Innovative Projects Realized

Machine learning developer intern(s) within cross-functional teams to develop and commercialize AI-powered solutions (17)

AltaML builds artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled solutions to business problems. We work with organisations, bringing together their data and domain expertise with our AI expertise, to develop AI solutions that are deployed in their operations. We also commercialize AI-enabled products business via
industry-specific ventures, yielding scalability from our investment in the first solution. Qilong Yu (Machine Learning Developer intern) will work closely with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) on their GenWhales use case. The project aims to leverage Generative AI techniques and Reinforcement learning with human feedback for synthetic image generation. We identified two GenAI approaches and during this project want to experiment with both of them to improve and create usable images. These synthetic images would then be used to further train and improve Object detection and image classification models, which will in return enable the preservation of whales, improving Canadian water ways and aquatic ecosystems.

The Effects of Active Road Signs on Road Safety and Driving Behavior

This project seeks to evaluate the benefits of deploying active road signs on road safety and driving behavior. Different types of iluminated and traffic responsive traffic signs will be considered, under urban and rural setting. Two case studies will be analyzed for this purpose. The company expects to identify demonstrate that their products are beneficial to improve road safety. This represents an initial stage of the larger project. Eventually, the industrial partner seeks to develop a global framework for deployment of active traffic signs based on several factors (e.g. type of roadway, speeds, traffic volume, road users, etc.). The intern will benefit from exposure to the latest advacements in the area of traffic data collection and processing. Also, the student will be in charge with developing and executing the analysis methodology of the collected traffic data. Road safety is a very important studye in are in transportation engineering and this is also the focus area of the PhD student involved in the project.

3D printed concrete construction

This project will contribute to developing design guidelines for steel-reinforced 3D printed concrete structural members. 3D printing is a novel construction method that is being developed around the world. It has the potential to revolutionize construction practices, because it is an automated process that requires less heavy labor compared to regular construction practices. The material used for 3D printing structural members has similar properties to ordinary concrete, however there are few critical differences that make the design codes developed for reinforced concrete construction possibly not applicable for 3D printed reinforced concrete, unless modified.

This proposal will investigate one of these critical differences-the fact that the aggregate sizes need to be a small fraction of those common in reinforced concrete. This means that the development length of the steel rebar in 3D printed concrete will need to be re-established for this new type of material and construction. The development length is an important parameter that needs to be satisfied in all reinforced concrete designs, to assure that the full design capacity of the section can be developed. This proposal will determine the development length and spacing of steel rebars needed for successful 3D printed construction.

Development of Solution-Processed Zinc Oxide Nano Ink for High-Performance Organic Photovoltaics

This project, led by PINA Creation Inc. in collaboration with Simon Fraser University (SFU), focuses on developing a new zinc oxide (ZnO) nano ink for use in organic solar cells. Traditional ZnO layers require high temperatures and complex fabrication, making them expensive and difficult to scale. By creating a low-cost, solution-based ZnO ink, this project aims to improve efficiency, stability, and ease of manufacturing for next-generation solar cells. The research includes developing the ink, applying it in solar cells, and testing performance to ensure reliability. The results will help advance clean energy technology, making solar power more affordable and scalable. This work will contribute to scientific publications, industry partnerships, and commercialization efforts, positioning PINA Creation Inc. as a leader in sustainable nanomaterials.

Technical product intern(s) working within cross-functional teams to commercialize AI-powered solutions (1)

AltaML builds artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled solutions to business problems. We work with organisations, bringing together their data and domain expertise with our AI expertise, to develop AI solutions that are deployed in their operations. We also commercialize AI-enabled products business via industry-specific ventures, yielding scalability from our investment in the first solution. AltaML’s AI Lab for Government, also known as GovLab, is a talent accelerator for public service professionals, post-secondary students and recent graduates. GovLab.ai’s mission is to set a global example of how to transform the public sector through applied AI, and is designed to encourage the growth of technical and business AI skill sets that are in high demand across Alberta and around the world. AltaML’s Venture Studio is an incubator program that works with founders and co-founders in the emerging tech industry to scale ideas, build venture products, and launch AI/ML startups across numerous industries.

Développement d’un cadre d’évaluation des pôles de mobilité durable à Montréal

D’ici 2050, l’Agence de mobilité durable (l’Agence) projette de déployer 150 pôles de mobilité, en vue de promouvoir et fournir une diversité de transports alternatifs durables, améliorer l’efficacité des déplacements urbains et accroître la qualité de vie dans les quartiers. Le premier pôle de mobilité a été inauguré en 2024. Dans ce contexte, des outils de planification, de mise en œuvre et d’évaluation sont développés et affinés. Le projet de recherche proposé vise à développer avec l’Agence un cadre d’évaluation des retombées des pôles de mobilité durable sur les quartiers où ils sont implantés au regard de critères relatifs à la mobilité durable et au tissu urbain (environnement naturel et bâti) et socioéconomique. La prémisse de recherche repose sur la prise en compte du tissu urbain et socioéconomique propre à chaque secteur de la ville où les pôles de mobilité durable sont déployés, afin d’optimiser leur conception et leurs composantes.

Cartographie et classification du terrain à potentiel avalancheux au Nunavik (nord du Québec)

Les aléas naturels et les risques associés deviennent plus fréquents dans les régions arctiques et subarctiques du Canada, incluant le Nunavik. Ils peuvent avoir des impacts dévastateurs sur la sécurité, le bien-être, l’économie de subsistance, les activités et l’identité culturelle des communautés inuites. La nature et l’ampleur des événements varient selon les paramètres environnementaux et le degré d’exposition des sites. Il est donc primordial de mener des recherches collaboratives sur les aléas naturels, notamment les avalanches de neige, dont les connaissances sont fragmentaires. Actuellement, les cartes utilisées par les entrepreneurs et aménagistes sont basées sur des informations anciennes (30 ans) et non sur des études de terrain solides ni sur des échanges avec les communautés concernées. Avec les changements humains (hausse démographique) et naturels actuels, il est essentiel de refaire ces cartes en utilisant des approches méthodologiques nouvelles. Cette étude vise à identifier les facteurs déclencheurs d’avalanches pour déterminer les villages les plus à risque. Ces facteurs incluent la topographie, la géologie de surface, la végétation et les conditions météorologiques. L’objectif est de fournir à l’Administration régionale Kativik des connaissances et des simulations pour orienter l’aménagement du territoire du Nunavik.

Deep Learning-Enabled 3D Fluorescence Imaging for Cancer Surgery

The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, part of the University Health Network (UHN), is Canada’s largest cancer hospital and one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world. This internship will take place in the Guided Therapeutics (GTx) lab, part of the cancer centre’s research institutes. The GTx lab is developing novel devices, algorithms, and nanoparticles to guide cancer surgery. The multi-disciplinary team consists of surgeons working alongside engineers, physicists, computer scientists, and chemists. Novel technology developed in the lab translates to first-in-human clinical studies, with a strong academic focus (e.g., peer-reviewed papers, conference presentations). Cancer surgeons face the challenge of determining how deep a tumour invades below the surface. Inaccurate resections leave tumour behind and negatively affect patient outcomes. Medical devices to image the patient during surgery may help guide more precise tumour removal. To this end, the GTx lab is developing an AI-powered optical imaging system to measure tumour depth. To date, this prototype system has undergone pre-clinical testing in simplified, 3D-printed models derived from real patient cases. This internship will help the team optimize this technology to work in more realistic preclinical experiments, in preparation for future clinical studies with cancer patients.

Biocarbon from agricultural waste for energy storage

The proposed research focuses on the development of biocarbon materials from waste spent clay and soapstocks from vegetable oil processing. The biocarbon will be used as the filler in developing rubber composite material as a potential substitution for carbon black produced from petroleum sources. The intern will work with the team of graduate students and postdoc fellow and industry partners and gain skills in green material synthesis methods and characterization techniques.

The effect of dynamic information display on perception of public restroom cleanliness

The cleanliness of restroom drives people’s preferences. In places such as hotels, restaurants and hospitals, a dirty bathroom will drive away potential customers as it lead them to question the cleanliness of the whole facility. Visionstate Inc. developed WANDA (Washroom Attendant Notification Digital Aid), a LCD touch screen that display the time of most recent restroom service and a interactive interface to request restroom maintenance. The proposed study is to investigate whether features of WANDA enhance people’s perception of bathroom cleanliness. The study asks people to fill out an anonymous survey when they exit a public restroom, asking about how clean they feel the bathroom is. If the study found people perceive the bathroom to be cleaner with presence of WANDA, the finding would help Visionstate Inc. to promote WANDA to clients. If WANDA is ineffective to influence the perception of cleanliness, the finding might help Visionstate to further improve product features.

Impact Assessment of Predictive Capabilities

Comprehensive Healthcare at Home (CHAH Technology) is a Toronto-based health-tech startup leveraging AI to enhance home-based healthcare. The company develops predictive models that monitor patient health, detect early warning signs, and facilitate timely interventions to prevent hospitalizations.
The healthcare system in Canada faces growing challenges due to an aging population and high public healthcare costs. CHAH’s technology addresses these issues by providing proactive and cost-effective care in home environments. This internship will assess the real-world impact of CHAH’s predictive models in collaboration with St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Hamilton, a leading research institution.
By evaluating key performance indicators (KPIs) such as hospital readmission rates, cost savings, and patient satisfaction, this project will validate CHAH’s approach and support its integration into broader healthcare frameworks. The insights gained will enhance CHAH’s predictive models, improve adoption rates among healthcare providers, and contribute to sustainable healthcare solutions.

Étude des potentialités du Biochar pour des nouveaux matériaux biosourcés bas carbone

La demande croissante de matériaux écologiques et abondants a fait du biochar un agent de renfort très recherché dans les applications automobiles. Le biochar possède des propriétés uniques, telles qu’une structure poreuse, une grande surface spécifique, une haute stabilité thermique, une bonne conductivité, une source de matière première renouvelable et abondante, ainsi qu’une durabilité environnementale. Ces caractéristiques contribuent à la performance exceptionnelle, aux avantages environnementaux et aux faibles coûts de production des composites à base de biochar. Ce projet vise à explorer l’impact des méthodes de préparation et des paramètres de processus, tels que le type de matrice, les pourcentages de fibres et les additifs, sur la formulation et les propriétés des biocomposites à base de biochar. Il offre une analyse approfondie de la manière dont les modifications des propriétés chimiques du biochar améliorent les caractéristiques des matériaux biosourcés et renforcent l’interface entre le biochar et la matrice dans les biocomposites. De plus, le projet met également en lumière le potentiel de corréler les propriétés chimiques avec les propriétés diélectriques du biochar en utilisant des outils d’apprentissage automatique.