Innovative Projects Realized

Environmental product declarations for innovative concrete and pavement products

The Hart Group, a privately-held enterprise headquartered in Smithville, Ontario, produces specialty chemicals for concrete and pavement applications. Our project aims to support the development of environmental product declarations (EPDs) for several of the Hart Group’s products. EPDs are a form of environmental disclosure, or “eco-labeling,” used for marketing purposes, that are becoming increasingly important in business-to-business (B2B) markets, particularly in the building and construction industry. The purpose of our project is to help the Hart Group stay ahead of the curve in meeting B2B customer expectations for EPDs.

Development of Realistic Numerical Models and Stress Relief Guidelines for Pipelines Subjected to Geohazards

Pipelines carry important resources like oil and gas across long distances. These pipelines sometimes cross areas with natural dangers like landslides which can stress or damage them. This study aims to create computer models to understand how pipelines react to these dangers using different approaches. Different types of pipelines and the ways they interact with the ground will be explored. This research will also offer solutions on how to reduce stress in these pipelines. The study will compare the methods, pointing out the best use-cases, benefits, and drawbacks for each. The goal is to help develop better strategies to manage these natural threats and ensure
pipelines are safe.

Investigating Stream Clustering and Correlation for Heterogeneous Gaming Data

In today’s world it is important to make data-driven decisions. However, as the data volume increases and as it evolves continuously and dynamically, in other words as we get more and more streaming data, it becomes more challenging to use such data for decision making and support. Thus in this research, we aim to develop and evaluate the stream clustering algorithms to study how they can assist the decision making process in online gaming platforms. To this end we will also study correlation techniques in conjunction with clustering to address the issues with hereogenous data sources. Our overall aim is to investigate the feasibility of such tecniques in identifying player behaviours for tactical online marketing strategies.

Development of packaging technologies for high-voltage p-GaN HEMT-on-Si

This research is to develop a gallium nitride-based transistor used in high-power applications such as in electric vehicles and in solar power grids. Current gallium nitride transistors break down around 600-800 V. We propose to develop a technology that enable them to have more than 1200 V breakdown voltages. We also keep the balance between the high breakdown requirement and high current requirement.

Single Injection of AAV9 Mullerian Inhibiting Substance as an Ideal Contraceptive

In this research project, our focus is on the development of novel, safer methods of birth control. Our investigation centers around a reproductive hormone known as AMH, which can help prevent pregnancy without the side effects of traditional methods. Building on our exciting progress in animals like cats and mice, our immediate objective is to produce and purify newly designed dog AMH transgene sequences, and to evaluate their production rate, expression, cleavage rate, and activity, in vitro compared to the wild type dog transgene. The aim of our research is to pioneer advanced contraceptive solutions that not only provide safe and effective population control in companion animals but also develop new birth control options available to women.

Arkhitecktura and the Imaginary: The Origins of Soviet Avant-Garde Rationalist Architecture in the Russian Mystical-Philosophical and Mathematical Intellectual Tradition

This project aims to edit and publish a work authored by Elizabeth English entitled Arkhitektura and Mnimosti (the Imaginary) : The Origins of Soviet Avant-Garde Rationalist Architecture in the Russian Mystical-Philosophical and Mathematical Intellectual Tradition. . The project will study a series of architects and support understanding of the revolutionary physical, intellectual, and cultural Russian context out of which this work evolved. English is associated with the Empathetic Spaces Partnership, with Principal Investigator Philip Beesley. Funding Partner Riverside Architectural Press will support creation of framing material including an introduction and conclusion, development of high-quality imagery, and coordinate graphic and typographic design. The background of the volume explains the different factors leading to the work of the Rationalist Group of the Russian avant-garde, by explaining the social-intellectual factors of the unique mystical-religious philosophy of the nineteenth century and their effect in the cultural-academic circles of the twentieth century…

Optimization of Fine Solids Removal in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems

The objective of the project is to test and optimize a novel stationary bed filter for removing fine waste solids from the water of recirculating aquaculture systems. The filter uses plastic media to intercept the waste solids. Beta prototypes of the filter have been installed at four hatcheries owned by Cooke Aquaculture Inc. in the provinces of New Brunswick and Newfoundland. The four prototypes operate at different water superficial velocities and use different plastic media. A major issue with all prototypes is a pulse of dirty water after each cleaning of the filter. The main focus of our project will be to assess the performance of the four existing prototypes, identify and rectify the cause of the problems with the cleaning cycle, and propose design improvements. Our work will benefit Cooke Aquaculture Inc. by improving the effectiveness of their four existing filters and by providing design suggestions for the next generation of stationary bed filters.

Microplastic Ingestion Amongst Humpback Whales in Barkley Sound

Humpback whales are filter feeders that can engulf massive quantities of prey. However, because of their indiscriminate feeding strategies, humpback whales often ingest more than their intended prey alone. Alongside fish and zooplankton, microplastics are likely becoming a frequent menu item for humpback whales foraging along the coastlines of BC. Microplastics are a concerning environmental pollutant due to their abundance and potential to cause cellular stress, gastrointestinal damage, and disease. That said, the severity of microplastic exposure for humpback whales in BC waters is poorly understood. Our project will address this knowledge gap by analyzing humpback whale feces and seawater microplastic content. This project will strengthen Ocean Legacy Foundation’s research capacity and scientific credibility in addressing plastic pollution’s impact on marine life.

Étude sur le partage de la croissance de l’assiette fiscale et rapport spécifique appliqué au contexte de la CMM

Le projet de recherche entrepris par la personne stagiaire s’intéressera à la coopération intermunicipale ou interrégionale sur le plan fiscal et, plus précisément, au partage de l’assiette fiscale ou de sa croissance. Le projet permettra à la personne stagiaire d’effectuer une revue de littérature internationale sur le sujet, d’identifier des pistes de solutions pouvant être appliquées en contexte québécois et de réfléchir plus spécifiquement à leur implantation dans la Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal. La personne stagiaire aura donc accès à un grand angle du sujet de recherche avant de réfléchir à son application concrète. Pour l’organisation partenaire, cela permettra d’avoir un portrait clair et complet des modalités potentielles de coopération intermunicipale sur une base fiscale.

Développer la culture et la capacité d’évaluation au sein de partenariats intersectoriels en promotion des saines habitudes de vie

Propulser des partenariats intersectoriels est reconnue comme une stratégie incontournable à la promotion efficace et équitable de la santé. En tant que Table intersectorielle régionale sur les saines habitudes de vie (TIR-SHV), l’organisme Montréal métropole en santé (MMS) est tenu de mobiliser et soutenir les acteurs nécessaires à la promotion de SHV sur l’île de Montréal. La complexité et l’ampleur de ce partenariat intersectoriel de plus de 300 membres posent un défi de taille à l’évaluation de son action. Ainsi, ce projet examinera les impacts d’une intervention visant le développement d’une culture d’évaluation au sein de MMS. Prenant pour assise la recherche-action ancrée dans la communauté et le développement des capacités d’évaluation, ce projet participatif vise spécifiquement à : 1) produire un portrait de la capacité évaluative au sein de MMS?; 2) codévelopper un programme de développement des capacités d’évaluation adapté au contexte de MMS?; 3) implanter le programme en prenant pour objet d’évaluation les plans d’actions régionaux intégrés (PARI) des réseaux de MMS?; et 4) apprécier le programme et diffuser les connaissances développées. Ce projet contribuera à l’avancement de connaissances et à l’amélioration des pratiques.

Performance of cavity nesting birds breeding on reclaimed mine lands: An individual life-history approach

This study will assess the behaviour, physiology, reproduction and survival of individual birds breeding on reclaimed mine tailings and waste rock, and will provide a robust measure of the effectiveness of reclamation efforts on the Highland Valley Copper operating area. By examining a range of life-history traits in two ecologically distinct species, and comparing birds breeding on reclaimed mine lands to those on land that has not historically been exposed to mining operations, we will also be capable of identifying individual measures of quality or reproductive investment that most closely track environmental disturbance. This may become the basis for future cost-effective impact assessments in all industrial sectors engaged in resource extraction, as individual responses to environmental disturbance can provide an “early warning” of future population declines. It has been argued that effective natural resource management requires the application of evolutionary principles such as selection, variation, and gene flow and this study will position Highland Valley Copper, and Teck Resources Ltd more generally, at the forefront of this approach in the context of impact assessment.

Une histoire audiovisuelle de l’industrie pharmaceutique bâloise – Les politiques audiovisuelles de CIBA, Geigy, Ciba-Geigy et Hoffmann-La Roche (1945-1975)