Innovative Projects Realized

Development of Multi-Frequency Ultrasound Localization Microscopy (ULM) Techniques on the Vevo F2 System and VADA Platform

In this project the interns will work with a leading ultrasound imaging company, FUJIFILM VisualSonics Inc, developing advanced ultrasound beamforming techniques (the process by which images are formed) using specialized ultrasound instrumentation (the F2 system using the VADA platform) that will produce high resolution images of blood vessels in tissues. These advanced beamforming techniques (based on a new method called ultrasound localization microscopy) will potentially be incorporated in subsequent versions of their device, further establishing the company as world leaders at the cutting edge of technology development.

Characterizing the relationship between infrared thermography of bony prominences occluded by lower limb orthopedic casts and local skin integrity in hospitalized children with disabilities

This project aims to improve the early detection of pressure injuries (PIs) in children with disabilities who wear casts for long periods. PIs occur when continuous pressure over bony areas damages the skin, leading to pain, infections, and longer hospital stays. Currently, it is difficult to monitor the skin under a cast because it cannot be seen or touched. This study will use thermal imaging to measure temperature changes through the cast material, which may indicate early signs of skin damage. By analyzing these thermal patterns and developing machine learning models, the project seeks to improve how hospital staff monitor and protect the skin health of casted children. This approach could enhance patient care and reduce complications, benefiting both children and the healthcare system.

A Novel Application of Plastination Technique for Transforming PMMA waste and Cotton Textile Waste into Functionality-enhanced Fabric Composites

Lululemon is a global leader in athletic apparel industry, focusing on high-quality, functional, and sustainable textiles. With a commitment to environmental responsibility, the partner is targeting 75% sustainable materials by 2025 and aims to source e.g. all cotton from sustainable sources. This joint project aligns with their sustainability mission by addressing two critical challenges: the excessive use of virgin fibers and the environmental impact of textile waste. Specifically, in this MITACS research, we aim to re-purpose a post-production PMMA waste along with recycled cotton waste into a novel high-performance composite, using a custom plastination technique. Once optimized, this innovative approach is expected to create durable, eco-friendly textiles with enhanced mechanical properties potentially suitable for multiple re-purposed applications such as apparel (e.g. outerwear) and accessories (e.g. bags). The anticipated social and economic benefits include reduced dependence on virgin fibres, minimized textile waste, and a scalable solution for using recycled materials in both textile (cotton) and plastic (PMMA) industries. By extending products life cycles and creating a circular economy model, this project offers a new pathway for Lululemon to integrate sustainable material innovation that meets high-performance standards, aligning with globally increasing consumer demands for environmentally responsible products.

Testing and validation of two-stage, high temperature, air-to-water heat pumps for the Nova Scotia environment

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Étude et mise en place d’un modèle prédictif permettant d’améliorer la rentabilité des contrats engagés

Ce projet de recherche est mené en partenariat avec Les Commissionnaires du Québec, une OSBL oeuvrant dans le domaine de la sécurité au Québec, et des chercheurs de Polytechnique Montréal. L’objectif du projet est de concevoir un prototype de système de recommandation pour supporter le processus d’appel d’offres, et à terme, d’améliorer la rentabilité des contrats engagés. Les modèles qui seront intégrés à ce prototype utiliseront diverses méthodes combinant des techniques d’optimisation et l’intelligence artificielle (IA) afin de permettre à l’organisation de maximiser les chances d’emporter des appels d’offres tout tout en garantissant la faisabilité et la rentabilité de leurs propositions.

Développement et validation d’un prototype d’application visant à soutenir la gestion de plaies de pression et de la posture chez des utilisateurs de fauteuil roulant motorisé

Amylior Inc., une entreprise spécialisée dans les fauteuils roulants motorisés, travaille sur un projet innovant visant à améliorer la vie des utilisateurs de ces fauteuils. L’objectif est de créer un fauteuil intelligent capable de s’adapter aux besoins spécifiques de chaque personne, en surveillant des paramètres comme la pression et la posture. Cela permettrait de prévenir des problèmes tels que les plaies de pression, l’inconfort ou la perte de mobilité.
Le projet se décompose en plusieurs étapes : identifier les paramètres cliniques et mécaniques nécessaires pour le suivi de la pression et de la posture, intégrer ces données dans l’application, utiliser l’intelligence artificielle pour optimiser le système, et enfin, tester l’application avec les utilisateurs pour s’assurer qu’elle est facile à utiliser et efficace.
Pour y parvenir, Amylior Inc. collabore avec des experts, des chercheurs et les utilisateurs eux-mêmes. Des méthodes comme la consultation d’experts (méthode Delphi), des sondages et des tests en laboratoire sont utilisées pour garantir que le fauteuil réponde aux besoins réels.
Ce projet montre l’engagement d’Amylior Inc. à innover dans le domaine de la mobilité, en créant des solutions technologiques qui améliorent le confort et la qualité de vie des utilisateurs de fauteuils roulants motorisés.

Novel product and prototype development for soft tissue regeneration

Gingival recession affects ~50% of the population and results in the exposure of tooth root surfaces, which leads to an increased risk of dental caries. The gold standard treatment is autologous grafts involving tissue being harvested from the roof of a patient’s mouth, leading to pain and bleeding, the inability to eat, risk of infection, and the tissue that can be harvested can be insufficient, leading to the need for follow-up procedures. Materials on the market have inconsistent clinical outcomes, likely due to the lack of cells. As a result, autologous grafts remain the gold standard, leaving patients and clinicians in search of alternatives. In the proposed study, we will evaluate a tissue-engineered solution as a potential alternative, using a novel biomaterial and stem cells derived from fat tissue. The material will be characterized and subsequently seeded with adipose-derived cells. The resulting capillary/vessel networks will be characterized in vitro. To enable an intra-operative procedure the material will be functionalized, binding the relevant cell types from processed fat. Lastly, the functionalized material with captured fat-derived stem cells will be evaluated in a clinically relevant animal model and compared to the current clinical material standard. With an estimated 5.7M annual gingival graft surgeries in the US alone, this project will take a significant step towards helping the partner organization address clinical and patient demand, by moving closer to commercially viable manufacturing, material safety, and proof-of-concept in a clinically relevant gingival animal model.

CO2 conversion via a zeolite LTA dehydration membrane reactor

Carbon Exel’s mission is to defossilize the hard-to-decarbonize sectors by generating a low-carbon electro-diesel or e-diesel fuel. E-diesel is derived by transforming carbon dioxide (CO2) and green hydrogen (H2) into e-diesel powered by renewable electricity (hydro, wind, etc.). E-diesel releases 80% less CO2 emissions than traditional diesel, making it a viable option to reduce and neutralize emissions to reach net-zero by 2050. This project aims to develop a catalytic membrane reactor composed of Linde Type-A (LTA) zeolite deposited on a porous Al2O3 substrate that will be employed in Carbon Exel’s modular reactor. The LTA membrane will be validated by characterization and reaction stability tests. The LTA membrane will increase the catalytic conversion and product yield by at least 20%.

Addressing Cardiac Conductive Disturbances Following TAVI Procedures: Optimizing Post-Procedure Care

Cardiac conduction disturbances (CDs) are a prevalent complication of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) procedures, which are performed by interventional cardiologists to treat heavily calcified aortic valves. CDs may emerge during or after TAVI, and are typically caused by mechanical injury to the heart’s conduction system, which can be highly challenging to prevent during the procedure. Post-TAVI, patients may either receive a permanent or temporary pacemaker depending on their level of risk. Patients at high risk may receive a permanent pacemaker (PPM), however studies have shown that PPM dependency rates 30 days after TAVI range from 35% to 44%, highlighting a substantial subset of patients who may have received an unnecessary PPM. Conversely, patients with uncertain risk may be given a temporary pacemaker for further monitoring in the ICU, leading to an extended hospital stay and placing an additional financial burden on the healthcare system. Furthermore, around 2% of patients develop late-onset CDs after their in-hospital post-operative monitoring, yielding to future rehospitalization. To address this, we are developing a new form of pacing that is both temporary and ambulatory, allowing patients to safely return to their daily activities without the need for extended hospital stays and reducing unnecessary PPM implantations.

Biophysical and Structural Characterization of Peptide Macrocycle-based Huntingtin Degraders

Huntington’s Disease (HD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease marked by progressive loss of motor control and cognitive function. Presently, there are no disease-modifying therapies. A potential avenue for slowing or stopping HD progression is to target huntingtin (HTT), or polyglutamine-expanded mutant HTT (mHTT), for degradation using proteasome targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology. A PROTAC will bring HTT and an E3 ligase into close proximity so that the E3 ligase can ubiquitinate HTT, serving as a degradation signal in the cell.
An ongoing collaboration between the labs of Rachel Harding and Hiroaki Suga has yielded a collection of HTT-targeting macrocyclic peptides (MPs). MPs offer the combined benefits of antibody-like specificity and small molecule-like cell permeability and stability. On the other hand, conveniently, the Structural Genomics Consortium has recently discovered a micromolar affinity ligand for TRIM7, an E3 ligase expressed in the brain.
To develop HTT-TRIM7 PROTACs, they will first be modeled in silico for optimal linker length and composition and then synthesized in collaboration with SGC. Next, PROTAC functionality and specificity will be validated by monitoring degradation of HTT in the cell. Finally, the HTT-PROTAC-TRIM7 complex will be visualized and corroborated using Cryogenic Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM) and Hydrogen-Deuterium Exchange Mass Spectrometry (HDX-MS).
Consistent with Dr. Harding’s and the SGC’s commitment to open science, all work will be shared openly and contribute to the knowledge base of precompetitive, preclinical science. Together, we will take steps toward HD-modifying therapeutic interventions.

Characterization of TEC kinase small molecule compounds

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) is a type of blood cancer with poor treatment outcomes, as patients often relapse or do not respond to available therapies. A key factor driving the growth of cancerous T cells in PTCL is a protein called ITK, which helps these cells survive by activating biological pathways that boost cell growth and survival. Our project focuses on developing new treatments by targeting a specific part of the ITK protein called the PHTH domain, which is essential for ITK to function. Current drugs that target ITK usually aim at the protein’s active site, but they often cause unwanted side effects or lose effectiveness over time. Instead, we’re exploring a different approach by finding molecules that can bind to the PHTH domain, preventing ITK from working and stopping the growth of cancer cells.

Using advanced screening technology, we will identify potential molecules that interfere with ITK at the PHTH domain. We will then test these molecules to understand how they work and evaluate their potential as treatments in PTCL models. Additionally, we will investigate whether combining these molecules with other drugs that trigger cell death (called BH3-mimetics) could make the treatment more effective. This research could lead to new, more precise treatments for PTCL, addressing a significant need for better therapies.

Metering and Aggregation, and, Electrification of Buildings Part 1

With the pressing need to reduce energy from carbon emitting sources, electrification of buildings is a crucial step forward. Electrification requires identifying activities and equipment that use energy received from carbon emitting sources and transitioning them to electric alternatives. The proposed research focuses on developing methods and strategies to overcome challenges associated with building electrification and load prediction models.
This project will benefit the partner organization by identifying opportunities for energy costs savings, supporting the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.