Innovative Projects Realized

Life Cycle & Economic Analysis of Bi-Fuel Cars

The proposed research project seeks to define the environmental advantages and cost challenges associated with the design of two types of alternative fuel vehicles; battery electric and bi-fuel CNG + gasoline, with respect to a changing American market. These alternative fuel vehicles will be compared to traditional internal combustion vehicles and assessed based on the environmental effects of the pollutants emitted and their capability to meet the current and future needs of consumers. This project is different from other LCA studies of this nature as it attempts to assess the trade-offs between market success of the consumer product and environmental impact. In addition, the design of current bi-fuel vehicles will attempt to be improved based on the results. The results of this research project will benefit Chrysler LLC by allowing the company to make informed decisions regarding the environmental impact of their vehicles and possible venues for future design consideration. The cost analysis done with this project will also allow Chrysler LLC to identify the most cost effective methods to reduce environmental impact.

Roots of the Routes: Refugee Transnationalism from Turkey to Canada

This dissertation project will analyze the multi-angular process of refugee transnationalism in which different non-European refugee groups seeking asylum in Turkey where they are temporarily settled and protected. After having quasi protection from the Turkish state and living in-between conditions, those non-European asylum seekers are resettled to third countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia and other European countries. I will be specifically examining the resettlement to Canada due to the Turkish authorities’ geographical limitation based on the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and asylum seekers. The project aims to critically explore the dynamics of transnational refugee networks specifically focusing on the routes of refugees, firstly from home country to Turkey where they are settled and having provided temporary protection; secondly from Turkey to Canada where they are resettled as refugee. It is within this context that the main research question of this dissertation will be: what are the informal and formal practices of routes of refugees and how are the production of knowledge and knowledge of routes diffused among the asylum seekers and refugees?

Machine learning developer interns within cross-functional teams to develop and commercialize AI-powered solutions (13)

AltaML is an innovative company capitalizing on a major technological trend: artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, enabled by big data, are driving a fourth industrial revolution. AI will transform all industries, but traditional industries face challenges in implementing AI. AltaML has a unique business model to overcome barriers to adoption of AI solutions by industry, which is to bring the innovating startup together with the large organization, thereby bringing together rich datasets, AI talent with a playbook for industry application and the close collaboration of subject matter experts and AI experts–with a mindset for change. In addition to AI expertise, we bring agility that our large, corporate partners often lack, and which is so essential for innovation. With a strategic focus on AI adoption and product, AltaML works across industries as well as with the public sector using a co-development approach to create applied AI solutions as well as joint AI ventures. This rich, complex multisectoral environment provides the breadth that enables insights in one area to be applied in new areas, leading to ever increasing opportunities for innovation.

The project comprises internships in a variety of technical and business roles, which are: associate machine learning developer, business development associate, communications associate, finance associate, associate business solutions consultant, and project delivery associate. Outcomes will include algorithm creation and deployment, data visualizations, market research reports, sales collateral, competitive landscape analysis, feasibility analysis; key messages and content writing such as case studies and feature articles, financial model development, data analysis, financial reports and variance analysis, customer workflow mapping, business case reports, resource allocation plans, project update reports, and project plans.

model for implementing and continuously improving the automated change management process for construction mega projects

Current communication means such as; Spreadsheet, the internet and Emails are not good enough when a change happens in a Billion $ oil and gas project where hundreds of technicians, engineers, managers, contractors from various disciplines in different locations are involved. The solution is an automated workflow process. Simply put, workflow is the step-by-step procedure taken to complete a job. An automated workflow is the one in which unnecessary time consuming human tasks is eliminated or changed as an automated machine-based task. This research aims to compare the old processes used for managing changes in construction mega projects with the automated process and also offer a model for the continuous improvement of the change management automated process

Caffeine bioavailability time-course after administration of caffeinated mouth spray

There is increasing interest in consuming caffeine through non-traditional methods, e.g., coffee and teas. Previous research has shown that caffeine appears in the bloodstream faster after chewing gum containing caffeine compared to swallowing caffeine pills. This suggests that caffeine can be absorbed faster through the mouth compared to digestion. However, it is unknown how caffeine appears in the bloodstream after using a mouth spray containing caffeine and how this compares to drinking commercial caffeinated drinks, such as coffee and energy drinks. This research will compare how quickly caffeine appears in the bloodstream after participants drink coffee or an energy drink or use a caffeine-containing mouth spray. The partner organization (VAE Labs) developed and sells the mouth spray commercially. Testing whether caffeine enters the bloodstream faster after using their mouth spray compared to commercial caffeinated rinks will be expected to benefit VAE labs as it will provide scientific evidence to support their product claims.

Revenue and Cash Management Operations

Uplift Psychology is a new psychology and mental health service business that specializes in tailored psychological and psycho-educational assessments for children, adolescents, and adults. Recently, the organization identified opportunities to enhance its revenue and cash management processes as they plan to expand through the Wellington-Dufferin and Upper Grand area. This project addresses these challenges, aiming to streamline financial operations and discover new business avenues and strategic partnerships. Properly optimizing financial and other processes while expanding operational reach will ensure Uplift’s financial stability and growth, allowing for better service delivery. Key challenges include revamping current financial processes and harnessing market research for strategic business growth.

Designing invasion-resistant meadow mixes based on regeneration potential for urban restoration projects

There are increasing calls to build green spaces (UGS) that provide ecosystems to city residents. For example, one approach is to transform degraded UGS beneath hydrocorridors into restored meadows (e.g., The Meadoway in Toronto, Canada). This
ecosystem is meant to act as a place for recreation and habitats to support wildlife. To maintain this desired state, practitioners actively manage meadows by sowing native plants, controlling invasive species, and mowing to promote plant regeneration.
However, it is not clear how invasive and native plants (from a seed mix) interact as seedlings when they emerge from the soil seed bank. Here, I will manipulate both the number of seeds and number of species from a curated seed mix to determine if
they affect the emergence and survival of a focal invader, Canada thistle (C. arvense). This knowledge gap will help practitioners prioritize specific meadow habitats that are potentially vulnerable to biological invasions.

Simulation of heavy-duty fuel cell truck operation in British Columbia, Canada

The heavy-duty fuel cell truck project will address specific challenges in decarbonizing the BC heavy duty transportation sector. Class 8 heavy duty fuel cell trucks available for US markets are not suitable for the challenging demands of BC terrain as well as higher allowable transportation loads of 64 tons versus 40 tons. Simulations will be conducted to aid in the design and initial demonstration of a Class 8 Fuel Cell Truck suitable for the BC Transport market. The simulations include fuel cell truck dynamic vehicle modeling, performance and durability modeling, and lifetime prediction. Additional economic modeling to manufacture and commercialize the truck will also be explored. The partner organization, Salish Elements will benefit from this project by using the results to facilitate commercialization of heavy-duty fuel cell trucks in BC, Canada in conjunction with green hydrogen projects developed with local First Nations.

Monitoring the mental health of Canadians

The intern will contribute to data analysis for briefs and reports published on the MHRC website and shared with key stakeholders and will prepare publications to be submitted to peer-reviewed journals.
MHRC benefits from this partnership by increasing internal data analysis capacity to its polling efforts, allowing a deeper, more timely and thorough analysis of the information it captures, as well as having someone to help manage the sharing and distribution of data to various stakeholders across the country. Through this partnership, countless stakeholders can gain valuable insight into the state of mental health in Canada. This project has been commissioned by Health Canada to collect these data and share it widely with academic researchers, policy makers, and other interested stakeholders, so that it may guide appropriate policies and interventions to mitigate its effects.

Confocal imaging of proteins involved in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum development and pathogenicity

The challenges posed by yield loss and plant diseases facing climate change are on the rise. And it is impossible to ignore fungal pathogens in agriculture. Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is one of the most devastating plant pathogens that can cause substantial damage to major crops such as canola, various beans, and sunflowers in Canada, the USA, and other countries. In order to control the diseases they cause, it is important to first understand how they grow and infect plant hosts. In our research, we are studying the mechanisms of fungal development and pathogenicity. Ras signaling was suggested as a critical mechanism to regulate the development and virulence in sclerotia-forming ascomycetes, but it is not well studied in S. sclerotiorum, especially in regard to the relationships among Ras proteins, RasGAPs and RasGEFs. Besides, many enzymes, such as the Auxiliary Activity family 5 (AA5) Copper Radical Oxidases, are understudied. We have a limited understanding of their contributions to fungal biology. From my preliminary data, several genes involved in these mechanisms are involved in the development and pathogenicity of S. sclerotiorum. From my exchange, I hope to identify the subcellular localization of these proteins involved in Ras signaling pathway and AA5 enzyme secretion. This will further our understanding of the role of Ras signaling and AA5 enzymes in S. sclerotiorum and could also provide approaches to plant disease control.

Cumberland House Pinay Collection Image Project

This research project enables an intern to work with the Friends of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum to undertake a project working with the Pinay Collection in the Ethnobotany collection at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. The Pinay collection was acquired through a donation to the RSM and includes 56 photographs taken in Cumberland House, SK at the early turn of the century. Also included in the collection are a number of significant cultural items that are also likely to come from the community of Cumberland House, SK. The student will work with the FRSM and Cumberland House partners to develop more accurate descriptions for the images, determine the names of individuals, and assist in developing a shared stewardship agreement with Cumberland House.

(Re)imagining work and gender in emerging ‘gig’ economies

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