Innovative Projects Realized

Optimization of Dry-Cast Extruded Precast/Prestressed Hollow-Core Slabs Using CFRP Strands

Load resistance of hollow-core (HC) slabs is influenced by several factors. In the literature, the most influential ones among those found to be geometry of HC slabs and amount and distribution of the applied prestressing load during production. So, this research is aiming to simulate HC slab units under loading by means of numerical modeling using computer software. The numerical model will be verified using experimental results. Then, the software will be used to carry out a parametric study to find out the optimum cross section configuration providing the maximum ultimate capacity with the lightest weight. The test parameters include void shapes, dimensions, and strand distribution. However, some special applications of HC slabs in projects could require units not only strength efficiency but also immunity to corrosion or magnetic waves. As a result, this research will also investigate the use of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) prestressing stands to replace steel. Outcome of the research will increase the efficiency of HC slab production and introduce innovative products that are more durable and suitable for special applications.

An Impact Diverting Helmet-Phase II

The purpose of this study is to enhance the helmet performance by introducing an external layer on the top of outer shell. This additional layer not only can divert partially/entirely an imposed impact load, but also it can improve its shock absorbing capacity during a crash. The previous MITACS Accelerate Internship resulted in four new ideas for reducing impact injurious effects on wearer’s head. The proposed designs are thin layers that can be easily attached to the outer shell of helmets and will be activated when an impact load exceeds a certain limit. Preliminary tests have been done on all four designs, and the results showed a considerable improvement in impact mitigation. In addition, a standard testbed is built to perform tests on sample helmets. The next phase of this project will be testing the conventional helmets with and without adding each of the four impact diverting layers. By performing standard tests, using a high speed motion capturing camera and advanced sensors, it is possible to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed ideas. By reviewing the results from different stages of the project, the techniques to improve the helmet design will be patented and then transferred to Innovata Labs.

Advanced Risk Management Analytics

Our objectives are to research, develop, test, and implement:

1. New yield curve construction and smoothing algorithms and improvements to standard curve construction algorithms, in particular, that are better adapted to illiquid markets such as Mexico, Israel, etc. 2. We seek fully automated real-time curve construction algorithms, which will allow for traders to use and data vendors to provide curves evolving in real time.

3. Interest rate spread curve construction algorithms, to be applied both to corporate spread and inflation spread curves.

4. Extensions to some of the general work we have done on yield curves: in particular extensions of methods to a second dimension for volatility surfaces, and extension of methods to survival probability curve fitting from credit instruments.

R2 Financial Technologies will benefit from this project by having functioning prototypes and an understanding of remaining implementation obstacles to creating a production version of the curve and surface fitting software.

Micro Power Generator

Intern will develop Qualitative System Characterization method in two ways. First, it will help to generalize the method such that it may be applied to a variety of systems spanning various fields. Second, it will help explore the possibility of a multi-dimensional Qualitative System Characterization. Beyond the MPG specific benefits, intern will provide Arjae Spectral Enterprises a generalized Qualitative System Characterization method which could be employed to various other projects.

Optimization of Vertical Road Alignment Design

In the road construction process, a civil engineer commonly uses software to outline the horizontal and vertical road alignment on a topographical map. The software then calculates the amount of earth that needs to be excavated, or filled, at certain points of the alignment as well as pavement costs, land costs and other expenses. Softree, the partner company, provides such software. There is currently no commercial software that offers the user an automated optimization of the alignment based on the total cost. The few studies that investigate the optimization of both alignments simultaneously, do not guarantee optimal solutions. We will study a new model to optimize the vertical alignments with algorithms that will provide better results than existing solutions and provide a guaranteed optimal solution. The resulting implementation will interface with our industry partner road design software to accurately compute volumes and provide an accurate cost of building a vertical alignment.

CO2-Triggered Separation Technologies for the Recycling of Industrial Chemical Waste Streams

The recycling of industrial chemicals has become very important to industry not only because of the potential for decreases in costs and increases in efficiency, but also the reduction of environmental impact. Many industrial chemical wastes however, are quite difficult to separate into high purity materials so that they may be recycled. The implementation of new separation techniques using carbon dioxide may offer new more efficient and environmentally friendly methods than those currently used. The use of these separation techniques will be applied to three industrial waste streams identified by Fielding Chemical Technologies Inc. as problematic. Initial testing and optimization of the processes will be undertaken during this internship. 

An Industrial Optimization Platform to Integrate Integer Programming and Heuristic Search Techniques

Acculogic’s “Flying Scorpion” product is a state-of-the-art tester for short-batch electronic circuit boards (ECBs). The order in which it performs the required tests affects the amount of shuttle and probe movements required between the tests, and this affects the overall efficiency of the test procedure. Unique characteristics of the problem (e.g. the ability to move one set of probes to the next test location while another set of probes is performing a test) make the problem too large and too complex to be solved with most traditional combinatorial optimization and heuristic search techniques (e.g. integer programming and genetic algorithms). Supporting the integration of both artificial intelligence-based and mathematical-based optimization techniques, a unique optimization architecture derived from “Asynchronous Teams” has been developed specifically for Acculogic’s problem. The new optimization process promises significant improvements in performance, and these advances will be quickly implemented into Acculogic’s product offerings. 

User Characterization and Content Personalization Using Distributed Locality Sensitive Hashing over a Peer-to-Peer Network

Multimedia data are of huge demand from “connected” consumers and how to deliver them effectively and efficiently becomes a new frontier of computer networking research and development. The proposed project uses the research at the University of Victoria on content-based musical information retrieval and the development of Disternet Inc. on a new generation of home gateway devices to enable efficient and effective user characterization and content personalization using distributed locality sensitive hashing over a peer-to-peer network. The research and development is expected to drastically reduce the cost for service providers and network operators to deliver high-quality multimedia contents to end users, and at the same time allows graduate students to use their research to solve real-world problems. 

Water Issues in First Nation Communities

The world is facing a global water crisis, but the developing world is not the only one with a lack of access to safe drinking water; it is also an issue in many communities across Canada – particularly on First Nations Reserves. It should be a priority for Canada to reach 100% access to clean drinking water. In the context of the recently approved Plan for Action for Drinking Water in First Nation Communities (March 2006) with the agreement of the AFN (Assembly of First Nations) and INAC, the main objective of this investigation is assessing actual water treatment requirements in Treaty 7 reserves (Southern Alberta) and identifying potential water treatment solutions. These will potentially be provided by OASIS Filter International Ltd. Being the aim mainly technical, other aspects such as social, cultural, and economic will be considered in order to involve the community in decision making process and provide advice regarding potential financial support to improve water infrastructure in the reserves. 

Analysis and modeling of disease development and optimization of screening policies

The question of optimizing health care resources in developed countries has recently increased in importance. The aging population and the accompanying increase in old-age diseases such as cancers, diabetes, heart disease and others are expected to increase the strain on the resources of health care systems. However, since the cost of curing many diseases in their early stages is much lower than in their later stages, screening policies, if implemented efficiently, will decrease the unnecessary strain on the health care system, thus lowering congestion. The goal of this project is to use the research results in the literature concerning breast cancer, and combine and augment them to produce and implement a model for end users. The resulting software can be used as a tool by policy analysts and health care professionals to compare and optimize proposed screening strategies. 

Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in patients suffering from depression and in receipt of disability benefits.

Depression is expected to become the second leading cause of disease burden worldwide by the year 2020. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective methods of treatment for depression. CBT may be less effective, or ineffective, in the setting of patients in receipt of disability benefits who are likely to, on average, suffer worse outcomes than patients not receiving benefits. Currently, there is no review that has systematically assessed the effectiveness of CBT in patients suffering from depression and in receipt of disability benefits. We will examine the effectiveness of CBT in patients suffering from depression and in receipt of disability benefits by performing a systematic review of studies that evaluate CBT and by analyzing the administrative database of Sun Life Financial, a Canadian private insurance company. This would have large implications in establishing if the current treatment funds directed to CBT represent a good investment.

PLACESPEAK

The purpose of this project is to research and develop a business & technical model for a web-based geo-authenticated public consultation service. Combining methodologies from social media, e-commerce & community consultation, this project will analyze best practices in each area to determine the most appropriate model for a scalable platform for targeted community engagement. Qualitative & technical research, in addition to a beta site evaluation at the City of Vancouver, will be conducted to provide the basis for developing the final report and prototype model. The research will be used by the partner to refine the business model and move to the next stage of business & technical development. The eventual goal is a scalable, re-usable platform that validates user locational identity within privacy constraints, for the purposes of implementing online community participation tools that will aid in public policy decision making.