Innovative Projects Realized

Foam fractionation for the concentration of protein from the post-harvest Agri-processing waste

Foam fractionation is a cost-effective, environmentally friendly emerging technique used for the concentration of proteins from dilute protein sources. Wheat, sugar beets, and potatoes are extensively grown crops in Southern Alberta that generate substantial amounts of by-products through post-harvest processing. This waste is usually discarded without utilization and can undergo fermentation, leading to environmental degradation. In this study, the efficacy of foam fractionation method to concentrate protein in agri-processing waste streams from wheat flour (gliadin), sugar beet leaves (RuBisCo), and potato (patatin) will be examined. The purified fractions possess enhanced functional characteristics, such as enhanced solubility, foaming capacity, emulsification, and oil and water holding capacity. The interaction of natural colourants (e.g. ß-carotene) and proteins recovered from processing waste using foam fractionation will also be evaluated. Natural colourants enhance the visual appeal of food and provide antioxidant properties, but are susceptible to degradation when exposed to air, light, and high temperatures. The agri-processing waste proteins and ß-carotene complexes will potentially have increased stability, functional abilities and higher antioxidant capacity could be achieved.

PLASMA ACTUATION FOR IMPROVED AIRCRAFT AERODYNAMICS

The proposed MITACS internship project is an extension of an existing research collaboration in advanced aerodynamic flow control concepts with electro-fluidic actuators between École Polytechnique de Montréal (Polytechnique) and the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K). The former party is responsible for wind tunnel experiments and the latter party for advanced flow simulations with a world-leading DNS CFD code. The intern coming from Polytechnique will assist in validating the DNS code through flow simulations at wind tunnel test conditions and comparison with the experimental data he had himself produced at Polytechnique as part of his Master’s research. The expected outcomes are a validated code ready for the next phase of the research, a scientific publication and closer collaboration and more student exchanges between Polytechnique and IIT-K.

Stagiaire en urbanisme – Analyse et mise à jour du schéma d’aménagement et de développement de la ville de Gatineau – Mobilité durable et transport collectif

L’embauche de stagiaire serait bénéfique pour la Société de transport de l’Outaouais et le Bureau de projet du Tramway Gatineau-Ottawa, car elle permettrait à la participation du stagiaire le travail dans certains domaines, dont la mise à jour de données statistiques et de l’analyse et la participation à la rédaction de certaines sections du schéma d’aménagement et de développement de la Ville de Gatineau.
Plus concrètement, le chapitre 5 : Mobilité durable et transport collectif, sera celui auquel le stagiaire participera, afin d’y insérer le projet de Tramway Gatineau-Ottawa, qui n’est pas présent jusqu’à présent dans les outils de planification. Comme le projet constitue un axe structurant, plusieurs autres éléments connexes (liens en mobilité active, zones axées sur le transport en commun et densification, agencement avec les autres modes de transport collectif, etc.) devront aussi être réfléchis dans le contexte de l’arrivée du tramway. La mise à jour des données statistiques est très importante afin de pouvoir cibler les besoins prioritaires en matière de mobilité actuels et futurs, permettant une meilleure planification dans le domaine.
Le stagiaire, par ses deux années au baccalauréat en urbanisme, à acquis plusieurs connaissances en matière d’urbanisme et mobilité durable, qui s’avèrent utiles à la tâche. Les compétences de base complémentaires acquises dans ce des domaines connexes (par exemple, la géomatique) permettent une collaboration avec les experts d’autres domaines plus faciles.

Teacher Time Machine Marketing Research Project

The objective of this project is to determine the usability and acceptance of Teacher Time Machine web application as an AI power platform for teachers, administrators, and school district leaders. It will involve doing market research, creating a market strategy and determining and testing execution of marketing steps. The partner organization will benefit by having the product validated for use by teachers, administrators, and school district leaders. Feedback will also help Teacher Time Machine scale up their product by marketing to other users such as post secondary educators, industry training programs and international educators.

Medventions: Cardiac Surgery

Medventions is a full-time 14 week paid program that allows students and new graduates to take part in physician-led, hospital-based fellowship training. Fellows come from different areas of study and will get hands on experience in a clinical setting with innovators and experienced mentors. It equips fellows to identify priority healthcare needs and develop their own prototypes to help solve pressing issues in our healthcare system. At the end of the program, the interns will present their final innovation at the Innovation Showcase, which will celebrate the interns and the work they have done over the past four months. Here, they will present their prototype and business model, and field any questions from an audience comprised of those engrained in the health innovation ecosystem in Nova Scotia.

This cohort will be comprised of 4 fellows and our academic supervisor for this cohort is Clifton Johnston from Dalhousie University. The fellows will be shadowing their clinical lead Dr. Ali Hallani who specializes in cardiac surgery and are expected to start in early September.

Technical feasibility study for unified PCB manufacturing to serve PHY layer functions in WDOCSIS prototype

This project explores the feasibility of creating a printed circuit board (PCB) to serve the physical layer (PHY) functions within a WDOCSIS prototype. Rather than approaching this from a technical standpoint, we adopt a strategic perspective to drive product innovation. Our approach encompasses three key components: We will create a PCB that seamlessly integrates physical layer (PHY) functionalities. By leveraging commercially available electronic boards and optimizing their performance iteratively, we’ll design a circuit that enhances the end-user experience. The hardware design will prioritize ease of installation, ensuring end-users can easily set up and benefit from the WDOCSIS prototype. Our global network architecture will align with business goals. We will conceptualize a system that functions efficiently and supports scalability, cost-effectiveness, and customization. This strategic approach ensures long-term success. The project’s deliverables will encompass a well-documented PCB design for the CPE, simulation results, and a repository of exported files. Additionally, we will provide thorough documentation of the global network architecture, emphasizing its strategic impact.

Vers un plan d’aménagement forestier atikamekw

Le Conseil des Atikamekw de Wemotaci (CAW) au Québec et la Chaire de leadership en enseignement en foresterie autochtone (ci-après CLEFA) de l’Université Laval collaborent depuis 2019 afin de définir une vision atikamekw de la gestion des forêts. Cette collaboration a conduit à un constat important : il est essentiel de déployer des efforts particuliers afin de proposer un paradigme forestier cohérent avec la culture et le mode de vie atikamekw nehirowisiw ainsi que la richesse de leur rapport à la forêt. Pour y arriver, il importe de poursuivre le travail avec le CAW, et de proposer une planification forestière à l’échelle du Nitaskinan de Wemotaci d’ici trois ans. Le projet servira notamment à réaliser le travail de terrain nécessaire pour traduire les valeurs et les savoirs des familles atikamekw en « family map » (représentation de l’utilisation du territoire). Ensuite, nous déterminerons les enjeux-solutions de la planification forestière pour les Atikamekw de Wemotaci. Les participants seront des représentants de familles atikamekw, par exemple les chefs de territoire. Le projet a une très grande importance stratégique pour le CAW, en raison d’une entente qui sera signée en novembre 2023 avec le gouvernement du Québec. L’entente vise notamment à établir une nouvelle relation de Nation à Nation et à assurer une participation accrue dans les processus décisionnels en matière de gestion et de mise en valeur du territoire et des ressources forestières.

Artificial Intelligence, Participatory Governance and Urban “Smart” Infrastructure: An Examination of Critical Junctures for Canadian Digital Policy

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Landscape Changes and Place Making in Santarém Region, Lower Amazon, Brazil. From Late Pre-Columbian until Contact Periods

Despite an increase in the number of archaeological field projects in the Amazon region, few studies have analyzed landscape in order to understand the intricacies of political life of a given complex-society in the Amazonian prehistory. This research will focus on landscape formation and changes to decipher the degree to which the Tapajó group were politically centralized and hierarchically structured. It will also to contribute to the ongoing debate on the degree of human impacts and modification of the Amazonian landscape, in particular the Santarém region in the Lower Amazon. From the 10th to the 18th centuries, this region was inhabited by the Tapajó Indians, who produced the famous Santarém style ceramic. To fulfill the research objectives, settlement patterns and landscape modification of three areas (Flona- Tapajós, Belterra Plateau and Satarém) will be compared. In addition Geographical Information System spatial analysis will contribute to suggest how the Tapajó settlements were integrated and connected in terms of pathways and river networks.

Towards Ethical Guidance for AI in Canadian Housing Policy

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Studying the Technical Feasibility for the Development of an Intelligent Cloud-based Inventory and Product Information Management System for a Gourmet Retail Store.

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Prototyping a serious card game for a gamified approach to upskilling and AI integration in professional settings

In our project, we’re creating an innovative card game that blends traditional symbols, like those from tarot cards, with modern cultural references to help professionals navigate today’s complex workplace dynamics. The card game, created with different AI tools, aims to encourage strategic and speculative thinking, collaboration, and open-mindedness among employees, making room for a more inclusive and empathetic work environment. Through gameplay, we tackle the challenges posed by technological advances like artificial intelligence, turning apprehension into understanding and distrust into confidence. Our project offers an interactive and inclusive approach to learning and adapting in a world where digital and human workforces must coexist harmoniously. We believe that by integrating elements of play, our game can become a powerful tool in corporate training, enhancing skills that AI cannot fully replace—creative problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal savvy. The anticipated benefit is twofold: it will prototype a powerful device to enrich the employee experience and boost leadership within organizations, and also provide us with valuable insights for further knowledge, market launch and partnership development.