Innovative Projects Realized

L2M – Autonomous Wildfire Aerial Control Solution

We address the limitations and hazards of current wildfire detection and suppression methods, focusing initially on Alberta’s boreal zone. Alberta Wildfire uses aircraft, helicopters, specialized equipment, and trained personnel, but these methods have critical drawbacks. Crewed aerial systems cannot operate 24/7, leaving gaps when fires can go undetected. Additionally, deploying personnel is expensive and not scalable for vast high-risk areas. Refueling aircraft and replenishing fire suppressants are also time-consuming, hindering rapid response.

The core issue is the inefficiency of current systems in timely, cost-effective, and comprehensive wildfire detection and suppression. This problem is exacerbated by the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires due to climate change, which disrupt ecosystems, endanger lives, and incur significant economic costs.

Our solution transforms lightweight crewed helicopters into autonomous firefighting UAVs. By integrating commercial autopilot systems and a custom hardware-software interface with water supply equipment, we enable efficient and cost-effective autonomous firefighting operations.

Eliminating the need for human pilots enhances safety and allows continuous coverage, even at night and in poor visibility. Our system enables swift early fire control by autonomously responding to wildfires, initiating firefighting measures before other resources arrive. Stationing these autonomous helicopters near potential wildfire areas ensures prompt response, reducing the risk of wildfire spread and enhancing overall wildfire management.

L2M – WAAM Sensor-fusion based deposition system

We have developed our sensing suite, which we use to acquire, record, retrieve, and process the in-situ process data during the wire-arc additive manufacturing process or welding process. The objective of this project is to contact the industry and do customer discovery and surveys from the industry to tailor and tweak the sensing suite to match their exact needs while aiming for commercialization. The project will, therefore, involve getting to the customers to acquire specific feedback regarding the needs of the industry concerning quality monitoring of welding/WAAM systems with our sensing suite. The software and hardware changes will be done using agile methodology, where continuous feedback throughout the project will be used to update the code and improve the product.

Bénéfices économiques, socioculturels et environnementaux découlant du mode de vie en « Cohabitat » sur les personnes qui y résident et les territoires où il s’implante.

Promoteur au Québec du Cohabitat, qui réunit des ménages souhaitant mettre en commun leurs ressources et espaces de vie pour concevoir, financer et administrer collectivement leur logement, Village Urbain souhaite prendre la juste mesure des bienfaits tirés par les personnes qui y vivent et les territoires où s’implante ce type d’habitat mutualisé abordable, diversifié et écoresponsable au moyen d’une revue de littérature sur des initiatives apparentées, des observations participantes et des entretiens menés à titre exploratoire avec des cohabitants qui occuperont les premières unités érigées à Lachine et à Laval en 2024, permettant d’attester de l’atteinte des objectifs ambitieux qui fondent cette formule susceptible de contribuer à répondre tant à la crise climatique qu’à celle du logement.

Drug development for anticancer therapy: Discovery of New Inhibitors for Lin28

Prostate cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among Canadian men. While treatments exist, many tumors are resistant, highlighting the urgent need to develop more effective therapies. This project aims to develop new drugs for prostate cancer by inhibiting the Lin28 protein, which increases cancer cells’ growth and resistance to treatments. This will be achieved by combining virtual chemical analysis with laboratory research. This project intends to forge new international bonds and exchange of ideas between the Peruvian and Canadian institutions. The search for new Lin28 inhibitors is fundamental, as it offers opportunities to overcome the limitations of efficacy, specificity, and safety of the current few explored inhibitors. The successful development and clinical application of these inhibitors could improve treatment outcomes for prostate cancer patients, promising more tailored and specific treatment strategies, addressing drug resistance, and improving the safety profile of cancer therapies by reducing adverse effects on healthy cells.

Exploring Thalamo-Prefrontal Cortex Connectivity: A multimodal analysis using cutting-edge neuroimaging and a high-resolution histology-based atlas

The prefrontal cortex (PFC), the front part of the brain, plays a crucial role in high-level cognitive functions such as self-awareness, working memory, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. Damage to this region can lead to significant personality changes, as famously illustrated by the case of Phineas Gage, an American railworker in the 19th century who survived a severe brain injury but experienced profound alterations in his personality. These complex functions are supported by diverse microanatomical properties and dense connectivity to other brain regions. One of the PFC’s key connections is with the thalamus, a deep located brain structure known as the “gateway” for multiple functions. The thalamus acts as a central hub that receives and relays motor, visual, auditory, somatosensory, and other types of information to and from various regions, including the PFC.
Our project aims to explore the structural connectivity and underlying cortical properties of the thalamo-PFC circuitry using advanced MRI techniques, high-resolution histological data, and detailed brain maps. This research will enhance our understanding of how these connections support complex cognitive processes.

How can Co-Management Tools, such as Adaptive Co-Management Aid in the Transition of Small-Scale Fisheries From a State of Vulnerability to a State of Viability, within Indonesia.

Small-scale fisheries have historically been excluded from collaborating within the fishing industry when it comes to policy creation, drafting legislation, and enforcing regulations, negatively influencing small-scale fisher livelihoods. Adaptive co-management is an emerging co-management tool that is being employed in common property resources, utilizing a learn-by-doing approach, while placing heavy emphasis on generating knowledge from previous experiences within the common property resources. Indonesia is an important geographical area to study the implementation impacts adaptive co-management tools could have on fisheries as Indonesia accounts for eight percent of the total global fish catch and has increased their annual fish harvest to over six million tonnes (FAO, 2020). This research study will be conducting Interviews, coupled with firsthand observations, with small-scale fishing households in remote small-scale fishing communities within the Java province of Indonesia. This research study aims to determine how Co-management tools such as adaptive co-management can help transition small-scale fishing communities to a state of viability within the Java Province of Indonesia.

Molecular Dynamics Study of the Formation of Laser-Induced Graphene on Poly(furfuryl alcohol)

Graphene is an ultra-thin material with unprecedented chemical and mechanical properties. It is highly desirable for use in technological applications such as biosensors for disease detection and electrodes for energy storage devices, but expensive and energy-intensive synthesis methods have hindered it from widespread commercialization. New, more affordable ways of making graphene have thus been a significant research focus in the last few years. In 2014, it was accidentally discovered that a CO2 infrared laser – similar to those used by hobbyists for wood engraving – would form graphene when it struck a plastic film, dubbed ‘laser-induced graphene’ (LIG). Its advantages were immediately obvious: it was affordable, quick, and versatile, thus highly desirable for widespread use. The scope of this technique is limited, however, due to an unclear mechanism of formation. This project aims to use computational methods to study how poly(furfuryl alcohol), a polymer with many possible structural arrangements, turns into graphene under simulated lasing conditions. These simulations will help form an understanding of how plastics form graphene, which will broaden the potential of LIG and its application in a plethora of industries.

Exploring novel feeding strategies to prevent diarrhea incidence and improve intestinal function in dairy beef calves

This study will provide novel insight into the potential benefits of feeding extended colostrum to pre-weaned calves during the first 21 days after arrival at a rearing facility, with a focus on investigating diarrhea incidence and gut function. As scientists, we are aware of the large gap between new scientific concepts and their accessibility to producers. Therefore, our goal is to bridge this gap by conducting practical, high-quality research that can be applied to provide on-farm solutions. We are also strongly committed to communicating these results to dairy and dairy beef producers at conferences and seminars. If the project is successful, we will support targeted feeding strategies that can be applied upon arrival to the rearing facilities to reduce the incidence of diarrhea, thereby improving calves’ health and welfare, and ultimately decreasing production costs and antimicrobial use. The partnership with Saskatoon Colostrum Company (SCCL) will provide relevant insights that will benefit both the academic and industrial partner. Saskatoon Colostrum Company will provide guidance, mentorship, and feedback regarding the fellow’s research plan, execution, and interpretation. At the same time, SCCL will benefit from this research as it will improve their understanding of the use of their colostrum replacer and its potential use as a feeding strategy to improve calves’ health, and gut function, and decrease the incidence of diarrhea. This will improve SCCL’s ability to formulate colostrum replacers for calves to ultimately improve calf growth and health.

Experimental verification and development of model based machine condition assessment methodology

This project is a necessary step toward model development for machine condition assessment that is capable of both diagnosis and prognosis including root cause analysis. The analytical model, once validated and calibrated can serve as a baseline model or a template for the detection of machine health problems. Because of the details of a machine internal variables this model can provide, it can allow the root cause determination of machine faults. In a previous Mitacs Accelerate project, we have taken an initial step to construct the analytical model for a reciprocating compressor system using bond graph approach. Model verification has been done by cross examination with a finite element model. The purpose of this project is to conduct further model verification through experiments. In addition, experimental analysis will allow quantification of model performance and deficiency. It will provide useful information for developing data driven adaptation strategies. The successful completion of this project will provide a key cornerstone in the development of a competent and adaptable machinery health assessment system AP Dynamics Inc. is currently undertaking.

Benchmarking of nano-fibrillated lignocellulose based on rheological behavior

Lignocellulosic biomass plays a vital role in the global shift away from the utilization of non-renewable petrochemical resources. the market demand for lignocellulose nanofibrils has increased dramatically as they are attractive as a bio-based material due to their high strength, low density, high aspect ratio, functional ability, and biodegradability. Therefore, the sharing of scientific knowledge in the field of the production of lignocellulose nanofibrils, and knowledge about the science of rheological behavior, fosters a collaborative network among participating institutions in this field.
In addition, writing and submitting an ISI article based on the obtained results, taking advantage of valuable expertise and experience, and establishing a scientific relationship to expand cooperation in the future for two specialized groups can be useful for the two universities.

Fine tuning an LLM for patent drafting

The general objective of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of fine-tuning large language models (LLMs) for the purpose of enhancing patent generation and brainstorming processes across various domains. The project follows an agile project management approach, emphasizing continuous small releases. The project is important to XLSCOUT as it aims to enhance text clustering, mapping and document ranking using advanced technologies like part of speech tagging, named entity recognition and tree-based models. The project will help the trainee in- 1) Providing practical, real-world experience in a specific field. 2) Developing and enhancing a variety of skills, including technical skills related to the industry, as well as soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. 3) Networking opportunities as interns will have the chance to connect with professionals in their field, potentially leading to mentorship, job offers, and a broader professional network. 4) Allowing individuals to explore different aspects of a particular industry or career path. This firsthand experience can help interns clarify their career goals and make more informed decisions about their future.

Geotechnical assessment of lightly contaminated soils for increased reuse

CarbOne Biodiversité has engaged with our research team to evaluate potential uses for lightly contaminanted soils to further develop the circular economy. The project will evaluate geotechnical properties of lightly contaminated soils to develop a list of proposed uses (e.g., foundations, fill materials, etc.). CarbOne Biodiversité aims to merge the needs of economic development with the continued protection and rehabilitation of soils for improved revegetation in Quebec. CarbOne Biodiversité works with clients to ensure compliance with the Commission de la protection du territoire Agricole (CPTAQ) and the Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte aux Changements Climatiques (MELCC); in this role they often work to develop contaminated soil/site valorisation strategies. Through their industrial activities, they have identified a need for improved management of lightly contaminated soils and are engaging with the Université de Sherbrooke to develop a research project assessing the long-term sustainability of the revalorisation of lightly contaminated soils. This project will aid the project partner in their role of a developing valorisation strategies for contaminated soils and contaminated sites.