Innovative Projects Realized

Locally based surface extraction techniques for handheld imaging technologies

The research aims to develop a device technology and software to recover surface information from a handheld scanner. The idea is to combine pre-existing object analysis technologies with a local device capable of reconstructing an objects shape from data collected by simple (shelf component) electronics as the device is passed over the object in the absence of information from a separate imaging system or device. The idea is to create the necessary technology to include realistic imaging as part of a ‘tri-corder’ like device. All existing similar approaches make use of remotely placed imaging systems to acquire extra information about object shape.

Vein depth estimation with Christie VeinViewer

The proposed project is aimed at developing image and signal processing algorithms to enable the Christie VeinViewer® device to determine approximate depth of veins. This is a challenging research project due to the limited amount of information available and real-time fast processing required. The VeinViewer® uses a single infrared wavelength and a CMOS camera to detect superficial veins. It then maps the location of the veins onto the skin surface with visible light in real time, and is used as an aide to clinicians to allow more accurate placement of Peripheral Intravenous Catheters (PIVs). Knowledge of vein depth would assist phlebotomists, clinicians, and infusion nurses to adjust their technique and approach angle, and allow for better understanding of venous anatomy and selection of an optimal vein target, which should lead to higher venous access success rates. The proposed project will span 4 months and be carried out at McMaster University and Christie Digital Systems in Kitchener, Ontario.

Evolving a system for effective communication with non-speaking patients in emergencies

Individuals with cerebral palsy generally use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices to help them interact socially. The vocabularies provided in these systems are not specifically helpful in communicating during medical emergency or hospital intensive care. This project involves user-centered design and development of a software module for use in such situations, based on a vocabulary set for medical situations derived through earlier research with MC users, caregivers, speech language pathologists and medical care professionals. The module will be implemented as part of an iPad-based MC product (TalkRocket Go) marketed by MyVoice Inc. By helping improve the quality of life of individuals with cerebral palsy who are MC users, this research will serve the mandate of the Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy. Designed to be easy-to-Iearn and easy-to-use, the system will help medical professionals provide better care to any patient who is unable to speak due to temporary medical conditions.

Digital Inclusion: Improving access to online health information for people with complex chronic conditions

There are increasing numbers of people living with complex chronic health conditions in Canada. In order to manage their health and continue to live meaningful lives, these individuals and their families need relevant, useful information. Most online information is not delivered with this population in mind. The goal of this study is to examine the online experience of people with complex chronic conditions to develop accessible ways to deliver digital information to this group. The Health Gateway site will be a test case for the implementation of these strategies.

Working with researchers from Bridgepoint, graduate students from the Inclusive Design program at OCAD University will use participatory and user-centered design methods to encourage collaboration among end-users, designers and researchers and achieve project goals. Findings will support appropriate delivery of online health resources that suit end-user needs and abilities and promote the well being of people living with complex chronic conditions.

CLICK (Community Led Inclusive Creation Kit)

This research will help to unplay and rewrite certain ideas of "assistive" technology by developing methods to engage children and youth in the process of collaborative, multi-media creation where captioning and audio description are used as creative tools. Successful approaches, workshop plans, DIY tools, discovery games and training methods will be accumulated in a playful kit called CLICK (Community Led Inclusive Creation Kits) and shared as an OER (Open Education Resource). The methods discovered with this research, will also be applied to the project; Me on the Map, produced by New World Theatre and commissioned by the Vancouver International Children’s Festival. Company Sponsors, Inclusive Media and Design and Abilities Arts Festival will both benefit from the CLICK kit as well as the Me on the Map project that will stand as an example for the creative potential of inclusive productions when it premieres at the 2014 Vancouver Children’s International Festival.

Minimizing the Impacts and Maximizing the Benefits of Marine Shipping Activities for Arctic Communities Through the Use of Traditional Knowledge

Interest in Arctic shipping is growing as sea ice is melting and as other industries are developing. An increase in shipping presents risks to both the natural environment (from the movement of ships and the products that they carry) and to the local communities that rely on those healthy environments for food and other products. However, the local Inuit people in Nunavut also hold a certain body of knowledge referred to as Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ).

This knowledge includes critical information about the land and water, its use, and important cultural practices. IQ must be considered in development projects in the Arctic in order to ensure that any possible negative impacts from the project can be minimized or avoided. The identified issue is that managers do not know how to effectively incorporate IQ into the decision-making process. This project will address the issue by investigating who is making shipping-related decisions in Nunavut and how IQ is, or is not, being incorporated into those decisions. Then a framework will be developed to guide managers in how to effectively use IQ in shipping developments.

The Development of Green Carbons from Biomass Torrefaction: Activated Carbon

B. W. BioEnergy Inc. has developed and characterized three major carbon samples from a renewable, cost-efficient feedstock, the Alder and Willow trees. B.W. BioEnergy Inc. has identified the need for facile methods of activating Torrified Alder tree biomass and probing the potential application of these biomasses to adsorb various industrial pollutants in the aqueous phase including heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd and Cu) and organics (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) as a major research objective. The proposed collaborative project investigates the surface chemistry and porous structure of a series of chemically activated carbon from Alder and Willow wood prepared by mild oxidizing agents under mild conditions in the liquid phase. The adsorption of pure naphthalene and pyrene as well as several heavy metals (Iron, Copper and Lead) on the various activated carbons will be investigated.

The Healthy Body Scorecard: A new health screening tool for Canadian

Building off of the original Healthy Bodies Scorecard project, this research aims to test the newly developed Healthy Body Scorecard tool and provide evidence of its usefulness. We will distribute the draft of the scorecard along with a feedback questionnaire for health care practitioners (HCP’s) targeting those who work with typically developing children as well as those with experience working with children with disabilities. We also intend to develop an “at home” version of the scorecard based of the original that could potentially be used by parents or youth either prior to an appointment with their HCP or as a means to increase the frequency of data collection by the HCP for the purpose of monitoring. We will test the scorecard and seek feedback from parents through a second survey that will ask what components of the current scorecard they would be willing to fill out in an “at home” version of the scorecard. We will conduct focus groups or interviews with a selection of participants from both the HCP’s and the parents who participated in the surveys in order to gain in-depth feedback. This project is of benefit to the Sandbox Project as it directly addresses the stated goals of the organization and its partners, specifically, this project represents an actionable outcome for the Growing Healthy Bodies Working Group in their goal to help Canada become the healthiest place in the world for children to develop.

Pre-concentration of Mount Polley copper ore

A previous feasibility study performed at UBC on the Mount Polly samples showed that dense media separation gave copper recoveries of 95.8% at a specific gravity of 2.9. The purpose of this research project is to confirm the applicability of dense media separation for Mount Polley ore preconcentration.

A lab test will be performed as a part of this project to determine the optimal particle size for pre-concentration. The mineralogical properties of the ore will be examined to explain why dense media separation would or would not be applicable to sorting the ore. Testing will be conducted to further assess X-ray Flouresence, Optical Sorting and Microwave-Infrared Temperature sensing systems. Results of the DMS and sensing systems will be compared.

Ozonation Treatment for Offshore Produced Water Effluents

To meet increasingly stringent guidelines for offshore wastewater disposal, new technologies are being considered by Canada’s petroleum industries for the treatment of produced water (PW) effluents. The purpose of the proposed project is to test the effectiveness of ozonation and enhanced approaches for treating PW effluents. Lab-scale, bench-top experiments using a specially designed bubble column as the reaction chamber will be used to test the efficiency of ozonation and the influencing factors (e.g., bubble size, dosage, time), as well as enhanced options by UV irradiation. The reaction dynamics will be studied by determining the kinetics order and reaction rate to understand the mechanisms involved and to improve performance. The toxicity of treated effluent and the influence of ozonation on biodegradability will be examined. Results will provide the offshore petroleum industry with valuable information about the effectiveness of enhanced ozonation as a cost-effective treatment option for PW effluents and will improve their waste management capacity.

This research project was undertaken and completed with a grant from and the financial assistance of Petroleum Research Newfoundland & Labrador.

cyberSKA II: Scientific test and verification of multi-node distributed infrastructure for data-intensive radio astronomy

The work to be undertaken by the intern with Rackforce builds on a successful NSERC engage grant to develop a distributed cyberinfrastructure system linking the University of Calgary with the Rackforce data centre in Kelowna. This system will demonstrate reliable leading-edge infrastructure for distributed multi-user collaboration for advanced scientific data processing. The planned work consists of processing, visualization and analytics of very large radio astronomy data sets, leading to the full-scale Square Kilometer Array (SKA). The intern is currently processing and analyzing data in Calgary from the GALFACTS project, to explore the origin and evolution of cosmic magnetism. This project involves over 40 scientists in Canada, the US, Australia, Europe, and India. The intern will research, develop and implement the new installation at Rackforce and integrate this with the GALFACTS processing and analytics at the University of Calgary. This will take place through debugging, testing, verifying and demonstrating the new multi-node system for global collaboration. The work will produce the essential end-to-end testing, verification and demonstration of the multi-node system with the new Rackforce analytics and storage capacities supporting the global SKA project.

By working with Rackforce, the intern will gain valuable experience in a real-world, business-oriented environment, acquire highly marketable workplace skills and knowledge, and also move to completion of his Ph.D. The industry partner will gain exposure to and valuable experience with the research and development capabilities of the Cyber-SKA project at the University of Calgary. This will build essential links for future collaborations. The problem faced by Rackforce of figuring out how to be better equipped to deal with emerging “very large data” market needs and demands will be addressed. The university-based research and development program will create a demonstrably successful, leading-edge network node that has never been built before. This will play a very important feasibility demonstration role to support the very long-term, global SKA project. The internship is the key to unlocking, aligning and moving forward significant benefits for all parties in this global project.

Evaluating the Role of Learning and Experience on Postural Response and Fall Prevention in Offshore Environments

Slips, trips, and falls (STFs) are a major concern in occupational environments, accounting for a significant portion of all reported work-related injuries. These concerns are even greater in moving environments, like those of Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore petroleum industry. This proposed research aims to address the industry’s STF concerns through analysis of worker’s postural responses to motions similar to those experienced while working offshore. This initial research will lay the strong groundwork needed for the subsequent development of effective measures to hel p preparenew workers to better adapt to their work environments. It will also help address hazards through a research-based STF prevention program specifically designed for the unique rigors of the offshore petroleum industry. This work will be accomplished by one research project lasting four months and taking place in a laboratory setting. Through this work the partner industry will gain knowledge and expertise that can be used to address the immediate STF-related concerns of the company, as well as being applied to other potential issues related to worker performance in moving offshore environments.

This research project was undertaken and completed with a grant from and the financial assistance of Petroleum Research Newfoundland & Labrador.