Innovative Projects Realized

Optimisation de la production de NaCl sous forme de « hopper crystals »

La fleur de sel est un produit recherché dans le milieu gastronomique. La structure spécifique des cristaux de fleur de sel donne un croquant en bouche et libère en même temps un goût salé explosif. La fleur de sel est produite essentiellement autour de la Méditerranée. Pour produire de la fleur de sel au Québec nous devons recréer les conditions d’évaporation dans des bassins permettant de contrôler les paramètres de cristallisation. Le projet vise l’étude des paramètres qui contrôlent la formation des cristaux de sels tels q ue : la température et la chimie de l’eau salée, l’humidité et la température de l’air, et la consommation d’énergie par kilogramme de sel produit (pour un éventuel dimensionnement industriel). Tout cela sera accompli par des expérimentations dans des bassins équipés d’instruments de mesure pour suivre les paramètres susmentionnés et ainsi tenter d’optimiser la production de fleur de sel en milieu contrôlé. La compréhension des mécanismes de précipitation des sels à partir de saumures trouvera aussi plusieurs autres applications dans le domaine fondamental.

Taukir Aziz – Johnston’s Grain

This project aims to help the grain broker Johnston’s Grain achieve two key goals. First, it will research and develop a comprehensive strategy for expanding their export of Canadian grains and oilseeds into emerging markets in Asia and Africa. This includes analyzing market demand, trade regulations, and competitive landscapes to identify promising new countries to sell their products. Secondly, the project will design and test financial risk management tools and hedging solutions. These allow Johnston’s Grain’s suppliers, such as farmers and grain processors, to protect themselves against volatile price swings in commodity markets using futures and options contracts.

By opening up new international sales markets and offering innovative price hedging services, the project will enable Johnston’s Grain to increase revenues, provide more value-added offerings to existing clients, and solidify their position as a leading prairie grain brokerage. Having capabilities in export market development and customized risk management will give Johnston’s Grain a competitive advantage while benefiting the overall Canadian agricultural economy.

Northern Asset Management SRO Innovation Program

Our project focuses on leveraging detailed analytical research and advanced technological tools to enhance investment options at Northern Asset Management. As a comprehensive financial advisory and investment planning practice specializing in retirement and estate planning, we are committed to assisting clients throughout Canada in achieving their financial goals and maintaining financial health.

With the Canadian investment industry consolidating its two self-regulatory bodies into one effective January 1, 2023, our objective is to adapt to the new regulatory landscape proactively. This project aims to integrate technology-driven solutions and build Excel programming for in-depth analysis, ensuring compliance with the evolving regulations. The student involved in this initiative will contribute to day-to-day operations while actively learning and managing the new regulatory framework, guaranteeing that all clients under the firm’s management adhere to the guidelines set by the Canadian Securities Administration.

The merging of regulatory bodies brings about a significant transformation, unlocking many financial products previously exclusive to institutions. Working closely with the senior planner, the student will explore and integrate these new options into client portfolios. This strategic integration aims to provide clients with an optimal financial future while mitigating risks to the lowest possible extent.

By combining cutting-edge technology with detailed analytical research, our project ensures Northern Asset Management remains at the forefront of the industry, offering clients unparalleled financial planning and investment advisory services in alignment with the latest regulatory standards.

Understanding Creativity – A Computational Research from the Human Visual Perception’s Perspective

Human perception is a critical part of creativity. This research is based on an observation that a creative solution often connects two remotely related concepts. Therefore, I will focus on the mechanism of human visual perception, particularly the mechanism to connect two objects, in this project. The objective is to be achieved by using the curve reconstruction problem as an experimental platform, to quantify the visual information processing mechanism, with correlated cognitive activities (eye movements and brain activities). As a result, it is expected that a general framework for visual perception could be derived theoretically and mathematically, to reveal the cognitive mechanism underlying a creative process. A correlation is expected between the derived framework and cognitive responses within a creative process.

Systems and Survey Insights Engine AI Innovation

Veras (Veras Technologies Inc.), is a Calgary-based start up company that has developed a Survey insights Engine that enables you to Understand What’s Important by leveraging AI (artificial intelligence) and other innovative technology transform thousands of quantitative and written survey responses into concise, and actionable insights and key themes – enabling you to make better and faster decisions.

While Veras’ Survey Insights Engine is innovative, it was launched prior to the mainstream advent of Chat GPT. To keep up with current trends in AI technology and implement the latest innovation in the software product and company processes, the intern, Chase Miller, will audit current systems and processes to identify improvements with Chat GPT, implement and integrate Chat GPT with current Survey Insights Engine, and implement and integrate Chat GPT to improve current processes.

BSI Program

The SDI Group has been a part of the Co op program for the last 14 years. We have supported many students in providing a well rounded experience and mentorship as part of their education. A student being able to be in the field and working directly with the health and safety organization, complements their education by actual practical experience in a variety of areas. SDI Group has 4 Divisions and 10 areas of service. Moreover, in partnership with our clients SDI strives to find solutions that meet non-traditional needs. We build and manage customized systems for clients in many sectors that enhance their current business model. Together our staff serve over 150 partnerships across North America. During their four month intern they will be engaged in several objectives both within SDI and for our client base. Our challenge and opportunity are to review key client’s health and safety management systems and provide innovative solutions on where we can improve performance. This is through training and procedural updates. The areas are learning and providing input into how controls can be put in place for occupational hygiene work conducted. Lastly, updating formal hazard assessments based on work environments and proper controls can reduce incidents. The student will also be reviewing past COR audits for opportunities for improvement.

Soil Analysis and Potential Soil Amendments Best Management Practices on Naturalization Sites within the City of Edmonton

For nearly three decades, Edmonton has been a pioneer in urban sustainability, implementing naturalization projects that revert sections of maintained City green space to a more native and ecologically balanced state. These efforts span diverse urban areas, including roadways, storm water ponds, park spaces, and communities. The City’s Naturalization program strategically plants trees, shrubs, and wildflowers in selected sites to create more biodiverse areas throughout the city. Understanding the intricate relationship between soil characteristics and plant growth is critical for the success of these naturalization initiatives. The naturalization sites present an opportunity to explore how soil attributes influence plant performance. This project aims to assist the Naturalization Team in addressing the challenges of urban soils by conducting soil analysis and identifying best management practices for soil amendments on naturalization sites. The insights gained from this research will enable the City to make informed decisions about which soil amendments could be used to solve common urban soil issues like compaction and salt contamination.

Enhancing Sheep Production Efficiency through Advanced Techniques: A Focus on Machine Learning and Multiomics Data

This proposal is devoted to two areas of sheep production: animal health (parasitic infection) and feed efficiency, which both impact profitability and sustainability. We will investigate potential machine learning using biomarkers indicating parasite resistance and feed efficiency in differentiated animals early in life. One postdoctoral fellow (PDF) will use metabolomics, genomics, and machine learning to accomplish independent and collective objectives. PDF will find novel trends relating metabolites to gene expression and characterize predictive biomarkers for infection level and feed efficiency over time. Additionally, PDF will examine the relationship between feed efficiency and immune response and oversee MSc students’ omics data analysis. This project provides a great opportunity for the intern who is eager to work in the field, interact with industry partners, and implement advanced technology such as metabolomics, genomics, and machine learning.

Green House Gas Reduction – Accurate Quantification and Measurement

To construct models that can utilize the extensive data that has been previously collected, associated with numerous GHG reduction initiatives to accurately quantify realized or unrealized GHG emission reductions. From the work that was completed by O’Hanlon Paving’s previous intern, we were able to gather extensive data but unable to determine accurately if gains had been realized due to the complexity of the multiple variables associated with construction activity. This is to serve as a phased approach to support working towards net zero emissions, helping to position not only O’Hanlon but also assist the construction industry in positioning itself for the future sustainability goals and requirements.

Novel Methods for Creating Eco-Friendly High Performance Aerogels

We are testing a novel approach that enables us to create structures with specific sizes and shapes within aerogel using syringe pumps and 3D printers. This method enables specific internal pore structure design. This is possible because freeze-drying removes ice structures placed within the wet gel. Once the aerogel is lyophilized, it will have cavities in the precise shape of the ice structures. Tuning an aerogel using ice structures like this will enable new advances in aerogel optimization in many fields. Additionally, coating the ice structures and freezing chemicals within the ice makes a new additive distribution method possible, which could lead to novel attributes and interactions.
The benefit to the partner organization is creating new technology that matches up to cutting-edge applications in many fields. We are focusing on electromagnetic wave insulation and thermal insulation.

Investigating Alternative Long-term Solutions for Addressing Waste within Off-leash Dog Parks

Dog ownership is increasing within our cities along with increasing usage of dog parks and off-leash areas. This increased usage is drastically increasing the amount of waste within these off-leash areas. Understanding the factors that affect how waste can be reduced or diverted from landfills is key in creating a more sustainable long term waste management plan.

Efficacy assessment of FLASH radiotherapy on 3D cancer spheroids cultured in lab-on-chips

Non melanoma skin cancer, comprising basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, are the most common cancers with over 75000 cases/year in Canada. They are curable with radiotherapy or surgery with recurrence rates less than 10% with either modality. Age is an important risk factor (the median age is > 65 years of age); many patients are frail and elderly. FLASH is a new modality potentially permitting radiation therapy in just a single session. However, the optimal dosing has not been established. Testing with standard 2D cell lines is not representative of the 3D architecture of cancer. We wish to combine 3D culture (spheroids) using the MISO Chip devices with FLASH to determine optimal dosing and improve biology relevance of our in vitro results. Prompting this new technology will benefit the Canadian manufacturer of MISO Chip in demonstrating its applicability in the field of FLASH radiation and benefit Canadian cancer patients, by paving the way for a simpler and better treatment option.