Innovative Projects Realized

Conception et évaluation biomécanique d’une ceinture lombaire innovante pour sportifs

La ceinture lombaire est une orthèse couramment utilisée suite à une blessure au bas du dos. Elle est utilisée dans différents contextes, tant au niveau de la réhabilitation, que lors de la pratique de sports. Malheureusement, les experts de la santé ne recommandent pas l’utilisation d’une ceinture lombaire, car elle ne favorise pas le renforcement des muscles de la ceinture abdominale, ce qui est prioritaire suite à une blessure au bas du dos. C’est pourquoi, ce projet de recherche s’intéresse aux performances des ceintures lombaires, plus particulièrement au niveau de la proprioception. En effet, la proprioception fait référence aux informations échangées entre le cerveau et les récepteurs ligamentaires, musculaires et articulaires du corps qui permettent à ce dernier de maintenir un bon équilibre, une bonne coordination des mouvements et une meilleure activation des muscles sollicités. TO BE CONT’D

Adaptation, implantation et évaluation du modèle Attachement, Régulation et Compétences (ARC) auprès d’enfants de 6 à 12 ans en centres de réadaptation

Les jeunes placés en foyer de groupe et en centre de réadaptation constituent une population fort vulnérable car ils présentent des troubles importants dans plusieurs sphère de fonctionnement et de développement, dits « traumas complexes ». Pour répondre aux besoins de ces enfants, plusieurs modèles d’intervention spécialisés en trauma complexe ont été développés. Ce projet s’inscrit dans une plus grande étude en cours depuis 2014, qui vise à documenter et évaluer l’implantation de l’une de ces approches, le modèle Attachement, Régulation et Compétences (ARC) auprès des jeunes en situation de placement. En partenariat avec Boscoville, cette nouvelle phase a comme objectif, de soutenir l’implantation d’une adaptation du modèle ARC pour les enfants de 6 à 12 ans en centre de réadaptation et d’y rattacher de la recherche pour assurer le développement de meilleures pratiques pour l’intervention auprès de cette clientèle vulnérable.

Low-Energy Transfer Trajectory Design and Optimization for Space Exploration

Design tradeoff must be made between the scientific payload and the spacecraft platform in a space

mission. Scientists often want to have as many instruments as possible on the spacecraft and they also

want to be able to use those instruments until the end of the mission. The scientist’s desire for many

instruments translates to a requirement for maximum final mass. Because the initial spacecraft mass is

typically predetermined by the launch vehicle, currently the main approach to increase the final mass is

to reduce the amount of propellant required for maneuvers during the mission. In our research, we will

investigate low-energy interplanetary transfer approach using multi-body system theory. Our industry

partner is currently working on several space exploration missions and trajectory optimization is a key

technology for the success of their missions. The outcome of this project will greatly enhance our

partner’s competitiveness in space industry.

Improving on-seed survival and performance of legume inoculants using genome shuffling

The post-doctoral intern will work with Lallemand Plant Care to develop a superiour rhizobial inoculant for soybean producers. Rhizobial inoculants are symbionts of legumes that provide a source of fixed nitrogen to the plant to increase crop yields. Soybean and pulse crops are valuable resources to Canada’s economy. In 2015, total soybean exports were valued at $ 2.5 billion. Lallemand Plant Care North America specializes in the sale of microbial inoculants that promote crop yield through biostimulation and biofertilization. A key challenge in the market is to provide agricultural users with rhizobial inoculants that remain viable on the plant seed, during extended storage prior to seeding, and perform optimally when planted many months later. The PDF will use genomics technologies to improve the on-seed survival of Lallemand’s soybean inoculants. TO BE CONT’D

Comparative effectiveness of prophylactic therapies for necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants: a network meta-analysis of randomized trials – Phase II

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common and serious intestinal disease among premature infants. It happens when tissue in the small or large intestine is injured or begins to die off. This causes the intestine to become inflamed or, in rare cases, develop perforation. It is associated with significant mortality and morbidity in preterm neonates. Current literature on prevention of NEC lacks direct and indirect comparisons of available therapies. Using state-of-art methods (e.g. network meta-analysis) I intend to compare relevant preventive therapies and find out if there is any difference among them considering patient important outcomes. The partner has relevant expertise in a number of our interventions of interest, including formula milk with arginine, glutamine, prebiotics and probiotics. To BE CONT’D

Fostering a Culture of Sustainability in Organizations

Current approaches to engaging employees in sustainability are ineffective as they focus on increasing one simple behaviour (such as the amount of paper recycled). Research is now moving away from promoting individual behaviours of employees towards fostering a more sustainable corporate culture. However, little research is known about how organizations can foster a Culture of Sustainability. This research will develop a model that fosters a Culture of Sustainability within organizations based on current research. Sustainable Societies Consulting Group and Sustainable Waterloo Region will benefit significantly from this research as they continue to support organizations in reaching their sustainability needs. This research responds to the growing urgency of climate change and involves shaping more sustainable societies.

Étude et optimisation des flux de marchandises dans un centre de distribution

Dans un objectif d’accroissement des ventes au courant des cinq prochaines années, Lowe’s-Rona a pour objectifs de doubler les ventes et de conquérir de nouvelles parts de marché en proposant à la vente de l’électroménager. Pour cela, il est nécessaire de réaliser une étude afin de voir si dans le processus actuel, une telle charge de travail supplémentaire est supportable. Au cours de ce projet, nous allons donc réaliser une étude afin de déceler les goulots et éventuels points bloquants lors d’une augmentation de la charge du centre.
Dans un premier temps nous allons réaliser une cartographie précise du processus. Ce travail nécessitera l’analyse de données historiques accessibles via le système de gestion d’entrepôt, ainsi que l’expertise des responsables et superviseurs présents sur le plancher. A la suite de cela, des travaux d’ordonnancement, d’ingénierie inversée et de modélisation pourront être réalisés. TO BE CONT’D

Exfoliation of graphite within polypropylene compounds by melt compounding

In this project we will employ melt compounding to obtain finely delaminated graphite/polypropylene composites, suitable for automotive applications. The targeted applications involve composites having electrostatic dissipative properties and high flexural modulus. High purity graphite, prepared by a proprietary method developed by the sponsoring organization, Grafoid, will be melt compounded with polypropylene and polypropylene-based thermoplastic olefin blends. Suitable compatibilizers will be chosen to enhance the interfacial interactions between the graphite platelets and the polymer matrix, thus improving the dispersion, and the mechanical properties. The resulting composites will be characterized in detail to assess their morphology, physical properties and electrical conductivity. Optimum conditions for melt compounding will be identified, including temperature, rotation speed, and residence time, with the purpose to optimize the formulations to suit the needs of the industrial partner. TO BE CONT’D

Exploring the Physical Education-Related Needs and Self-Efficacy of Elementary School Teachers

The objective of the proposed internship is to conduct a needs assessment to identify the challenges of teaching physical education in elementary school, and determine supports/resources to improve teachers’ confidence to instruct physical education. As the GoodLife Kids Foundation supports national, provincial, and local programs that provide ongoing physical activity opportunities for kids, findings from this project will be used to inform future program planning and evaluation of prior initiatives.

Mechanistic Characterization of Shredded Tire Stress Dissipation and Drainage Sublayers in Roads to Mitigate Frost Heave in Canadian Field State Conditions

Annually over a million scrap tires are generated in Saskatchewan which in the past have

been disposed of in landfills and streams. At the same time, Saskatchewan has also

experienced a drastic increase in truck traffic on roadway infrastructure that is ageing. This

has resulted in the need for the construction of new roads and the rehabilitation of existing

ones. In addition, significant changes in climatic conditions have also been recorded including

high road substructure moisture problems and an increased number of freeze thaw cycles,

both of which can cause cracks and ruts on road surfaces. Previous research work adopted

the use of shredded tire material as a drainage layer to mitigate frost and moisture problems.

Test sections built using this technology performed well in drainage and frost insulation but

performed poorly in providing structural support. This research examines the possibility of

improving the structural performance of shredded tire road systems through laboratory and

field evaluation.

Development of innovative rock mass mapping techniques in underground mining

Considerable advances in geological and rock engineering mapping methods using both conventional and remote sensing techniques have occurred over the last decade. The primary objective of the proposed research is to develop the use Virtual and Mixed Reality (VR/MR), techniques in improving structural geological and rock mass field data acquisition. New uses of MR and Virtual Reality, VR, methods will be explored in combined field and office settings. The research will enhance the use of existing mine datasets both during mapping and subsequently in office data interpretation and mine design use. The internee will gain expertise in a wide variety of mine and office based rock engineering techniques including state-of-the-art VR/MR and remote sensing methods. A major benefit to SRK will be the development of improved state-of-the-art mapping techniques and optimized exploitation and communication of mine datasets through the use of virtual reality platforms and mixed reality holographic image sets.

Data-driven Adaptive Model Predictive Control of Heat produced by Resistive Heating Elements in Enhanced Oil Recovery

NEXEN has proposed a novel and advanced thermal EOR technique for oil sands recovery, which is both economically efficient and environmentally sustainable as compared to current thermal oil recovery method (SAGD). The focus of this research project is to investigate, analyze, improve, and design heat transfer modeling and control strategies for proposed enhanced oil sands recovery so that it could be commercialized in future. Rate of heat transfer in proposed technique is low as compared to SAGD, which is directly proportional to rate of oil recovery. Therefore, various ways will be investigated to improve heat transfer rate to improve oil recovery. Moreover, adaptive control system will be developed to regulate the temperature of resistive heating elements and medium.