Innovative Projects Realized

Better Connected

The Better Connected project is a collaboration between 411 Seniors Centre Society and researchers from Simon Fraser University’s Science and Technology Research (STAR) Institute. It aims to address technology and internet-related challenges faced by seniors by developing programs to enhance their digital skills. With a focus on digital access, accessibility, capacity, and capability, the project seeks to create strategies that empower seniors to thrive in a digital world, bridging the divide and promoting inclusion. Led by the research intern, the project includes a capacity-building initiative to develop a volunteer training program. This program will equip volunteers with the skills to support seniors in improving their digital literacy and navigating the digital landscape. Participating in the project will provide valuable insights and solutions for supporting digital literacy in the senior community. It also offers cost-effective opportunities to enhance existing programs and services, aligning with the mission of the 411 Seniors Centre Society.

The effect of providing a rest period to surplus dairy calves without unloading from the trailer during long distance transportation

Few studies have investigated how rest period impact behavioral, metabolic, and clinical indicators of health and welfare of surplus dairy calves during long distance transportation. This project aims to fill these knowledge gaps and determine if unloading calves from the trailer for a rest period will mitigate the impact of transport. Results from this study will provide scientific evidence which can be applied in future development of transport regulations in Canada.

Optimizing bioinks for 3D bioprinting of cardiac tissue

In this research project, scientists aim to develop a new method for repairing damaged heart tissue caused by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). They will use a technique called 3D bioprinting to create functional cardiac tissue using human stem cells. The researchers will develop a special ink that can be used to print the stem cells in a way that mimics the structure and function of natural heart tissue. They will also add other types of cells, such as fibroblasts and endothelial cells, to create a more realistic and physiologically relevant tissue model. The goal is to create mature cardiac tissue that can be used for drug testing and studying the underlying causes of heart diseases. This research has the potential to provide new treatments for patients with CVDs.

Bulletin de l’égalité des chances en éducation

Le bulleting de l’égalité des chances en éducation au Québec brosse un portrait de la réussite scolaire au Québec en collectant et en diffusant chaque année des indicateurs sur les inégalités en éducation dans une perspective historique, tant
pour l’enseignement obligatoire et préscolaire que pour l’enseignement postsecondaire. Les indicateurs retenus portent sur
l’accès, la fréquentation, la réussite et la transition scolaire ou vers le marché du travail.
Chaque Bulletin présente également une analyse sur un thème spécifique et les résultats d’un sondage populationnel Léger,
ainsi que des perspectives concrètes pouvant être adoptées par les instances décisionnelles pertinentes pour favoriser
l’inclusion, l’équité et l’égalité.
Le projet bénéficie du soutien du ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur, de la société civile et du milieu de la recherche,
avec une quinzaine d’organismes incontournables et d’expert.es éminents appuyant le projet, coalisés au sein du comité
aviseur.

Cross-functional teams to develop and commercialize AI-powered solutions – Part E

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.

Machine Learning-Driven Quantum Error Correction in Photonic Cluster State Quantum Computation

THIS IS A GENERIC TEXT PUT IN PLACE AS THERE WAS NO PROJECT OVERVIEW

Development of Hydrogen-Fueled Reefer Trailer for More Sustainable Operation in Transportation Sector

This project aims to develop a fuel cell-powered refrigerated trailer that can operate in different climatic conditions to provide cleaner transportation. Hydrogen will be the only source for refrigerated trailer operations. The present
project has three objectives: to develop a thermal management system for extreme winter and summer conditions for operating the fuel cell under safe conditions, to develop a power management system to provide optimum
integration of battery and fuel cell integration, to perform a comprehensive energy, exergy, economic and environmental (4E) analyses for assessing and optimizing for the system. Refrigerated trailers are generally used
in long-distance trips or serve as a temporary storage solution in a stationary location. Due to the changing ambient conditions, it requires an advanced thermal management system. Therefore, a PCM-based hybrid thermal
management system will be developed. A power management system will be designed to manage the voltage levels of energy supplies (fuel cell and battery pack) and demands (air conditioner or heat pump). As the main
purpose of the system is to reduce the environmental impact of refrigerated trucks, a complete 4E analysis will be performed to reach an optimum design.

Gearbolts / télécommande SteelGrip

Le projet vise à concevoir une nouvelle télécommande de jeu interactive utilisant des fonctions inédites parmi les consoles de jeu existantes. Le design sera développé selon une approche centrée sur les utilisateurs afin d’assurer leur confort et le plaisir de jouer. La methode prévoit l’analyse ergonomique des modèles de commandes offertes sur le marché, l’élaboration de concepts sous forme de sketchs et modélisations, des études de volume à l’aide de maquettes, de la modélisation 3D, du prototypage rapide et des validations, d’abord entre les concepteurs, puis avec une douzaine d’utilisateurs âgés entre 7 et 12 ans. L’analyse portera sur les postures fines et modes opératoires déployés lors de l’utilisation du jeu. Compte tenu de la vitesse d’exécution des mouvements et de leur récurrence, la forme, les dimensions et la résistance du joystick représentent un enjeu majeur sur le plan de l’ergonomie, notamment pour le pouce ; thème qui s’inscrit dans nos activités de recherche.

Art and Waste in Panniqtuqq (Pangnirtung) Nunavut.

This internship follows a four-year collaboration of a group of Inuit artists with settler Canadian artist and Ph.D. candidate Micky Renders, who are raising awareness about the historical, present and imagined future of ‘wastes’ in Panniqtuuq, Nunavut. This internship will support the critical curation of socially-engaged visual art and stories on the theme of Arctic ‘wastes’ (broadly defined as both literal and symbolic), with a focus on community advocacy. The Art and Wastes in Panniqtuuq (Pangnirtung), Nunavut Exhibition will be mounted at Queens’ University in October 2023 and the Art Gallery of Peterborough in 2025. The writing of all supporting texts and documentation, marketing of the exhibition, and organization of related events, will aim to foster discourse on Arctic wastes and probe the following questions: What are the roles of settler-colonialism and neoliberalism as they intersect with settler-Canadian research practices and wastes in Inuit Nunangat? Who gets to define wastes, and who is responsible for the myriad of waste-related issues in Inuit Nunangat?

Virtual Mental Health Services for Women At-Risk for Homelessness: Accessible and Free Psychotherapy

Women who have experienced homelessness encounter several barriers to escaping poverty. These women often experience limited economic independence and accompanying mental health issues that contribute to perpetuating their experiences of poverty. While psychotherapy could contribute significantly to this population’s wellbeing, marginalized women often have significant difficulty accessing psychological care despite their increased need for support. Barriers to access include lack of funding to pay for services and difficulty physically accessing services. Providing mental health care virtually, can reduce these barriers by making services more accessible and affordable. This project seeks to address these accessibility challenges by providing access to free virtual therapy to women who have experienced homelessness, through trusted organizations that already provide valuable services to them. In completing this project, we will evaluate the benefit of treatment for those who access it and with our research partners, assess the potential for scale-up of this treatment program to other settings.

Penrose Summer Associate

Penrose Partners is a blockchain startup firm that provides transactional, educational, and corporate consulting/material production services to businesses, institutional investors, and disruptive tech companies in the blockchain space. We are the trusted advisor that bridges the gap between businesses with great ideas and blockchain adoption. In April 2023, Penrose Partners hosted the 4th annual International Tech Summit in sunny Bermuda. The summit featured sponsors and speakers from industry-leading firms and government officials. The associate cohort for Summer 2023 will work together to plan the sponsorship outreach, speakers panels, and logistics for the 5th summit in April 2024. Additionally, the interns will work alongside the Partners to assist in client work for various web3 companies. The tasks for these clients will include industry research, organizational duties, sales efforts, and pitch deck building.

Développement d’une stratégie de positionnement concurrentiel d’un procédé manufacturier innovant en développement

Dans le cadre de ce stage nous désirons réaliser la vieille concurrentielle technologique et ainsi de se positionner et comprendre ce qui doit être bonifié, corrigé ou développer pour le présent et le futur du nouveau procédé manufacturier innovant en développement en ce moment. Pour se faire une analyse des différents processus actuellement utilisés et en émergence sera réalisé de même que la validation des tendances technologiques à tenir en compte qui pourraient influencer la pertinence des investissements réalisés.