Innovative Projects Realized

Fostering collaborative concussion management via the Blue Card in Canadian community rugby

The Blue Card was designed to minimize the risk of multiple concussions and encourage a safe return to competition. The Blue Card requires the collaboration of multiple participant groups. However, poor relationships between participant groups can impact the initiative’s success. Concussion training interventions must consider the complex dynamics within sports to facilitate collaboration among participant groups. This research aims to foster collaborative concussion management by supporting the development of a training program that allows rugby participants to share their perspectives on what should be included and how it should be implemented. A collaborative data collection technique will help participants (e.g., athletes, coaches, and match officials) come to an agreement on the content and format of a new concussion training program. This research will support the development of a training program, as informed by the agreement of the on-the-field experts, focusing on fostering positive relationships and collaboration. The involvement of representatives from the partnering organization (Rugby Canada) will help improve initiatives around concussion policy development and implementation within the organization.

Numerical package for characterizing quantum field generated by lossy micro-ring resonator

In this project, the intern will investigate mathematical models for sources of photons (the fundamental particles of light) with quantum properties that are suitable for implementation in computer software for the simulation and analysis of quantum information systems. These models are important for the design of realistic systems for quantum information processing and include the influence of the physical structure that guides the light and the non-linear effects of the materials used to construct the source. When combined with existing purpose-built simulation tools for analyzing the transformation of quantum information in photonic integrated circuits, these new models will support future development of photonic quantum computers and networks.

Optimization of laser beam machining process parameters to minimize recast layer

This project focuses on improving the component quality after Laser Beam Machining (LBM) for HS188 (AMS5608), a superalloy critical in aerospace and power generation due to its high strength and corrosion resistance. LBM often leaves a recast layer, a residue of resolidified molten material on the side edges, which weakens the material’s strength and corrosion properties which are critical in such sensitive applications. To tackle this, the project aims to explore the use of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to optimize the LBM process settings, minimizing the recast layer. This involves experimenting with various LBM settings and analyzing outcomes with advanced tools like Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEM) to predict the optimum combination of settings. The expected benefits include enhanced component durability, reduced manufacturing costs, and improved product quality and reliability in high-stress applications

Comprehensive Experimental and Numerical Studies of a new Environmental Exposure Unit

Seasonal and environmental allergies are estimated to affect approximately 15% of the population in North America, leading to more than 3 million missed workdays per year with annual costs exceeding 8 billion dollars. Allergy symptoms from pollen or dust mites include sneezing, nasal congestion, and watery eyes, but in severe cases, asthma attacks may be triggered. Red Maple Trials (Ottawa, ON) designed a new testing room (normally referred to as Environmental Exposure Units, EEUs, or sometimes also referred to as Allergen Exposure Chambers, AECs) in which patients can be exposed to airborne allergens (pollen or dust mites) for clinical studies. In the current investigation, an intern will participate in the testing of different pollens (for example, ragweed or Timothy grass) as well as dust mites, aiming at achieving uniformity in both spatial and temporal distribution of allergens in this new facility. The company is also interested in performing numerical simulations of allergen aerosol dispersion in the exposure room to better understand the flow dynamics of various dispersion conditions. Allergy research can improve the lives of a significant portion of the population in Canada and the world.

Electrochemical Synthesis and Photophysical Investigation of One and Two Electron Reduced Organic Photoredox Precatalysts

Organic photoredox catalysis is a profitable, emerging methodology in synthetic chemistry, making countless challenging chemical transformations easily accessible. For organic photocatalysts, the active catalyst responsible for single electron transfer to substrates was initially proposed to be the excited state of the radical anion of the photocatalyst, formed in-situ. Recently, the Nocera group has shown that for naphthalene monoimide, the species responsible for its super-reducing nature is actually the singlet excited state of its two electron reduced and singly protonated counterpart. This indicated that for radical organic anions thought to facilitate PRC, it might actually be the two electron reduced species that is formed in situ that is responsible for the observed reactivity. In order to gain more insight on the mechanism of photoredox catalysis mediated by known super-reducing species, the singly and doubly reduced counterparts of these organic molecules need to be isolated, which is typically challenging because of the air and moisture sensitivity, and instability of these intermediates. The objectives of this project are to develop an electrochemical protocol to generate and isolate one-electron and two-electron reduced products of some known organic photocatalysts, following which their photophysics and photochemistry relevant to reductive organic transformations can be studied.

Enhancing the Security of DeFi Ecosystem via Smart Contracts Analysis (2)

This project will build on the results achieved in MITACS Accelerate Project IT36824 on enhancing the security of the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem through smart contracts analysis. In particular, we plan to work on refining and extending the algorithm we developed to find and repair oracle related vulnerabilities in smart contracts with new techniques to allow it to find and repair other types of vulnerabilities in smart contracts. We plan to write an academic paper on those new improvements. Also, we plan during this project to write a technical report for the Bank of Canada to document lessons we learned in the past two years in the area of securing Blockchain and smart contracts. This report will help inform researchers and decision makers at the Bank of Canada of the possible design choices for digital currencies to provide a good balance of security and usability for all participants in the ecosystem.

Enhancing the Security of DeFi Ecosystem via Smart Contracts Analysis

This project will build on the results achieved in MITACS Accelerate Project IT36824 on enhancing the security of the decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem through smart contracts analysis. In particular, we plan to work on refining and extending the algorithm we developed to find and repair oracle related vulnerabilities in smart contracts with new techniques to allow it to find and repair other types of vulnerabilities in smart contracts. We plan to write an academic paper on those new improvements. Also, we plan during this project to write a technical report for the Bank of Canada to document lessons we learned in the past two years in the area of securing Blockchain and smart contracts. This report will help inform researchers and decision makers at the Bank of Canada of the possible design choices for digital currencies to provide a good balance of security and usability for all participants in the ecosystem.

Norsat International Inc.

Norsat International Inc., based in Richmond, BC, is a globally recognized high-tech company that designs and manufactures innovative communication solutions for challenging applications and environments. The organization specializes in satellite communication systems, wireless network products, and electronic systems for complex environments. Norsat’s core activities include developing cutting-edge technology, providing technical support, and ensuring seamless integration of their products into various markets. The company prides itself on its ability to stay at the forefront of technological advancements, ensuring their products meet the highest standards of quality and reliability.

Enhancing Technical Support, Operational Efficiency, and Innovation in the Energy Sector

The aims of this proposal are to enhance technical support through design processes, internal management, and quality assurance of TROES. The objective is to optimize the design process to improve customer support, strengthen collaboration between the technical support and business development teams, and implement quality assurance protocols. Additionally, the project seeks to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery through an innovative project management improvement initiative. By refining collaboration with the foreign manufacturing team of TROES, the project will streamline workflows, mitigate communication hurdles, and improve timely project completions, including a detailed analysis of existing projects to identify inefficiencies and the integration of advanced project management tools and techniques. Furthermore, the project aims to empower adoption and drive innovation in the energy sector by improving TROES Corp’s business development processes and business model, particularly in the battery energy storage sector.

Impact Investing Solutions for Foundations – University of Victoria

This project will support Propel Impact in advancing impact investing activities across charitable foundations.

Using AI for Chronic Pain Assessment and Malingering Detection

Pain is an unpleasant feeling and a significant health issue. A 2021 report by the Canadian Pain Task Force indicates that one in five people in Canada live with chronic pain, many of whom report it adversely affecting some or most daily activities. Chronic pain also has a tremendous impact on the Canadian economy. Additionally, the lack of effective and specialized pain services, long waiting times, and the scarcity of trained pain management professionals exacerbates the hopelessness for people who live with pain. This reduces productivity due to unemployment and absenteeism among individuals living with activity-limiting chronic pain. Hence, pain assessment is essential to providing proper patient care and assessing its efficacy under clinical settings. To assess pain, physicians typically rely on patients’ statements, which are subjective, or imaging technologies, which are unreliable as detected abnormalities do not always indicate pain and are not always present in cases of chronic pain. The Karmy Clinic specializes in assessing and managing patients with chronic non-malignant pain. For nearly two decades, Karmy Clinics have performed medicolegal assessments for several clients including lawyers and medicolegal assessment centres. Karmy Clinics currently process about 40 of such assessments per month representing over $100M in assessments, legal processing fees, and claim payments each year. Leveraging AI could improve the accuracy and efficiency of pain assessment and detection of malingering. This is the central focus of this project.

Find My Bed: An AI Navigator for Babies Requiring Immediate Hospital Transfers

Every year, ~15,000 newborns in Canada who are critically ill are admitted to 31 Level 3 neonatal intensive care units (NICU). These newborns are at a high risk of death and illness. Over 65% of these newborns are not followed before birth in a hospital with a Level 3 NICU and need to be transferred either prior to birth (ie the pregnant mother) or after birth to a hospital with a Level 3 NICU. This transfer process is time-sensitive and requires the doctor to find a bed in the unit. This process can take up to 35 minutes, and there is a chance that the decision made may not be the optimal one.

To improve the process, we propose to develop Artificial Intelligence driven Decision Support Application that will help identify the most appropriate hospital for the transfer. This will be done through collaboration with experts and stakeholders. The project includes experts in neonatal health, nursing, process optimization, and national networks, as well as stakeholders such as the Ministry of Health. The expected outcome is to improve the efficiency of decision-making and better distribute admissions of critically ill newborns, which can have a significant impact on the overall system.