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

Research on Robust Face Recognition Algorithms

In recent years, face recognition algorithms based on deep neural networks have achieved human-level performance when tested on face recognition database. However, when put into real-world application, those algorithms are not robust enough, due to factors such as different lighting conditions, camera distance, and face orientations. In this project, the university team and the partner organization will work together to improve the performance of the partner’s existing face recognition algorithms, by investigating methods such as triplet loss function, dense facial feature points, and designing novel neural network architectures. The results from this project will improve the competitiveness of the partner’s product on the market.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Minglun Gong

Student:

Zili Yi

Partner:

Altumview Systems Inc

Discipline:

Computer science

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Corrosion inhibitor for potash mining and processing plants

We propose to mitigate corrosion in potash mining and processing plants by introducing corrosion inhibitor to potash brine solutions. We will screen and formulate a cost-effective corrosion inhibitor that is compatible to potash mining and processing operation, but does not degrade quality of potash products and still provides high corrosion inhibition performance. The formulated corrosion inhibitors together with a strategy for effective inhibitor application would lengthen life span of mining and processing equipment, reduce operational downtime, increase potash production and reduce risk of injury and death of mining employees. This thus makes potash mining and processing operation safer and more economical.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Amornvadee Veawab

Student:

Vinith Rajendran

Partner:

BHP Billiton Canada Inc

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Mining and quarrying

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Construction of a Numerical Model for Hydraulic Fracture Propagation in Multiple-Porosity Shale Petroleum Reservoirs

Shale reservoirs store gigantic volumes of petroleum (oil and gas). However, because of the complex nature of the reservoir rock, it is difficult to recover the oil and/or gas stored in shales. Under normal conditions, it is possible to extract only as much as 10% of the resources in place, thus leaving behind a huge potential that promises to satisfy the energy needs of Canada for several decades. The proposed research project aims to provide a scientific methodology whose practical application will allow increasing the recoveries from shales, i.e., getting more oil and/or gas out of the “difficult to exploit” reservoir. The project is therefore aligned with the interest of Canada for boosting its incipient shale gas industry.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Roberto Aguilera

Student:

Daniel Orozco

Partner:

Nexen Energy ULC

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

Oil and gas

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Tenants and Radon: Legal Rights, Remedies and Opportunities for Reform

Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas produced by the natural decay of uranium in rocks and soils. It is the second-leading cause of lung cancer (after smoking) and the primary cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. 16 per cent of lung cancer deaths in Canada are attributable to radon exposure—approximating 3000 people a year. Radon can become trapped and accumulate in buildings, potentially reaching high levels in indoor air (Khan and Gomes, 2017). Canada’s Legal rights and remedies to respond to radon in Canada are largely inadequate and dispersed across multiple statutes, and where they do exist are focused largely on new construction (Dunn and Cooper, 2015). The Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists works in partnership with multiple organizations concerned about radon, including CAREX Canada, provincial lung associations.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Nicholas Blomley

Student:

Noah Quastel

Partner:

Canadian Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists

Discipline:

Geography / Geology / Earth science

Sector:

Management of companies and enterprises

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Exploring home range and habitat use during the breeding season of the Bicknell’s thrush (Catharus bicknelli) in New Brunswick Clear-cuts

The Bicknell’s thrush (Cathurs bicknelli) is a rare songbird with the most restrictive breeding range in North America. The Bicknell’s thrush spends its summer months breeding in high elevation, stunted growth forests – a habitat that the species specializes in. In New Brunswick, there has been a documented population decline of 11.5% per year since 2001. After having identified specific geographic areas where Bicknell’s thrush present, this project proposes using radio-tracking to describe individual’s breeding home ranges and extrapolate population size and densities. Contributing to the research knowledge of the Bicknell’s thrush, a federal species at risk, supports Bird Studies Canada’s mandate in using sound research to advise conservation authorities and managers.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Tony Diamond

Student:

Christopher Ward

Partner:

Bird Studies Canada

Discipline:

Environmental sciences

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Development of Fungal-Specific Stress Response Inhibitors for the Treatment of Fungal Infections

Drug resistance of medically relevant microorganisms poses a grave threat to human health and has severe economic consequences. Fungal pathogens pose an additional complication as they are closely related to their human host. Current therapies to treat fungal infections are limited and drug resistance has already emerged in the clinic. We have conducted extensive research on fungal drug resistance mechanisms and propose to target these mechanisms in combination with existing antifungals. Specifically, our aim is to target a key regulator of fungal drug resistance, the molecular chaperone Hsp90. Through a structure-guided drug design approach, fungal-selective Hsp90 inhibitors will be designed followed by chemical synthesis. We will further characterize these compounds for fungal-selectivity, enhanced efficacy, and minimal impact on human Hsp90. This work addresses the urgent unmet need for effective new antifungal therapeutics that act by a previously unexploited mode of action.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Justin Nodwell

Student:

Tanvi Shekhar-Guturja

Partner:

MaRS Innovation,Bright Angel Therapeutics

Discipline:

Biochemistry / Molecular biology

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

Program:

Accelerate

An Integrated model of Geomechanics and a Multiporosity Reservoir Simulator to Investigate Improved Recovery Techniques in Shale Reservoirs

Shale reservoirs have become a very important source of hydrocarbons, especially in North America. Shales are rocks with very low permeability and therefore, produce the hydrocarbons stored in them is difficult. In order to do it, oil companies have to inject high pressurized fluids to break the rock. But, by using this unique strategy, most hydrocarbons are being left in the subsurface. This work aims to use mathematical and numerical models to investigate different methods that can lead to recover a bigger portion of the hydrocarbons stored in shale reservoirs. The study will be focused on fields operated by Nexen Energy, but the methodology can be applied to other fields in Canada.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Roberto Aguilera

Student:

Alfonso Fragoso

Partner:

Nexen Energy ULC

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

Oil and gas

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Design Tool for the Thermal Performance of Stormwater Ponds

This project will develop a design tool that can be used by consultant engineers who design these ponds and by the regulatory agencies, including our partner organization (the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority) to assess if a stormwater management pond will meet the thermal objectives for the protection of sensitive aquatic life, including the permanent pool volume, drawdown time, length-to-width ratio, number of berms, optimal depth, and the bottom-draw outlet position for a given pond.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Bahram Gharabaghi

Student:

Stephen Stajkowski

Partner:

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Natural resources

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Occurrence and physicochemical properties of organic matter found in phosphate ores

The proposed research project is aimed at detailed characterization of organic matter found in certain types of phosphate ores. The presence of organic compounds often complicates the beneficiation of such ores to produce a fertilizer-grade phosphate concentrate. Further advances in the treatment of such problematic phosphate ores require a thorough understanding of the nature and distribution of organic compounds within phosphate ores. Among the most advanced methods, the proposed research will employ a range of x-ray, infrared, and other spectroscopic methods to visualize the internal structure of ore grains, to generate maps of mineral components within grains of various sizes, and to visualize the presence and distribution of various organic compounds on mineral particles. These techniques are expected to provide complete information about associations of organics with different ore components. Finally, different ore treatment methods will be tested in order to investigate the release of organics by the tested ores.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Marek Pawlik

Student:

Abhay Sablok

Partner:

Albatross Environmental and Process Consulting

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Mining and quarrying

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Evaluating Low Carbon Technologies and Best Practices

The intent of this project is to demonstrate the GHG and electricity use savings of a range of low carbon heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technologies in the multi-unit residential building (MURB) sector.
Technologies to be studied include:
• ductless mini-split air source heat pumps (ASHP)
• gas absorption heat pumps
• smart thermostats
As part of a broader program of work that will include long-term performance monitoring studies of these technologies, this MITACS project will involve a qualitative study identifying other barriers presented to the technologies and strategies for mitigating them. Project outputs will include the development of materials, incorporating case study results and other important guidance, specifically designed for MURB building owners to facilitate their decision to perform retrofits to install low carbon HVAC technologies.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Christina Hoicka

Student:

Susan Wyse

Partner:

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Discipline:

Environmental sciences

Sector:

Alternative energy

University:

Program:

Accelerate

High-Fidelity Data Converters for Medical Diagnostics

Diagnostic medical devices work by translating our vital signs, such as neuron electrical activity and brain waves, into digital data that can be manipulated by a computer. High-speed computer processing improves diagnoses by presenting the physician with a numeric or graphical readout of important features extracted from the signal. Often, the ability of computer programs to extract the most diagnostically-relevant information is limited by how well the device can recognize and ignore background electrical noise common in clinical environments. Many emerging medical technologies (such as diagnosis of spinal cord injury using nerve conduction signals or automatically controlling anesthesia by detecting changes in brainwaves) could be improved if the measurement tools were more sensitive. In partnership with audio technology company ESS Technology, this project aims to design an analog-to-digital converter for recording these important yet weaker signals and allow them to explore the applications of their technologies to medical devices.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Guy Dumont

Student:

Brett Hannigan

Partner:

ESS British Columbia Holdings Inc

Discipline:

Engineering - computer / electrical

Sector:

Information and communications technologies

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Plasma Surface Modification for Passive Microfluidic Immunoassays

Sensoreal’s patented technology allows them to perform complicated laboratory health testing procedures on a plastic microchip the same size as a credit card. The testing is done through the use of passive microfluidics, in much the same way as trees transport water to their leaves. A blood sample is placed in the loading port of the microchip and allowed to pass through the different regions of the device. Doing so reproduces the procedures that a blood sample would go through when tested in a laboratory, however the whole process takes place in only 30 minutes. To make this technology work, the surface of the chip needs to be specially treated so that the blood flows through the entire chip. This research project will ensure that the microchip works perfectly every time, to ensure the most accurate blood tests possible.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Pierre-Luc Girard-Lauriault

Student:

Evelyne Kasparek

Partner:

Sensoreal Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

Program:

Accelerate

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