Innovative Projects Realized

Selective Spray Oxidation of Impurity Metals

This research project seeks to develop a novel method for selectively oxidizing impurities in metals. Using available plasma spray technologies, this project will determine a set of parameters to optimize the effect of oxidation in certain metal samples. Three sample metals to be tested are German silver, Sterling silver, and 18 Karat gold. The goal will be to target the oxidation of impurities present in these metals such as nickel and copper. By selectively oxidizing these impurities, we can more easily separate the impurities and be left with higher purity gold and silver in each respective test. Analysis of the oxidized samples is to be conducted to quantify the effectiveness of the spray oxidation process. Samples will be analyzed with the aid of McMaster University and the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy (CCEM).

Moving to Breathe, Breathing to Move: An interdisciplinary study on the benefits of choral and dance exercise for people with neuromuscular conditions

In this collaborative project with Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC), we will design and run choir singing and dancing programs for people with neuromuscular conditions, in order to study whether it improves their quality of life and their ability to breathe. Both singing and dancing have been shown to have significant medical and quality of life benefits for people with other kinds of disabilities, but little research has been done with those who have neuromuscular conditions. This will also be the first study to include participants who rely on ventilation technology to breathe. Participants in this study will get to enjoy the benefits of singing and dancing. Practitioners, clinicians and participants will gain new insights into possible benefits of these kinds of physical activity programs. Further, we will publish useful protocols for running the most barrierfree, safe, beneficial, and meaningful singing and dancing programs for this population.

Electro-assisted anaerobic treatment of organic wastes

This project simultaneously addresses two of the world’s most pressing challenges, namely energy, and water

pollution &conservation. While this project focuses primarily on developing an innovative technological solution

to bioethanol waste management problems, it also opens the door for other agricultural and food industries to

adopt this enhanced fermentation technology both for making value-added products, and waste treatment. The

hydrogen economy is rapidly evolving due to the utilization of hydrogen as a clean energy source as well as a

valuable industrial gas that has uses in food and the oil industries among others. One of the main challenges of

biological hydrogen production from organics is the interference of hydrogen-utilizing bacteria, which convert the

hydrogen to methane and acetate in anaerobic dark fermentation processes. Recent developments have

demonstrated that acetate can be converted to hydrogen using special microorganisms, known as

exoelectrogens, that have the ability to transfer electrons, and are thus induced electrically by application of a

small voltage….

Smart Fitness Wearables for Safety and Performance

Measuring the workout intensity and duration is necessary to judge training effectiveness. For instance, a training modality called high intensity interval training (HIIT), involves exercising for short intervals with maximum intensity combined with longer low-intensity recovery intervals. This form of training would help the metabolism to use more fat as fuel, improving athletic endurance, and as opposed to traditional cardio exercises, can mitigate muscle loss. Similarly, measuring the force of impact and number of impacts is necessary to judge the health and safety of the athlete. This research investigates sensory systems, algorithms, and embedded computer platforms to acquire and utilize sensory data for monitoring, analysis, and processin

Next Generation PtM catalysts for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

The production of optimised catalysts and catalyst layers for proton exchange membrane fuel cells is both labour intensive and time consuming. However, these materials and composites are of critical importance if proton exchange membrane fuel cells are to become commercially viable. Specifically, highly active catalysts are required in order to reduce platinum group metal content and system cost, while optimized catalyst layer designs are necessary to achieve high performance and robustness in operating cells. Recently, continuous flow reactors and rapid screening techniques have gained significant traction for the production of fuel cell relevant catalysts. These preparative techniques are easily scaled to the batch sizes required for prototype production, without the need to re-optimise the synthetic process. Additionally, these sorts of systems can also be coupled with in-line purification methods, producing high quality and high purity nanomaterials in a continuous manner. This project aims to first assemble a continuous flow droplet reactor to prepare optimized and clean fuel cell catalysts. This reactor will be used to rapidly screen synthetic conditions to prepare optimised fuel cell catalysts for Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEAs).

Greenhouse gas and volatile organic compound reduction using the SmogStop® coating

Sound barriers can be seen beside highways across Ontario and are designed to protect residents from the noise produced by traffic. However, these barriers do little in the way of protecting residents from the pollution produced by nearby vehicles. This project will help determine the ability of the SmogStop® barrier to reduce the level of exposure to GHGs and VOCs for those living close the major urban roadways. The partner organization is an R&D firm that would greatly benefit from the access to equipment and HQP that they would gain from a partnership with the University of Guelph.

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.