Innovative Projects Realized

Developing state-of-the-art examining system for home inspectors in British Columbia

Flaw growth thresholds in composites

A new generation of composites-intensive aircraft designs promises to dramatically accelerate the growth of a market currently valued at more than $7 billion (USD). The objective of this research program is to propose experimental and modeling methodologies to determine endurance limit for damage onset in composite based on fracture mechanics and fatigue crack initiation monitoring using wave mode propagation based on Modal Acoustic Emission new approaches (MAE). Through an analysis of the guided wave mode propagation and signal contents, the approach will be developed to determine the endurance limit related to the onset of delamination and cracks initiation in composite materials, as function of cyclic loading and environmental conditions related to temperature and humidity. Analytical and numerical modeling tools will be performed to predict delamination onset and growth. Crack propagation of the starting delamination will be modeled by the Virtual Crack Closure Technique and Cohesive Zone method. Experimental procedures and analytical model will be proposed to determine composite stiffness loss induced by delamination initiation and propagation, and to measure delamination toughness over a wide range of mode I / mode II ratios as well as for pure mode I and mode II loadings. The total strain energy release rate G and its mode I (G_I) and mode II (G_II) components will be valuated for the mixed-mode bending (MMB) test configuration using a fracture mechanics approach. Toughness test results and modal acoustic emission data related to crack initiation will be used to define the delamination initiation criteria envelope for the composite. These failure envelopes will enable predictions of delamination onset in composite materials.

Techno-economic evaluation of electric energy storage options of Suncor’s wind farms

In recent years, many energy producers have developed wind farms in Alberta due to their economic and environmental advantages. One of the most significant challenges of wind farms is that wind is an intermittent resource that is uncontrollable and difficult to predict. As such, wind developers are looking to develop electric energy storage (EES) systems to store energy when supply exceeds demand, and to generate electricity from stored energy to meet demand when the wind is producing insufficient electricity. Through this research project, Suncor and the intern will consider various EES technology options and evaluate them in the context of Suncor’s operations in an attempt to identify optimal electricity storage solutions to improve the commerciality of wind farms and their ability to provide a consistent power supply. The project will involve market and technical analyses, followed by selecting the most attractive technologies and running profit scenarios to evaluate the potential for increasing revenues in the Alberta electricity market. Social and environmental aspects will also be evaluated.

A mobile tree mapping application for Toronto urban parks

The purpose of this Mitacs Accelerate project is to create a cross-platform mobile tree mapping application that would serve as a learning resource and participatory interface for citizen engagement concerning urban tree stewardship. The tool will be prototyped for Grange Park, a prominent and heavily used urban park in downtown Toronto. Development of the mobile mapping tool will use HTML5 with several Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and libraries such as jQuery and Google Maps/Fusion Tables. The project has two organizational partners. Toronto’s Park People is supporting the project as a way to assist with its goal of mobilizing Toronto residents who care about parks to address challenges facing urban public spaces. Urban Forest Associates Inc. (UFORA) believe that the proposed tool, in the hands of the public, could translate into increased demand for both tree care and sustainable urban ecological planning, two services for which it specializes.

Identifying dominant anaerobic microorganisms for degradation of benzene

Contamination of soils and groundwater with gasoline often results in the development of anaerobic zones. Benzene is particularly persistent under anaerobic conditions even in the enhanced anaerobic biodegradation (EAB) process. Degradation of benzene has been demonstrated under nitrate-reducing condition, and sulphate-reducing condition. However, information of dominant indigenous species within the microorganisms for degrading benzene is still limited. In order to identify the target bacteria, a novel approach is required, which requires less biomass and provides direct evidence for benzene incorporation. Enrichment of benzene-degrading microorganisms with [13C] benzene and nutrients implementation is a prerequisite for target bacteria identification. Dominant bacteria identities will be revealed by pyrosequencing. Benzene incorporation by the enriched consortium will be demonstrated by SR-FTIR spectromicroscopy analysis of [13C] benzene. In this manner it is believed to provide direct evidence for benzene incorporation by dominant indigenous bacteria, and furnish useful information about their structure, function, and dynamics. The outcomes will provide a theoretical guide for successfully implementing EAB at PHC-contaminated sites for Stantec. The developed EAB technology will be recognized by existing and potential clients, federal or provincial regulators, academic institutes, and consulting companies.

Modeling & forecasting the popularity of YouTube videos

Lil’wat Nation assessment of on-reserve agriculture

Development of a “Jennic Wireless to Ethernet” gateway embedded system

The proposed R&D is a part of larger project currently developing by Unity Integration Corporation on intelligent lighting systems. This project is consisting of different parts such as wireless motion detectors, wireless ambient light sensors, control systems, predictive software and web-based user interface. The proposed R&D mostly focuses on the development of a gateways embedded system which is an essential part for setting up a wireless sensor network. The gateway is a bridge between the internal network between the endpoints and the internet. For communicating with the central monitoring unit, the routers and endpoints should first be able to communicate with the gateway, and the gateway is responsible for sending or receiving the necessary information data between the endpoints and the central processing unit. The development of a gateway which can convert the Jennic wireless technology to the Ethernet is the primary objective of this proposal.

Tackling the challenge of graph comparison in genomics

Calibration of the laser metrology system on the X-ray telescope Astro-H

The Canadian ASTRO-H Metrology System (CAMS) is a laser-based device that will be designed and built in Canada and flown in space onboard the x-ray telescope, ASTRO-H. The purpose of the CAMS is to accurately measure structural deformations of the telescope structure during observations so the scientific images acquired can be enhanced by removing the errors introduced by the motion. The proposed internship focuses on the implementation of the CAMS device alongside the x-ray telescope. This requires data processing algorithms that use CAMS measurements to precisely adjust the position of each photon recorded by the telescope. On orbit calibration of the CAMS is also required so the development of a comprehensive calibration strategy is part of the proposed research. The intern will have the support of two partner organizations, the Canadian Space Agency and the Neptec Design Group, as well as the prime investigator for the CAMS, Luigi Gallo

Scaling up algaculture by the use of a novel circulation technology while optimizing productivity by testing for the effects of light intensity and CO2 supply rate

Use of the Halifax Consciousness Scanner in the diagnosis and management of mild traumatic brain injury / concussion