Innovative Projects Realized

Cloud based hybrid low-cost appliance control and monitoring system

The proposed research project “Cloud based hybrid low-cost appliance control and monitor system” is an appliance automation system consisting of an arrangement of different channels of communication. The main idea behind the proposed work is to provide a real time control and monitoring for industrial appliances located in workplaces where internet accessibility is not immediate. The focus of this project is to record the important parameters of operation for an electric motor and then provide data driven smart recommendations to help improve the efficiency of an electric motor. The motor can be automated or manually stopped if the safe threshold limits are crossed. The expected benefit to the partner organization lies in the fact that organization can commercialize this research by involving the real end clients. This will help organization to establish itself as a technologically strong player in the marked by providing novel solutions to industrial clients and thus bringing in financial benefits.

NX CAD/CAM Simulation, Optimization and Automation Software Development for Tooling Development Industry

The design and manufacturing of dies and molds represent a significant link in the entire production chain. It is on the critical path of development of many products, such as automobile and consumer electronics. The tooling development industries always meet three challenges: the demand for research and development speed, the high requirement for labor skill, and the quality of product. By means of Siemens NX Product Lifecycle Management software, integrated process simulation, workflow optimization and post processing automation systems will be developed in this research project to improve the efficiency of the entire tooling development company, improve the product quality and reduce the requirement of labor skill and training cost, finally increase the global competitiveness. The partner organization benefits in both the form of new and improved product. And also it helps create a synergy and collaboration between industry and academia.

Developing an automated tool for SAR parameter optimization

Development of Novel Gripper and Lifting Mechanisms for Automated Test Water Systems

This project involves developing novel gripper mechanisms for Mantech that has faced issues with their robots. The first challenge is the need for having grippers (not pneumatic) that are robust and light. To solve this, we will develop (model, design, fabricate) a novel electromagnetic gripper that is equipped with tactile sensors to ensure perfect grasping. The electromagnets are solenoid-driven, lightweight, have good speeds, and can preserve the throughput of the bottle inspection. Another challenge is the required modifications for bottle lifting mechanisms for which we develop mechanical model of the mechanism and add a feedback sensor, touch or tactile, to guarantee not missing any caps. Extensive experiments for both gripper and mechanism for different robot speeds will be performed to ensure reliability and repeatability. The novel proposed solutions will help Mantech remain competitive in the market. This project also trains a graduate student to acquire training in advanced mechatronics, control.

Assessing marine mammal presence in and near the FORCE Lease Area during winter and early spring – addressing baseline data gaps and sensor performance

The collection of baseline data on marine mammal use of tidal energy sites prior to Tidal In stream Energy Conversion (TISEC) deployments is considered vital in any subsequent post-deployment assessment of changes in marine mammal activity levels or spatial use. The proposed project involves the deployment of passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) devices (hydrophones) for an assessment of marine mammal presence in the Minas Passage and FORCE test area during the winter and early spring period of 2013/2014. All prior acoustic surveys of marine mammals in the Minas Passage (2010-2012) have been conducted during late spring, summer and fall. Recent statistical tests and modeling of PAM datasets predict that peaks in porpoise presence are likely to occur during the late winter/early spring (Wood et al., 2013). This modeled result requires confirmation with field assessment. Addressing the detection range limitations and the seasonal data gaps in marine mammal presence will provide essential acoustic data towards an understanding of year-round patterns in marine mammal movements, especially those of Harbour porpoise, in and near the FORCE test area, for later use in turbine impact assessments.

Optimization of new inhibitors of type 2 serine proteases as anti-influenza agents

The proposed project aims at optimizing new antivirals to fight influenza. Current antivirals, which target proteins of the virus, suffer from severe resistance owing to mutations in the virus. Our group has identified some enzymes in the human lung that are critical for the maturation of the influenza virus. By blocking these enzymes, we expect that the proposed treatment will be a lot less prone to the development of resistance since the target is the host and not the highly mutable virus. In order to achieve this, we plan to finance, with the help of Mitacs and our partner Neomed, three post-doctoral fellows and one PhD student to optimize compounds and test their activity on the specific enzymes expressed in the human lung. This project will allow our partner Neomed to advance these molecules toward clinical development and provide a much needed alternative to current anti-influenza agents.

A comparison of the solvent extraction of betulin and betulinic acid from tree bark with a bark oil containing a complex mixture of compounds

Design and Analysis of Disaster Warning and Evacuation Systems Using the Network Modelling Approach

Canada’s West coast is prone to tsunamis induced from local megathrust earthquakes that can be generated from the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ). The main objective of this research is to study, analyze and simulate the current detection, notification and response systems for an earthquake and resulting tsunami and develop a comprehensive solution using the network modelling approach to mitigate the impact of future disasters. We will use the results and inferences derived from a tornado mitigation analysis to conduct this research. An activity network is developed to represent the information flow from tsunami detection point to the warning communication point. It is simulated using the Simphony software to obtain the overall time consumption. The network is further refined to analyze the system in the presence of some branch failures. A more detailed modelling work is conducted using the emergency and disaster management modelling expertise and simulation software. The outcome results are used to validate the simulation exercise and to develop a more informative way of using the network modelling approach for different disasters.

CanDo: A Smart App for Cognition

We propose to leverage social networking in a series of apps designed to improve the quality of life for persons with cognitive disabilities. We believe the success of companies for recreational athletes, some with over 15 million users, is linked to motivation and partnering, in addition to the analysis and tracking features. Building on our previous research and these applications for recreational athletes, we plan to evolve our user-centric model for personalized interfaces, data collection, and analytics for persons with cognitive disabilities and their caregivers. The methodology research advances the understanding of not only how to create intelligent apps for persons with cognitive disabilities but also in multi-user scenarios such as between the person with cognitive disabilities and their caregivers. Our  investigation for the proposed app includes designing to support both the planning phase and the excursion phase of a local outing that might also involve public transit.

Natural Heritage Risk and Vulnerability Assessment in the Region of Peel

This project involves better understanding how climate change might affect our natural environment with the Region of Peel located within the Greater Toronto Area. The approach is to consider how vulnerable components of the natural environment, such as streams, forests and the organisms living in these habitats, might be to a new climate or extreme weather. In addition to organisms like fish, wildlife and plants, humans also benefit greatly from nature when it is healthy and functional. Examples of these benefits include clean water and air, shaded streets and park lands, and recreation. Once we understand where and how our natural environment, and the related benefits to humans, needs greatest protection, management actions can be developed on a priority basis. Through this work, the TRCA will continue to foster science-based decision making and ensure that The Living City is built on a natural foundation of healthy rivers and shorelines, greenspace and biodiversity, and sustainable communities.

Soil Vapour Assessment and Ontario Regulation 153/04 Environmental Site Investigations in Ontario

Based on the evaluation of modelled soil vapour concentrations it is common for soil contaminants of concern (i.e., volatile contaminants) to pose a potential health risk to receptors via the soil-to-indoor air vapour migration pathway. However, it is understood that the approach used to model vapour concentrations in indoor air, though acceptable to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, is highly conservative based on the assumptions related to the maximum soil concentrations and potential for natural attenuation of soil vapours. Consequently, as a result of these predicted risks, risk management plans must often be designed to mitigate the theoretical risk from the vapour intrusion pathway. Such risk management measures are implemented at a considerable cost to site owners/developers. To avoid these potentially unnecessary risk management measures it is now common practice to collect soil vapour samples to measure the concentrations of contaminants of concern in soil vapour, resulting in a more accurate assessment of the risk posed by vapour intrusion. The research that will be completed will help Stantec streamline soil vapour intrusion programs completed in Ontario by understanding the benefits of used measured soil vapour data, from the initial set-up of the program through to the writing of reports.

Cytotoxic activities of novel formulation from Blue-O Medical Technology against pancreatic cancer cells

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers with a very poor survival upon detection. Pancreatic ducts are channels responsible for secreting pancreatic juices into the small intestines to aid in digestion. Pancreatic duct cancers account for up to 80% of the total pancreatic cancers, and current treatment are not efficacious to control the progress of the disease. Preliminary results using new formulations from Blue-O medical show a specific killing of pancreatic cancer cells. In this project, we aim to determine the mechanisms of cell killing of the new formulation. Results of this study are necessary before progressing to the next stage of animal models.