Innovative Projects Realized

Metallogeny of Rare Earth Element deposits in Quebec

The one-year project will investigate the geological, geochemical and geophysical properties of three Rare Earth Element (REE) deposits in Québec. Each of the selected deposit is representative of a class of REE mineral deposits. The project will provide new insights in the origin of the three types of REE mineral deposits. This new understanding of the formation of REE mineral deposits will be transferred to the industrial partners and will be used to improve the odds of discovering REE resources in Québec and Canada. The project will contribute to the training of three MSc and 1 PhD students, that will bring advanced knowledge in REE geology to their future employers.

L2M – Tunable Laser Business Canvas

The industry-standard tunable diode laser (TDL) has a limited tuning range (only a few nanometers), and the output wavelength can only be adjusted thermally which is a slow process. Applications requiring faster tuning, utilize some sort of mechanical element, some systems utilize Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology but these are all still mechanical in nature and do not have good repeatability. In addition mechanical methods are still not very fast, typically on the order of milliseconds. There are many applications which require much fast tuning speeds with good repeatability as it effects system performance, resolution and accuracy. Some application examples that need faster tuning speeds include optical coherence tomography used for retina imaging, telecommunications and more. This project will look at the market feasibility for a new laser technology that can address these gaps in the market today.

L2M-A Sustainability-Driven Framework for Decision Support in Commercialization Using Bayesian Belief Networks

This project focuses on advancing the commercialization of a Sustainable Decision-Making Framework (SDMF) by refining an interactive Bayesian Belief Network (BBN) model. The goal is to enhance the tool’s ability to visually represent decision pathways, making it more appealing and functional for potential customers. The project includes creating a Business Model Canvas, conducting a market evaluation, and testing assumptions through interviews with key stakeholders in sustainability-focused large firms and SMEs.

L2M – Development of Portable Microfluidic Electrochemical Sensors (MES) for On-Site Detection of Heavy and Critical Metal ions

This project aims to develop a portable and cost-effective microfluidic electrochemical sensor (MES) for detecting heavy and critical metal ions in water, including lead and lithium. The innovation integrates advanced microfluidics and electrochemical sensing to achieve on-site, real-time detection of contaminants, reducing the reliance on expensive and time-consuming laboratory methods. By leveraging low-cost fabrication techniques, the proposed MES technology offers scalability and affordability, making it suitable for environmental monitoring and industrial applications. The partner organization benefits from access to a novel, market-ready technology that aligns with growing demands for efficient water quality monitoring and sustainable resource management.

Development of Monodisperse and Stable Coacervate Droplets via Microfluidics for Catalysis Applications

New, greener methods for performing large-scale industrial chemical reactions are critical to decoupling the chemical industry from fossil fuels. Once such emerging category of reactions known as chemoenzymatic reactions are reliant on fossil fuel-derived solvents to run the reactions. Chemoenzymatic reactions are critical in making complex molecules essential in the pharmaceutical and materials industries. We proposed using peptide coacervates, a green, biocompatible liquid material that mimics the solvents required for chemoenzymatic reactions. Our novel approach employs mild conditions, allowing for simple reusability. Improvements in reproducibility will be achieved through microfluidics, a technique that can precisely control the formation of liquid micro-materials. Overall, this advancement will allow for a wider range of chemoenzymatic reactions that are more accessible due to reduced costs and environmental/safety impacts, therefore reducing the environmental and monetary costs of chemoenzymatic reactions.

Both McGill University and the Max Plank Institute (MPI) stand to gain from this project. The expertise in microfluidics will be transferred back to McGill, where groups working on similar projects will take advantage of this import technique. Conversely, peptide coacervates are a new material that will expand the capabilities of the MPI and lead the charge toward greener chemistry.

Réalité virtuelle immersive : un outil innovant pour le bien-être des personnes atteintes de démence dans les établissements de soins de longue durée du Québec

Ce projet utilise la réalité virtuelle immersive pour améliorer le bien-être des personnes aînées vivant avec une démence en établissements de soins de longue durée (CHSLD et MDA/MDAA). La pleine conscience, une pratique consistant à se concentrer sur le moment présent pour réduire le stress et l’anxiété, est au cœur de cette initiative. Grâce à des environnements virtuels apaisants, comme des paysages naturels, les résident·e·s peuvent vivre des expériences immersives qui favorisent la relaxation et réduisent l’isolement social. La première phase du projet explore les défis rencontrés par les intervenant·e·s qui utilisent déjà la plateforme « Toujours Dimanche » et identifie les moyens de faciliter son adoption. La Phase 2 teste et ajuste ces interventions en fonction des besoins des résident·e·s, des proches aidant·e·s et des intervenant·e·s. Les résultats attendus incluent une amélioration significative de la qualité de vie des résident·e·s grâce à des outils novateurs et accessibles. En collaboration avec le CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale et la Fondation FAiS, ce projet vise à démocratiser l’utilisation de la réalité virtuelle dans les milieux de soins. En combinant technologie et pratiques apaisantes comme la pleine conscience, il apporte des solutions concrètes aux défis de la démence et du veiliissement.

Étude du lien entre la taille des artères, les niveaux de sténose et la cognition – Étude de Tromsø

Le projet proposé vise à évaluer l’impact des sténoses, c’est-à-dire un rétrécissement de l’artère, sur la cognition, en particulier comment leur présence et leur localisation affectent divers domaines cognitifs, comme la mémoire et les habiletés motrices. L’étude se distingue par l’utilisation d’outils de caractérisation des artères développés à Sherbrooke, incluant un algorithme capable de détecter des sténoses légères, qui sont souvent négligées dans la recherche. Cette approche permettra d’analyser une vaste cohorte de participants provenant de l’étude Tromsø, offrant ainsi une forte puissance statistique pour explorer les relations entre les sténoses et les fonctions cognitives.
L’un des objectifs du projet est de déterminer si les sténoses, même légères, peuvent être liées à des changements cognitifs. Ce projet est un pas vers une meilleure compréhension de l’impact des dysfonctions vasculaires sur la cognition, ce qui pourrait, à terme, orienter le développement de traitements pour prévenir la progression de la maladie d’Alzheimer et améliorer la qualité de vie des patients.

L2M- Assessing the commercial landscape of an at-home fertility treatment platform

Infertility affects 15% of couples in the U.S. and Canada, with 20-50% of cases linked to male factors. Current treatments like Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI) are costly, invasive, and have low success rates (5-15% per round), creating significant barriers for couples. Fertilead Inc. addresses these challenges with FertilEZ, a self-administered at-home fertility kit that improves sperm separation compared to clinic methods, offering a more affordable, accessible, and private solution for male infertility treatment. Backed by patented technology developed through advanced research, FertilEZ aims to empower couples to take control of their fertility journey. To support commercialization, Fertilead is building a regulatory roadmap for approvals in Canada and the US and evaluating a B2C direct-to-consumer model alongside B2B partnerships with fertility clinics. By combining scientific innovation with accessibility, Fertilead seeks to transform fertility care for couples worldwide.

Novel Characteristic Extraction and Cybersecurity Detections for Generative AI

This project aims to enhance cybersecurity threat detection in response to attacks against Generative AI systems, by identifying novel characteristics in submissions to large language models (LLMs), and using these novel characteristics to generate innovative heuristics to scan for prominent threats to vulnerable GenAI system deployments. The challenge is twofold; first, augmenting existing extraction techniques such as character embeddings, and second, using these novel extraction techniques to develop functional detection heuristics and deploying them in the field This process will allow for improved threat detection, which will bolster the organization’s cybersecurity performance against GenAI threats. As a result, this project will reduce the potential for data breaches and system compromises, while contributing to more efficient and effective cybersecurity strategies.

SportsPrevention.com: Sports injury preventionfor all

SportsPrevention.com estimates the risk levels of preventable injuries associated with training program, training response, recovery and health status by continuously more than 20 evidence-based overtraining and injury markers and risk factors. Each marker is statistically analyzed on an individual basis and results are presented in a simple and meaningful way, along with actionable ‘how to fix’ advices that can be used by coaches and parents to reduce the risk. This new product will benefit to the company Fitstats Technologies Inc. by becoming a leader in the market of mobile applications dedicated to the prevention of sports injuries, either in team or individual sports.

Rethinking the Foundations of Economics and Finance

A central research objective is to offer a unifying narrative and framework for undertaking and critiquing economic and financial analysis. Building on the first principles of dynamic systems, a critical focal point is the continuity of the shifting evolutionary interface between microeconomic and macroeconomic mechanisms, along with associated bidirectional impacts. In simple terms, microeconomics continuously feeds into macroeconomics, but also macroeconomics potentially redefines the underpinnings of microeconomics, with such evolving influences being dependent on specific phenomena and time horizons. Specific further analytical elements include the hierarchical conceptual importance of information revelation and “news” diffusion processes for redefining equilibrium and disequilibrium states. In this regard, the problematic of the “black swan” highlights how learning transition processes depend on the interrelation between individual and social behavior, as well as sunk cost irreversibility.

Collectivité inclusive, dynamisation agile

Le projet cherche à étudier comment les projets de dynamisation des cœurs de collectivités (centre-ville, noyau villageois, cœur de quartier) peuvent favoriser l’inclusion et l’équité dans les cœurs de collectivités et engendrer des retombées positives pour l’ensemble de chaque milieu. Plus particulièrement, il vise à identifier les stratégies à intégrer dans les projets de (re)dynamisation pour atténuer les effets pervers liés à la gentrification et pour favoriser l’équité territoriale.
Dans le cadre de son projet Collectivité inclusive, dynamisation agile, Rues principales souhaite renforcer ses propres capacités et celles des milieux qu’elle accompagne en matière de dynamisation inclusive des cœurs de collectivité. La recherche effectuée soutiendra directement les apprentissages et les expérimentations effectués au fur et à mesure par Rues principales et, ultimement, contribuera au renforcement des capacités en matière de dynamisation inclusive. L’accumulation de connaissance chez Rues Principales en matière d’équité territoriale peut par la suite nourrir les pratiques d’ensembles des acteurs qui transforment nos territoires.