Innovative Projects Realized

L2M – A power converter for hybrid renewable energy systems consisting of wave, wind and solar energy to power remote communities in Newfoundland.

The government of Canada has been developing the Clean Electricity Regulations, which aims to reduce CO2 emissions to 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. One main sustainability goal in the global power sector is to generate clean electricity using renewable energy sources. Hydro, Newfoundland and Labrador’s primary electricity generation company, operates 23 remote diesel plants to serve rural communities in the province. However, diesel plants depend on fossil fuels, hindering progress towards the zero-emission target. For this reason, Hydro has a strategic plan to integrate renewable energy resources into these remote communities to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels globally and to help promote a clean and sustainable future. The major problem with commercializing these hybrid renewable energy systems is that the technologies are not readily available. Hence, in this project, I will be focusing on building an advanced, novel, and cost-friendly power electronic converter that can increase the efficiency of hybrid renewable energy systems. This technology will enable the efficient conversion of energy from the sun (solar energy), the wind (wind energy), and the ocean waves (wave energy) into electrical energy for use in isolated points in Newfoundland & Labrador and beyond.

L2M – Using Wave Energy to Charge Electric Boats Without a Traditional Charger.

Recently, there has been a massive transition from internal combustion engine-based boats to electric boats that do not depend on fossil fuels. However, there are some factors hindering the fast pace of this transition. These factors include the bulky charging system, the unavailability of reliable power sources, and the increased operational cost of electric boats. Moreover, these electric boats available on the market have two separate bulky and highly expensive circuits that are used for charging and propelling the electric boat. Even those who do not have issues with the bulkiness of the electric boats available on the market have concerns about the struggles involved in getting access to charging infrastructures wherever they are in the ocean.
In this project, a novel integrated on-board charging system would be developed to eliminate the traditional chargers used by modern electric boats. With this innovative approach, the same propulsion system would be used for charging the electric boat’s battery when stationary, thereby reducing its size, cost, and weight. This integrated system is powered by wave energy, which does not contribute to any release of harmful gases into the atmosphere and does not require the boat to be at the shore before it can be charged. The solution is a potential game changer in the marine transportation industry as it has been proven to be efficient and reliable.
However, getting a market-ready version of the solution has been a challenge because of the high cost of the materials involved. Other challenges have been the lack of partnerships with electric boat manufacturers and mentorship benefits such as guidance in customer segment development.

L2M – AI-Powered Real-Time Detection: Revolutionizing Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) Monitoring

The proposal introduces a cutting-edge, real-time solution for detecting and mitigating harmful algal blooms (HABs) using advanced computer vision and AI models integrated with autonomous systems. By leveraging state-of-the-art AI-powered imaging technology, this solution delivers precise species identification and real-time monitoring capabilities that drastically improve response times. Unlike traditional manual sampling methods, this system utilizes machine learning algorithms to process vast amounts of environmental data instantly, providing continuous insights and reducing the need for human intervention.
With its robust AI and computer vision framework, this solution holds immense market potential in the global aquaculture and environmental monitoring industries, setting a new standard for scalability and accuracy. Its real-time, automated capabilities offer a competitive advantage in protecting marine ecosystems. It is particularly significant for high-impact regions like British Columbia and Atlantic Canada, where the stakes are high for aquaculture and public health.

L2M – Advanced Power Electronics Converters for Maximizing Wave Energy Harvesting in Ocean Systems

With its vast untapped potential, wave energy could become the leading source of renewable energy from our oceans. These systems do not produce greenhouse gases, thereby contributing to a reduction in the carbon footprint of electricity generation. With a higher energy density compared to wind, wave energy has significant potential for power generation. However, commercial wave energy technology remains largely undeveloped, and large-scale wave farms are not yet supplying the grid. Like other renewable energy sources, the voltage amplitude and frequency generated from waves are unstable and may vary continuously. This instability poses difficulties for integrating wave energy into the grid, which requires a consistent and reliable power supply. To date, there has been very little research on the development of advanced wave energy converters with novel Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) techniques for efficiently harnessing wave energy. As a result, no definitive wave energy technology or widely available commercial wave farms exist. The global potential for wave energy is estimated to be approximately 29,500 terawatt-hours; however, its practical contribution to energy systems remains minimal. Developing advanced power converters with innovative MPPT algorithms could significantly enhance wave energy utilization by improving energy capture.

L2M – Chainfare

The seafaring industry, responsible for transporting over 90% of the world’s goods, faces critical issues with organized money laundering and human trafficking. The International Labor Organization estimates that 24.9 million people are victims of human trafficking, many of whom are trafficked via maritime routes. Additionally, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that over $1.6 trillion is laundered globally each year. These issues are exacerbated by the industry’s complex and opaque supply chains.
Our project aims to address these challenges by implementing blockchain technology to create a secure, transparent ledger for tracking goods and financial transactions. This solution will enhance visibility and traceability, enabling the detection of suspicious activities and improving accountability across the supply chain.
The primary beneficiaries of this technology include shipping companies, regulatory bodies, and law enforcement agencies. By reducing human trafficking and financial crimes, our solution has the potential to significantly transform the maritime industry, improve compliance with international regulations, and foster a safer, more transparent sector.

L2M – Deep Learning-Based Detection and Classification of Biofouling on Marine Surfaces

The maritime industry faces significant challenges from biofouling—the buildup of marine organisms on vessel hulls—which leads to higher fuel costs, increased carbon emissions, and frequent maintenance. Traditionally, biofouling inspections are manual, costly, and time-consuming, offering limited real-time insights. Our project seeks to address these inefficiencies by developing an AI-powered model to automate the detection and classification of biofouling on vessel surfaces. This technology will provide accurate, timely data to optimize maintenance and improve vessel efficiency.
Over a four-month internship, our team will focus on three main objectives to advance and commercialize this technology. First, we will validate the performance of our AI model in real-world marine environments by capturing and analyzing biofouling data using high-resolution underwater cameras. Second, we aim to refine our business model by conducting market research and engaging directly with shipping companies and regulatory bodies to develop a value proposition that addresses their specific needs. Lastly, we will establish strategic partnerships with marine technology companies specializing in drones and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to facilitate broader integration and market reach.
This project not only aims to improve operational efficiency in the maritime industry but also to support sustainability by reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Our expertise in AI, machine learning, and marine systems engineering, combined with a focus on commercialization strategies, will help bring this innovative solution to the market, addressing a critical need for the maritime sector.

L2M – MicroTrap

Microplastics, plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters, are observed to have significant negative impacts on human health and the environment as they decompose extremely slowly, release toxic chemicals, and transport contaminants. Among the major sources of microplastics are microfibers, tiny thread-like fibers released during laundry. In Canada and the United States, 878 tonnes of these microfibers get discharged with wastewater from laundry into fresh and marine waters annually, according to a July 2024 release by the Government of Canada. As more households become aware of their effects, there is a growing demand for affordable and effective solutions that prevent the spread of microfibers from the source.

Our product, the MicroTrap, is a filtration device installed externally on washing machines to prevent microfibers from entering wastewater. The device is additively manufactured and features primary and secondary filters of varied porosity that have been shown in laboratory experiments to physically capture 99% of microfibers typically released from textiles during laundry.

However, beyond the observed high efficiency, it is important to confirm that the MicroTrap satisfies the functional requirements of the customer segments. To define these requirements and benchmark them against the current functionality of the device, the research team needs to collect feedback from target customers such as members of households that regularly use washers, manufacturers of washers in North America and officers of Canadian government agencies involved in preventing plastic pollution. Through these stakeholder interviews, the team will validate the market segments and define the product requirements to ensure that the next version of the MicroTrap can be commercialized, while providing customers with the best user experience.

Living with Dementia in Public Spaces: Community Based Participatory Research through an intersectional Social Citizenship Lens.

Many more people living with dementia are and will inhabit public built and social environments, and adaptations of existing spaces, programs, services and polices are required to foster equitable inclusion of people with dementia. Yet, how dementia is situated within the scope of municipal mandates and
responsibilities to meet community needs is unclear. This research will address a clear gap in knowledge regarding the intersecting factors that shape social citizenship for people with dementia and will contribute to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility policy and practice within municipal settings.
The primary goal of the proposed research is to leverage academic-community partnerships to foster equity and inclusion for people living with dementia through an examination of how upstream factors, e.g., municipal processes and policies intersect with a person’s identities (e.g. ethnicity, gender, class
status, (dis) abilities) as a social citizen.
The research question guiding this study is “How can municipal mandates foster the equitable inclusion of people living with dementia?” Namely, the study will seek to understand the intersecting factors that shape social citizenship and use of public built and social environments for diverse people living with dementia, and will explore how EDI and accessibility mandates can foster inclusion of people living with dementia within municipal spaces, services, programs and policies.
This study will use a community based participatory approach informed by an intersectionality lens. Coproduction methods will be used to invite people living with dementia and other research collaborators to explore the factors that shape social citizenship and to illuminate relationships between people with dementia and the public physical and social environments within in the City of Victoria.

The application of graphene thin film membranes in solar harvesting for production of water and recovery of nutrients from urine

This project will graphene thin films using for water purification using solar evaporation. We will utilize an intercalation-assisted technique to prepare surfactant-free graphene dispersions. We will fabricate large-area graphene films and deposit them on filter paper through vacuum filtration, followed by thermal treatment to enhance their stability and optical properties. These films will be examined using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy to study their structure and properties. The films optical and conductive capabilities will be tested in solar evaporation experiments, which simulate both indoor and outdoor conditions using a solar simulator and thermal camera to monitor heat distribution. The findings will support further research on photothermal materials, which use sunlight to generate heat, and will be useful for water purification and related applications. This project will provide valuable training opportunities for an intern, benefiting both the student and the participating institutions through skill-building in microscopy and material characterization.

L2M – Optimizing Energy Efficiency in Sea Transportation Using Machine Learning

Our project tackles the critical challenge of optimizing energy efficiency in electric boats, a vital issue in the growing market of sustainable marine transportation. The primary problem lies in the inefficient energy consumption of electric motors used in electric boats when navigating varying wave conditions, leading to reduced range and increased operational costs. This research will contribute towards sustainable and environmentally friendly marine travel by developing innovative strategies to improve motor efficiency, reduce energy loss, and extend battery life. Through this work, we aim to support the shift to cleaner marine transportation, minimizing carbon emissions and operational costs while enhancing the viability of electric boats as a reliable, eco-friendly alternative.

Developing a DARTS proteomics method to identify the host-based targets of KSHV lytic replication inhibitors

Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is virus, whose unabated lifecycle results in the formation of cancerous tumorous. Moreover, KSHV infection is particularly prevalent in people living with HIV, and has a disproportionate burden in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite this clear unmet medical need, there are no approved treatments for KSHV. Recent work, conducted in South Africa has identified a drug-like compound, with encouraging anti-KSHV properties. However, we do not fully understand how this drug-like compound is able to exert its effect, which is hampering our ability to translate these findings into a tangible therapeutic strategy. In this project we aim to combine the significant proteomics expertise house at the University of Victoria, with our substantial experience in drug discovery, to resolve this outstanding problem.
The combined skills are complimentary, and as such this project will allow for two-ways skills transfer, which can be applied in future projects, both in South Africa and Canada in the wider drug discovery space. Furthermore, this will catalyze a longer terms collaborative environment between the listed researchers

L2M – SolarSail (Dual Axis Solar Tracking System for Marine Vessels)

Dual Axis Solar Tracking System for Marine Environments is a project that aims to integrate a solar tracking technology onboard a marine vessel. By integrating 2 different tracking methods in one system for improving the efficiency of tracking, further leading to improvement in energy production, this project aims to make this technology economically and technically feasible for vessel owners to invest in. Other than the improvement in fuel consumption, vessels will also comply with the regulatory standards for exhaust gas emissions. The partner organization, Springboard Atlantic, is focused in bringing products from researchers to the economy, and this project aims to assess the viability of the product in the market, analyze the target consumers and develop it enough to be market ready. Thus, the partner organizations aims and goals are aligned with this project.