Innovative Projects Realized

Development, Implementation and Evaluation of PRISM-ACCESS Open Minds: Pathway for Rapid, Internet-based, Self-referral to Mental health services for youth

PRISM-ACCESS Open Minds is a health services research project that leverages online technologies. “PRISM” stands for: Pathway for Rapid, Internet-based, Self-referral to Mental health services for youth. The objective of PRISM-AOM is to develop, implement, and evaluate an online self-referral pathway to facilitate rapid and direct access to mental health services for youth. The pathway consists of an online self-referral tool, a referral management system, and a secure communication platform. Through this pathway, youth with mental health concerns will be able to connect with, and refer themselves directly to, a local team specializing in youth mental health care without a referral from their doctor, at a time that is convenient for them, using their phone, computer or tablet. PRISM-AOM will be customized, launched and tested in 6 Canadian health care settings participating in the ACCESS Open Minds network.

Purification du graphite naturel pour son application dans les piles lithium ion

Le graphite naturel est un ingrédient essentiel pour la fabrication des piles Li-ion. Une pureté supérieure à 99,95 % est fortement souhaitée afin d’assurer l’efficacité à long terme des piles. Le graphite extrait des sites miniers contient des impuretés qui doivent être retirées avant de pouvoir être utilisé. Cependant, les techniques de purification actuelles nécessitent l’utilisation d’acide concentrée ou de température très élevée. Le but de ce projet est d’optimiser les conditions de purification du graphite naturel afin d’atteindre les niveaux de pureté exigés tout en respectant les objectifs de protection de l’environnement, d’efficacité énergétique et de développement durable. Les travaux effectués permettront à Nouveau Monde Graphite de mettre en place un procédé économiquement concurrentiel et respectant les plus hauts standards de qualité.

STEAM Robotics for Teachers: How Educators Learn

Teachers are being challenged to integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) across the curriculum more frequently and effectively. Many teachers are challenged with these aspects for several reasons. In particular, subject areas are still isolated in British Columbia (BC), and only a few schools truly have STEM/STEAM programs. Secondly, STEM is more often accepted than the “A”. Thirdly, many of the “technology” or “engineering” elements lie outside of the comfort zone of some teachers. This proposed research project will work with educators from the Lower Mainland of BC and understand their perspectives of STEAM vs. STEM, the challenges or concerns with STEM/STEAM, and their thoughts about training and resources. Select teachers will be chosen for case study phenomenological research with resources created by a Vancouver-based company (Marginally Clever Robots). This case study will be grounded in situated cognition theory within constructivism. It will explore the integration of STEAM in the classroom. This research project will provide important insights from BC teachers on the role of effective STEAM resources.

Watershed-scale connectivity analysis: An applied GIS model towards the strategic management of barriers to Atlantic salmon migration

Barriers to connectivity are often associated with roads, culverts, and even beaver dams. An M.Sc. student with the CRI at UNB working in collaboration with the Restigouche River Watershed Management Council will develop a watershed-scale connectivity analysis using a GIS model to best inform the management of connectivity to reproductive habitats for Atlantic salmon in the Restigouche River watershed. The project will evaluate the current and potential available habitats for egg deposition, juveniles, and conservation requirements needed for an adaptive and integrated management plan. The student will have a background and experience with ArcGIS and a desire to participate in the field assessment program.

Transmission hydraulique pour interaction homme-machine

Exonetik est une compagnie en démarrage qui développe une nouvelle technologie d’orthèse active qui permettra, entre autres choses, la réduction du coût métabolique lors de la marche. Cette nouvelle technologie sera bientôt testée sur des sujets humains, mais requiert encore du développement. En collaboration avec les ingénieur d’Exonetik, le stagiaire participera au développement de la transmission hydraulique du système ainsi qu’à sa caractérisation expérimentale. Les gains attendus du projet sont une orthèse légère, un contrôle fin de la force appliquée par l’orthèse ainsi qu’une diminution du coût métabolique lors de la marche.

Creating shared value with communities in the early Mine life-cycle: The case of Erdene Resource Development Corporation in Mongolia

There is a significant body of research on Corporate Social Responsibility in the mining sector. However, little empirical data exists about what works well across stages of the mine life cycle, particularly during early exploration. This research explores how mining companies could maximize the benefits of resource extraction for host nations and participating communities by: (1) applying the concept of “creating shared value” to consider how mining companies can address social problems that intersect with business goals and operations, and (2) integrating the UN Sustainable Development Goals into business strategies.
The project involves a longitudinal single case study of a Canadian mining company operating in Mongolia, and employs a mixed method approach comprising of media analysis, interviews and observational research. Canada is one of the top foreign investors in Mongolia, and Mongolia is a priority country for Canada’s international assistance program.

Développement d’un outil intégré d’aide à la décision pour la gestion des événements affectant la qualité de l’eau potable et l’intégrité du réseau de distribution

La qualité de l’eau potable n’est pas uniforme dans un réseau de distribution, ce qui est du à la diversité de l’infrastructure (matériaux, diamètres des conduites) et des éléments ponctuels de gestion (postes de traitement, réservoirs, etc.). Cette variabilité est également impactée par des événements (bris de conduite, nettoyage, feu, etc.), qui, d’un côté, peuvent être planifiés lors de l’entretien régulier du réseau, ou, de l’autre côté, peuvent survenir suite à un incident non prévu. L’objectif du projet est de développer un outil de gestion d’événements, qui permettra aux gestionnaires d’eau potable une meilleure gestion des mesures d’entretien, une diagnostique efficace des incidents, et des solutions appropriées selon les caractéristiques du réseau. Grâce à l’outil proposé, les municipalités gagnerons de l’efficacité, de temps de réaction lors des incidents, et une réduction importante des coûts d’opération.

Cowper Symonds Analysis of Low Temperature Steels Sustainable Technology for Polar Ships and Structures

It is known that steel structures exhibit enhanced strength when they experience dynamic loads (e.g.

collisions) versus static loads (e.g. bearing loads). A model for this enhanced strength was created by

Cowper and Symonds in 1957, however it is currently only applicable to room temperatures. It is the

aim of this project to extend the applicability of this model to arctic temperatures so that the design of

ships and offshore structures intended for arctic use may take advantage of this inherent dynamic

strengthening. An additional immediate benefit is that this new data is directly compatible with

popular explicit finite element analysis software (e.g. ANSYS-AUTODYNE, NASTRAN, LS-DYNA),

as they have already incorporated the Cowper-Symonds model.

Numerical Simulation and Experimental Validation of a Large Scale Industrial Biochar plant

Slow pyrolysis is a process to convert biomass residues to valuable biochar products, which are used in agricultural, wastewater treatment, animal feed, carbon sequestration etc. IRSI focused on identifying optimal pathways for converting biomass into high quality biochar with maximum energy efficiency and minimal environmental degradation. This project focusses on modelling and simulation of a large-scale biochar reactor in order to enhance the efficiency of pyrolysis processes and increase the reliability of biochar products for the global market place. This project will involve collaboration with Prof. Nikrityuk (University of Alberta) and will utilize his world-class experience in modeling and simulation of complex thermochemical biomass conversion.

Ice accretion formation, its location and severity detection

As one of the most cost-competitive forms of renewable energy, the wind has remarkable potential for fulfilling the increasing demand for global energy in an environmentally responsible way. Wind turbines in cold climate are becoming one of the most popular trends for wind energy developments. Because of highly variable operational conditions, wind turbines demand a high degree of maintenance to provide a safe, cost-effective and reliable power output with acceptable equipment life. In humid and cold climate environment, such as in Canada, wind turbines are exposed to icing, erosion, and debris build-up faults on their rotor blades that each result in generation power loss. This project would help EneSense in the development of next generation control systems in wind farms, which can detect, diagnose, and accommodate for the most common faults, i.e. icing and debris built up.

L’industrie canadienne et les accords de libre-échange : les cas du Brexit et de la renégociation de la gestion de l’offre dans le cadre de l’ALENA

Le domaine des accords de libre-échange subit des chocs majeurs depuis quelques mois. Alors qu’on arrivait à peine à comprendre les implications juridiques du nouveau phénomène de prolifération des accords de libre-échanges et de redéfinition de ceux-ci, la donne change à nouveau. Par exemple, en juin 2016, les Britanniques se sont exprimés en faveur d’une sortie de l’Union européenne. Aussi, en mai 2017, le nouveau président américain a communiqué au Congrès son intention de renégocier l’ALÉNA. Ces deux situations auront un impact certain sur l’industrie canadienne. En effet, elle force l’industrie à réagir vite et ce à deux égards. D’abord, celle-ci doit prendre une part active à la redéfinition juridique des relations commerciales tant à l’égard de la Grande-Bretagne que des États-Unis. Ensuite, elle doit comprendre les implications juridiques de tels mouvements afin d’en anticiper les risques et d’en prendre avantage, le cas échéant. TO BE CONT’D

An automated method for basin scale mapping of aquatic habitat using a UAV

This project will use a drone to map aquatic habitat in Carnation Creek. Research better characterizing fish habitat is critical given the declines seen in many coastal fish stocks. Traditional methods of surveying aquatic habitat are often physically demanding and limited to short channel segments. However, advances in fish ecology suggest that better management of fish species require research that links basin scale patterns in channel morphology to aquatic habitat; which is the scale fish complete their life histories. Drones are ideally suited for this challenge due to their affordability and ability to quickly survey areas. A methodology for sub-canopy basin scale mapping of aquatic habitat using drones will be tested and compared to ground surveyed data to determine their accuracy and applicability. TO BE CONT’D