Innovative Projects Realized

Ransomware Detection through Device and Network Behavior Monitoring

Ransomware consists of malicious software that after infecting a target device prevents the device owner from using effectively the corresponding resources until the demands of the ransomware operator are met usually by paying a ransom, typically using cryptocurrencies.
Despite the growing number of ransomware infections, their increasing sophistication, and their significant financial and operational impact, available defensive mechanisms are still embryonic. Most of the existing approaches are signature-based, and as such struggle with the evolving nature of ransomware, of which currently over 160 different strains have identified.
Furthermore, existing approaches are overwhelmingly host-based. This is because it is very challenging to identify distinctive characteristics of ransomware activity from network traffic. However, such characteristics do exist and can be valuable in early detection of ransomware, or of ongoing ransomware activities. TO BE CONT’D

Scientific Computing with Applications in Geophysics

and mineral exploration and in the environmental investigation. With the advanced in modern

technology, enormous progress has been made in applying scientific computing to investigate

large scale and complex geophysical problems. TerraNotes Ltd GEOPHYSICS is a company

developing advanced technologies which are capable of solving practical and real geophysical problems.

The present MITACS Accelerate Internship is a continuation of the MITACS-TerraNotes Internship

project which was completed recently in June 2011. In this project, we focus on development of

efficient and robust numerical algorithms for inverse resistivity model, in which the object is to

extract important geophysical parameters such as the depth level from the field test resistivity data. The

developed program will be integrated into the existing in-house application software developed at

TerraNotes

A survey of Pinot Noir Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast populations and grape quality in three Okanagan Valley vineyard sub-regions

Wine is produced by fermenting sugars in grape juice to ethanol by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae). The major BC viticulture area is located in the Okanagan valley, a 200km region that runs from north to south, which aims to produce high quality wines that can be distinguished based on terroir. Terroir is a term that describes all the environmental factors that influence the wine including climate, terrain, soil, grape varietal and microbial populations. To fully express the terroir, winemakers carry out spontaneous fermentations that rely on microbial populations associated with the grape berry and winery to carry out the fermentation. Pinot Noir grapes are successfully cultivated along the Okanagan valley and represent an ideal varietal to study microbial populations associated with terroir. Our proposed research is to identify the yeast populations associated with Pinot Noir grapes from 3 regions of the Okanagan valley. TO BE CONT’D

Internalizing risks: Value Creation from Internalizing Non-Technical Risks – Mining Sector Case

This work seeks to contribute to developing the “business case” through valuation of environmental and social impacts related to potential risks in the extractive sector taking into consideration both academic and practitioner settings. A solid review of methodologies will lead to important considerations to improve the current assessment and valuation tools. The latter aims to help practitioners better estimate environmental and social impacts, and thus implement more informed strategies that reduce both business and societal risks.

Étude des paramètres qui influencent la séparation des composés de fer compris dans les résidus de bauxite calcinés

Le but de cette étude est de réaliser une séparation magnétique de la magnétite (oxyde de fer) contenue dans le résidu de bauxite calciné, dans le but de le valoriser. L’étude se déroule en plusieurs volets : la caractérisation du résidu de bauxite, l’investigation et l’évaluation de méthode de séparation et le développement d’un modèle mathématique. La caractérisation permet de connaitre entre autres la distribution granulométrique et les espèces chimiques. L’évaluation des méthodes de séparation permet d’identifier le ou les processus les plus prometteurs ainsi que les paramètres d’influence de la séparation. Le modèle mathématique permettra de réaliser des simulations. Le montage expérimental est un séparateur à échelle réduite avec lequel se feront les mesures de trajectoires, de vitesses, de concentration à la sortie. Les mesures de trajectoires et de vitesse se font par imagerie, et les concentrations à la sortie par gravimétrie. TO BE CONT’D

Reconnaissance et affichage en réalité augmentée des attributs d’un paquet de bois d’oeuvre dans une cours à bois

On veut créer un logiciel en Réalité Augmentée capable de fournir à un opérateur travaillant dans une cour à bois toutes les informations dont il a besoin pour effectuer un travail de manutention dans cette cour. Pour cela, le système doit être capable de connaître en temps réel les positions des tous les paquets ainsi que de l’opérateur lui-même. Il faut aussi concevoir une interface adaptée à une utilisation en parallèle avec d’autres taches. Ce projet utilisera comme support le casque de Réalité Augmentée HoloLens de Microsoft. Pour FPInnovations, ce projet s’intègre dans un cadre plus large de développement des nouvelles technologies dans le domaine de la foresterie et est une preuve de concept d’un système facilitant la prise de décision pour les conducteurs de machinerie forestière.

Development of a Co-Simulation Platform for Electrical Systems

The proposed research aims to develop better computer simulation tools for the study of large electrical power systems. The premise of the research is based upon the concept of co-simulation, wherein two specialized computer simulation tools, each with unique features and strengths, are used in conjunction to solve a large electrical system. In the particular case of the proposed research work, this will be achieved using an interface between an electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulator and a dynamic-phasor (DP) simulator. The interfaced DP-EMT simulator will be able to simulate systems much larger than what is possible with an EMT solver and with reduced computational intensity, which will result in saving in computing time and resources.

Field Study of Community-Based Personal Support Workers’ Occupational Exposures to Injury Risk Factors

Personal Support Workers (PSWs) provide 70-80% of all paid home care. Unfortunately, they experience occupational injuries at more than twice the rate of the general population. These injuries increase costs for home care providers, reduce the availability of skilled workers, reduce workers’ quality of life, and impact the consistency of care that can be provided to clients.
This project is part of a larger study to directly measure the physical risk factors for common injuries as PSWs assist with daily activities in clients’ homes. This internship will focus on understanding how consistent these physical demands are when caring for a given client, and on making data analysis efficient, to improve the efficiency of the overall study. A better understanding of the physical demands of providing home care will allow home care agencies to improve their injury prevention programs and avoid the costs associated with PSW injuries.

Nanostructured functional materials from the bottom up

In this series of collaborative projects, we propose a combination of computational and experimental investigations of the preparation and dielectric properties of new, mixed inorganic materials. We will optimize the fabrication process of standard oxide dielectrics and semiconductors, and mixed derivative materials for efficiency and costs, and study the effects of making small modifications to the material’s composition on its field response. The materials proposed here have the potential to evolve in a new class of energy storage and related technology within the next 10 years. Additionally, we will computationally optimize surface deposition processes and identify reactants, substituents, catalysts, and precursors for thin film deposition of materials, including dielectrics and semiconductors for electrode and barrier applications. This in itself will be a significant part of the theoretical and practical R&D work that will be carried out.

Crowd-Sourced Bathymetry in the Northern Canada areas

The main objective of these two subprojects is to provide a web portal for uploading hydrography related data of sensors system embedded on fishing boat of volunteers in Canada Northern communities. Indeed, the geospatial portal will provide a comprehensive framework to allow for the storage, discovery and accessibility of the bathymetric and related oceanographic data from a data repository enabling to be functional including low Internet connection setup. Once, the data uploaded on the server, cross-validation and data format standards will be checked through the system. A complete metadata form will be designed in order to enhance the possibility of study on data quality and uncertainty assessment of group or individual data provider. Geospatial knowledge discovery methods will be applied to develop a Geospatial Business Intelligence (GeoBI) system in order to visual analytic purpose for geospatially informed decision-making.

Methodology Research on Business Process Reengineering with a Neutral Information Modelof ERPs

McCoy recognizes U of A’s capability in engineering informatics and has approached U of A

to conduct a joint research program to investigate a methodology applicable to McCoy’s

unique business practice nature for implementing a new enterprise resources planning

system. The most challenging research aspect of novelty is the requirement of a neutral

information model that is to be developed in support of the transition from the existing ERP to

the future system with the minimum data reengineering effort. McCoy and U of A would like to

leverage MITACS Internship Cluster Program to anchor this joint research effort. Under this

program, over a period of 2 years, 12 intern units are planned for three graduate students.

The key benefits for McCoy Company are the development of a well investigated

methodology framework and the manpower knowledge fusion and training throughout the

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project. These benefits will greatly reduce the risks of implementing a new and more…

Understanding DETA in the Strathcona Tailings Area

Glencore is considering the use of DETA (diethylenetriamine), a mineral processing reagent, to improve process performance in Strathcona Mill, located near Sudbury, Ontario. DETA forms soluble complexes with nickel and copper ions, and can cause the concentration of these metal ions to exceed the value permitted in the final effluent. The objectives of this project are to conduct geochemical modeling to determine the concentration of metals in solution with DETA under conditions relevant to the Strathcona Mill tailings area, and to determine how much DETA adsorbs on the mineral solids, and how much remains in solution. The results will be used as the basis for a larger research project. If Glencore can safely use DETA, the company will be able to improve nickel recovery and concentrate grade, which will have a large economic benefit.