Innovative Projects Realized

Électrolytes autoréparants pour un stockage électrochimique tout-solide efficace & durable de l’énergie : Microbatteries 2.0

Un défi scientifique et technologique contemporain majeur, contribuant à une réponse appropriée à l’ODD N°7 de l’ONU, consiste à impulser un changement de paradigme en passant des batteries lithium-ion (électrolyte liquide/gélifié) à des batteries dites tout-solides (électrolyte (inorganique, polymère) solide) plus sûres et performantes. Au-delà des accélérateurs de développements technologiques que constituent les domaines du stockage stationnaire et de la mobilité électrique, le développement de tels batteries post-lithium-ion est (très) attendu pour répondre à la demande croissante d’électronique embarquée miniaturisée à autonomie énergétiques renforcée (e.g. objets connectés [Io(E)T : Internet of (Every)Thing]). Pour relever ce challenge, nous proposons ici de combiner pour la première fois i) des électrodes négatives en Silicium à porosité multi-échelle contrôlée (produites à Sherbrooke, IRL3463-LN2@UdeS) infiltrées (à l’état fondu) par une nouvelle génération d’électrolytes solides polymères autoréparants et ii) des résines négatives 2.0 photosensibles doués de faculté de transport ionique (les SHPEs (Self-Healing Photopatternable Polymer Electrolytes)) conçus, synthétisés et caractérisés à Grenoble, UMR5279-LEPMI@UGA), c’est-à-dire respectivement 2 des 3 sous-composants (électrode (-)/électrolyte tout-solide/électrode (+)) clés de futures microbatteries tout-solides embarquées sur puce, compatibles avec une fabrication (additive) en salle blanche.

Decreasing the Energy Performance Gap and Thermal Loads in Residential Dwellings Using Machine Learning and Building Energy Modeling

The energy demand of the residential sector in Canada represents 12% of the total energy use. About 64% of such demand is assigned to space heating requirements. Adoption of energy-efficient systems is usually driven
by long-term savings. Many passive energy reduction measures haven’t been implemented due to the decreasing credibility of simulation software which lacks the ability to accurately predict energy performance. The deviation
of the actual energy consumption from the simulated one is termed as the energy performance gap (EPG). This research will study multiple residential dwellings categorized based on input variables relevant to a building’s
geometry, envelope, and site parameters. The actual energy consumption of these dwellings will be compared to that of simulated models to calculate the EPG. Artificial neural network will be employed to model the EPG in
correlation with the most dominant independent design parameters. Once EPG is determined using the developed model, an algebraic equation will be developed to better assess energy-efficient strategies by defining their exact
potential and true savings. The model will be validated using real-time thermographic images of a built prototype with a special emphasis on thermal bridging.

Une recherche pour construire une culture de la paix

Le projet Mitacs à l’Université de McMaster vise à renforcer la collaboration académique avec le Département Global Peace and Social Justice (DGPSJ), une équipe pluridisciplinaire et multiculturelle. Cette collaboration a pour objectif de promouvoir les échanges et les discussions avec le DGPSJ en vue de concevoir un dispositif d’enseignement des langues étrangères (anglais et français) ainsi qu’une formation post-conflit destinée aux enseignants en milieu rural. Ces initiatives didactiques s’inscrivent dans le cadre des principes de l’éducation à la paix, englobant des thèmes tels que la paix, la résolution des conflits, l’égalité des genres, le développement socio-économique et l’environnement, entre autres. Les résultats issus de cette collaboration seront présentés au sein de séminaires, de conférences et d’autres événements institutionnels, auxquels la communauté de la Faculté des Humanités à McMaster, comprenant étudiants, enseignants et chercheurs, est conviée

Deamination of cytosine and 5-methylcytosine in DNA by radical mediated oxidation

Deamination of cytosine (C) and 5-methylcytosine (5mC) lead to GC to AT point mutations, which represent the major fraction of spontaneous mutations in a variety of genomes. We propose that most GC to AT mutations arise from the initial oxidation of C and 5C by reactive oxygen species followed by deamination of the intrinsic exocyclic amino group. In this project, we will examine the effect of DNA sequence on the formation and subsequent rate-dependent deamination of several C and 5mC oxidation products in synthetic oligonucleotides using a combination of isotopic labeling and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, the ability of base excision repair enzymes to repair C and 5mC damage before and after deamination will be assessed in vitro with purified enzymes and the above oligonucleotides. From these studies, we will be able to correlate specific damage with mutations in human disease and disorders related to aging.

Zircon as a tracer of mantle processes and kimberlite magmatism

Zircon, the oldest mineral found on Earth, provides a unique record of geological processes through time. Its extreme chemical and mechanical stability helps preserving these records upon the mineral transfer to the Earth’s surface and weathering. Zircon is a ubiquitous accessory mineral in silica-rich continental rocks, which has long been used as a tracer of processes in the continental crust. However, a growing number of findings of zircon in (ultra)-mafic rocks provides strong evidence for stability of zircon in mantle settings. Kimberlites, the deepest mantle magmas, and the hosts of diamond deposits, also contain zircon, however its origin is poorly understood. The proposed experimental study will test if formation of zircon is not limited to silicic crustal systems but can happen in the mantle. The project aims to constrain the origin, conditions, and compositions of mantle melts/fluids parental to zircon, and, using the concentrations of trace elements in zircon, deduce the composition of kimberlite melt. Joining expertise in kimberlite research of Canadian team with zircon studies of French team will help addressing important questions of subcontinental mantle evolution, origin of enigmatic kimberlite magmas, and processes of metasomatic enrichments of continental roots in rare trace elements critical for modern technologies.

Improved Graphene Production by Rapid Thermal Exfoliation of Graphene Oxide for Application in Energy Storage

Graphene and related materials remain the most promising electrode materials and additives for use in energy storage devices such as batteries and supercapacitors due to the potentially high surface area, high aspect ratio and electrical conductivity. Unfortunately, it remains challenging to achieve single layers of graphene using scalable methods of production. The proposed work aims to design a flow-through reactor capable of rapidly expanding graphene oxide powders to reduced graphene oxide in order to study how precursor morphology and reactor conditions affect the yield of single layers produced by this high throughput method. This will allow the team to engineer improved, higher surface area electrode materials.

The effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on fitness, muscle mass, inflammation and immune function during intense training in rugby players

Bovine colostrum is the milk produced by cows immediately after calving. It contains high levels of proteins that improve immune protection and may act to prevent colds. During intense training, athletes often have compromised immune function. This may be especially true in club-level rugby players who abruptly start high intensity training in the spring in preparation for their competitive season. Our study will assess the effects of supplementing these players with bovine colostrum during this intense training. Thirty-six players will be recruited; half will consume colostrum during the 8 weeks of early-season training and half soy protein. We predict the bovine colostrum supplement will improve health during the training and increase fitness levels. The Saskatoon Colostrum Co. Ltd. is a leading producer of bovine colostrum supplement. This study will provide needed evidence for promotional material for marketing.

Development of improved alloy-based anodes for high energy density sodium-ion batteries

Li-ion batteries are currently comprised of materials which are fairly energy intensive to mine and process which reduces their degree of sustainability. One promising approach to overcome this obstacle is to develop high capacity anode and cathode materials that use sodium which is significantly more abundant and less energy intensive to process from either sea water or salt deposits. This research aims to develop stable anode recipes using phosphorous nanoparticles as an alloying element capable of 2696 mAh/g compared to the 372 mAh/g of current graphite anodes in Li-ion batteries. However, these particles when alloyed with sodium, expand significantly and cause cracking and pulverization of the electrode resulting in rapid capacity fade. In this project, we will develop a graphene-wrapped particle system with engineered void space to accommodate the large volume expansion and solve these stability issues.

Nature-based air purifier integrated with biochar-cellulose aerogels with long-term durability and multi-pollutant removal capacity

Indoor pollution sources (e.g., fuel-burning combustion appliances, building materials, and furnishings) are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems. Household air pollution was responsible for an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year in 2020, including over 237,000 deaths of children under the age of 5. To address this problem, we developed a nature-based air purifier (NBCAP) to purify indoor air to replace or supplement ventilation air. The operation process of NBCAP is natural, involving plant uptake, soil absorption, microbial degradation, and biochar-cellulose aerogels adsorption. The lifespan of NBCAP is estimated to be 3 years, and the filter can be easily cleaned with water and does not need periodic replacements. NBCAP is suitable for various indoor environments requiring air purification, including but not limited to homes, schools, hospitals, and shopping malls. Even low-income families, as well as remote, rural, and Indigenous communities, can afford to use it.

Generative AI Enhanced Financial and Risk Analytics

Robust path planning and coverage algorithms

The objective of the project is to develop robust path coverage algorithms for applications arising in search and rescue in earthquake struck urban areas and fault detection in energy distribution networks. The salient feature of the algorithms that will be developed is that they take uncertainty about the model into account and provides worst case guarantees based on the model. The algorithms will be tested both on small and large scale examples motivated by the applications. Depending on the progress, practical aspects such as the ability to deploy sensors and using multiple agents will also be investigated.

This project is part of a new collaboration between the Canadian and the international supervisor through International Laboratory of Learning Systems (ILLS), which is a new international research lab of French CNRS in Montreal.

TIC éco-responsable et marketing numérique

L’industrie numérique est responsable de 4% de l’empreinte carbone planétaire annuelle. Ecoist Club est une entreprise qui cherche à réduire les impacts environnementaux du numérique. En réunissant des experts en numérique durable, Ecoist Club développe des outils pour apprendre (services-conseils), mesurer (calculateur GES) et agir (planification stratégique). En 2022, Ecoist Club a créé le premier calculateur multicritère ajusté au mix énergétique canadien des empreintes GES, eau et terre du numérique. Dans le cadre de ce projet de recherche, le calculateur existant sera ajusté aux besoins des créateur-trice-s de campagnes publicitaires en mettant en évidence les impacts écologiques. Ce projet est multidisciplinaire et permettra de réfléchir à de nouvelles pratiques dans le domaine de la communication publicitaire numérique : (1) optimisation des formats de fichier et du choix des plateformes, (2) intégration des informations sensibilisant à l’écologie numérique, et plus globalement (3) éco-conception des campagnes publicitaires.