Innovative Projects Realized

Développement de films composites PLA/Biochar conducteurs et biodégradables pour des applications électroniques écoresponsables

La demande croissante de matériaux électrochimiques durables et respectueux de l’environnement a stimulé l’intérêt pour le développement de polymères biodégradables contenant des charges conductrices renouvelables. L’acide poly-lactique (PLA) est un biopolymère largement considéré comme respectueux de l’environnement, mais sa faible conductivité électrique limite son utilisation dans les applications énergétiques avancées. Pour surmonter cette limitation, le biochar – obtenu par pyrolyse de la biomasse – apparaît comme un candidat prometteur en raison de sa surface spécifique élevée, de sa stabilité et de ses propriétés électriques intrinsèques. Dans ce projet, nous présentons la fabrication et la caractérisation de films composites PLA/biochar, en étudiant l’effet de la teneur en charge carbonée sur les propriétés structurelles, mécaniques et électrochimiques. Des analyses thermiques et physicochimiques seront réalisées pour évaluer les interactions biochar/PLA et la stabilité du matériau, tandis que la microscopie électronique sera utilisée pour étudier la dispersion du biochar. Les propriétés électrochimiques seront également étudiées afin de déterminer la conductivité et la capacité de stockage du composite. Ces résultats devraient confirmer le potentiel des films PLA/biochar comme matériaux biodégradables et conducteurs, adaptés aux électrodes flexibles et aux dispositifs de stockage d’énergie écologiques, contribuant ainsi à la transition énergétique et à l’économie circulaire.

Enhancing Visibility and Long-Term Sustainability of the Whitecourt ISGA Tourism Association through Strategic Case Study Development

This project will help the Whitecourt ISGA Tourism Association (WITA) share its story and show the positive impact it has on the community. WITA offers land-based tourism experiences such as workshops, trail walks, and cultural activities that support local entrepreneurs and celebrate Nakota culture. Working in partnership with Catalyste+, which has supported WITA through 15 projects since 2022, this initiative will create a case study that highlights WITA’s history, achievements, and long-term goals. The case study will make it easier for WITA to attract funding, build partnerships, and grow its programs, helping the organization become more visible and sustainable for the future.

Transformation numérique et expérience citoyenne : une approche d’ingénierie ontologique pour l’intégration et l’automatisation des processus municipaux avec l’IA

Les villes, comme d’autres organisations, cherchent à utiliser l’intelligence artificielle (IA) pour automatiser leurs processus internes et améliorer leur fonctionnement. Mais contrairement aux autres niveaux de gouvernement, les municipalités sont en contact direct avec les personnes citoyennes. Elles doivent donc offrir des services de qualité, rapides et concrets, ce qui complique leur transformation numérique.
Des technologies récentes comme les modèles de langage (LLM), les générateurs de texte (GPT), les graphes de connaissances (KG) et le raisonnement sémantique (SR) permettent aujourd’hui de mieux répondre à ces défis. En combinant ces outils, les villes peuvent adapter plus facilement leurs processus tout en s’appuyant sur des modèles existants.
Pour explorer ces solutions, un projet de recherche est lancé en collaboration avec la ville de Gatineau. Une étudiante au doctorat mènera des consultations afin de mieux comprendre leurs attentes en matière de services. Ces données serviront ensuite à une autre équipe de stagiaires pour créer des « ontologies », c’est-à-dire des structures de connaissances, permettant d’intégrer l’IA dans les systèmes de gestion municipale.
L’objectif global est de proposer une méthode pratique pour moderniser les services municipaux grâce à l’IA, en mettant l’accent sur l’expérience citoyenne et l’efficacité des processus internes.

Records Management Review Implementation

Our proposed records management modernization project will include deployment of records management classification system TOMRMS across the organization, updates to by-laws and policies, the development of new procedures, exploration of a new records management solution, enhanced staff communication and training.

Optimizing Community Paramedicine: Evaluating System Efficiencies & Innovation

This project, in partnership with Middlesex-London Paramedic Service (MLPS), focuses on evaluating and expanding the Community Paramedicine program as a strategy to address Ontario’s primary healthcare access crisis. By collecting and analyzing data on 911 calls, patient outcomes, and program impacts, the research will identify opportunities to expand services and demonstrate the cost savings and efficiency gains of this model. The findings will support MLPS in optimizing resource use, reducing pressure on emergency departments, and positioning the organization to secure future funding and policy support. Thus, overall enabling the MLPS to deliver more effective and sustainable healthcare to the community.

Canadian Robotics Case Study Library & Strategic Partnerships

The Canadian Robotics Council (CRC), a non-profit organization with the agility of a startup, is launching a National Case Study Library to accelerate robotics and Physical AI adoption across Canada. This initiative will collect and analyze real-world examples of how robotics is being used, providing valuable insights on what works, what doesn’t, and where opportunities lie. By creating a clear framework to evaluate these case studies, the project will highlight trends, best practices, and gaps in adoption. These findings will guide CRC in supporting industry partners, improving service delivery, and shaping future strategies.

Beyond building knowledge, the project will also design a sustainable business model to ensure the library remains a long-term resource for members. It will demonstrate how the collection of unique, practical content can add value to partners, attract new members, and strengthen CRC’s role as a national leader in robotics innovation. The initiative will also introduce digital transformation practices—streamlining submissions, automating partner communications, and building efficient, modern workflows.

By engaging industry partners and associations, the project will expand its reach and ensure the content is diverse and relevant. Furthermore, for the CRC’s partners, this project offers a direct benefit: access to high-quality, practical insights that reduce risk, accelerate adoption, and unlock new business opportunities in robotics and Physical AI. In short, this project will provide the tools and knowledge needed to innovate faster, strengthen competitiveness, and position Canada as a leader in robotics-driven transformation.

Co-creating a toolkit for senior-led community programs

Social isolation and loneliness are major challenges for older adults, affecting their mental, physical, and cognitive health. This project aims to promote older adults’ social participation in their neighbourhoods and reduce risk of social isolation by collaboratively creating a practical, evidence-based toolkit that older adults can use to develop and lead neighbourhood-based social programs. The project will actively involve older adults as co-creators and leaders, and will help older adults build leadership skills, stay socially connected, and contribute their ideas to local initiatives. For the City of London, the project will increase their ability to offer innovative and cost-effective programs that meet older adults’ needs and interests in a sustainable way. The resulting toolkit will provide clear, adaptable, and long-term guidance for older adults and community partners, helping create age-friendly communities where older adults can remain active, engaged, and supported.

Artificial Intelligence-Driven Predictive Modeling for Canine Pain Assessment and Personalized Analgesic Recommendations

Accurately assessing and managing pain in dogs is one of the most challenging aspects of veterinary medicine because animals cannot verbally communicate their discomfort. Current methods rely heavily on behavioral observations and standardized scoring tools, which are often subjective and prone to inconsistencies. This project aims to address these limitations by developing an AI-powered predictive modeling framework that leverages publicly available veterinary datasets to improve pain detection and optimize treatment strategies for companion animals. Through advanced machine learning techniques, the project will analyze clinical records, treatment histories, and behavioral data from open-access sources such as VetCompass, CBPI, and C-BARQ to create predictive models capable of assessing pain severity, forecasting recovery patterns, and recommending personalized analgesic treatments. The proposed framework will be validated against widely used pain assessment tools, ensuring higher accuracy and reliability in veterinary decision-making. This research will enhance animal welfare, empower veterinarians with data-driven decision-support tools, and promote innovations in veterinary informatics

Exploration of the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Small, Rural Northern Municipality

The proposed project aims to modernize the Township of Terrace Bay’s records and data management systems by integrating AI-powered tools that streamline operations and enhance decision-making. Currently reliant on manual processes and limited digital infrastructure, the municipality faces challenges in organizing, analyzing, and retrieving key service data. This initiative will introduce automated classification systems, predictive models for infrastructure planning, and a customer service chatbot to improve public engagement. By leveraging expertise in records management, data engineering, and AI applications, the project will reduce staff workload, improve service delivery, and provide Terrace Bay with scalable, cost-effective tools for long-term planning and operational efficiency

Development of Analog Integrate circuit design Course with Siemens EDA Tools

The project is to develop a course on analog integrated circuit design targeted on undergraduate student education and training.

Lifting Black Voices

In response to the City of Ottawa’s Anti-Racism Strategy by analyzing and highlighting the stories and lived experiences of Ottawa’s historical Black communities through newspaper articles. Two key sources, The Ottawa Journal and the Spectrum (a newspaper dedicated to Ottawa’s Black community) will be scanned by the intern to identify excerpts that reflect Black voices and experiences that have been left out of the mainstream media. With help from archivists, community advisors and an academic supervisor, the intern will generate indexes and reports to promote these stories to benefit future research. This project aids the City Archives in contributing to a more accurate and equitable account of history, while promoting an inclusive public understanding of historical Black voices in Ottawa.

Rational programming of antigen structure using DNA nanotechnology to enhance vaccine immunogenicity

This project seeks to investigate how the nanoscale structure and arrangement of antigens influences immune recognition and vaccine efficacy. Using DNA nanotechnology and precise structural engineering, we aim to establish a structure-function paradigm linking antigen conformation and valency to immunogenicity. Using cancer vaccines as a stringent testbed of tumor antigens, the design rules established under this project provide a promising foundation for potentially translatable optimization of nanovaccines for a variety of conditions. A deliberate emphasis upon nanoparticle modularity is a key component of this project and its aims to provide a streamlined approach to nanovaccine development. Enabling flexible integration of a diverse library of antigens allows for more rapid prototyping and high-throughput evaluation of immune interactions. This work aims to define a set of fundamental principles concerning antigen structure and arrangement that can guide the rational engineering and programming of future nanovaccines.