Innovative Projects Realized

Pilot-scale cultivation of microalgae for the production of nutraceuticals

Microorganisms, such as algae, yeast, and bacteria, have the potential to produce nutraceutical, biofuel, and other high-value coproducts directly and efficiently. The difficulty in realizing this potential lies in a) finding the optimal conditions to maximize algae growth and co-product production, and b) scaling up from experiments in a research laboratory to an economically viable production. This project aims to address both of these difficulties to develop a pilot-scale microorganism production platform technology. The project will first focus on the growth of the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis and inducing its production of the powerful antioxidant nutraceutical astaxanthin. Methodologies for this growth and induction, as well as other considerations such as harvesting techniques and product characterization, will be developed with the target of large-scale production. These procedures and practices will then be applied and adapted to the production of additional microorganisms and valuable co-products.

Photonic sensors for rapid and selective detection of bacteria in water – Year two

In recent years monitoring and protection of food and water resources became a priority of governments worldwide. Bio-hazards are potential threat for these resources thus need to be addressed both in industry and in academia. Therefore, developing an accurate, fast and cost effective technique for detection of pathogenic strains called for increased demand on the areas targeted by the fiber-optic systems. In this project we will focus on detecting trace amount of hazardous bacteria in an aqueous environment by developing a novel fiber-optic biosensor system consisting of a bio-receptor overlay (e.g. bacteriophage) to bring the selectivity to the sensor. The optical properties of the signal carried by fiber-optic will be monitored to detect the bacteria and bio-receptor binding. This project can benefit in building a biosensor system as a complementary of the protection systems that are designed and provided by our partner company.

Photonic sensors for rapid and selective detection of bacteria in water

In recent years monitoring and protection of food and water resources became a priority of governments worldwide. Bio-hazards are potential threat for these resources thus need to be addressed both in industry and in academia. Therefore, developing an accurate, fast and cost effective technique for detection of pathogenic strains called for increased demand on the areas targeted by the fiber-optic systems. In this project we will focus on detecting trace amount of hazardous bacteria in an aqueous environment by developing a novel fiber-optic biosensor system consisting of a bio-receptor overlay (e.g. bacteriophage) to bring the selectivity to the sensor. The optical properties of the signal carried by fiber-optic will be monitored to detect the bacteria and bio-receptor binding. This project can benefit in building a biosensor system as a complementary of the protection systems that are designed and provided by our partner company.

Respirable Crystalline Silica: A Risk Assessment Tool for the Construction Sector

Silica is a known lung carcinogen and causes silicosis, an irreversible fibrotic lung disease. RCS is a major problem in the construction sector because of the high content of silica in construction materials. New tools are needed to help the construction industry in recognition, evaluation and control of RCS. The intern will develop an on-line tool that will provide the over 40,000 BC construction employers with access to archived silica exposure measurement data to enable quantitative risk assessment and appropriate control selection.

Development of a Live Inspection Tool for Metallic Pipes (PipeDiver (MP))

The proposed project is on development of a live inspection tool for metallic water mains – PipeDiver(MP). According to an inventory of water mains for 21 cities across Canada, about 75% of pipe length is metallic pipe and less than 4% is PCCP (the rest are PVC and Asbestos-Cement pipes). It is estimated that these percentages are applicable to North America, and the total length of water mains in North America is about 10 times of the total length in Canada. PPIC has identified the great opportunity to extend their expertise, knowledge and market leadership in concrete water pipelines to metallic pipelines. Utilities and corporations with metallic water pipelines face much more challenges and risks than those of the concrete pipelines. There is a great need for the new metallic pipe inspection technique. The proposed project will accomplish several key steps of the PipeDiver (MP) development at PPIC.

Autonomous Sensor System for Monitoring Torque from the Flexplate – Year two

While torque is an important parameter in automotive performance, there are currently very few effective methods to monitor it in vehicles. The aim of this project is to develop a low-cost solution for real time engine torque monitoring. An autonomous sensor module will be developed and mounted to the flexplate connecting the engine and the transmission system in vehicles with wasted vibration energy in the flexplates being harnessed to power the sensor module. High-efficiency circuits and low-power, reliable torque sensing methods will be developed to achieve energy, processing and communication autonomy without batteries or wire connections. The developed system will be advantageous for its small size, light weight, long lifespan, and low cost. This project, taken on in collaboration with Magna Powertrain, will strongly underpin the development of intelligent vehicle technologies such as the driverless car system and powertrain control system in electric vehicles.

Autonomous Sensor System for Monitoring Torque from the Flexplate

While torque is an important parameter in automotive performance, there are currently very few effective methods to monitor it in vehicles. The aim of this project is to develop a low-cost solution for real time engine torque monitoring. An autonomous sensor module will be developed and mounted to the flexplate connecting the engine and the transmission system in vehicles with wasted vibration energy in the flexplates being harnessed to power the sensor module. High-efficiency circuits and low-power, reliable torque sensing methods will be developed to achieve energy, processing and communication autonomy without batteries or wire connections. The developed system will be advantageous for its small size, light weight, long lifespan, and low cost. This project, taken on in collaboration with Magna Powertrain, will strongly underpin the development of intelligent vehicle technologies such as the driverless car system and powertrain control system in electric vehicles.

Encapsulation strategies for the enhanced performance of activeingredients in cosmetic products

“Functional foods and cosmetics contain physiologically active compounds. However, many active ingredients are susceptible to degradation and/or are not efficiently absorbed by the body. It is increasingly recognized that the composition and physical structures of the products, and interactions between ingredients in the matrix can impact the stability and availability of active ingredients. Encapsulation is an important strategy for protecting and delivering active ingredients and it has a long history of use in food and cosmetic industries. Several encapsulation vehicles for active ingredients have been developed, however their efficacy in delivering active ingredients is not well characterized. This research proposal addresses the value-chain development and enhancement of active ingredients using different encapsulation vehicles for food and cosmetic applications. Results of this project will bring research from the academia to the industry, which will lead to potential commercialization of novel functional food and petroleum-free cosmetic products.”

Encapsulation strategies for the enhanced performance of active ingredients in foods and non-food products

“Functional foods and cosmetics contain physiologically active compounds. However, many active ingredients are susceptible to degradation and/or are not efficiently absorbed by the body. It is increasingly recognized that the composition and physical structures of the products, and interactions between ingredients in the matrix can impact the stability and availability of active ingredients. Encapsulation is an important strategy for protecting and delivering active ingredients and it has a long history of use in food and cosmetic industries. Several encapsulation vehicles for active ingredients have been developed, however their efficacy in delivering active ingredients is not well characterized. This research proposal addresses the value-chain development and enhancement of active ingredients using different encapsulation vehicles for food and cosmetic applications. Results of this project will bring research from the academia to the industry, which will lead to potential commercialization of novel functional food and petroleum-free cosmetic products.”

End-User Understanding of Web Certificates – Year two

Users must decide which websites to trust and which to avoid. How can users know if a website is truly what it claims to be? This is a pivotal issue. When attackers can convince users to trust their sites, though phishing or other strategies, user security and privacy are easily compromised, malware can be downloaded, and infrastructure undermined.
Our plan is to conduct user studies to explore the understanding of browser-presented certificate information. We will conduct both qualitative studies, to explore understanding through observation and interviews, and larger quantitative studies, to statistically assess hypotheses. The partner would benefit from this work because they are concerned that users are currently not aware of the available certifications and need insight as to why this is.

Evaluation of appearance, corrosion properties and leach resistance of modified micronized copper preservative treated wood

Title: Evaluation of appearance, corrosion properties and leach-resistance of modified micronized-copper preservative treated wood

Sponsor: Timber Specialties Co.

Intern: Myung Jae Lee

Supervisor: Paul Cooper

University: University of Toronto

Recently introduced micronized copper wood preservative system has successfully captured most of the treated wood market in the USA; however, it cannot be acceptable in Canada because the wood surface is mottled and streaky in appearance when it is applied to Canadian wood species (spruce-pine fir). This problem may be solved by partially solubilizing copper with MEA to provide an even color to wood surface. If this modification does not compromise the excellent Cu leach resistance, corrosion resistance and expected mould resistance of the micronized copper system, the partner organization will be able to get this improved treatment accepted in the Canadian market. The intern will evaluate the modified system focusing on optimizing the formulation to address the above issues over a four month research period.

End-User Understanding of Web Certificates

“Much of life is online, so online security is critical. While many aspects of security are infrastructural, users must make key decisions. In particular, users must decide which websites to trust and which to avoid. How can users know if a website is truly what it claims to be? This is a pivotal issue. When attackers can convince users to trust their sites, though phishing or other strategies, user security and privacy are easily compromised, malware can be downloaded, and infrastructure undermined.Our plan is to conduct user studies to explore the understanding of browser-presented certificate information. We will conduct both qualitative studies, to explore understanding through observation and interviews, and larger quantitative studies, to statistically assess hypotheses. The partner would benefit from this work because they are concerned that users are currently not aware of the available certifications and need insight as to why this is.”