Innovative Projects Realized

AI/ML in Applied Marine Bioacoustics: Exploring the transfer of existing models from other domains

This project aims to answer the research question “can existing AI/ML models from other domains be applied to help address marine bioacoustics challenges?”

One of the key challenges is that marine bioacoustics lags behind terrestrial bioacoustics in the level of research attention and technical advancement. Additionally, bioacoustics as a field has been slower in leveraging AI/ML techniques compared to other domains, such as speech recognition and medical imaging.

The Mitacs intern will:
1. Expand the preliminary literature review undertaken during Winter 2025 through a Memorial University Professional Skills Development Program 60-hour Global Student Exchange placement.
2. Curate and clean a database of known/identified sound recordings for selected marine species, as well as recordings of marine environments containing many sounds (ambient, shipping, marine mammals, fishes, etc.).
3. Use the cleaned data to test the effectiveness of existing AI/ML models transferred from other domains.
4. Engage experts for challenge identification/confirmation, species selection, data provision and results verification.

newkid x Patricia: Stepping into the front doors as the new kid

newkid® is a creative company specializing in branding for startups that want to stand out. We establish and evolve brands to have a strong sense of self, clarity of purpose, distinctive style, and a singular perspective. Our work spans across brand strategy, creative direction, visual identity, naming, advertising, packaging, and digital experiences.

The challenge: As the demand for brand design services grows, startups expect more innovative, efficient, and dynamic branding solutions to differentiate themselves in highly competitive markets. Traditional branding processes can be resource-intensive, requiring extensive research, exploration, and iteration. Additionally, newkid aims to refine its internal design methodologies and leverage new tools to enhance efficiency while maintaining the quality and creativity we are known for.

Collecte de données et prototypage de modèles d’intelligence artificielle pour la détection d’anomalies acoustiques

Le projet vise à optimiser les performances des raboteuses industrielles utilisées dans la production de bois d’œuvre. Cette initiative répond à des défis croissants, tels que la pénurie de main-d’œuvre qualifiée et les dysfonctionnements fréquents des équipements. Il se concentre sur la collecte de données acoustiques provenant de microphones et de capteurs comme des accéléromètres et des capteurs d’émissions acoustiques. Ces informations permettront de développer des modèles d’apprentissage automatique capables de détecter automatiquement les anomalies, facilitant ainsi l’identification des problèmes mécaniques avant qu’ils n’affectent la qualité ou le rendement. En aidant les opérateurs moins expérimentés à comprendre leur machinerie, ce projet vise à réduire les pannes imprévues. Réalisé en collaboration avec Bois Daaquam Inc., le projet comprend deux étapes principales : la collecte de données multisource sur site, suivie du prototypage de modèles intelligents basés sur ces données. Ces travaux apporteront des bénéfices non seulement à l’entreprise partenaire, mais également à l’industrie canadienne en générant des outils applicables à d’autres scieries.

Application of Generative AI for Business Intelligence and Data Analytics

This project focuses on implementing Generative AI capabilities for WebPal’s data warehouse system at Palomino System Innovations Inc. The initiative aims to enhance business intelligence and data analytics capabilities through an intuitive AI interface that simplifies complex data management tasks.

Business & Operations Growth

Turolight is a leading provider of energy-efficient lighting solutions, specializing in cutting-edge Light Emitting Diode (LED) technologies tailored for commercial and industrial applications. The company offers a comprehensive range of high-performance LED products and smart lighting systems designed to meet the evolving needs of sectors such as manufacturing, warehousing, retail, and institutional facilities. With a strong commitment to sustainability, Turolight aims to enhance lighting performance by improving brightness, color accuracy, and uniformity while minimizing glare and ensuring consistent illumination across various environments. This involves optimizing lighting for specific tasks and integrating adaptive controls that respond to occupancy, daylight availability, and user preferences. At the same time, the company strives to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact through the use of high-efficiency components, intelligent controls, and environmentally conscious materials.

Intelligent modular electromagnetic mapping instrument for non-contact material characterization

The main objectives of the project are designing, developing, and integrating a high-resolution electromagnetic mapping instrument, with interchangeable sensor arrays or sensor suites for single-sided access, non-contact characterization of materials, by evaluating different electromagnetic properties (i.e., electric conductivity, magnetic permeability, dielectric constant) while using an intelligent modular architecture.
Sustainability of new and improved manufacturing methods, one of the main objectives of the Advanced Manufacturing cluster program, can only be assured though repeatable processes and quality of the resulting parts. In the aerospace industry, introduction of new manufacturing processes (i.e., additive manufacturing) and novel materials are required to demonstrate fitness for purpose. Sensing is simultaneously at the heart of characterization of new materials and maintenance of existing structures. Electromagnetic sensing has a wide variety of applications, as electric and magnetic material properties could identify discontinuities that are or would be detrimental to a part, component, or structure under certain operating conditions or in certain environments. the goal of this project is to develop and integrate electromagnetic sensing instrumentation that would allow for fast, accurate, and non-destructive evaluation of metallic and non-metallic structures, with multi-technique and multi-sensor competencies, that could be deployed both in the lab and in an industrial setting.

Electrochemical Sensing Using Electrodes Modified with Anion Exchange Polymers: Towards Portable Testing

The rapidly increasing global use of cannabis and the increasing potency of ?9-tetrahydrocannabinol (?9-THC), the primary psychoactive component, necessitate rapid, sensitive, and portable detection methods for drug screening. Traditional chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques, while accurate, have limitations that hinder their use in point-of-care (POC) and real-life scenarios. Electrochemical sensors offer a promising alternative due to their simplicity, speed, simple sample pre-treatment, and potential for quantification. This Mitacs Globalink research project aims to develop and optimize an electrochemical sensor for ?9-THC detection using screen-printed electrodes modified with a thin film of novel anion exchange polymers synthesized at Simon Fraser University. The positively charged polymer film is hypothesized to enhance sensitivity and selectivity by pre-concentrating and stabilizing the electroactive ?9-THC phenoxide while repelling cationic interferences. The project will be conducted at the University of Huddersfield, focusing on electrode optimization in aqueous media, performance evaluation in artificial saliva, and assessment of interference effects from common substances. The anticipated outcome is a cost-effective, stable, rapid, and user-friendly electrochemical sensor for ?9-THC, compatible with smartphone-based POC analysis, offering a significant advantage over existing qualitative methods and addressing critical needs in roadside testing, workplace screening, and cannabis market monitoring.

Mise en place de dispositifs de diagnostic de marais filtrant

Le projet consiste à la mise en place de dispositifs d’échantillonnage et de prélèvements sur des systèmes de biofiltres plantés, ainsi que le suivi des paramètres de traitement de ces systèmes.

Evaluating canine hydration through physiological markers of hydration status, drinking behavior and hydration strategy

This project focuses on understanding how hydration status affects the health and wellbeing of dogs, a topic that has long been overlooked. Dehydration in dogs can lead to serious health issues, but the specific water intake requirements for dogs are still unclear. The project will explore key areas such as identifying reliable markers to measure hydration, examining how a dog’s behavior relates to water intake, and testing products designed to promote hydration to see how they improve dog hydration status. By doing so, the research aims to work with the partner organization to develop hydration focused products for dogs. The findings will support product innovation and regulatory compliance in the growing Canadian pet nutrition industry. The intern will be involved with data collection, analysis, and evaluation, working closely with the academic supervisor and partner organization to bridge the gap between academic research and industry application.

Democratize Human-Centered Design to accelerate Innovation at Canadian Pacific Rail

This research project is organized around design and delivery of training workshop, toolkits and support services to democratize Human Centered Design approach within the Information Systems department of CPKC rail. As result of the project deliverables, Information Systems department employees will be able to successfully design and develop digital solutions that are desirable to the end users and aligned with business strategies and business outcomes and position the organization to successfully deliver on its digital transformation roadmap.

Discussions environnementales et éco-anxiété: Vers l’atteinte d’une conscience environnementale

Le « avant pandémie » et le « après pandémie » divergent sur plusieurs aspects, dont la communication environnementale. D’ailleurs, depuis la pandémie, la population semble davantage fermée aux discussions climatiques, en plus de faire preuve d’éco-anxiété et démontrer moins d’efforts dédiés à la crise climatique. Toutefois, qu’elles sont les solutions viables pour la population qui souffre de cette éco-anxiété? Qu’elles sont les solutions qui s’offrent aux individus pour pallier cette peur de discuter des problèmes environnementaux? En fait, qu’elles sont les raisons de ces peurs, de cette éco-anxiété? Ce sont toutes des questions qui seront traités dans ce projet de recherche. Pour ce faire, les responsables de l’entreprise et moi-même travaillerons de pair pour exécuter des groupes de discussions. De plus, des rencontres individuelles avec des experts du domaine permettront de clarifier et compléter notre revue de littérature. Nous répondrons ainsi aux attentes de l’organisme qui souhaite adapter son plan de communication depuis une perspective citoyenne. Néanmoins, sur le plan de la littérature, nous ajouterons un aspect communicationnel au sujet d’éco-anxiété, traité majoritairement en psychologie. De plus, nous proposerons des solutions concrètes pour les organismes et les organisations souhaitant améliorer leurs discours environnementaux en créant un guide de référence.

Education in the field; using behavioral wildlife research to inform the interpretive program of an eco-tourism operation – Year two

Knight Inlet Lodge is an eco-tourism resort specializing in grizzly bear viewing, and caters to both national and
international clients. The business requires research to improve their interpretive program by informing guide
naturalists on the function of observed bear behaviour. Research is required to: 1) assess the relatedness and
movements patterns of regularly observed bears, 2) assess the use of bear scent marking trees in the surrounding
estuary, 3) assess how local food availability (salmon) affects the social behaviour of bears. Non-invasively derived
DNA from bear fur will identify individuals and allow for the assessment of relatedness between bears. Capturing
scent marking with remote cameras will allow for the analysis of the behaviour, and assessment of how it is influenced
by food availability. Including this knowledge within the interpretive program will allow Knight Inlet Lodge to offer
clients a noval market niche and high-quality wildlife experience.