Innovative Projects Realized

Automated visual bug detection

Visual regression testing automatically analyzes gameplay sessions to detect visual bugs (also known as glitches in a game context). Visual bugs are bugs that can be detected by just looking at them, such as those related to texture and lighting, but also more complex ones like those related to the physics engine (such as a flying horse) that require common-sense reasoning. The impact of visual bugs ranges from a minor annoyance to rendering a game unplayable. Visual bugs can be easy to spot for a human expert but difficult to detect for a computer. As a result, game development companies have to spend a considerable amount of resources on manual testing, which is tedious, expensive and prone to overlooking bugs. Having automated techniques for detecting visual bugs in video games would reduce the cost of testing drastically. In this project, we propose to use computer vision techniques and foundation models to automatically detect and highlight visual bugs in Ubisoft games in (1) screenshots from gameplay sessions and (2) real-time while playing the game.

Implementing and evaluating an evidence-based caregiver program within a paediatric healthcare organization: Bridging research and practice to support early intervention services

This project will focus on the implementation of the ENVISAGE-Families program within a children’s treatment centre, KidsABILITY. ENVISAGE is a validated evidence-informed program co-created by family caregivers, service providers, and researchers in Canada and Australia that empowers, connects, and supports caregivers early in their experience of raising a child with developmental concerns. The five-week online program offers early exposure to current thinking and best practices around childhood development and disability, while encouraging information-sharing and connection among caregivers. The ENVISAGE-Families workshops address broad themes and do not offer individual clinical services or advice to families about personal or child-specific matters. Studies on ENVISAGE-Families have demonstrated significant positive impact on caregivers’ sense of empowerment, parenting confidence, and wellbeing. Dr. Samantha Noyek is well positioned to lead this project, with academic supervision based at McMaster University (CanChild, co-developers of ENVISAGE) and host supervision from KidsAbility. In collaboration with KidsAbility, we aim to implement ENVISAGE-Families within KidsAbility’s Early Engagement Project, and to both study the implementation process and evaluate the impact of ENVISAGE-Families on families awaiting services. The implementation of this program is critical as there are a vast number of families (>4,800 as of December 2023) on the waitlist to receive services and interventions at KidsAbility, who would greatly benefit from this program, with the potential for enhanced family well-being.

Predicting the State of Overhead Line Components for Multiple Hazard Exposures

Overhead lines (OHL) and other components of the electricity transmission network are designated as critical infrastructures. In order to provide the level of performance required of such facilities, efficient asset management practices must be tailored to the specific characteristics of these assets. The proposed research aims to develop such a process for OHL equipped with Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR) conductors, which are prevalent across the HQ network.

Modeling and experimental testing of the impedance of oil sands tailings during electrokinetic separation

Tailings produced by oil sands mining operations are a long-term liability. Separation of water from fine solids is a critical operational and environmental challenge for tailings management and reclamation. Current methods have ongoing challenges to meet geotechnical performance criteria, and require expensive processes and movement of very large amounts of fluids and solids. Electrokinetic Solutions (EKS) has developed a process for electrical stimulation of oil sands tailings that dewaters and strengthens the resulting soil with simple electrodes and no moving parts. He process is not well understood, with only a simple one-dimensional model of how electrical characteristics relate to the dewatering process. This internship has two objectives: to develop a higher-order model relating solids concentration in two dimensions with electrical impedance of the medium, and to verify the model at a larger scale through participation in a medium-scale testing program under development by EKS

Optical Side Channel for Classical Heralding in Measurement Device Independent Quantum Key Distribution

In this project, we aim to develop a secure communication system using cutting-edge quantum technology. Specifically, we will develop the existing Measurement Device Independent Quantum Key Distribution (MDI-QKD) system built by Quantized Technologies Inc. (QTi) to add Optical Side Channel for Classical Heralding. Our intern will conduct a thorough literature review, assess available equipment, integrate suitable devices into the system, and perform field tests. The partner organization will benefit from enhanced security in data transmission, ensuring the protection of critical information against cyber threats and unauthorized access.

iPhylogeo: Interactive Platform for Genetic and Climatic Data Analysis

Les avancées technologiques dans le séquençage de l’ADN dans les années 1980 ont provoqué un changement transformateur en biologie évolutive. Cette période a donné naissance au domaine de la phylo-géographie, introduit par John Avise et ses collègues il y a un peu plus de trois décennies. Cette discipline intégrative explore les liens complexes entre l’histoire de la Terre, l’écologie et la diversification des formes de vie, en traçant les schémas géographiques de l’évolution des espèces.

Le projet vise à créer une plateforme logicielle innovante et open source pour analyser les arbres phylogénétiques basés sur les processus phylo-géographiques. Cet outil convivial sera accessible à la communauté scientifique, avec un guide complet et divers ensembles de données. Il habilitera les chercheurs à comprendre la corrélation entre la composition génétique, les distributions géographiques des espèces et les paramètres climatiques.

La plateforme inclura une fonction de cartographie des espèces, un générateur de graphiques et un outil d’analyse interactif. La page web ou l’application sera déployée sur un serveur institutionnel, permettant une interaction simultanée par plusieurs utilisateurs.

Improvements of corrosion-protective coatings on steels

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Glucoraphanin enriched powder production from Broccoli seeds

Broccoli seeds has several bioactive compounds known to have health promoting benefits, such as anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, anti-aging, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory. In this research will explore unique method to isolate such bioactive compounds from Broccoli seeds for nutraceutical applications such as in supplements. POS is a subsidiary of Bioriginal Food & Science Corp., which is one of the leading companies in Saskatchewan agri-value chain that produce and market variety of natural product including above-mentioned broccoli products. Partnering with Bioriginal, POS has a quick go-to market strategy for this unique product that is beneficial for POS’s business and Canadian Broccoli growers.

Development of a Data-driven Customer Dashboard

The BSI internship will consist of the development of a dashboard for CarInspect clients to strategically enhance their operational capabilities and directly benefit the partner organizations. The dashboard will offer several key advantages: Real-time data access, operational efficiency, accuracy and scalability. That’s one of the opportunities that competitors don’t address.

Municipal Fiscal Framework Research Options

New Brunswick municipalities have undergone transformative change due to the white paper on Local Government Reform. While municipal reform has focused on the structural elements of communities, it has not undertaken the financial reform that is long overdue. The provincial government is beginning to discuss reforms, the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick is looking to research options to ensure municipalities are financially viable. A report issued by the province in 2023 outlined some of the current challenges, including that one in three municipalities will face significant financial difficulties in the next three years. This project will provide substantive data analysis, modelling, and projections to guide our organization’s understanding of the essential elements of a new fiscal framework for Local Governments in New Brunswick. It will also form the core of our organization’s goal to advocate for data-informed solutions that will support vibrant and sustainable communities. In the past, our organization has not had the technical capacity to undertake such research and the internship proposed will be essential to determining the future roadmap for municipal financing in New Brunswick.

Theatre New Brunswick – Stage Management Internship

Meagan Maguire will operate as a Production Manager for Theatre New Brunswick’s Theatre School Spring and Summer programming. This will involve collaborating TNB’s Theatre School Director and with our team of Theatre School instructors support our spring theatre school productions as a Stage Manager and to create 8 weeks of theatre school summer camps for students ages 5-18.

Taking SickKids Mobile

Taking SickKids Mobile is an initiative of the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) that explores the
use of mobile technologies for enhancing patient care. It includes six sub-projects, three of which
relate to improving current patient care processes and three focus on making existing services more
effective and easier to use. The reach of these sub-projects ranges from local to global-from
supporting children and their parents in self-monitoring post-operative pain and accessing ‘in-the
moment’ pain management strategies using a mobile device to enabling anyone around the globe to
own and manage their health information on their mobile phone. The project creates a synergy
between rigorous academic knowledge and practices brought by student interns from reputed
universities and industry know-how of current advancements in the mobile technology field brought by
industry partners. Outcomes from this project will also guide the hospital in extending the use of
mobile technologies to other areas