Innovative Projects Realized

Mechanical design and fabrication of support structures for ris-assisted wireless communication in underground mining environments

The increasing demand for reliable wireless communication systems in underground mining environments has driven the need for innovative, low-cost, and resilient solutions. Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) present a promising approach to enhance signal propagation and ensure continuous, high-quality communication in these complex, obstructed settings. However, the successful deployment of RIS technology depends not only on the electronic and electromagnetic design but also on the development of robust mechanical support systems capable of withstanding harsh mining conditions.
This project focuses on the design, fabrication, and validation of modular, durable mechanical support structures specifically tailored for RIS panels in underground mines. The intern will be tasked with reviewing environmental and operational requirements, developing CAD-based mechanical designs, selecting appropriate materials, and fabricating prototypes using additive manufacturing techniques. Comprehensive mechanical and environmental testing will be conducted to ensure long-term performance, including resistance to vibrations, humidity, and mechanical stresses. The support structures will incorporate adjustability features to facilitate easy deployment and optimal signal alignment.
By addressing practical deployment challenges, this project aims to bridge the gap between theoretical RIS designs and their real-world applications, contributing to safer, more efficient communication infrastructures in the mining sector and other high-risk industrial environments.

Déformation et recristallisation de l’aluminium

Le stage consisterai à étudier, par le biais de simulations numériques (I’expérimentation ayant déjà été réalisée), la déformation à froid et la recristallisation de l’aluminium. Pour cela, I’objectif sera de faire varier différents facteurs physiques et de les intégrer dans un programme dont la déjà définie, afin d’étudier la sensibilité des modèles (type analyse ANOVA) et leur capacité à simuler le comportement des grains d’aluminium. Si le temps le permet, il sera ensuite possible de faire une ‘expérience critique’, dont les résultats ne sont pas connus, en prédisant les résultats avant de faire l’expérience et voir si le modèle est robuste.

Extraction, isolation and identification of activemolecules in Kisameet Clay

Initial studies on the Kisameet Bay Clay Deposit by Dr. Ernest Hauser of MIT in the early 1950’s showed the unique properties of this clay deposit. To build on this early research and make clear a distinction between Kisolite and other clay’s on the market, we have chosen to invest in modern research. As such, a research intern from the University of British Columbia will use and evolve modern chemical characterization techniques to isolate and identify the biologically active (i.e. antimicrobial) organic components of Kisolite. In addition, the microbial inhabitants of the clay may play an important role in many of the unique properties observed from the clay. Therefore, chemical characterization will also be conducted on extracts of these microorganisms to identify their role in the clay’s unique properties. The results of this work will provide Kisameet Clay Company with a better understanding of their product and its composition at the molecular level.

Density functional theory (DFT) assessment of new ligand designs for catalytic olefin polymerization – depolymerization

The upcoming research internship will explore hypothetical molecules derived from pyridine, which could be integrated in ligands for olefin polymerization and, potentially, depolymerization. Olefin polymerization is a catalytic process by which polyethylene and polypropylene are manufactured using catalysts incorporating unique ligand frameworks. This computational study aims to 1) determine the best ligand design for molecules derived from pyridine, 2) understand the properties of the proposed hypothetical molecules, such as structure and reactivity, and 3) determine the ability of these molecules to bind to metals. All of these properties will also be compared to the reference ligand, the ubiquitous pyridine. By simulating these reactions computationally via Density Functional Theory (DFT), the project will identify the most promising targets for later laboratory synthesis, thus saving time, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental impact. The primary goal of this project is to train the intern in computational chemistry, a crucial skill that enhances other chemistry disciplines. The intern will learn and apply computational techniques within the Vasko group at the University of Helsinki, which has extensive expertise with the investigation of main group compounds using quantum methods, and will assess the feasibility of the proposed molecules as components in ancillary ligands for olefin polymerization.

Évaluation des impacts de la présence ou de l’absence de poissons sur le réseau trophique aquatique des lacs sur esker en Abitibi-Témiscamingue.

Au Québec, certains plans d’eau sont régulièrement ensemencés en poissons afin de répondre à des objectifs de conservation. Ces introductions de poissons ne sont toutefois pas sans conséquence. Elles modifient le réseau trophique aquatique par l’ajout de compétition et de prédation. Les impacts écologiques sont, eux, plus importants lorsque ces poissons sont introduits dans un lac initialement sans poisson (LSP). Dans la région de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, on trouve des écosystèmes aquatiques très particuliers: des lacs de kettle sur esker qui sont majoritairement dénués de poissons. La mission principale du stagiaire dans ce projet sera de déterminer si les données d’absorbance et de fluorescence de l’eau des lacs sur eskers en Abitibi-Témiscamingue peuvent être révélatrices de la présence ou non de poissons dans un lac. La couleur de l’eau (mesurée grâce à son spectre absorbance et de fluorescence) peut en effet révéler un certain état des réseaux trophiques déterminer par la présence de poissons. La réponse à cette question de recherche menée par ce stage permettra de faire avancer un point important de la recherche en écologie de ces lacs qui est de relier leur physico-chimie à leur biologie et histoire évolutive.

L2M Nimbus

Noise pollution is a pervasive issue, particularly in urban environments where it affects sleep quality, cognitive function, and overall health. In response to this growing problem, our project introduces Nimbus, an innovative earplug technology designed to offer adjustable noise attenuation, tailored to the specific needs and environments of its users.

Traditional earplugs often provide a one-size-fits-all solution, which can lead to either too much noise being blocked—impairing communication and awareness—or not enough, failing to protect the user’s hearing effectively. Nimbus addresses this gap by allowing users to adjust the level of noise reduction and the frequencies being filtered. This adaptability makes Nimbus ideal for a variety of settings, from daily commutes to noisy workplaces and even sleeping environments.

This project leverages cutting-edge research in audiology and acoustic engineering to create earplugs that are both effective and comfortable. Users can selectively dampen disruptive sounds like traffic or loud music while still being able to hear important alerts or conversations, enhancing both safety and comfort.

Our goals with Nimbus are twofold: to enhance individual well-being by providing superior hearing protection and to foster innovation in the earplug market, which is projected to grow significantly in the coming years. The Nimbus earplugs not only represent a significant advancement in personal audio protection but also reflect a commitment to addressing public health challenges associated with noise pollution.

By offering a customizable, user-friendly solution, Nimbus aims to set a new standard in hearing protection, combining comfort, efficiency, and versatility to meet the unique demands of modern life. This project not only aims to innovate within the field but also to educate and raise awareness about the importance of proactive hearing protection.

Sensor Fusion for Biometric and Environmental Data

CHAH’s mission is to revolutionize healthcare by enabling personalized, proactive home care. Using AI and sensor technology, CHAH transforms homes into intelligent health monitoring environments, tracking physiological and behavioral indicators to detect early health risks and enable timely intervention. Its flagship initiatives include AI-driven predictive healthcare models, real-time sensor fusion, and secure platforms for seamless patient-caregiver communication. By integrating biometric (e.g., heart rate, respiratory patterns, sleep) and environmental (e.g., air quality, movement, medication adherence) data, CHAH enhances early disease detection, reduces preventable hospitalizations, and improves long-term outcomes.
Canada’s healthcare system faces a crisis of unsustainable costs, hospital overcrowding, and gaps in chronic disease management, exacerbated by an aging population. Remote AI health monitoring offers a scalable, cost-effective solution, particularly for chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and neurodegenerative disorders. AI-driven monitoring delivers clinically relevant insights, personalized alerts, and data-driven recommendations, ensuring at-risk individuals receive timely, high-quality care without unnecessary hospital visits.
By enabling millions of Canadians to receive care at home, CHAH seeks to transform healthcare delivery, alleviate systemic strain, and improve patient outcomes on a national scale.

L2M – Oculum

Oculum is developing a new technology to make eye surgeries safer and more efficient by eliminating the need for chemical dyes. Currently, surgeons use these dyes to see delicate eye tissues, but they come with risks like retinal damage and complications, and they don’t always work reliably. Our solution provides a safer and more consistent way to enhance surgical precision, reducing risks for patients and making high-quality eye care more accessible. With strong support from ophthalmologists, we are refining our technology and expanding our customer research beyond Canada to understand global surgical needs and bring this innovation to market.

L2M – Clarify Student Resources

Canada’s education system is facing mounting challenges. Educators are reporting high levels of stress and burnout, largely due to administrative burdens that take time away from teaching. Simultaneously, students—particularly in STEM subjects—are struggling to keep pace in a system that often lacks the capacity to provide individualized support. These issues are especially pronounced in under-resourced and rural communities.

To address these challenges, this project will develop Clarify, an AI-powered education platform designed to streamline teacher workflows and enhance personalized learning for students. Clarify automates time-consuming tasks such as grading and lesson planning while generating data-driven insights into student performance. At the same time, it provides students with adaptive study plans tailored to their unique learning styles, strengths, and needs.

The project will focus on designing, building, and piloting a Minimum Viable Product with key features including AI-assisted auto-marking, personalized study tools, and performance analytics. Through pilot programs in schools across Nova Scotia, Ontario, and British Columbia, the platform will be refined using feedback from educators, students, and administrators. Data privacy and alignment with provincial education standards will be central to the platform’s design.

This initiative goes beyond typical educational software development by integrating expertise in artificial intelligence, user-centered design, and educational psychology. It aims not only to reduce administrative burden, but to support more meaningful teacher-student interaction and improve student outcomes—particularly in areas where traditional supports are limited.

With iterative improvements, the project will be positioned to transition from development to real-world implementation. In doing so, it contributes to a more equitable and effective education system, improves workforce readiness, and strengthens Canada’s position as a leader in education innovation.

L2M – BioThera Solutions

Our project aims to revolutionize the anti-aging skincare market by developing a breakthrough delivery system that enhances the absorption of active ingredients at the cellular level. Traditional skincare products often fail to penetrate deep enough to provide lasting results, leaving consumers with temporary fixes. By leveraging innovative biotechnology, our solution ensures more profound skin rejuvenation, reducing the need for costly or invasive procedures. This project will provide a cutting-edge product that meets the growing demand for effective, science-backed anti-aging solutions, positioning us, BioThera Solutions, as an innovative leader in the $44 billion anti-aging skincare market.

Signal/Noise analyzer for EM Telemetry tool

The ultimate objective of this project is to design and develop a signal/noise analyzer to improve the reliability and efficiency of EM-based measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tool within various strata formation under high temperature, deep drilling environment. In order to analyze the received signal contaminated by surface and underground noise, it is essential to understand the electrical and magnetic field behavior with respect to rock formation and the transmitted signal properties including frequency, amplitude, and phase. In this regard, the main focus of this research project is dedicated to study, analysis and simulation of electrical properties of the underground strata formation in drilling environment such as conductivity, dielectric constant, permeability, permittivity, and resistivity. This four-month project includes research and study on previous works and literatures; papers, patents and textbooks and modeling, and computer simulation of induced current penetration under different drilling environments.

Biomolecular characterization of micro-organisms associated with the rhizosphere of five economically important Andean crops as an assessment of soil health and productivity

The project has five steps: 1. Identification of the microbiota associated with the rhizosphere of five economically important crops in the province of Chimborazo, Ecuador; 2. Isolate and select micro-organism strains that are likely to contribute efficiently to the development of the crops; 3. Using field trials, determine the efficiency of the selected micro-orgranisms; 4. Knowledge transfer and report writing. The intern will arrive to undertake steps 3 and 4. The lead investigator is part of a research team in adaptation to climate change based at ESPOCH in Chimborazo. I have worked with the team for over five years and it emphasizes international collaborations. The intern will be part of a team of undergraduate students and will build research skills that can be applied to soil research in the Thunder Bay area.