Innovative Projects Realized

L2M – Selective PSRV for Methane Emission Reduction from Storage Tanks

This project aims to develop an innovative, low-cost technology to prevent methane leaks from oil storage tanks, addressing a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional tank valves either release harmful gases into the air or are costly to operate. Our proposed solution is a specialized membrane valve that allows harmless gases, such as nitrogen and oxygen, to escape while capturing methane. This system is passive, energy-efficient, and can be easily retrofitted to existing tanks. In collaboration with Edmonton Unlimited, this research will produce critical first-time data on the technology’s effectiveness, helping the oil and gas industry meet strict emission standards, reduce environmental impact, and save costs.

Vers un environnement engageant sur l’investissement socialement responsable au sein d’un dispositif de sensibilisation sur le Web

L’objectif de ce projet de recherche est d’identifier l’ensemble des éléments permettant de développer un environnement engageant sur l’investissement socialement responsable (ISR) (c’est-à-dire menant au changement comportemental) au sein d’un dispositif de sensibilisation sur le Web. Il répond aux deux freins majeurs du développement actuel du marché du détail de l’ISR : un manque d’information et une complexité des produits ISR. Ce projet répond à la fois à la mission, aux objetctis et à l’engagement en termes de développement durable de Fondaction. En outre, il offrira une valeur ajoutée à Fondaction dans sa propre stratégie de dispositif de communication médiatisée par le Web. Le présent projet de recherche servira de point d’ancrage au développement de la Plateforme Ethiquette – investissement responsable : plateforme de sensibilisation à l’ISR.

L2M – Commercialization of Fluroine-free Ultra Water-repellent Coating Technology

The main applicant is leading a research-based venture spun out of Simon Fraser University that has developed a patented, PFAS-free ultra water-repellent (superhydrophobic) nanocoating technology. Our technology offers a more environmentally-friendly alternative to incumbent water-repellent coatings. The current goal of the venture is to explore the best technology-market match to commercialize the technology. Key operation activities include lab-scale R&D (material synthesis & characterization) and pilot trials with collaborators from the construction and textile industry.

L2M – ThermaSwitch: Passive Films for Adaptive Heat Management

This project aims to develop and validate a low-cost, energy-efficient film made from common or recycled plastics that can passively manage heat without using electricity or fuel. By microstructuring the surface of materials like polyethylene and polymethylpentene (TPX), we create thin, flexible films that can either retain or release heat depending on their arrangement. When two films are pressed together, they allow thermal radiation to pass through; when separated, they scatter it, creating a switchable system that mimics smart windows—but without electronics or coatings.

The research will focus on refining the production process using scalable mold-based manufacturing techniques and testing the films in real-world environments such as buildings or greenhouses. The system can reduce heating and cooling needs by passively managing thermal energy, helping reduce operational costs and carbon emissions. It offers a competitive advantage over existing insulation and reflective materials by being adaptable, affordable, and easy to integrate into current construction or agricultural practices.

The partner organization will benefit by gaining early access to a versatile and sustainable technology that aligns with energy efficiency goals and carbon reduction targets. This innovation supports their role in advancing clean technologies and can lead to new product lines, pilot projects, and potential commercialization. By participating in the development phase, the partner helps shape a product with real market relevance, strengthening their position in Alberta’s and Canada’s growing clean-tech economy.

Reliable, Continuous, and Safe Updates of Digital Twin Services

The intern Mr. Andersen will travel from Aarhus University, Denmark to Polytechnique Montréal, Canada, to research the engineering of Digital Twins (DTs). DTs are virtual representations of physical systems, like the concrete mixing machine which is the focus of this project. Mr. Andersen will work with Prof. Bentley Oakes on the research problem of ensuring that DTs and their services can be reliably deployed and continually updated in operation. The aim is to develop techniques such that DTs are trustworthy, up-to-date throughout their lifecycle, tested during development, and deployed afterwards without downtime. The project will create a technical architecture which creates mathematical models of the DT and system behaviour, and integrates these models with other formalized knowledge of DT and the service creation process. The approach will be validated on an industrial case study of a concrete mixing machine, developed at a Danish company. This research is part of Mr. Andersen’s PhD dissertation. Thus, he brings his expertise of DT engineering to the lab of Prof. Oakes to transfer this knowledge with the members of the lab. Likewise, Mr. Andersen will be trained in the research process of Prof. Oakes, bringing these new perspectives and experiences back to Aarhus University.

L2M – AI-Based Alarm Management System

Over the four-month Lab2Market internship, discussions with plant operators, maintenance teams, and technology vendors will determine how the existing AI alarm-diagnosis system should be fine-tuned for real-world deployment. Targeted interviews, and rapid feedback loops will uncover the highest-value use cases, reveal functionality gaps, and establish clear upgrade priorities. These market-discovery insights will provide us with a data-driven roadmap for refining features, ensuring seamless integration with control systems, setting pricing strategies, and identifying early adopters. Consequently, costly guesswork will be avoided, product-market fit accelerated, and a pipeline of potential pilot sites secured.

Optimization and Expansion of Eventlinx

TicketWindow Inc. is a Canadian ticketing company providing digital event management solutions to promoters, venues, and organizations. Its new platform, EventLinx, is a comprehensive, cloud-based event management ecosystem that includes a promoter portal, patron website, mobile point-of-sale (POS) application, and administrative backend. The system is deployed via edge computing infrastructure using Cloudflare Workers and Pages, with real-time interactivity, Stripe payments, Supabase for authentication, and GitHub-based DevOps.

While the platform is functional and in active beta testing, TicketWindow faces challenges in elevating user interface (UI) consistency, responsiveness, and accessibility across multiple devices and user types (e.g., promoters, patrons, and mobile staff). Additionally, there is a pressing need to improve the platform’s user experience (UX) to support scale-up operations and increase adoption by larger venues and organizations. The current interfaces are based on rapid prototyping and beta-level UI decisions, and are not optimized for production-level user flow or visual coherence.

L2M – Optimizing Rheology for 3D-Printed Geopolymer Concrete

This project explores how sustainable concrete alternatives can be adapted for 3D printing in construction. Traditional cement-based concrete is a major source of global carbon emissions. Geopolymer concrete—made from industrial by-products like fly ash—offers a greener alternative, but challenges remain in making it printable at scale. This project will develop and validate a new testing method that simulates real-world extrusion behavior, helping ensure these materials can flow consistently through 3D printing systems. In parallel, stakeholder interviews will help assess market needs and potential applications. The goal is to bring environmentally friendly, printable building materials one step closer to real-world adoption.

Analyse comparative de l’impact carbone et systémique d’un spectacle d’art vivant au Québec

Ce projet a pour but de comparer les impacts environnementaux d’une production culturelle au Québec réalisée de façon traditionnelle avec ceux d’une production conçue selon des principes d’écoconception. Au-delà des émissions de gaz à effet de serre, l’étude prendra en compte d’autres effets sur l’environnement, comme la gestion des déchets ou l’utilisation des matériaux.
Le projet est réalisé en collaboration avec Écoscéno, un organisme montréalais qui aide les équipes de création à adopter des pratiques plus écoresponsables et à réutiliser les matériaux de décor. L’objectif est de produire des données claires et fiables qui permettront à Écoscéno de démontrer les avantages concrets de l’écoconception dans le milieu culturel. Ces résultats contribueront à faire reconnaître la valeur de ces pratiques auprès des partenaires du secteur, tout en renforçant l’expertise d’Écoscéno.

L2M Validate – Pi16 Therapeutics

The mission of PI16 Therapeutics is to improve skin health for the ~4 million Canadian’s suffering from long-term skin diseases, including clinically dry skin, chronic wounds, and severe burns. PI16 Therapeutics aims to produce skin solutions for these individuals by genetically engineering naturally occurring stem-cell like fibroblasts that express the gene Peptidase Inhibitor 16 (Pi16) with regenerative properties and packaging these cells in a clinical-grade hydrogel formulation. The resulting PI16+ fibroblast containing hydrogel will be directly applied to painful skin at hospitals and dermatology clinics to bring permanent relief by improving skin vitality, skin healing, and skin immunity.

Le marché de la défense dans la région de Sherbrooke

Ce projet vise à mieux comprendre comment la région de Sherbrooke peut profiter de l’augmentation substantielle des dépenses militaires prévues au Canada. Concrètement, la stagiaire analysera les entreprises et les technologies déjà présentes à Sherbrooke pour voir si et comment elles peuvent participer au marché en pleine effervescence de la défense, par exemple dans les domaines de la cybersécurité, des matériaux avancés ou des équipements spécialisés. En rencontrant des entrepreneurs, des organismes de développement économique et des experts, elle dressera un portrait clair des forces et du potentiel de la région. Ce travail permettra à la Ville de Sherbrooke d’identifier des occasions concrètes de développement économique, de favoriser la création d’emplois de qualité et d’aider les entreprises locales à accéder à de nouveaux marchés. À terme, le projet contribuera à positionner Sherbrooke comme un pôle d’innovation dans un secteur stratégique et porteur pour l’avenir.

L2M_BSI Proposal_L2M Health Validate Helixir

Our academic lab has developed technology that could have potential benefits in the Canadian healthcare system. This technology is highly specialized that combines MRI and interventional cardiac treatment. The intern will determine if our technology can satisfy the needs dictated by various stakeholders in the industry, such that a startup is warranted. This objective will be accomplished through conducting stakeholder interviews and analysing the data. Our supervisor and partner organization will provide tools and mentorship to conduct these stakeholder interviews and to verify if the final analysis is reasonable. This will accomplish the goal of the partner organization, which is to train Canadians to be able to spin out academic technologies into potential Canadian startups.