Innovative Projects Realized

Explore thousands of successful projects resulting from collaboration between organizations and post-secondary talent.

31132 Completed Projects

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685
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882
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9291
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9695
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97
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601
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Projects by Category

Deriving probiotics for male health

We are starting to understand a lot more about the bacteria in our intestinal tract which is called the microbiome. We think that these microorganisms are able to modulate the production of human hormones such as testosterone and actually produce some of these substances under specific conditions. We will look at the ability of beneficial probiotic strains to stimulate host or bacterial production in order to improve men’s health and ultimately would like to produce a probiotic product to do this for commercialisation. This will benefit the intern through microbiological investigations and the partner (Lallemand) who is a commercial producer of probiotics.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jeremy Burton

Student:

Partner:

Lallemand Bio Ingredients;Western University

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture; Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Western University

Program:

Accelerate

Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks to predict compound-target interactions

Getting a new drug from the laboratory into the market is a lengthy and costly process which takes on average 12 years and over US$350 million to accomplish. It is composed of roughly 3 phases: (1) pre-clinical research, (2) clinical studies, and (3) the new drug application review. In this work, we propose an artificial intelligence system which will shorten the time it takes for pharmaceutical companies to identify novel drugs (compounds) for a given target (usually a protein or a protein complex). Our proposed system will predict the interactions between compounds and targets based on their 3D structure, and will be based on a large-scale and publically available database (ChEMBL) which contains information on 11,019 targets and more than 1.5 million compounds. We expect that our “learning from examples” approach, compared to the more traditional approach of manual engineering, will allow our system to better “understand” the structure of compounds and targets, and therefore, better predict their interactions.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Christian Jacob

Student:

Partner:

eXDee Ltd

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Calgary

Program:

Accelerate

Development of dual antibody therapies for cancer

Cancer is a devastating disease defined by genetic changes that result in the activation of proteins that encourage cell growth or prevent cell death. Modern oncology aims to specifically target these tumour-promoting proteins, which has the secondary benefit of leaving normal cells unharmed, unlike chemotherapy. Recently, a number of drugs that specifically block tumour-promoting proteins have been produced, yet the results are underwhelming: most targeted therapies show an initial benefit, followed by the development of resistance. To combat resistance, targeted therapies are often combined in multi-drug regimens, though these strategies are biased towards using existing drugs. Our approach aims to first identify new ‘helper’ drug targets that, when blocked, improve the efficacy of first generation targeted therapies being developed at the Centre for the Commercialization of Antibodies and Biologics (CCAB). Our second aim is to develop drugs that block the identified targets by engineering versions of naturally-occurring human proteins – antibodies – that bind the targets. These antibodies will be tested for their ability to increase targeted therapy efficacy, hopefully establishing novel approaches for cancer treatment and positively impacting the development of CCAB cancer drugs.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jason Moffat

Student:

Partner:

Centre for the Commercialization of Antibodies and Biologics;University of Toronto

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Toronto

Program:

Elevate

Designing novel algorithms for capturing and analyzing user experience in 4G networks

Fourth Generation networks (4G), mainly Long Term Evolution (LTE) technologies are going to be deployed in large scale starting from 2011. To leverage the benefits of this huge market opportunity, service and content providers need to deliver data capacity and Quality of Service (QoS) similar to existing wire line solutions. But, assuring good QoS over wireless links to the 4G mobile users would be an extremely challenging task. From this perspective, tools and solutions to service-level assurance for 4G networks will be in great demand. Hence, developing a software based framework for service quality assurance of 4G services is very important, because of the still evolving LTE standards and services. Having a software based framework, which the proposed project focuses on, will give complete flexibility for upgrade of the solution, as the standard and mobile services evolve.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Amiya Nayak

Student:

Partner:

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Information and cultural industries; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Ottawa

Program:

Accelerate

Towards a sustainable anti-biofilm technology based on natural materials

Biofilms, surface-adherent microbial populations with enhanced tolerance to antibiotics and disinfectants, are widely-known contamination sources in environmental, industrial and medical settings. Novel approaches for the prevention and remediation of biofilms using nontoxic materials are urgently required. Interestingly, natural polysaccharides and nanopowders have anti-biofilm properties. We will develop a sustainable anti-biofilm technology using PhytoSpherix™ (Mirexus), a natural nanosized polysaccharide extracted from corn. High water dispensability and hydrating ability, paired with a capability to form ultra-thin-films, make PhytoSpherix™ an exceptional candidate anti-biofilm agent. Preliminary work has demonstrated that chemically-modified PhytoSpherix™ limits biofilm growth and enhances susceptibility to diverse antimicrobials. In the proposed project, we will employ Pseudomonads (ubiquitous spoilage bacteria and pathogen in industrial and medical settings) and Cyanobacteria (photosynthetic bacteria in aqueous environments) to study anti-biofilm properties of PhytoSpherix™ particles. For this purpose, we will perform laboratory experiments and use a variety of high resolution microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, which will yield critical insight into the mechanism of PhytoSpherix™ anti-biofilm properties and provide basis for the rationale design of novel anti-biofilm regimens. Licensing PhytoSpherix™-based formulations to industry will enable Mirexus to generate early revenue streams, hire more staff, further invest in R&D, and build a manufacturing plant – all in Canada.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Maria Dittrich

Student:

Partner:

Mirexus;University of Toronto Scarborough

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Environmental Science and Technology; Sustainability & the Environment; Water

University:

University of Toronto Scarborough

Program:

Elevate

iCity Urban Informatics for Sustainable Metropolitan Growth

The visualization/decision support work encompassed by this application addresses key elements of the upgrade path for that strategic part of IBM Canada’s smarter cities product and service portfolio– as urban transport systems evolve, their escalating complexity requires more advanced visualization tools and practices. The specific project proposed for development within the MITACS brief is:• development of a high-quality interactive 3D “”smart”” model of the Toronto Waterfront area bounded by Queen street to the north, Lake Ontario to the south, Shaw street to the west, and the Don river to the east.• the smart model will include a detailed 3D model of all buildings, streets, curbs, vegetation, street furniture, with elements either linked to current open data resources or actually procedurally generated on the fly on the basis of geodata.• the smart model and its ancillary information assets will be implemented separately in StoryFacets, Betaville, and CityEngine• the Betaville and StoryFacets implementations of the smart model will undergo user testing and iterative development with a broad range of users, recruited specifically to provide for variety of skill levels and engagement types: expert users of related professional tools, engaged citizens and advocates, decision-makers reliant on urban data visualizations.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Sara Diamond;Sara Louise Diamond

Student:

Partner:

IBM Canada Ltd;OCAD University

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Public Service, Policy, and Governance; Information and Communications Technology; Sustainability & the Environment

University:

OCAD University

Program:

Elevate

Sustainable production of engineered wood products in Northwestern Ontario: Developing harmonized decision models and standards for local materials

The global demand for engineered wood products (EWP) is increasing and in the last two decades, timber has captured substantial market shares from the mineral-based solid construction materials, particularly in the construction of residential and non-residential buildings. Although, the production of glue laminated timber (Glulam) and cross laminated timber (CLT) engineered wood products has been growing in other provinces of Canada, there are no manufacturing facilities in Ontario to service the local and the Midwest and Great Lakes States markets. Leaf EWP is establishing a new value-added facility in Thunder Bay, Ontario to manufacture Glulam and CLT EWP from timber species available in Northwestern Ontario. The purpose of this proposed research project is to ensure sustainable production of the Glulam and CLT EWP from local material in Northwestern Ontario. The models to be developed in this research project will help in establishing standards for manufacturing, testing the flexural design properties, and ensuring the performance of laminated EWP produced from local species. The supply chain models proposed in this project, which focus on economic optimization based on available supply and global market demand, are unique in studying the trade-off between economic, social and environmental impacts of laminated EWP in Northwestern Ontario.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Mathew Leitch

Student:

Partner:

LEAF Engineered Wood Products;Lakehead University

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

Lakehead University

Program:

Elevate

Development and Evaluation of a Life Threatening Infections Point-of-Care Triage Test for the Fionet System

Febrile syndromes are among the most common causes of global illness accounting for approximately two billion episodes annually. However, most infections are self-limited and only rarely do they progress to critical illness. Our current inability to rapidly identify the small proportion of individuals who will progress to life-threatening infections (LTIs) is a major barrier to effective triage and precision management of serious infections. Our research has identified biomarkers with high diagnostic accuracy for LTIs. We aim to integrate these diagnostic and prognostic markers with Fio Corporation’s platform (Fionet) to develop two products: a 1 hour “near-patient” platform suitable for use in intensive care units and emergency departments; and a point-of-care rapid diagnostic test suitable for community use in low resource settings. The rapid identification of individuals with LTI will decrease mortality and prevent the misallocation of health resources due to over-admission and unnecessary treatment of patients with self-limited fevers.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Kevin Kain

Student:

Partner:

Fio Corporation;University of Toronto

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Toronto

Program:

Elevate

L’industrie 4.0 : La philosophie allemande chez les PME nord-américaines

Le projet de recherche proposé pour ce doctorat porte principalement sur l’industrie 4.0. Étant une toute nouvelle tendance industrielle, développée en Allemagne depuis moins de 5 ans, les entreprises et les académiques s’y attardent de plus en plus. L’industrie 4.0 représente la 4ème révolution industrielle. Elle représente la connectivité entre toutes les parties d’un système, d’une industrie, d’une organisation. Elle est de plus en plus utilisée dans les grandes industries allemandes et pourtant, très peu d’entreprises québécoises ont adhéré à cette nouvelle philosophie. Est-ce en raison d’une mauvaise adaptation du concept ? Ou simplement en raison d’un manque de connaissance à l’égard du sujet ? Les entreprises sont-elles suffisamment matures pour intégrer l’industrie 4.0 ? Ce projet de recherche tentera de répondre à ces questions et évaluer l’intérêt et la façon d’implanter et utiliser la philosophie d’industrie 4.0 dans les PME.
La compréhension réelle de la réalité d’une entreprise permettra d’améliorer leur productivité et leur développement. L’industrie 4.0 a pour objectif d’améliorer la connectivité entre chaque élément d’un système. TO BE CONT’D

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Faculty Supervisor:

Georges Abdul-Nour

Student:

Partner:

Productique Québec Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing and Construction; Advanced Manufacturing; Information and Communications Technology

University:

Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières

Program:

Accelerate

Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and New Forms ofPolitical Engagement in Canada

Over the past three decades, there have been drastic declines in voter turnout and traditional political participation across North America, particularly among younger demographics. As young people increasingly move away from institutionally-driven practices, political participation is no longer only defined by voting in elections, volunteering with civic associations and town hall meetings but increasingly manifests through civic media – political engagement facilitated by digital tools. As civic engagement shifts toward greater use of networked and mobile communication, there is an increasing demand among government agencies, non-profits, labour groups, and businesses for research into how digital media is being used to empower citizens and make government more accessible. However, despite being increasingly central to political life, it is not clear the degree to which civic media and digital tools have an impact on political outcomes in Canada or the ways in which they can be improved to facilitated deeper efficacy. In partnership with national young engagement organization Apathy is Boring, the research internship paints picture of the digital engagement sector – analyzing how the sector is using digital media to constitute political public realms and providing critical insights to the future of digital grassroots politics in Canada. TO BE CONT’D

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Faculty Supervisor:

Stuart Poyntz

Student:

Partner:

Apathy is Boring

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program:

Accelerate

Microfabrication of biosensor for detection of fluid leakages in post-operative complications

With every surgery, there is always a risk that a post-operative complication could occur. NERv Technology Inc. is developing a disruptive solution to post-operative complications. NERv is developing an implantable biochip with multiple biosensors capable of detecting post-operative complications in real-time. NERv has developed a macro-prototype capable of detecting internal bleeding and the leakage of bodily fluids in real-time. Using the intern’s experience in microfabrication technology, the intern will work with NERv to scale down the current macro-prototype to the micron level in order to integrate the biosensor on the biochip.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Bo Cui

Student:

Partner:

FluidAI Medical;University of Waterloo

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Nanotechnology; Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Biotechnology

University:

University of Waterloo

Program:

Accelerate

Unmanned Air Vehicles: Conformal Antenna and Shape Sensing in Flexible Aeroservoelastic Flight Demonstrators

QUATERNION has partnered with BOEING USA on a flight validation and evaluation program using Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to identify the operational system that replaces the 900MHz Autopilot Whip Antenna, integration of the printed antenna system into the UAS and related connectorization, fiber optic and strain gauge instrumentation in support of the shape prediction system and associated flight testing. As part of this development, QUATERNION is actively developing tools and processes to improve the predictive capabilities their in-house design and validation tools on printed electronics, sensors, antennae and shape sensing for the UAV market. QUATERNION is specifically interested in the flight test demonstration using UAV technology to further the maturation of printed electronics and structural antennae.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Curran Crawford

Student:

Partner:

Quaternion Aerospace

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Victoria

Program:

Accelerate

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Mitacs — Return on Innovation

Mitacs is funded by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Government of British Columbia, Research Manitoba, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Ontario, Innovation PEI, the Government of Quebec, the Government of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Yukon.