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

Quantifying soil nitrogen supply to reduce nitrate loading to groundwater from high intensity agricultural production areas in Nova Scotia

Understanding and measuring nitrogen supply in agricultural soils is a critical component in managing groundwater quality and minimizing impacts on the environment. Degraded water quality, primarily as nitrate contamination, is a growing concern in Atlantic Canada and agricultural fields are potential point sources. This project proposes to develop a baseline dataset from agricultural fields across Nova Scotia toward developing a soil nitrogen supply index that will help producers make better crop fertilization decisions. The outcomes of the project will provide the NS Federation of Agriculture with a clear direction for its members with respect to nitrogen management and measurement in soils.

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

David Burton

Student:

Josh Hamlin

Partner:

Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Natural resources

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Production planning at Wesgar

Wesgar is a factory that produces metal sheets for its customers. After a product is ready, it will be delivered to the customer. The objective of this project is to improve the On Time Delivery. At Wesgar they have different machines in their production system. These machines are able to process different products based on the shape, size and material. Each product must pass some specific machines to be processed through the production plan. A schedule that determines which product must pass which machine at what time is required for the production system at Wesgar. Currently they use a software everyday to schedule their production system. They are basically using a traditional forward and backward technique to schedule their system. In order to reach the objective we are planning to improve the scheduling technique. Other scheduling methods and software packages must be evaluated to find an alternative that creates a better schedule that leads us to a more efficient system.

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Tamon Stephen

Student:

Mahsa Faizrahnemoon

Partner:

Wesgar Inc

Discipline:

Mathematics

Sector:

Advanced manufacturing

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for quantifying natural disaster damages in crops of Alberta

The agriculture sector is one of the major pillars in the Canadian economy based in cereal, pastureland for cattle, and biofuel (wheat, canola and barley), and was estimated to be a $7 billion industry in 2015 in Alberta. It is also one of the most economically risky activities since the value of the yield is affected by market fluctuations and it is often affected by extreme weather episodes, especially hail storms in the summer, that provoke important yield losses. These yield losses cause important economic burden not only to farmers but also to the Canadian government and public taxpayers, since agriculture is subsidized. Moreover, adjusters are generally overwhelmed with claims after a hail storm. In 2015 alone, there was $1.2 billion in loss payouts and thousands of crop insurance claims were processed by the provincially backed insurer. In this scenario, drones arise as an efficient tool for supporting the evaluation of damages in crops caused by weather inclemency by reducing time and field adjusting costs of inspection and providing accurate estimations of yield losses. TO BE CONT’D

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Arturo Sanchez-Azofeifa

Student:

Virginia Garcia Millan

Partner:

Skymatics Ltd

Discipline:

Geography / Geology / Earth science

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

Program:

Accelerate

An Enhanced Multifunctional Battery Energy Storage System for Energy Management and Power Quality Improvement

Canada is becoming an international leader in energy storage systems. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are one of the key parts of the storage landscape and can serve a wide range of applications across the electricity supply chain. The focus of this research is on the application of BESS in mitigating power quality issues in industrial facilities. To further enhance the value proposition of BESS, novel methods will be proposed for allowing BESS to provide multiple supplementary functionalities such as energy management solutions to their host industrial facility, in addition to their contribution to power quality improvement. Hence, this research aims to develop an enhanced BESS configuration, and to further develop its systematic design and sizing procedure and its transient operation assessment. A scaled-down BESS experimental setup will be constructed for testing and verifying the performance of the proposed BESS. The proposed BESS with its novel configuration and multifunctional control capability will enable our industrial partner eCAMION Inc. to fully understand the needs and requirements for their battery storage solutions and to expand their potential market by enhancing the value proposition of their product.

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Bala Venkatesh

Student:

Omid Alizadeh

Partner:

Ryerson University

Discipline:

Engineering - computer / electrical

Sector:

Energy

University:

Program:

Elevate

DEVELOPING AN ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY SOFTWARE BY UTILIZING BIG DATA ANALYTICS TO EVALUATE VARIOUS ENHANCED RECOVERY METHODS

With the current challenges with depleted reservoirs and problems associated with heavy oil production, the implementation of the most cost-effective and feasible enhanced oil recovery method is inevitable. There are a wide range of EOR methods available and developed, which are in most cases expensive and complicated to carry out. Therefore, an extensive preliminary screening procedure is necessary before conducting a field-scale EOR method. However, there is not a comprehensive database or software available to carry out this extensive preliminary study which can be used as a reliable source. The current EOR software in the market do not cover the whole range of EOR methods, or they are just using conventional computation methods which are not robust and can not adopt to newer candidate reservoirs with specific and unique conditions. Furthermore, for the case of sequential oil recovery methods utilization there is not even enough experimental data and information available. It has been found that soft computing and optimization tools can be successfully used in the area of data mining and reservoir management in oil and gas industry. TO BE CONT’D

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Farshid Torabi

Student:

Medhi Mohammadpoor

Partner:

Petroleum Technology Research Centre

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Oil and gas

University:

Program:

Elevate

Development of an integrated modelling framework for eutrophication risk assessment and adaptive management implementation

In water quality management, mathematical models are used to understand ecological processes, to predict aquatic ecosystem dynamics, to evaluate management alternatives/climatic scenarios, and to support the policy making process. Environmental models involve substantial uncertainty due to their structure, unknown parameters, and errors associated with calibration data and other inputs. This research program aims to address the urgent need for credible modelling tools by combining environmental mathematical modelling with Bayesian analysis. Specifically, we will develop sediment diagenesis models for the Georgian Bay and the Hamilton Harbour to evaluate the likelihood of an increased nutrient release from the sediments to delay their response to external nutrient loading reduction efforts. The two systems were selected due to their variant degree of eutrophication problems and multitude of anthropogenic stressors (urbanization, agriculture) in the corresponding watersheds. The modelling products of this project will benefit tremendously our industrial partner, as they have broad applicability to Canadian Agencies that need scientifically-robust projections to make decisions that have considerable socioeconomic implications. Sound environmental management can only result from an in-depth assessment of political/social factors, scientific knowledge, and economic impacts. The proposed methodological framework can be very useful in this direction and can facilitate decisions for sound resource allocation.

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Maria Dittrich

Student:

Phuong Doan

Partner:

University of Toronto

Discipline:

Environmental sciences

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

Program:

Elevate

Monodisperse PhytoSpherix Nanoparticles Modified for Key Applications in Personal Care, Food and Nutraceuticals

Our previous work has shown the promise of monodisperse phytoglycogen for many applications. However, these experiments only scratch the surface of potential uses since the chemistry of the particles (as extracted) is fixed. Nanoparticles offer very high surface areas, and glucose units are easily modifiable, thus there exist a multitude of ways to chemically modify the surface to produce a wide variety of new material properties. We will characterize key properties of chemically modified PhytoSpherix nanoparticles that show exceptional promise for use in personal care, and food and nutraceutical applications. Specifically, these data will evaluate the technical advantages of the modified particles over competing technologies, while providing the additional benefit of an inherently safe profile. We will combine in-house experiments with large-scale facility measurements to determine a comprehensive range of key properties: degree of substitution and uniformity of the surface modified layer, particle size and radial density profile, hydration, viscosity, charge and stability of formulations. These studies will result in new products, ranging from sports recovery formulations to transdermal delivery of cosmeceuticals to antimicrobial agents for food packaging.

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

John Dutcher

Student:

Michael Grossutti

Partner:

University of Guelph

Discipline:

Physics / Astronomy

Sector:

Nanotechnologies

University:

Program:

Elevate

Chemical and Microbial Contaminants of Medical Air in Healthcare Institutions

Administration of supplemental oxygen through medical air is a life-supporting measure essential for the management of severe primary respiratory conditions as well as secondary lung injury due to systemic insults such as trauma and sepsis. This medical air is often produced on site through devices which draw, compress and filter outside air in order to redirect it into buildings. However, depending on the outdoor conditions, the state of the ventilation system or the presence of microorganisms, this air can be contaminated. We propose a multi-disciplinary, cross-sector approach leveraging expertise from the academic fields of engineering and microbiology in collaboration with Air Liquide to characterize the extent of any contamination present, knowledge needed to ultimately help shape programs to develop and evaluate mitigation strategies. This work will provide significant insights into potential patient exposure to chemical and microbial contamination of medical air with implications for patient outcomes. It will also help Air Liquide to improve their service offer, the quality of their product and upgrade their filtration protocols.

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Samira Mubareka

Student:

Nicolas Groulx

Partner:

University of Toronto

Discipline:

Biology

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

Program:

Elevate

Development of a microfluidic blood-brain barrier model for drug screening and testing

“Poor efficacy and unpredictable toxic effects are leading causes of removal of a drug from the market. Many drugs act unpredictably in patients because they are tested in labs using cells grown in plastic dishes and animals that poorly mimic humans. Laboratory models that better mimic the behaviour of human tissues in the body could improve the efficacy and efficiency of the drug discovery process, ultimately improving human health.The Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative (CCRM) and its consortium of pharmaceutical company partners have identified the blood-brain barrier (BBB) as a prime target for improved modeling and therapies because BBB breakdown leads to neurodegenerative diseases, the BBB is a barrier to delivery of drugs to treat neurological conditions, and current models poorly mimic the BBB in the body.In this project, we aim to deliver the best-in-class BBB model using our microfluidic platform technology and human pluripotent stem cells. This model will be uniquely compatible with standard laboratory equipment and high-throughput workflow, ensuring ease of adoption by end users. To facilitate CCRM’s goal of commercializing the technology, we will field test the platform at CCRM partner sites and research the business case to create a commercialization plan.”

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Craig Simmons

Student:

Carl Persson

Partner:

University of Toronto

Discipline:

Engineering - biomedical

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

Program:

Elevate

Development & Pilot Evaluation of an Online Peer Support Program for Family Caregivers of Ventilator-Assisted Individuals Living in the Community

Ventilator assisted individuals (VAIs) living at home are frail and generally cannot perform most daily activities. This is similarly the case for the palliative population of those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Although these individuals prefer to live and die at home, the family members who care for them often experience stress and poor health. Peer support can mitigate health declines by decreasing caregivers’ isolation/stress and increasing their sense of control. However, no peer support programs are designed to meet these caregivers’ complex and unique needs. Online support delivery is especially beneficial for caregivers given the geographic and time limitations they face. The proposed research aims to develop and evaluate an online peer support program for VAI and ALS caregivers. Caregivers will be asked about the online delivery of the program, how helpful/satisfactory it was, and if it affected their health and well-being. Differences in the needs and experiences of the palliative and non-palliative caregivers will also be explored. This peer support program can improve the well-being of caregivers and allow them to better care for their family members. TO BE CONT’D

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Louise Rose

Student:

Marina Wasilewski

Partner:

University of Toronto

Discipline:

Nursing

Sector:

Medical devices

University:

Program:

Elevate

Valuing Youth Voices after Disaster: Recovery & Resilience in Fort McMurray

When disasters strike, young people are often portrayed as victims with little to contribute to their recovery. This can lead to the absence of critical youth concerns in key decision-making processes despite growing evidence that strengthened community engagement and voice generates social, economic, and environmental benefits in short and long term recovery. The proposed research focuses on participatory media as a pathway for engaging disaster-affected youth and communities. It will serve as a catalyst for young people’s ideas and solutions for recovery and resilience to be sufficiently heard, valued, and incorporated into decisions that affect their lives. The research supports the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) recovery and resilience-strengthening efforts in Fort McMurray and enhances the CRC’s capacity to work creatively with youth in the post-disaster context. The academic partner, Royal Roads University’s ResilienceByDesign Innovation Lab, is a trans-disciplinary action research lab whose work focuses on disaster risk reduction, transformative climate adaptation, and youth empowerment. Research outputs will include a Community Youth Advisory; an improved CRC youth engagement strategy and toolkit; youth-informed recommendations on recovery decision-making; a report detailing how participatory media and listening-focused events can strengthen sustained youth engagement and community resilience; and youth-generated videos for knowledge translation and mobilization.

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Robin Cox

Student:

Tamara Plush

Partner:

Canadian Red Cross

Discipline:

Psychology

Sector:

Management of companies and enterprises

University:

Program:

Elevate

Developing Integrated Smart Home Controllers with Energy-Efficient HVAC Operation

AYO Smart Home is an integrator of new technologies to provide affordable and energy-efficient housing for First Nations communities across Canada. AYO manages the technology and supply chain to deliver Net-Zero houses consisting of efficient building envelopes, heat recovery systems, energy-efficient HVAC, LED lighting, mold-resistant materials, and smart home controllers. After developing an energy-efficient HVAC system under a previous Mitacs project and successfully testing it in a pilot construction, AYO intends to move to the next level.It is proposed in this project to develop a smart home control system integrated as an inherent component of AYO houses. The smart home controller will provide high-technology access to the variety of the home systems including HVAC, lighting, sensor data, and solar generation. The most important component of the smart home controller is the the energy-efficient operation of HVAC.The post-doctoral fellow has 5 years of expertise developing energy-efficient HVAC systems under supervision of his academic supervisor in Simon Fraser University. AYO recognizes the potential in the academic team to develop the smart home control system. In continuation of the previous year-long collaboration, AYO and SFU will develop and bring the next generation of the product to the market.

View Full Project Description
Faculty Supervisor:

Majid Bahrami

Student:

Mohammad Ali Fayazbakhsh

Partner:

AYO Smart Home

Discipline:

Engineering - mechanical

Sector:

Energy

University:

Program:

Elevate

Previous
1…662663664665666667668…1,106
Next

Join a thriving innovation ecosystem.

Subscribe to our newsletter now!

Subscribe