Innovative Projects Realized

High power all-fiber Raman laser at 1.65 ?m

Fiber lasers have become the fastest-growing laser with a projected worldwide revenue up to $1.41 billion in 2017. In particular, fiber lasers at 1.65 ?m have drawn increasing attention with potential applications in chemical sensing, LIDAR and spectroscopy. All-fiber Raman lasing technology is a promising and efficient technology to achieve high power lasing at 1.65 ?m. However, there are limited all-fiber high power sources at 1.65 ?m that are commercially available. In this project, we will unite the expertise in fiber optics and lasers of the Photonic Systems Group at McGill University with those of O/E Land Inc. to develop a low cost and compact all-fiber Raman laser with a high-power output. Such a laser product addresses a gap in what is commercially available, and will add to their technology portfolio and give them a competitive advantage for different applications in spectroscopy, sensing and instrumentation.

Development and validation of training load metrics and models for predicting athletic performance

This series of projects will provide coaches and sport scientists with a greater understanding of the relationship between training and performance. While there are several methods for monitoring how much and how hard athletes train, how these can be best used to predict future performance is still in question. The sports of rowing and middle-distance running involve similar race demands, that being a full effort over 5-10 minutes. That said, the impact an athlete endures training for each is quite different and this can result in a limitation to time spent training in running relative to rowing. We will both investigate current methods of monitoring training for their use in making these predictions, as well as develop new approaches with the aim of even better predicting athlete performance resulting from the different training approaches taken by a coach.

Scale Up of the Circulating Fluizied Bed Bioreactor for Municipal Wastewater Treatment

The project will focus on the development and installation of a modification to convert existing biological wastewater treatment systems (particularly, activated sludge and similar processes) to circulating fluidized bed bioreactors (CFBBR). The CFBBR has already been proven on the lab and pilot scale to have higher nutrient removal efficiencies and greater handling of high volumetric loadings. Following the installation, the enhanced removal efficiencies will be tested. The system’s ability to handle high volumetric loadings will also be tested by monitoring the effluent quality during wet weather flows or by increasing the flow with clean water to simulate wet weather flows. As the CFBBR hasn’t been tested on this scale before, the analysis of the system following installation will also include troubleshooting for any unforeseen issues. Given the results the from past studies, the modification will likely enhance the treatment capacity. However, it is mechanical/operational issues that will need to be addressed.

Cooking Technology and Regional Identity during the Shang Dynasty

This project explores regional differences during the Shang dynasty (1600-1045BCE) in China by investigating cooking practices and cooking technology. Since cuisine is intimately connected to local culture, researching different approaches to cooking in the archaeological record can help us understand how different regions developed their own culinary traditions and identities even under the same political rulership. I explore this using three sites during the Shang dynasty – two from Northern China, Zhengzhou and Yinxu, and one in the south, Panlongcheng. Panlongcheng was a military outpost in the south for Zhengzhou, which means its settlers were Shang migrants that became exposed to different resources, soils and groups that likely impacted their cooking and cooking technology. This research will not only help develop our understanding of differing Shang dynasty populations, but also our understanding of the complex processes involved in the development of regional identity and local cultures in the ancient past.

Hardware-in-Loop Simulation and Test Facility for Re-Purposed Battery Energy Storage Systems

Hybrid vehicles have been in use for well over a decade now and have gained momentum in popularity

ever since. When these vehicles reach their end of life, their battery packs often have a considerable

amount of residual life. Although their state-of-health may not be suitable for vehicular applications any

longer, they can be re-used in a different setting where they can store and provide energy for remote and

off-grid loads such as small communities in the North. This project aims to develop an advanced

computer modeling and test platform to investigate various options for using re-purposed battery packs

for grid storage applications.

Real-Time Signal Optimization and Emissions Estimation Using Big Data Sources

In recent years technological developments have created a new paradigm where data can be obtained easily and with less effort than in the past. This shift is often called “Big Data”, and its effects can be seen as in many different fields. This proposal follows the same vein, and focusses on taking advantage of the increasing prevalence of connected devices. Modern devices broadcast unique addresses as they attempt to connect to WiFi or Bluetooth networks, and these addresses can be used to obtain estimates of traffic parameters such as volume, travel time, turning movements, and even the emissions generated by vehicles. These parameters can then be used to optimize the traffic system by changing signal timings and then collect feedback on the results of these changes. This project will take advantage of the wide array of resources and support available at WHUT to develop new and innovative technologies that use these data sources.

An analysis of non-structural flood-management measures in Shanghai, China

This research project will involve analyzing non-structural flood management measures in Shanghai, China – one of the world’s most flood vulnerable cities. The Chinese government has invested heavily into structural barriers to flooding, such as the Three Gorges Dam, but there is no fail-safe in times of extreme flood levels. Despite extensive research, there is no information in English literature on the use of public-education and outreach by the government to better prepare Shanghai’s most vulnerable residents. It has been proven that effective flood-management must involve both structural and non-structural risk reduction measures.

Dynamic Control of Robotic Arm

In the design of robotic mechanisms, dynamic balancing i.e. force and moment balancing is an important issue. The robotic mechanism’s accuracy and efficiency are affected because of the unbalance. Moreover, the forces and moments cause fatigue, noise and disturbance in its structural base.

Previous research done by Prof. Chris Zhang include a force balancing method that is termed as adjusting kinematic parameters (AKP) for robotic mechanisms or real-time controllable (RTC) mechanisms. This research includes dynamic balancing method for planar mechanisms only i.e. two dimensional. This method is compared with counter-balance method (CW). It is shown that AKP-method performed better than CW-method in dynamic balancing of robotic mechanism.

My MSc thesis topic is ‘dynamic control of robotic arm’. My research includes furthering the AKP-method in terms of dynamic balance and optimization for spatial (X, Y & Z) 6-DoF mechanism. My research also includes dynamic balancing application to oscillators and robots.

Modeling of packing processes for ellipsoidal particles of arbitrary size

Liquefaction is a destructive phenomenon which usually takes place after an earthquake in areas with water-saturated soil or sand. During the liquefaction process, soil loses its strength and can no longer support structures and buildings which often leads to their destruction. To prevent damages associated with liquefaction, it is critical to study this phenomenon and understand its underlying mechanisms. One approach to study liquefaction is through computer simulation using the discrete element method. In this method, individual soil particles and their contact forces are computed to simulate the displacement of the grains during packing. In this project, soil particles are simplified by ellipsoids. Hydro-Quebec has been developing SiGran, a software to simulate liquefaction, and this project will extend its current sphere packing to ellipsoidal packing. The results of this project will be compared with experimental data to evaluate its accuracy and efficiency.

Universal surface modification method to encourage cell patterning

Surface modification to promote the patterning of mammalian cells is an important tool in cellular biology. It aids in the development of different tissue engineering scaffolds, biosensors, and validation of high throughput screening assays. Surface modification protocols must be tailored to each individual material which limits the utility of a successful antifouling strategy to individual materials. The cost to modify individual materials for multi-material devices, often used in biomedical development, is high. Therefore, a single antifouling method is highly desirable. Through collaboration with leading experts in this field at Soochow University, we hope to gain experience in polyethylene glycol grafting methods to apply to surface modification. Their expertise will improve high throughput screening assays as well as a number of other assays used to study biological interactions and characteristics of cells. This research opportunity provided by Mitacs Globalink will facilitate international collaboration for the development of a surface modification tool in extraordinarily high demand.

Soutenir le transfert des savoirs d’expérience dans le secteur aéronautique : le cas des mécaniciens chez Lockheed Martin

Le vieillissement de la population générale amène inévitablement un vieillissement de la population active, signifiant ainsi une vague de départ pour la retraite dans plusieurs secteurs de l’industrie. Les travailleurs ayant oeuvrés une partie de leur vie dans un certain domaine d’expertise ont accumulé au fil de ces années un bagage de connaissances significatif. Ces connaissances représentent une richesse inestimable. Le transfert de connaissance et de l’expertise est une étape critique avant qu’un quitte vers la retraite. Par contre, les limites de temps, les limites budgétaires, les barrières structurelles dans un contexte de haute productivité peuvent
effectivement venir nuire au transfert de connaissance optimal.
Le but de la présente recherche est l’investigation par l’ergonome des mécanismes qui étaye le transfert de
connaissance dans le milieu de l’aéronautique. Utilisant la démarche d’intervention ergonomique, l’ergonome
ciblera es situations de travail les plus critiques ou l’utilisation d’un logiciel nommé Quantum rend le processus
de transfert de savoirs plus difficile. L’analyse de l’Activité de travail dans ce contexte permettra de faire ressortir
les leviers et les obstacles à un transfert de connaissance idéal. TO BE CONT.

Enhancing Lateness Management in Cross-docking

Today’s marketplace is moving faster than ever, and companies are challenged to distribute their products more quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. This has led to the rise of cross-docking in the global supply chain to help keep pace with customer demand. Cross-docking refers to the practice of unloading goods or materials from an incoming vehicle (e.g., train car, truck, vessel container) and then loading them directly onto outbound vehicles with no storage in between. A common form of cross-docking operations corresponds to single or multi-item pallets, which are unloaded, sorted based on their destination, and placed directly onto outbound trucks. This strategy allows transportation companies to move towards more proactive, agile and flexible supply chains, with shorter product cycles and easier product customization.
The objectives of the project are to improve the existing software tools that plans the scheduling of the incoming/outgoing vehicles of a crossdocking facility in order to reduce the lateness (tardiness/earliness) of the goods deliveries. In addition, we will explore the integration of machine learning tools in order to enhance those software tools.