Innovative Projects Realized

New graphene thermoplastics nanocomposites with improved mechanical, electrical properties and EMI shielding effectiveness

In a prior project, promising results were obtained showing the possibility of using graphene/polymer composites as advanced materials having superior properties than the conventional carbon black loaded polymers. The composites obtained presented electrical conductivities with values of about 10-2 S/m when the percolation threshold was exceeded, an increase of more than 12 orders of magnitude with respect to the unloaded polymer. The goal of this project is to optimize these graphene/polymer composites, mainly graphene/thermoplastic composites, in order for them to be use for various applications, such EMI shielding, semi-conductive screens in power cables or stress grading material in high voltage equipment.

Évaluation de la valorisation d’un modèle d’affaires dans un processus de servicisation basé sur l’Internet des Objets : Une étude de cas dans une entreprise manufacturière québécoise

La 4e révolution industrielle (connue comme l’Industrie 4.0) sonne à nos portes. Nous sommes dans une ère de consommation immédiate, rapide, personnalisée et orientée service. Les entreprises manufacturières sont poussées à répondre à cette demande grandissante toujours plus rapidement, efficacement et intelligemment. Plusieurs technologies issues de l’Industrie 4.0 existent pour aider les entreprises à devenir plus durable, comme la fabrication additive (impression 3D), les mégadonnées, l’Internet des Objets (IoT), entre autres. Puisqu’il s’agit d’un domaine encore en émergence, la littérature scientifique sur le sujet est limitée. C’est pourquoi nous avons décidés de faire avancer la science à l’aide d’une étude de cas dans une entreprise manufacturière qui souhaite passer au 4.0. Nous avons comme objectif d’implanter une approche IoT manufacturier afin d’évaluer sa contribution potentielle. TO BE CONT’D

Mobile Robotic Platform for Autonomous Data Collection on Large Complex Construction Projects

Autonomous data collection on construction sites has increasing potential to replace manual surveying methods, which are expensive, non-scalable, and potentially dangerous for the workers involved. In the proposed research the intern will work with industry partners Veerum and Clearpath Robotics to advance the technology which is needed to conduct autonomous data collection on large construction projects using mobile vehicles. Expected tasks include the transfer of technology and software tools that Veerum has developed for automatic data collection onto a Clearpath Robotics unmanned ground vehicle, and to further enhance the software modules necessary for autonomous data collection, specifically GPS waypoint navigation. Veerum and Clearpath will benefit from this project by having a globally scalable commercial solution for autonomous data collection on construction sites.

Live Line Maintenance and Inspection Robotics Manipulation

This project aims at working closely with Manitoba Hydro, to examine existing techniques and further

develop new tools that allow remote access to live transmission lines equipment that cannot be out of

service. More specifically, we aim to employ robots to partially substitute for, and work cooperatively

with, crew directed at service interruption free maintenance and inspection of live transmission lines.

Such operations are often complex, hazardous and labor intensive. We intend to understand the extent

to which advanced robotics technologies can improve productivity and working conditions.

The outcome of this project will offer Manitoba Hydro with a validated technology that, combined

with traditional man-in-the-loop operation, will perform advanced control of a robot mounted on

elevated platforms in order to enhance some of its inspections, maintenance and repair related tasks on

equipment that cannot be out of service. The challenging nature of the project and the industry

involvement will ensure that the research will lead to the discovery of new…

Conception basée sur l’essai à la plaque des sols et fondations routières traitées aux liants hydrauliques

Afin d’obtenir une infrastructure efficace et durable, il est primordial que ses composants résistent aux intempéries et à l’usure des usagers. L’amélioration des sols d’infrastructures et des fondations routières peut se faire de différentes manières, notamment en y ajoutant un liant hydraulique. On décrit alors le résultat

Development of an automated system for counting fetal and maternal red blood cells in clinical KB Test

The Kleihauer-Betke (KB) test is the standard method for quantitating fetal-maternal hemorrhage in maternal care. The critical component of the KB test is the counting of fetal and maternal red blood cells (RBC). However, manual counting still the dominant clinical method for KB test. Manual RBC counting takes ~20 minutes. In a standard procedure, a lab technologist, looking through the eyepieces of a microscope, manually counts about 2,000 RBC and calculates the fetal-maternal RBC ratio. As is common with tedious manual operations, cost, human error and inconsistent subjective judgement are always a concern. To tackle the problem, researchers from University of Toronto and from Sigma Bio-Instrument Inc. are working together to develop an automated cell counting system, which is important for Sigma Bio-Instrument Inc. to remain competitive in the healthcare sector, but also to demonstrate the company’s leadership position in developing health related products. TO BE CONT’D

Modelling Guidance for Seaton Lands Urbanizing Watershed

Stormwater from urban areas has continuously contributed to degradation of stream health in Ontario, despite a number of measures being put in place for new developments. More recently, a Low Impact Development (LID) approach, aimed at controlling the rain runoff at the source, has been promoted and implemented. This project will focus on developing a novel approach for computer modelling of LID and legacy stormwater management practices to better inform the decision making and approval of such practices in new developments. The methodology will be tested and applied on headwaters of Duffins Creek, where the watershed land is currently undergoing significant development and that is also being closely monitored.

Robust Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Short T2 Tissues

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging modality which can visualize the internal structure of the human body and is free of radiation. In this project, we would like to write a multi-functional and robust MRI software package using ultrashort echo time (UTE) technique to realize the imaging of the tissues, such as tendons, ligaments, and cortical bone, which are difficult to view through conventional MRI techniques. This project will contribute a reliable imaging tool to our partner, Siemens Healthcare Canada, to further transform this tool into a medical solution which is able to aid the diagnosis of the associated diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA).

Use of non-invasive wildlife detection data to identify habitat of importance to focal species in a conservation and forestry matrix

Understanding how many animals live in a given area, and how those animals move from one place to another, is centrally important for properly conserving and managing landscapes. This project aims to study grizzly bear populations in the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia, BC. It will use DNA data collectively non-invasively from grizzly bears at sampling stations throughout the region. This work will identify which parts of the landscape support the greatest numbers of individuals, and which areas are particularly important for allowing grizzly bears to move from one place to another in search of food, mates, and other life requirements. These insights will help guide conservation efforts and land use decisions in the area, helping to ensure activities do not jeopardize core areas for this species of considerable conservation interest.

Mise en place d’un processus de mise à jour de la norme ISO13485 et application aux systèmes de gestion de la qualité du Lio et de Emovi Inc

ISO, Organisation internationale de normalisation en charge d’élaborer des normes d’application volontaire, a émis en 2016, une nouvelle version de la norme spécifique aux dispositifs médicaux ISO 13485 qui vient remplacer celle de 2003 et porte sur les systèmes de management de la qualité. Elle énonce les exigences réglementaires auxquelles doivent s’adapter les entreprises oeuvrant dans le secteur des dispositifs médicaux. Or, le passage d’une norme à l’autre est souvent problématique à différents niveaux pour les entreprises. Afin de les aider dans cette transition, ce projet de recherche vise à mettre en place une méthodologie appropriée. Ce travail se fondera sur une recherche bibliographique, une étude comparative des versions 2003 et 2016 de la norme ISO 13485 et une analyse des modifications à mettre en oeuvre dans un premier temps au LIO du CRCHUM, puis dans l’entreprise Emovi Inc à Montréal.

The Core Connectors Initiative

The proposed study evaluates The Core Connectors Initiative (CCI), a high school-based suicide prevention program designed to help youth gain peer support skills and mental health knowledge. CCI involves two phases, a 14-module training phase and an action phase. Facilitators who have backgrounds in counselling psychology or related disciplines will pilot the program in 5 high schools. CCI is based on a peer education suicide prevention program, Youth as Gatekeepers (Ohlmann, Kwee, & Lees, 2014). Through a partnership between AAF and the UBC’s Centre for Group Counselling and Trauma (CGCT), the goal is to develop an excellent and well-researched program available as a resource for high schools to systemically address mental health concerns among youth. This partnership aligns with the mandates of both organizations: CGCT is focused on advancing group counselling initiatives, while AAF aims to prevent and address mental health challenges faced by
youth by fostering healthy social connections.

Quantifying soil organic carbon sequestration performance of the City of Calgary Willow Biomass and Marginal Land Reclamation Demonstration Project: Assessing potential provincial carbon emissions offset credit opportunities

The emerging emissions trading market provides the province of Alberta an opportunity to diversify its economy and drive climate change mitigation innovation. By improving the efficiency of earning carbon credits, more economic opportunities and carbon sequestration industrial applications are feasible. The City of Calgary Dewatered Biosolids Land Application – Willow Biomass and Marginal Land Reclamation Demonstration Project represents part of the first wave of large-scale biologically driven greenhouse gas management innovation. In this case, SOC sequestration is a beneficial by-product of sustainable waste management practices. However in the future, when potential projects and opportunities are more deliberately assessed on the bases of their sustainable development merits, triple-bottom-line scores, carbon emissions trading value, and measurable soil fertility restoration improvements, their SOC sequestration potential may be just the added value needed to tip the balance towards approving biogenic projects and further developing climate change mitigation and sustainable development technologies.