Innovative Projects Realized

L2M-Image_Synthesize

Medical imaging is a cornerstone of modern healthcare, but challenges like high costs and limited accessibility hinder its potential. This project investigates the use of diffusion models—a cutting-edge AI technique—to generate synthetic medical images for targeted healthcare applications. By focusing on a single imaging task, such as cross-modal imaging or sequence generation, the project will identify practical and impactful opportunities for diffusion models in medical imaging.

The work will involve a foundational exploration of existing technologies, an assessment of stakeholder priorities, and the development of strategic insights for future application and development.

Development of rechargeable hybrid aqueous batteries for cost-effective, large scale energy storage

High capacity battery systems are becoming as important as their smaller analogues which are currently in use in mobile devices. Rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs serve as uninterruptible power supplies or energy stores in electronic vehicles (EVs) and realize the EV technology for many countries. This promotes sustainable development while addressing air quality and climate change. The main challenges are to increase the affordability, power density, and safety for such lithium-ion batteries. In this proposal, new rechargeable hybrid aqueous batteries will be developed to meet these objectives. This proposal definitely elevates the research progress in batteries as large-scale energy storage systems which could be directly interfaced with the grid. The work will contribute to a greener and more sustainable society. The advancements made by this research will be transferred to the industrial partner to further develop battery prototype and commercial energy store systems

L2M – Printable electronic material evaluation using automated experimentation platform

Innovation in domains such as organic electronic materials is driven by experimental methods that are generally limited by the speed of human intervention in all the steps of the iterative R&D cycle. The emergence of AI tools and automated systems can now help to disrupt this paradigm by empowering the researcher to efficiently leverage their domain expertise while automating the repetitive high-accuracy tasks to reduce human error and increase R&D speed. To this end, our team has been developing an AI-driven automated experimentation platform to evaluate emerging materials in the field of printed electronics with the aim of accelerating the lab-to-market timeline while minimizing raw material wastage through optimal processing. The project proposed here is to assess the commercial viability of such an automated platform and understanding its potential impact on stakeholders across industry and academia. Such an approach is expected to provide valuable insights regarding how potential clients view our innovation from an unbiased perspective which will help us make improvements in our business hypothesis.

Urban Morphology and Soundscape: Exploring the Influence of Forms and Surfaces on Noise Dynamics

Acoustic Ornamentality will study the influence that our built environment has on shaping our local soundscapes and the propagation and attenuation of anthropogenic noise pollution. Malta’s vernacular Gallarija and abundance of architecture constructed of limestone, a porous rock, and renaissance and baroque architecture defined by it’s fine ornamentality and craftmanship offer potential greater attenuation of urban noise pollution than the curtain wall, brick, and light timber construction that predominates North America. By studying the historically dense built environment in Malta this study will provide important historical context on how the different ways we build and construct our urban centers influence anthropogenic sources of environmental pollution. Comprised of a comprehensive historical acoustic study of the diverse built typologies and architectural styles and periods present in Malta. This study will provide findings and recommendations for façade design and materiality, including their materials, construction techniques, and urban greenery, necessary to mitigate the comprehensive socio-economic, health, and environmental impacts of noise pollution within urban centers. Providing an essential acoustic perspective for future construction in our rapidly urbanizing world.

Investigating the impact of same-sex sexual behaviour on male bonding and reproductive success in Rwenzori Angolan colobus

This study aims to investigate the influence of same-sex sexual behaviour on reproductive success among Rwenzori Angolan colobus, a primate subspecies characterized by a multilevel social structure like that of early humans. Despite the supposed evolutionary paradox of same-sex sexual behaviour, given its perceived costliness and lack of direct reproductive output, recent research suggests it may facilitate social bonding and coalitionary support, potentially enhancing reproductive success. By examining behavioural data and conducting paternity analyses, we seek to address whether same-sex sexual behaviour positively impacts reproductive success, and if male-male bonding is mediated by same-sex sexual behaviour or kin relationships in this subspecies. Behavioural data and fecal samples have been collected near Lake Nabugabo, Uganda, on a group of habituated, individually identified monkeys from May to August 2022 and June 2023 to June 2024. DNA was preserved in the field and shipped to the lab of Dr. Wikberg at the University of Texas San Antonio, where DNA analysis will be conducted. Through this collaboration between the University of Toronto and the University of Texas San Antonio, this project will enhance the capacity for innovative research methodologies in Canada which address complex social dynamics, both in animal behaviour and human societies.

Evaluating Arts’ Impact in Climate Inquiry

The goal of this research is to shift climate engagement by improving climate-arts practices through better alignment of underlying research processes and evaluation frameworks. Currently, climate engagement is dominated by the information deficit model, a theory of change widely understood to be more effective in raising awareness of climate challenges than supporting pro-climate behavioural change. While the turn to the arts has been widespread in recent years, without sufficient theoretical, methodological, and evaluative clarity, this turn to art often backfires, instrumentalizing arts practices by enlisting them in science and policy communication exercises. Irresistible Neighborhoods (hereafter IrN) is a multi-phase climate-arts research collaboration between the Metcalf Foundation and the National Arts Centre. This research project proposes to develop an integrated evaluation framework and apply it to investigate the impacts of IrN. The goal is to build understanding of whether/how aesthetic-led arts-based methodologies can improve public engagement efforts related to the climate crisis. The proposed methodological approach is mixed-methods, including comparative framework analysis, participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and document and artefact review.

A Comprehensive Marketing Strategy for Digital Heath Products:Test kits and mobile app

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Étude palynologique de deux régions de la Côte-Nord au Québec : effets des feux et du climat sur la végétation boréale

Les forêts boréales, couvrant 10 % de la surface terrestre, sont essentielles à notre planète. Elles stockent du carbone, régulent le climat, fournissent des ressources comme le bois ou le papier, et abritent une riche biodiversité. Cependant, elles sont menacées par les changements climatiques, qui entraînent des feux de forêt plus fréquents et intenses, modifiant leur composition et leur capacité de régénération.
Pour mieux anticiper ces changements, ce projet de recherche se concentre sur l’est du Québec, une région peu étudiée et riche en forêts anciennes. Ce projet vise à analyser des carottes de sédiments lacustres pour retracer l’histoire des interactions entre climat, incendies et végétation au cours du dernier millénaire. Ces données permettent de comprendre comment les forêts ont répondu à des périodes de réchauffement ou de perturbations. Ce projet vise à identifier des stratégies pour préserver la résilience des écosystèmes boréaux. Comprendre leur passé est essentiel pour guider leur gestion et les protéger face aux défis climatiques, garantissant ainsi leur rôle vital pour les générations futures.

Land Use Mapping and Planning for Sustainable Development with Island Lake First Nations and other East-side Communities in Manitoba

Participatory community development research alongside Garden Hill First Nation (FN), Wasagamack FN and other East-side FN community members is the focus of this Mitacs research. Student interns will assist in recording each community’s traditional land use through maps, videos, interviews, development of plans and branding. A geographical information system will allow an analysis of different natural resources and land uses. This research will build capacity in the community to plan and implement sustainable development in the East-side communities considering cultural priorities. Student interns will engage in capacity building towards developing a land use plan with each FN. This work is important to fulfill the objective of the Wabanong Nakaygum Okimawin (WNO) Inc. planning initiative and to assist FNs in their community development “to develop a vision for land and resource use in the area that respects both the value of the boreal forest and the needs of local communities”.

Exploring Carbon Sequestration through Drone-Detected Solar-Induced Fluorescence (SIF) Data to Up-Scale Gross Ecosystem Productivity (GPP) from Eddy Covariance Flux Towers to Satellite Coverage

Climate change poses significant risks to global ecosystems, particularly forest ecosystems, which are crucial for carbon sequestration. In Canada, forests cover 38% of the land area, contributing 9% of global forest carbon sequestration. However, disturbances such as pest infestations and extreme weather events threaten their ability to sequester carbon. Current methods like flux towers and remote sensing satellites provide valuable data on carbon sequestration but are limited in spatial resolution, temporal frequency, mobility, and flexibility.

This project aims to address these challenges by integrating advanced drone technology with solar-induced fluorescence (SIF) measurements to explore carbon sequestration and forest productivity. The focus is on using SIF sensors and cameras (AirFlox and SIFCam) mounted on drones to enhance the monitoring of forest ecosystem productivity. Specifically, drone-based SIF data will scale up Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) measurements from flux tower sites, providing high-resolution, real-time data for dynamic assessments of forest health and carbon sequestration.

In collaboration with the Research Center Jülich, Germany, the project integrates drone-based SIF technology with flux tower and satellite data. This integration will enable detailed monitoring of forest responses to climate stressors, supporting Canada’s climate change mitigation strategies and advancing progress toward achieving net-zero emissions goals.

Pistes de conception en design urbain pour créer des milieux de vie inclusifs et adaptés aux personnes âgées dans les milieux ruraux québécois.

Cette recherche examine comment le design urbain peut être appliqué pour créer des milieux de vie adaptés aux aînés dans des zones à faible densité, en particulier les milieux ruraux au Québec. Ces territoires posent des défis spécifiques liés à l’accès limité aux services essentiels, aux difficultés de mobilité, et au manque de cohésion sociale. L’objectif est de développer des environnements inclusifs qui encouragent l’autonomie et le bien-être des aînés en s’appuyant sur des principes de design inclusif et universel. La recherche intègre des concepts comme la flexibilité des espaces, l’accessibilité, et la mixité intergénérationnelle, tout en analysant l’impact de la forme urbaine sur la vie quotidienne des aînés. Des études de cas inspirées de modèles internationaux, ainsi que des exemples de villes “age-friendly”, seront examinés pour identifier des solutions adaptées aux réalités locales. Cette étude combine une revue de la littérature et une analyse comparative des modèles existants. L’objectif est de développer des modèles de design urbain innovants et reproductibles qui améliorent la qualité de vie des personnes âgées tout en tenant compte des contraintes économiques et environnementales.

Evaluating the Accuracy of Glove-Based Hand Tracking for Virtual Reality Ergonomics Assessments

The specific objective of this project is to compare the accuracy of the Manus Quantum motion capture gloves against traditional hand-held controllers for conducting proactive ergonomics analyses in virtual reality (VR). Digital human model (DHM) hand locations and joint angles will be compared to their ground truth measures derived from laboratory-grade optical motion capture. To successfully carry out this project, the partner company (Cort Research & Innovation) will work with the intern to develop a comprehensive virtual task simulation in the Siemens Process Simulate software platform. The challenge faced by the partner organization is to demonstrate the effectiveness of this technology to its automotive manufacturing clients. As such, the simulation will need to include various gripping, grasping and placement tasks relevant to the automotive industry. The ability to manipulate objects without use of a VR controller represents a critical advancement in the field of VR ergonomics. As such, successful completion of this project will benefit the partner organization and academic institution by positioning them as a leading experts on this wave of the future in proactive ergonomics assessments.