using naphthalene as the simulated tar. TO BE CONT’D

Printed Organic Electronics – Investigation of Biodegradable Surfactants for Printing Applications

Human Adult Stem Cells for Reconstructive Bone Therapies

Abrasion and attrition modelling of pharmaceutical tablets in finishing operations

Development of a value added chain based on brewery residues

Retina-on-a-Chip: Development of a human retina 3-D model integrating tissue derived from iPSCs

Suboptimal Decision-Making in Nectar-Drinking Bats – Cognitive Neuroscience

Robotics navigations in indoor and structured environment.

I will be working on the current project going on which involves studying the Robotics navigations in indoor and structured environment. Apart from that, we will be also looking into the SLAM problem in a humanoid robot (NAO). We are studying two approaches: (i) integration of SLAM with augmented reality, and (ii) SLAM via bio-inspired techniques. Both approached are expected to reduce the computational efforts compared to mathematical model-based SLAM and should also be useful in dynamic environments.
Autonomous navigation is regarded as an essential attribute of intelligent robots (mobile platform or humanoids). However, operating in human world is as important. More and more robots are finding their way to human environments such as factories, universities, hospitals, homes, etc. Perception of different environment and learning specialized tasks within that environment present host of challenging problems. TO BE CONT’D

Development of a biosensor library based on inexpensive printed circuit board technology

The first step is reviewing what has already been done in the lab and around the globe. Then we will Identify the biomarkers to target and techniques that can be used to do so. Next is to design a device in such a manner that the desired interaction is happening for efficient sensing of the target. Coordination with other students working on integration of the device will be maintained in order to ensure that sensor designs can be interfaced to the overall instrument. Then we will fabricate the sensor using machinery in the Micro Instrumentation lab and test the device against real samples. Depending upon its performance during testing phase, there will be some design changes to make it better. Some iterations will be done to come up with best design. Integrating this with the existing biosensor library will ensure possibility of multiplexing the tests. TO BE CONT’D

Extending Automated Segmentation methods for Body Composition Analysis

Body composition, i.e., the proportion of fat and muscle tissues in the human body is related to the risk factors associated with a host of medical conditions. The muscle and fat tissues are target locations for the water- and fat-soluble drugs respectively used for cancer treatment. Consequently, the proportions of these tissues are believed to determine
the chemotherapy toxicity and efficacy. Therefore, the estimation of muscle and fat tissue proportions is an important task in research studies related to cancer prognosis and treatment.
I want to introduce a fully automatic framework for the segmentation of muscle and fat tissues from CT images to estimate body composition. TO BE CONT’D

Model-Aided Performance Analysis from System Traces

System performance can be analyzed by measuring its operation, and by studying a performance model. Each has advantages: measurements have fidelity to the actual system, while models have predictive power. This work will join the two approaches, by creating a model from data collected from traces. If successful, this model will help Ciena to understand performance issues, and to maintain or improve performance as the system evolves.

Cannabis, Mindfulness and Yoga

Cannabis-enhanced yoga known as “Ganja Yoga” is an ancient practice that is burgeoning in North America, providing opportunities for both the cannabis industry and the yoga industry. While there is an accumulation of anecdotal reports regarding Ganja Yoga, there is yet to be research conducted on this topic. Delineating the prevalence, motives, mechanisms, risks, and benefits of Ganja Yoga can inform health practitioners, the yoga industry, and the cannabis industry as this practice continues to proliferate amidst permissive changes to the legal landscape. This study will utilize 3 phases including a survey, observational study, and an administration study. All phases will investigate cannabis as a mechanism to decrease barriers to accessing yoga, effects of the practice on health and well-being, and effects on mindfulness.