Innovative Projects Realized

Analysis of PFAS by liquid chromatography with triple quad mass spectrometry

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent organic compounds that are called as “forever chemicals” in the environment. These chemical cause stress on the environment and human health. Therefore, study on the analysis of PFAS is necessary for the environmental quality and sustainable development. The research project “Analysis of PFAS by liquid chromatography with triple quad mass spectrometry (LC-TQMS)” focus on developing the analytical method for PFAS in water at low concentration (ng/L). The requirements for the analytical method are low detection limit due to the low concentration in the water samples, reliable and reproducible results, and reducing interference of water components (organic matters, conductivity, pH) to the analysis. This knowledge is currently not available at IAMT and will be transferred from Dalhousie.

Innovative Durable Marine Protective coating for Mild Steel in Marine Environment

We are hoping to explore the market potential and customer base for the Antifouling and Anti-corrosive Marine Coating. There is a need for durable antifouling and anti-corrosive coating for marine applications which are made within Canada (doesn’t have supply chain issue), could be easily scale-up in production and industrial application, are economically viable, confirms to national and international standards. Shipilov, 2009; estimated that as of the To get better perspective of needs of the coating industry, we are to engage with local coating manufacturers and steel tank manufacturers.

Medventions: Psychiatry Project – Psychiatry Innovation

Launched in Summer 2023, Medventions Atlantic is a partnership between the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub and Sunnybrook Research Institute with the goal to drive health innovation and nurture Canadian talent in the healthcare technology sector. The cornerstone of the program is a four month physician-led, hospital-based fellowship training that equips aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs with a proven process to identify important healthcare needs and invent novel technologies to address them.

Selected candidates will work together as a group, under the supervision of clinical and research mentors. The team will get the opportunity to uncover innovation and translational research opportunities in the field of psychiatry.

The configuration of the Medventions Atlantic fellowship program allows fellows to get involved in clinical immersion, identification and verification of clinical problems, ideation, and the making of an early proof of concept or a prototype for a new medical device.

The four-month fellowship is divided into three main phases with the following structure:

Phase 1: Clinical needs identification, verification, and assessment

Phase 2: Ideation and brainstorming

Phase 3: Concept development, product design and prototyping

Medventions – Surgical Oncology Project – Surgical Oncology Innovation

Launched in Summer 2023, Medventions Atlantic is a partnership between the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub and Sunnybrook Research Institute with the goal to drive health innovation and nurture Canadian talent in the healthcare technology sector. The cornerstone of the program is a four month physician-led, hospital-based fellowship training that equips aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs with a proven process to identify important healthcare needs and invent novel technologies to address them.

Selected candidates will work together as a group, under the supervision of clinical and research mentors. The team will get the opportunity to uncover innovation and translational research opportunities in the field of surgical oncology.

The configuration of the Medventions Atlantic fellowship program allows fellows to get involved in clinical immersion, identification and verification of clinical problems, ideation, and the making of an early proof of concept or a prototype for a new medical device.

The four-month fellowship is divided into three main phases with the following structure:

Phase 1: Clinical needs identification, verification, and assessment

Phase 2: Ideation and brainstorming

Phase 3: Concept development, product design and prototyping

Experimental Fluid Mechanics (EFM) software development

In this research endeavor, our goal is to develop user-friendly software tailored for scientists and engineers specializing in the study of fluid dynamics, particularly within oceanic contexts. Imagine it as an adaptable and comprehensive toolkit designed to simplify their intricate experimental tasks. Initially, we will meticulously craft the software, prioritizing ease of use and efficiency. Additionally, we will construct a specialized module for tracking particles within water, aiding researchers in their quest to decipher complex phenomena like microplastic pollution. This software promises to revolutionize their workflow, offering streamlined processes and enhanced effectiveness. Looking forward, we envision a continuous expansion of this software, with additional tools and modules incrementally enriching its capabilities.

Évaluation et optimisation de mesures classiques et innovantes de réduction des nuisances vibratoires et sonores générées par la machinerie des navires.

Les sources et niveaux de bruits sous-marins d’origine humaine, le bruit anthropique, n’ont cessé de croitre depuis les cinquante dernières années. Parmi les activités humaines générant ce bruit, la navigation commerciale figure parmi les principales contributrices et le bruit qu’elle émet est principalement généré par l’hélice et la machinerie des navires. Il existe des technologies pour la réduction du bruit des navires commerciaux, mais ces technologies sont peu testées en mer et la base de connaissances concernant leur dimensionnement et leur installation est très limitée.
Ce projet vise à tester et optimiser des technologies et des méthodologies classiques et innovantes pour le contrôle et la réduction du bruit sous-marin lié à la machinerie, et ce afin de mieux documenter leur mise en œuvre et de guider la sélection de moyens à mettre en place sur des navires réels. Pour simplifier la complexité par rapport à des tests en mer, les tests durant ce projet se feront en majorité sur une plateforme en bassin.

Building Custom Configurable Vessels for Autonomy and AI Research on Demand

Future ships will be greener and safer, because they will be self-driving. But testing self-driving ships in the ocean is complicated and dangerous. For that reason, we invented a new way of building smaller models of ships, to safely tests these new technologies. Building ships our way is cheaper and easier than older methods and makes models reusable for future tests.
In this project, we will talk to people using model ships to develop self-driving ships, to see if they would buy models build our way to focus more on creating safe self-driving technology instead of building ship models. If everyone used the same models, it would also be easier for researchers to work together.
Finding out if we can start a business is also great for our partner Springboard Atlantic, who try to help getting knowledge from universities into Canadian companies, helping the economy in Atlantic Canada.

All in for Youth Case Study: Community-Based Participatory Evaluation to Inform Evidence-Based Decision Making and Knowledge Mobilization

This project aims to provide much needed evidence to community organizations who want to use evaluation findings to better understand how to support vulnerable children and their families in schools. The All in for Youth initiative and its collaborative partners offer integrated, wraparound supports to improve academic outcomes and resiliency of vulnerable children, support family health and stability, get communities involved, and inform policy and systems change. Individual non-profit organizations do not always have the resources, expertise, time, or capacity to intentionally gather evidence to support critical reflection of their services. Balancing the needs of all organizational representatives into one evaluation will be challenging. As will efforts to mobilize evaluation evidence so diverse audiences can learn about the AIFY initiative and its work. This case study will allow the Evaluation Capacity Network research team to more closely examine how community partners, collaboratively delivering services to children and families, develop and use evidence to inform and improve organizational practices, programs, and policies, navigate systems change, establish common outcomes, and mobilize knowledge.

Modular sun-tracking floating solar power generation platform

Our solution provides modular floating solar array units that aggregate into a scalable platform with energy generation capacities between 50kWh/day (0.35MWh/week) and 0.5MWh/day(3.5MWh/week), similar and compatible with the current energy needs of small and medium-size indigenous coastal communities.

Remotely Operated Bio-inspired AM Underwater Robot

Canada’s international marine trade, accounting for 80% of its commerce with countries beyond North America, surged to an impressive $205 billion in 2015. In this dynamic industry, the maintenance and repair sector assume
a pivotal role in managing the life cycle costs of marine vessels, with approximately 72% of the budget allocated to its operation. The challenges faced are formidable, as unforeseen equipment failures, surface damage including
corrosion, biofouling, abrasion, and fatigue cracks due to seawater exposure, are all too common. Typically, the conventional approach entails transporting the damaged marine to a dry dock for repair, incurring substantial
expenses and logistical challenges.
To address these challenges, the possible deployment of a Metal Additive Manufacturing (MAM) equipment emerges as a transformative solution, significantly reducing the reliance on off-route docking for supply replenishment, maintenance, and overhaul. To harness this technology for underwater repair purposes, we introduce the “Remora MAM Bot”, a remotely controlled bio-inspired MAM robot. Drawing inspiration from the Remora fish, this innovative robot boasts a vacuum cap mechanism, allowing it to attach securely to various marine surfaces. By adhering to the marine vessel’s body, the Remora MAM Bot provides effortless access to damaged areas, rendering it invaluable for underwater repairs.

Development of super-macroporous chitin-based bioinks

The main aim of this project is to utilize chitin and its derivatives to fabricate super-macroporous bioinks using our mist-based printhead technology. The proposed project fosters a circular economy by expanding the bioink and bioprinting market and contributing to sustainable economic growth, while simultaneously addressing environmental challenges associated with crustacean shell waste. Additionally, it opens up new opportunities in healthcare by developing advanced and sustainable bioinks for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications.

Une approche collaborative de design de jeux au service de la santé, étude des effets de différents styles de jeux vidéo sur l’engagement et l’adhérence à la thérapie PEP.

La Fibrose Kystique (FK) est une maladie génétique mortelle qui touche environ 1 canadien sur
3600. L’accumulation constante de mucus dans leurs poumons bloque les voies respiratoires et doit
être expulsé de façon quotidienne, lors d’une série d’exercices thérapeutiques, afin de prévenir les
infections pulmonaires. Cependant, la coopération demandée aux enfants peut mener à des moments de confrontation et de tension avec la famille, ce qui peut avoir un impact important sur leur santé individuelle. En utilisant des jeux vidéo spécialement conçus pour ce contexte, il est possible de
motiver et engager les patients à leur thérapie, tout en maintenant sa valeur thérapeutique. Les jeux
en question seront développés en collaboration avec des étudiants de l’Université de Montréal, des spécialistes du CHU Ste-Justine et les développeurs logiciels de Affordance Studio. À terme, ce projet
devrait améliorer la qualité de vie des patients atteints de la Fibrose Kystique et réduire le fardeau de
leur famille.