Innovative Projects Realized

Research Study into Impact of E-mail on Employees

The proposed research to be undertaken is an investigation into the relationship between electronic communication (E-mail, text messages, and Instant Messages) and key employee/employer outcomes (Employee outcomes include: work-life conflict, perceived stress, depressed mood, and anxiety; Employer outcomes include: engagement, work-role overload, job satisfaction, and work related stress. The research may also look at scales for constructs in the organizations which help moderate the relationship between electronic communication and key employer outcomes in the third phase of the research (Moderators include: supportive manager, perceived organizational support, and organizational culture).

Material Testing of BioWood Gel Composite Interior Veneers

Bio-Brick Labs manufactures concrete and natural stone replacements for veneers and rainscreen applications. The material
is made of 85% recycled material, captures CO2, and requires no heat, high-energy machinery, or exotic materials to make.
This results in a carbon-negative product during the lifespan of the material. This project aims to evaluate the in-service
performance of these materials for construction applications and to verify where they comply with CSA standards.

Design and Development of an Analytics-driven Cloud-based Web and Mobile Application for Inventory Management and Product Information Management for a Retail Store

Dolce & Gourmando Inc., a Toronto-based retail business specializing in unique specialty foods, currently faces challenges in inventory and product information management. It’s reliance on diverse suppliers, absence of an integrated inventory management system, lack of customization options in the existing software, and financial inability to implement cost-intensive alternatives [1,2,3], necessitate the development of a highly customized, analytics-driven and cloud based Product Information System (PIS) and Inventory Management System (IMS). The new solution developed will be largely helpful for enhancing operational efficiency, minimizing losses, and for ensuring customer satisfaction.

The proposed project will bring many advantages for Dolce & Gourmando. Economically, the system will enhance cost efficiency, minimize losses from stock wastage, and offer scalability to adjust to market demands. In terms of productivity, streamlined processes, automation, and access to real-time data will boost efficiency and decision-making. Leveraging the cloud-based system, enabling data-driven decision making, and thereby enhancing supply chain operations, will provide strategic advantages in ensuring customer satisfaction and streamlined market allocation. It will also offer economic recovery support post-Covid-19, enhance competitiveness in the Canadian retail sector, and will facilitate organic growth of the business.

Development of a thermal spray WC/Co coating for abrasive concrete applications

Mechanical wear and chemical corrosion are the two main dominant factors that limit the service life of industrial machinery. Wear and tear of tools and equipment are significantly intensifying due to the increasing demand for superior efficiency, productivity, and throughput of industrial apparatuses. Since the surface of the materials is
more exposed to abrasive wear and erosion, surface protection is considered an effective and economic approach to improve the service life of machinery components. Currently, thermally sprayed WC/Co coatings are the most widely used wear-resistant materials to protect various metallic components. This study aims to develop a wear
resistance coating which is also tough and ductile enough to increase the service life and reduce the disposal of machinery components, used in the manufacturing of concrete products. The pertinent industry will benefit from the research by acquiring the knowledge to produce machinery parts with improved service life and durability. This reduces the repair and maintenance costs of the apparatus and increases production efficiency.

Continual Learning approach for adaptive neural decoders

The proposed project aims to develop neural decoder models that can interpret brain signals in real-time to control stimulation devices, specifically focusing on Epidural Electrical Stimulation (EES) for upper limb rehabilitation. By implementing a continuous learning paradigm in decoders, the project seeks to enable the models to compensate for the effects of stimulation and adapt to different stimulating settings with minimal retraining. The expected benefit of this research is to advance the development of cutting-edge neuroprosthetic devices for rehabilitation, benefiting both the Université de Montreal and EPFL in Lausanne. Additionally, the project has the potential to contribute to the development of multi-subject models and guide the next generation of rehabilitation devices, aligning with the expertise and objectives of the participating institutions.

Natural Heritage Risk and Vulnerability Assessment in the Region of Peel

This project involves better understanding how climate change might affect our natural environment with the Region of Peel located within the Greater Toronto Area. The approach is to consider how vulnerable components of the natural environment, such as streams, forests and the organisms living in these habitats, might be to a new climate or extreme weather. In addition to organisms like fish, wildlife and plants, humans also benefit greatly from nature when it is healthy and functional. Examples of these benefits include clean water and air, shaded streets and park lands, and recreation. Once we understand where and how our natural environment, and the related benefits to humans, needs greatest protection, management actions can be developed on a priority basis. Through this work, the TRCA will continue to foster science-based decision making and ensure that The Living City is built on a natural foundation of healthy rivers and shorelines, greenspace and biodiversity, and sustainable communities.

Reconstruction de la communauté de poissons dans les lacs prioritaires du parc national du Mont-Tremblant à l’aide de la paléolimnologie

Au cours des dernières années, le Parc National du Mont Tremblant (PNMT) se questionne sur le caractère domestique et indigène de certaines communautés de poissons dans ses lacs prioritaires, particulièrement pour les lacs à omble de fontaine (Salvelinus fontinalis) et touladi (Salvelinus namaycush). L’impact humain sur les communautés de poissons semble important (ensemencements, contamination des poissons-appâts) et plusieurs lacs sont maintenant colonisés par le meunier noir (Catastomus commersonii) et plusieurs espèces de cyprins dont le mulet à cornes (Semotilus atromaculatus) qui sont en compétition avec les salmonidés. Le PNMT désire reconstituer les communautés présentes AVANT le développement des impacts humains. Nous allons déterminer la structure de la communauté piscicole AVANT la création du parc à l’aide de la paléolimnologie et la comparer avec la communauté piscicole ACTUELLE. Pour répondre à cet objectif, nous utiliserons la paléolimnologie afin de reconstruire les changements potentiels et non-mesurés dans les communautés dans les lacs sur plusieurs décennies par l’examen des sédiments lacustres. Les sédiments lacustres agissent comme des « archives » qui nous donnent l’historique des lacs.

Detailed structural assessment of the South-East tower of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Saint John, New Brunswick)

This research project, conducted by McGill University in collaboration with Heritage Standing Inc., aims to preserve the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Saint John, New Brunswick. The cathedral, a heritage-designated site, faces structural challenges due to aging and past interventions. The focus will be on the main tower, analyzing its current condition, especially concerning vertical and lateral loads. The 18-month project involves on-site visits, archival research, and advanced structural analysis techniques. The goal is to provide insights for necessary repairs or retrofit changes. The collaboration will not only benefit the cathedral but also offer valuable learning experiences for McGill interns, enhancing their practical skills and knowledge in the conservation of historic structures.

System integration and financial predictive tool with ESGTree

Based on current and potential client feedback, our project is focused to develop a modern data pipeline for data cleaning, validation and audits. We also focus on helping clients who are interested in investing in certain portfolio companies who wish to evaluate the ESG performance of a company which might not have a system that tracks the ESG indicators using proxy methods.

BSI_Project_Proposal_Immersio_Nimi

The Immersio Web Application project aims to make learning languages easier and more enjoyable for people everywhere. By improving the way learners, teachers, and institutions interact with the app, our goal is to minimize confusion and distractions in the learning process, allowing users to focus more on learning and teaching. This project will benefit Immersio by enhancing the user experience, making it easier for language institutes to create engaging courses and for learners to navigate through their language learning journey smoothly.

Minimizing of greenhouse gas emission and leachatein an aerobic landfill treatment process

The project presents an opportunity for a Canadian company (SALT Inc.) to partner with a Canadian university research team to develop cost-effective technology to solve an important environmental and health-related problem, while contributing positively to Canada’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gases. The Wood Buffalo Bioreactor Landfill Project is estimated to reduce 253,134 tonnes of CO2 equivalent by the year 2020. It is probably the largest landfill carbon reduction project in the world and the single largest carbon offset project in Alberta, to date. Through the partnership with Western University, SALT Inc. will have access to the results from the laboratory study to validate the aerobic

Development of recyclable metal-infused feedstock for low-cost 3D printing in the context of circular manufacturing

In this project, we are developing recyclable metal-infused feedstock for low-cost 3D printing that mixes metal and plastic. We are using recyclable carbonyl nickel and eco-friendly water-atomized iron powders mixed with recyclable plastics. Our goal is to improve how these materials are put together, making 3D printing easier and cheaper. We will print produced metal/polymer filaments and check how strong the printed parts are. This will help us understand how well the tiny metal particles are spread out. By doing this, we will make sure the heating process works better which will help us to optimize debinding and sintering in order to get fully metal parts. It is like building a strong foundation before making something cool with a 3D printer. Our work helps companies use materials again and make new things in a way that is better for the environment.