Innovative Projects Realized

Explore thousands of successful projects resulting from collaboration between organizations and post-secondary talent.

13270 Completed Projects

1072
AB
2795
BC
430
MB
106
NF
348
SK
4184
ON
2671
QC
43
PE
209
NB
474
NS

Projects by Category

10%
Computer science
9%
Engineering
1%
Engineering - biomedical
4%
Engineering - chemical / biological

Investigation of the role of macrophage and smooth muscle cell sub-phenotypes in human atherosclerosis

Providence Healthcare has established a reputation as one of the leading centres for cardiovascular research and treatment in Canada. Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals Canada is a major provider of pharmaceuticals used in cardiovascular treatment, and has an active research agenda aimed at improving the effectiveness of non]invasive diagnosis and treatment in this field. Pfizer and Providence Healthcare are collaborating on this research in order to develop more effective pharmacological treatments for atherosclerosis. This project seeks to delve into the central role that the macrophages and smooth muscle cells play in atherosclerosis by determining how different sub]phenotypes mediate the process. The results from this study will be used to establish groundwork for in vivo models as well as provide a rationale for specific immunomodulatory treatments of atherosclerosis.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Gordon Francis

Student:

Sima Allahverdian

Partner:

Providence Health Care

Discipline:

Medicine

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

Left Ventricular Septal Pacing Through Trans-Ventricular Septal Approach – A Feasibility Study

It is well known in Cardiology that chronic right ventricular apex (RVA) pacing (using a pacemaker to regulate heart rhythm by pacing the lower chamber of the heart near the base) might be detrimental to heart function. Right Ventricular Apex (RVA) pacing is the most commonly used for patients. Alternate sites such as right ventricular (RV) pacing, including right ventricular septum and right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), have not been shown to be definitely superior over RVA pacing. Left Ventricular (LV) pacing alone is more promising and consistently demonstrated significant hemodynamic (blood circulation) benefit over RVA pacing. Traditional LV pacing requires lead placement in the coronary sinus, and activates the LV from the epicardium. However, the procedure is currently more complex and has greater risks. This project will evaluate the feasibility of achieving LV septal pacing and subendocardial LV septum activation using a recently]developed and novel procedure, and also assess its hemodynamic effects.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Stanley Tung

Student:

Shantabanu Chakrabarti/Jonathan Man

Partner:

Providence Health Care

Discipline:

Medicine

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

CO2 sequestration potential of the igneous rocks found at the Turnagain Nickel Project, BC; The possibility of CO2 emission neutral mining?

Recent breakthroughs in carbon sequestration research have shown that mineral carbonation is a realistically feasible practice that may have the potential to sequester large amounts of CO2 in stable carbonate minerals. This research aims to generate sequestration potential (SP) values for the igneous rocks found at the Turnagain Nickel Prospect, northern BC. In order to achieve this, drill core at the site will be laboratory tested to generate SP values. These values will then be analyzed using a geological modeling software package to assess how these values behave geostatistically. Once a model is generated, the values will be added to the ore/waste model already developed for the prospect expanding the mineable block model. This will allow the incorporation of potentially sequestering rock to be included within the mine plan and improve mine]pit optimization with the potential to lower the overall grade for feasibility. Such a model will potentially adapt the existing mine plan to incorporate previously considered waste rock as a valuable resource, creating a unique opportunity, to sequester generated CO2 and possibly even become a net CO2 sequester. The first of its kind globally, targeting advances in mining diversity to counteract global climate change issues.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Michael Hitch

Student:

Anthony Jacobs

Partner:

Hard creek Nickel Corporation

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Mining and quarrying

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

The Local Food Economy: Economics and Significant Gaps

Vancouver is a city that is rich in history and is recognized not only as a premiere city, it continually ranks among the worlds best. The city’s diverse breadth of employment, activities and people has vastly influenced the way food is grown, consumed and celebrated. Strategic infrastructure investment, one of the guiding principles championed by the Vancouver Economic Development Commission, has inspired the development of this study. It is crucial that the food industry maintains its integrity given the importance to other related industries in the Lower Mainland. Supporting the research purpose to determine local food industry needs beyond the farm, are two key objectives: 1)Conduct an audit of the local food economy, which includes a detailed evaluation of needs,demand, supply and security 2)Identify critical gaps and challenges within the local food system, followed by detailed recommendations to meet these challenges To facilitate this research, the intern will collaborate will all stakeholders, initially to seek understanding and then proffer a framework that supports the VEDC to further enhance its strategic relationship with the City of Vancouver.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. James Tansey

Student:

Chris Hild

Partner:

Vancouver Economic Development Commission

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

Finance, insurance and business

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

Southlands Development Pre-Feasibility Energy Study

This project involves the pre]feasibility assessment of a geothermal-based district heating system for the Southlands Development Project being conducted by Century Group in Tsawwassen, British Columbia. The first phase of the research will include the following: a literature review of similar district energy projects in recent years across North America; a technical evaluation of the components of the systems and the scheduling of their inclusion on the site; development of an Excel spreadsheet model to examine a variety of options to include in the district energy system; and a preliminary order]ofmagnitude economic assessment of one or more of these options. The second phase of the work will conduct a detailed economic evaluation of scenarios chosen by the developer. These will also include an analysis of different subcomponents of the development and their amenability to inclusion within a district heating system. The overall analysis will account for geothermal energy supply using heat pump technologies, possible geothermal power generation, possible energy recycling from grey]water systems and agricultural activities, and other heat recovery options such as air-to-air ventilation systems. The benefit to Century Group of this project will include the detailed knowledge about how the Southlands development can benefit from a district heating system approach as well as the creation of a modeling tool to examine other future development opportunities.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. John A. Meech

Student:

Eleni Patsa

Partner:

Century Group

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Energy

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

Mathematical Surface Representations for Conceptual Design

Existing computer art programs, such as Adobe Photoshop, employ a colour manipulation and blending model based on the way different colours of light combine on a monitor. This is at odds with the realworld behaviour of paints, such as oils or acrylics, as studied by fine artists. Some research has been done on simulating paint blending and manipulation on the computer, but this work depends on powerful graphics hardware and specialized input devices. In this project, we will adapt and extend the theoretical results already obtained to consumer mobile devices, such as the iPhone, as part of a digital art application targeted at fine artists already trained in real-world painting techniques. The more limited hardware capabilities available on these devices will require new models and techniques for simulating the manipulation, blending, and appearance of acrylic paints.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Hao (Richard) Zhang

Student:

Matt Olson

Partner:

Shaggy Frog Software Inc.

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Digital media

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program:

Accelerate

Identifying and resolving issues when applying work system modeling on a large scale

The project involves applying a conceptual modeling method called R2M, Role and Request Modeling. The innovative method, and its supporting software (R2M]ST), was developed at the University of British Columbia. R2M assists business analysts to accurately capture organizational roles, interactions, services and IT resources as described by business process owners and abstract the information that can be used by decision makers. Although there has been significant industry interest, the method has not been tested in more complex small to medium sized enterprises (SME). ModiViz has the opportunity to test R2M at the Sauder School of Business and all of its operational units. The interns will add needed resources on the project to interview business process stakeholders, model their descriptions, resolve problems identified with the method and refine R2M]ST. This will allow Sauder to gain a complete picture of its services, observe improvements and align operations to strategic objectives. The project will serve as an SME reference for ModiViz and allow the method to be tested at a more complex organization.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Andrew Burton-Jones

Student:

James Mollard & Bhavna Wadhwa

Partner:

ModiViz Business System Modeling Solutions Inc.

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

Business Case of Industrial Vegetation Management Expansion

Spectrum Resource Group Inc. (Spectrum), looking to diversify from solely Forestry Consulting and Contracting, is striving to horizontally integrate into Industrial Vegetation Management projects. These Industrial Vegetation Projects, in many cases, are very similar to Forestry projects, but access into these markets remains difficult. Research needs to be completed to determine what capital assets would need to be purchased, how Spectrum’s existing resources (physical and human) would fit into conducting these projects and how a marketing plan can be developed to capture these opportunities. The reason Spectrum wants to diversify away from Forestry Projects is because of the decline of Forestry occurring within BC and Alberta. This decline is due to a number of factors: 4. Impact and devastation of mountain pine beetle forests and subsequent drop in harvesting of crop trees. This decline in harvesting is directly resulting in less planting, brushing and surveying contracts for Spectrum 5. High Canadian Dollar limiting Exports of Lumber to the United States 6. Cumbersome and restrictive Softwood Lumber Agreement with the United States The purpose of this research is to determine if there are opportunities for Spectrum to expand their existing Industrial Vegetation departments, and if so, where and how. Research will be completed to determine what Spectrum’s existing market share is within the industrial vegetation management industry and moreover, what steps will be required to expand on this market share. Also, to research other areas of industrial vegetation management that Spectrum doesn’t currently operate within and determine if Spectrums can capture on these opportunities.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Elizabeth Croft

Student:

Duane Neal Maki

Partner:

Spectrum Resource Group Inc.

Discipline:

Business

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

University of Northern British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

Building a Service Model for a Successful Adjustment of Refugee Youth

The internship intends to build a service model for a successful adjustment of refugee youth through a systematic multi-method evaluation of a demonstration project delivered by MOSAIC. A total of forty youth (in four groups) will be recruited to a three]month program from July 2009 to June 2010. This internship offers a third]party evidence]based opinion of the effectiveness of MOSAICfs demonstration project. A triangulated mixed method approach will be employed which includes pre] and post]program focus group interviews with youth participants; personal and telephone survey of participants who complete the program at exit and three months after the completion respectively; personal interview of stakeholders who are involved in the program process; and field observations. Evidence]based feedback will be provided in regular meetings to staff so that they can make prompt and appropriate adjustments for the demonstration project. This internship will ensure the accountability of the NGO partners and the credibility of the results of the demonstration project.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Miu Chung Yan

Student:

Raj Khadka

Partner:

MOSAIC

Discipline:

Social work

Sector:

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

Biocarbon gasification for fuel cell applications

The goal of this research project is to develop a gasifier to provide a gcleanh (e.g. low in tars) syngas for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) applications. The intern will be involved in designing and building the prototype gasifier, and in designing experiments to determine the relationship between operating conditions and syngas quality. SOFCs have high electricity conversion efficiencies and can be used for small]scale community combined heat and power applications. One of the current limitations to using SOFCs as efficient bioenergy processes is the negative impact of tars and other contaminants typically present in syngas derived from biomass. Using biocarbon from Alterna Energyfs slow biomass pyrolysis process as a gasifier substrate will greatly reduce the undesirable tars in the syngas, potentially eliminating the requirement for expensive gas clean up.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Steve Helle

Student:

Nick Finch

Partner:

Alterna Energy Inc.

Discipline:

Resources and environmental management

Sector:

Alternative energy

University:

University of Northern British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

Modeling of Hybrid Power Flow Controller

The utilization of power electronic converters will enhance the power flow in existing infra]structure assets of power transmission and distribution utilities. A recently proposed hybrid power flow controller offers the integration of existing reactive power elements with new converters. Before such devices are accepted by utilities, it is essential to demonstrate their functionality in well proven power system simulation tools such as PSS. This proposal covers the development of suitable PSS based models of these power flow controllers so that planners and utilities can assess their capabilities. The partner company will get working models of their invention which can be used to promote and enhance their development and integration in potential applications. The models will be used in industry standard power system simulation tools and can be verified against benchmark systems.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. V.K. Sood

Student:

Sruti Sivadas

Partner:

North American Rectifier

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Alternative energy

University:

Ontario Tech University

Program:

Accelerate

Design, implementation and evaluation of the prototype for power management in data centres

The project is intended to develop, implement and evaluate a power management solution applicable to data centres. The solution must not require installation of custom software components onto the individual servers. This constraint goes against current solutions which install bespoke software on the servers for the power management solution to function effectively. The solution will have to provide perceivable power savings without loss in the service quality©two conficting goals. Innovative algorithms and policies must therefore, be developed. Giver the absence of custom software executing on the servers, novel methods are also necessary to obtain information about server utilization, which is the governing factor for power management policy decisions. In simple terms, our solution needs to provide plug-and-playcapability and it should be possible to install it in the data centre with little or no disruption of service. A plug-and-play solution holds enormous potential for commercialization. The prototype solution will be developed in collaboration with Aaron Rallo Consulting who bring in first hand industry experience, domain expertise and the infrastructure to test our solution.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Alexandra Fedorova

Student:

Ananth Narayan S.

Partner:

Aaron Rallo Consulting

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

Simon Fraser University

Program:

Accelerate

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