Innovative Projects Realized

Explore thousands of successful projects resulting from collaboration between organizations and post-secondary talent.

13270 Completed Projects

1072
AB
2795
BC
430
MB
106
NF
348
SK
4184
ON
2671
QC
43
PE
209
NB
474
NS

Projects by Category

10%
Computer science
9%
Engineering
1%
Engineering - biomedical
4%
Engineering - chemical / biological

Exploring the potential of chemical suppressors of nonsense mutations for treatment of multiple genetic disorders

Over 5000 rare genetic diseases collectively affect 1 in 12 Canadians. For these disorders about 10% of patients share a common mutation type that introduces a premature termination codon (PTC) in the gene and results in truncated and non-functional protein. The previously found PTC suppressors have limited effect or unacceptable side effects. The goal of my project is to use a new approach to discover novel chemicals that suppress PTC with therapeutic potential for multiple genetic disorders. I will test over 300,000 chemicals in a yeast-based screening assay to detect the few that can act as PTC suppressors. I will test the activity of these chemicals in cells derived from patients with various genetic disorders and bearing PTC. Finally I will elucidate the mechanism of action of the active compounds. The screening section of this proposal will be performed in collaboration with the Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD).

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Michel Roberge

Student:

Alireza Baradaran-Heravi

Partner:

Centre for Drug Research and Development

Discipline:

Biochemistry / Molecular biology

Sector:

Pharmaceuticals

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

A Study on the Durability and Service Life of Concrete Gravity Base Structures (Phase 1, 2)

The project focuses on the development of some HPC mixtures using concrete materials available in Newfoundland. The developed HPC mixtures can be successfully used by concrete suppliers in Newfoundland area especially for the construction of marine and offshore structures. The project also aims to provide data-based analysis on the service life of some local concrete mixtures to be used in gravity base structures. The data-based analysis will give the designers/engineers a vision about the expected service life time of some common concrete mixtures and can assist decision makers to address uncertainty regarding the decommissioning of offshore structures especially if the reuse decision was favored.

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Assem Hassan

Student:

Hossam Alalaily & Ahmed Abouhussien

Partner:

Stantec Consulting Ltd.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Construction and infrastructure

University:

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Program:

Accelerate

Calibration, Characterization and Optimization of Microwave Imaging System for Grain Monitoring

Microwave Imaging (MWI) is an emerging modality where the goal is to estimate the electrical properties of an object-of-interest. This is done by transmitting a microwave signal into the OI and collecting measurements outside the OI. The measurements are inputs to an optimization algorithm that solves for the unknown electrical properties. It has been proven using computational techniques that the proposed modality can be successfully adapted for monitoring moisture content inside grain bins. Based on the aforementioned study, prototype hardware and instruments, used in the actual grain-bin MWI system, have been designed and built. In this work, calibration techniques for actual datasets collected from a grain-bin MWI system are investigated and applied. The calibrated data are then inverted using state-of-the-art inversion algorithms. Further, novel techniques for reducing the modelling error via hardware optimization are studied and tested using scaled prototype metallic chambers. The research is conducted at the Electromagnetic Imaging Laboratory at the University of Manitoba.

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Joe LoVetri

Student:

Amer Zakaria

Partner:

TRTech

Discipline:

Engineering - computer / electrical

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

University of Manitoba

Program:

Accelerate

Valorization of Byproducts from Bio-diesel and Pulp/Paper Plants into Green Chemicals and Fuels

Glycerol is generated in a large quantity as a byproduct in bio-diesel plants, and hence utilization of crude glycerol for value-added chemicals (such as 1,2-propanediol – an important commodity material used in the production of polyester resins and pharmaceuticals) will yield both economic and environmental benefits to bio-diesel plants. On the other hand, the declined market need of conventional pulp/paper products and the rapid growth of demand of green chemicals, fuels and biomaterials have created a new opportunity to the forestry industry where there are abundant bio-renewable resources: forest biomass and residues. Lignin- currently generated at a large amount (~50 million tons per year globally) as a byproduct in pulp/paper mills, is mainly utilized as a low-value heat source. However, lignin is the largest natural source of aromatic compounds, and it can be de-polymerized/liquefied into aromatic/phenolic oils. The lignin-derived aromatic/phenolic oils can be used as green chemicals for substituting phenol or polyols in the production of phenolic or polyurethane resins, respectively. The oils can also be upgraded into to advanced bio-fuels via hydro-treatment.

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Charles Xu

Student:

Malaya Nanda, Cheng Guo & Matthew Tymchyshyn

Partner:

CENNATEK Bioanalytical Services Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

Alternative energy

University:

Western University

Program:

Accelerate

Dynamic modeling and real-time adaptivecontrol of a dual-ducted UAV with tilting rotors

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are gaining significant amount of attention with research institutes and industry. They are entering into the domain of civil applications such as searchand-rescue, and urban policing. Making robust UAVs that can take off the ground, fly, and safely land on rough terrains autonomously remains a challenge. The focus of this research is on: (1) doing a comprehensive dynamic analysis of a dualducted tilting rotor VTOL UAV developed by 4Front Robotics, (2) implementing and evaluating the robust adaptive controller developed by 4Front Robotics for pith-hover and safe take-off and landing on rough and slanted terrains, and (3) tuning the controller via simulation and in-field experimentations. 4Front Robotics, an all-Canadian company located in Calgary, Alberta, is a complete solution provider for unmanned vehicles (www.4frontrobotics.com). They build highly maneuverable Unmanned Aerial/Ground Vehicles (UA/GVs). Their dual-ducted tilt-rotor VTOL UAV in particular provides a platform suitable for being operational in helicopter impenetrable environments.

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Mehran Mehrandezh

Student:

Kiarash Samsami

Partner:

4Front Robotics

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Aerospace and defense

University:

University of Regina

Program:

Accelerate

Choices and consequences: a multiple method research to supporting better decision making and implementation

The proposed research seeks to investigate four ways to support sound decision making and sustainable development by: 1. developing an integrated approach to planning using a combination of scenario creation and structured decision making (SDM); 2. testing methodological improvements to SDM by increasing our understanding of how to measure values and preferences; 3. examining how to effectively communicate and use high-quality data to inform decision making, and monitoring & evaluation; and 4. training current and future planning practitioners to develop the necessary skill sets to be sustainability leaders. This research will help inform EcoPlan International’s approach to planning and decision making and will promote the delivery of high quality results to its clients.

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Michael Meitner

Student:

Julian Gonzalez, Lorien Nesbit & TBD

Partner:

EcoPlan International Inc.

Discipline:

Resources and environmental management

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

HVDC “Superline” for improved angular stabilityof AC-DC system

High Voltage DC Transmission (HVDC) is used for bulk power transfer over long distances. Manitoba Hydro system involves collection of AC power in the north where it is converted to DC and then transferred to southern Manitoba (approx 900km) where it is converted back to AC to feed consumers. Recently the problems of inter area oscillations have been reported in the system. Manitoba Hydro uses feedback signals such as frequency from the converter stations as control input to modulate power through HVDC links to damp these oscillations. However, sometimes these feedback signals may lack the observability of critical modes which may result in sustained oscillations and eventually in system collapse. In this research, we will investigate the local and remote signals rich in modal information to design the control system. Furthermore, we will develop a control strategy which is robust towards the loss or delay in these remote signals.

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Ani Gole

Student:

Prashant Agnihotri

Partner:

Manitoba Hydro

Discipline:

Engineering - computer / electrical

Sector:

Energy

University:

University of Manitoba

Program:

Accelerate

Carbon thin-films for cosmetic jewellery applications

Thin-films of carbon are finding use in a wide variety of military, industrial, and commercial applications. Arnell Workshop Inc., a West Kelowna, British Columbia-based cosmetic jewellery manufacturer, is using thin-films of carbon in order to coat titanium rings. As of the present moment, they are using an American firm in order to perform these depositions. They are, however, discouraged by the quality of the resultant films (they appear to be flaking and are non-uniform in thickness) and in the length of time that it takes for their product to be shipped back and forth to and from this American company (over a week). This has convinced the management at Arnell Workshop Inc. to consider performing in-house depositions. We aim to customize and optimize the deposition conditions required for these thin-film depositions using the sputtering system available at Arnell Workshop Inc. Quality assessment and accelerated aging protocols will also be developed in this project. It is hoped that the results of this project will equip our industrial partner, Arnell Workshop Inc., with a strategic advantage over its competitors.

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Stephen O'Leary

Student:

Jonathan Laumer & TBD

Partner:

Arnell Workshop Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Consumer goods

University:

University of British Columbia Okanagan

Program:

Accelerate

Using CityEngine for Parameterized 3D Modeling of Regional Growth Scenarios

In 2006, the Government of Ontario introduced “Places to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe” to control urban sprawl, protect farmland and green spaces, create complete communities and revitalize downtowns and urban centres. Key specifications include minimum intensification targets, such as requiring 40% of new residential development to occur in existing built-up areas. A recently published report by Allen and Campsie (2013) found that many municipalities across the Toronto region are not planning to adhere to the mandated intensifications targets. This internship will examine the impact of various growth scenarios on urban form for a case study municipality by developing 3D models in Esri’s CityEngine software. The intern will investigate the use of procedurally generated streets, blocks, and neighbourhoods for efficient visualization of development options. These visualizations will contribute to stakeholder and citizen engagement in regional planning through a Web-based application. It enables novel scenario modeling for effective advocacy and policy making to support economically and environmentally sustainable growth.

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Claus Rinner

Student:

Michael Markieta

Partner:

Esri Canada

Discipline:

Geography / Geology / Earth science

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

Ryerson University

Program:

Accelerate

Assembling a system for continuous production of carbon nanopearls

Carbon nanopearls are an exciting novel class of materials that present unique characteristics, and they turn out to be an excellent alternative to carbon nanotubes for different applications. Presently, they are experimented with success as material for cold cathodes for electron?beam based instrumentation applications and they can be used for the development of polymer nanocomposites with specific properties. We plan to develop a new chemical vapor deposition reactor with a mechanism for allowing a prolongation of the nanocatalyst lifetime that can favour the material growth process. A new fabrication process based on optimization of factors such as temperature, gas fluxes and substrate rotation speed will be determined in order to obtain the highest throughput for a continuous production.

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Truong Vo-Van

Student:

Babacar Diop

Partner:

Nanomed

Discipline:

Physics / Astronomy

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

Concordia University

Program:

Accelerate

Economic development through sustainable forest management at Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve

Master of Forest Conservation Candidates from the Faculty of Forestry at the University of Toronto will partake in the research and development of biochar in Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve Ltd. Studies will provide a greater basis for certification and standardization of the product for use in forest systems and operations in Haliburton Forest, as well as in urban gardening applications as a soil amendment. The proposed research will contribute to the qualification of Haliburton Forest biochar as an assured, reliable product with valued marketable traits, as well as highly favorable ecological effects. Studies will also aim to establish and identify positive growth relationships between biochar and mushrooms of special interest for cultivation based on their desirable commercial properties in Haliburton Forest.

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Sean Thomas

Student:

Nina Renee Shach & TBD

Partner:

Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserves LTD

Discipline:

Forestry

Sector:

Forestry

University:

University of Toronto

Program:

Accelerate

Development of spectroscopic imaging technology for grain quality inspection

Fusarium fungi infestation causes Canadian grain producers a loss of almost $1 billion dollars per year. Fusarium fungi produce toxins, e.g., deoxynivalenol (DON) which cause toxic effects in animals and possibly humans. We will develop a portable hand-held hyperspectral imaging device to detect, in the field, Fusarium infestation in grains. We will also evaluate the applicability of spectroscopic Optical Coherence Tomography to accurately and quickly determine DON level in grains with high sensitivity (1 ppm to 10 ppm). Such accurate, fast, practical and sensitive spectroscopic imaging technology could be widely deployed on farms to help farmers store pathogen-free grains. The industrial partner, Channel Systems, is a vendor of hyperspectral imaging systems. The availability of a portable handheld hyperspectral imaging hardware, as well as novel grain quality inspection application, would increase the market share of the industrial partner. It will result in considerable economic benefits for the industrial partner and Canada

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Sherif Sherif

Student:

Fernando Saccon

Partner:

Channel Systems Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering - computer / electrical

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

University of Manitoba

Program:

Accelerate

Previous
1…644645646647648649650…1,106
Next

Join a thriving innovation ecosystem.

Subscribe to our newsletter now!

Subscribe