Innovative Projects Realized

An Ontologically Controlled Way to Compare The Metallurgical Characteristics of Mining Projects

Cognitive AI software using a metallurgy ontology can use semantic network descriptions of mineral deposits and mines to evaluate a mineral deposit and determine which deposit, anywhere in the world, most closely matches its metallurgical characteristics. After finding a suitable match, the user would be able to read the metallurgical report(s) of the similar deposit(s) to compare with their current understanding of the metallurgical considerations of their project. The final outcome would be to learn from the mistakes and triumphs of others, and view how mines with similar challenges handled their specific processing requirements.

Semantic network descriptions are entered into the system using a user interface that is part of MetMatch. The process involves reading a published paper or NI-43-101 about the deposit and capturing the relevant information in a structured way.

For the system to work as intended, a robust ontology of metallurgical concepts would need to be created, using an existing mineral deposit ontology as a guide.

Integrated Photonics for Large Scale Quantum Computing

In the past few years, a number of research groups around the world have demonstrated small scale, photonic quantum information processing using approaches like Gaussian Boson Sampling, which can function with the current “Noisy, Intermediate Scale” (NISQ) quantum devices. At the same time, the industry partner and other groups have proposed a variety of large-scale photonic quantum computing architectures. These large-scale architectures have yet to be realized in practice and will require large investments to bring to fruition. In order to maximize the chances of success, it is crucial to explore design options as much as possible in calculations and simulations, before setting out to build large scale hardware. This project will use cutting edge mathematical models and computer simulations to carry out a detailed analysis of the impact of realistic performance, errors and loss levels of photonic components on the overall performance of a proposed large scale quantum computer.

Creating a Sustainability Reporting Framework for Pace Zero’s Sustainability Linked Loans (SLLs) Borrowers

Venture capital X (VCX) is about to launch a new product: Sustainability-Linked Loan (SLL). These new sustainability-linked financial products represent an interesting opportunity both for lenders and borrowers. To incentivize borrowers to achieve predetermined sustainability objectives, VCX offers reduced interest rates on loans; however, these SLL are contingent on borrowers meeting predetermined sustainability targets. Because of the relative novelty of such products, there is much to understand and develop, such as a reporting framework, and key performance metrics, which is where the research problem lies. Given that borrowers are small to medium enterprises, it is imperative that reporting is minimally onerous and cumbersome. It is also essential to balance standardized reporting practices with flexibility, given that VCX borrowers span different industries and geographies. Nevertheless, it is also essential that VCX has the necessary tools to ensure that the targets are met and to verify the information provided by the borrowers.

Development of an annular array histotripsy transducer with co-registered ultrasound imaging

This project will focus on the design, fabrication and testing of an annular array-based histotripsy transducer that will improve the combined ultrasound imaging and therapy endoscopic device currently in development at Daxsonics. Histotripsy is a method of focusing high intensity ultrasound waves to liquify tissue and is a promising new method of accurately removing tumors with much less damage to surrounding tissue than current methods. This device will be part of a surgical suite for minimally invasive neurosurgery, enabling removal of tumors with extremely high precision. The current design uses an acoustic lens to focus ultrasound to a fixed point. In this project an annular array will be used to enable the focal depth to be electronically moved, resulting in increased penetration depth and more rapid tissue removal.

Achieving Clinical Automation in Paediatric Emergency Medicine with Machine Learning Medical Directives

Patients in the US and Canada have been suffering from overcrowding and long wait times in emergency departments, along with poor health conditions. In order to provide guidelines for nurses, medical directives can request certain diagnostic tests during triage, which speeds up the process by providing test results to the physician when making the initial assessment. Our research will use the data from patients’ electronic health records to build and validate various machine learning models and to predict the downstream testing needs for children. The organization can benefit from this research by applying the result to the pediatric emergency department, in a way that efficiently delivers health care to patients.

Addressing the Human Rights Impacts of Environmental Degradation and Climate Change on Women and Girls: An Intergenerational and Indigenous Approach to Environmental Justice

This project examines human rights impacts of natural resource development in Western Canada from the perspective of women and girls, especially Indigenous women and girls. The research will identify gaps between Canada’s relevant international human rights and environmental agreements, domestic law, policies and practises, and the lived realities of women and girls. In partnership with the David Suzuki Foundation, the interns will collaborate with environmental, Indigenous, human rights, and feminist organizations to ensure a nuanced approach to understanding the genocidal and ecocidal impacts of resource development. The human rights capacity of the David Suzuki Foundation will be bolstered by the interns’ human rights expertise, networks, and research.

Development of Automated Pollen Counting System

Pollen allergies affect quality of life and respiratory health. Climate change is impacting the amount of pollen in the environment. The study objective is to develop a sampling instrument that will automatically collect, identify, and count airborne pollens for clinicians and scientists. The challenge will be to develop a reasonably priced instrument, of compact size, which can operate reliably and independently for many days. The system must differentiate pollen from other dust, correctly identify, classify and count by type the number of pollen particles in air with good precision for all common pollen types.

Challenges and Opportunities in the Operation of Residential Building and Hotel (Class B) Pools during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic affected every aspect of our lives, and recreational water facilities were not immune to this with several questions and concerns about potential exposure to the virus at these facilities. This research project aims to understand experiences, needs, and opportunities towards the use of pools in residential buildings and hotels. Two groups of interest that will be investigated are: 1) public pool and spa staff 2) members of the public who use recreational water facilities in residential buildings and hotels The partner organization will utilize results to better understand the challenges and develop strategies to support the pool operation.

Evaluation of Gene Delivery Methods

This project is aimed at understanding evaluating and reviewing gene therapy methodologies used in products in development, assessing the risk and safety and regulatory investigations in different regions of the world. There is limited guidance and regulatory expertise in this area and current drug candidates are being dealt with on a case-by-case basis by the regulatory authorities under existing international guidelines. The intern will aid in furthering this study with assistance from staff and scientists at Charles River labs. The project will also involve a retrospective analysis of data available at Charles River Laboratories to assess the efficacy of said gene delivery platforms. A review article regarding the aforementioned methodologies will be created toward the end of the investigation.

Public Engagement in Nuclear: Medicine, Mining, Meeting Climate Change Commitments

This project explores methods of engagement and communication that bridge the science, public and policy gap in respect of the nuclear ecology: medicine, mining, and meeting climate change commitments (through nuclear energy small modular reactors (SMRs)). Saskatchewan, the home of uranium mining and where scientists helped develop the world’s first cobalt-60 nuclear medicine scanning machines, is an ideal location for this inter and transdisciplinary exploration. United by complex issues (climate change, cancer/disease, nuclear science) and the geography of uranium mining, this study explores people’s attitudes, affects, perceptions and learning surrounding the nuclear ecology.

Toxic Disinformation: Credibility Attacks Against Journalists

Journalists around the world face attacks on their reputations and efforts to undermine the impact of their work. These “credibility attacks” can take the form of false allegations, insults about their character or professionalism, or denigration of their social identity. They often take place online, and in some cases involve disinformation tactics such as doctored images and accusations spread by actors using fake identities. Anecdotal cases of credibility attacks have received attention but there is no systematic study of their prevalence globally, the forms they take, or their impact on journalists. While there is growing recognition of online harassment of female journalists, much less attention is given to issues of ethnicity, race or religion. Working with PEN Canada, UBC researchers will address these knowledge gaps to improve understanding of this issue and propose measures to counteract it.

Understanding minke whale migration, feeding, and population structure in the North Atlantic

Minke whales are common in the North Atlantic, but there are huge gaps in scientific knowledge about the species. Through collaboration with Mériscope, we will attach satellite tags to minke whales that feed in the St Lawrence Estuary (SLE) in the summer to track where they migrate throughout the rest of the year. At the same time, we will collect tissue samples from the SLE minkes, which we will analyze in comparison with minke whales across other parts of the Atlantic. By looking at their genetics, we can identify differences and connectivity between groups, and using other chemical signals in their tissues, we can shed light on the whales’ diet, which in turn can provide information about the larger ecosystem. Overall, having a better understanding of minke whale biology will be essential both to their conservation and to understanding how climate change is affecting the North Atlantic marine landscape.