Innovative Projects Realized

A comparison of the solvent extraction of betulin and betulinic acid from tree bark with a bark oil containing a complex mixture of compounds

B. W. BioEnergy Inc. produces high-quality carbon from renewable hardwood trees (birch, alder, willow and maple) in a patent-pending torrefaction process. The trees are debarked to produce the carbon which is 10-times more effective than commercial coconut carbon. Tree bark is a waste product and currently used to fuel the torrefaction process.
Mi’kmaq and other folk medicine use birch bark extracts for topical skin treatments for centuries. The active ingredients, betulin and betulinic acid, are reported to be anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, anti-HIV, antineoplasic, anti-tumor, analgesic, astringent and depurative agents and function as a hepatoprotector for hepatitis C infections.
This proposed Mitacs project will develop dry distillation reactors and extraction techniques to obtain biologically active ingredients. Bark extracts will be analyzed using analytical equipment and extraction processes are optimized for the production of bark extracts into soaps (cosmetic industry) and as pure compounds (pharmaceutical industry). The distillation reactors will also oxidize betulin to more potent betulinic acid.

Prédiction de la résistance mécanique des remblais miniers en pâte cimentés à l’aide des approches de l’Intelligence Artificielle (IA)

Le remblai en pâte cimenté (RPC) est le matériau le plus utilisé dans les mines souterraines pour combler les vides créés à
la suite de l’extraction du minerai grâce à ses performances mécaniques bien établies. Afin d’assurer une stabilité des terrains
lors de l’exploitation minière, il est nécessaire d’étudier les propriétés mécaniques de ce matériau de remblayage, plus
particulièrement sa résistance à la compression uniaxiale (UCS). Vu que les modèles empiriques classiques de prédiction de
l’UCS ne prennent pas toujours en considération les propriétés physico-chimiques et minéralogiques des ingrédients des RPC
(résidus, liants, eau), l’utilisation des nouvelles approches de l’intelligence artificielle (ex. Machine Learning – ML, Deep
Learning – DL) permettent de prédire l’UCS et d’optimiser les recettes de mélanges de RPC. Ce projet de recherche vise à
implanter des modèles en ML et en DL pour prédire l’UCS s RPC en s’appuyant sur des données réelles de mine partenaire,
Agnico Eagle.

Developing a method for crack arrest test at microscales

Zirconium alloys are widely used in nuclear reactors due to their low absorption cross section against thermal neutrons and good mechanical properties. Inside the core of reactors, the hot water coolant reacts with zirconium and releases hydrogen into the zirconium lattice. With time, hydrogen concentration increases leading to the formation of a brittle phase known as hydrides. This process reduces the fracture toughness of zirconium alloys leading to formation of micro-cracks that can eventually lead to the costly replacement procedures. This research focuses on the development of an experimental method for determining arrest properties of zirconium and hydrides at microscales. Advanced numerical methods and experimental techniques will be used to determine under what circumstances a crack may propagate or arrest in zirconium and hydrides. The output of this project is an experimental method that helps provide better understanding of cracking mechanisms in zirconium and hydrides.

Shaping the Future of Shrimp Waste: Hydrothermal Technologies for Valuable Hydrochar and Chitin

Our research project aims to transform shrimp waste into valuable resources, chitin, and hydrochar, benefiting seafood companies by improving waste management and profitability. The problem we are tackling is the harmful
disposal of shrimp waste by these companies, causing environmental damage, economic losses, and missed opportunities. Hydrothermal uses heat, pressure, and water to potentially separate chitin from shrimp waste and
produce a hydrochar. Our research aims to determine the feasibility of chitin and/or hydrochar quality as a function of HTC conditions in order to provide a potential profit stream from “waste”. The benefit to the partner organization is significant, as they can use our system to turn waste into profit.

Accelerated Testing of Microbial Dyes for the Textile Industry

The dye and pigment industry continues to be identified as one of the biggest pollutive and toxic industries. Textile dying is the second largest water polluter and produces 20% of the world’s wastewater using almost a million tons of synthetic dyes annually. Because many of the dyes and chemicals used in this industry can cause permanent damage to the environment as well as to communities near the industrial facilities, alternative sources of non-toxic dyes must be found.

Lite-1 is using bacteria to produce natural, colourful, non-toxic dyes in an eco-friendly manner. Lite-1 dyes greatly reduce water pollution, are safer use and eliminate the dependence on non-sustainable resources.

In this project, Lite-1 will develop structure-function-relationship maps for the dyes and dyed textiles so they can be used in practical applications where they will be exposed to extreme conditions (temperature, sunlight, chemicals). In this partnership with 4D LABS and Neil Branda Lite-1’s microbial dye performance will be assessed by exposing them to extreme conditions using environmental chambers, and solar simulators and monitoring degradation using a combination of spectroscopic methods. The dyes will be integrated into fiber materials commonly used in the textile industry so that additives such as UV-blockers and absorbers can be evaluated for the ability to enhance dye performance.

Tourism the Chinese way: Impacts on ethnic minority Bailivelihoods in Dali, China

Around the world, tourism is having important and often drastic effects on the environment, minority cultures and livelihoods. This study focuses on the impacts that tourism is having on the culture and livelihoods of an ethnic minority group in southwest China—the Bai, whose population was 1.9 million in 2010. I will complete fieldwork in Dali, China, the ‘homeland’ of Bai people and culture. I will focus on three research questions, which I will answer while drawing on qualitative research methods. Briefly: 1) how is tourism organized in Dali? 2) How is Bai ethnicity drawn upon to develop a certain type of tourism to attract tourists? And 3) what are the impacts of tourism on Bai cultures, lives and livelihoods? My research project will examine changes in Bai culture and livelihoods brought about by recent trends of tourism development, and provide insight into ethnic and tourism policy making – both now and how these might be possibly improved for the future.

Modèle NLP pour l’analyse de la performance sportive

Le projet proposé consiste à développer un système d’intelligence artificielle (IA) capable de transcrire et comprendre les commandes vocales utilisées dans l’annotation des compétitions sportives. L’objectif est de réduire la dépendance à l’égard des opérateurs humains pour la reconnaissance des séquences de jeu, en utilisant uniquement la reconnaissance audio.

Chiral Higgs branch localization

Despite being our best fundamental description of reality, quantum field theories (QFTs) are not properly understood mathematically. To remedy this, one must take advantage of physical phenomena that elucidate unexpected relationships between different algebraic and geometric structures appearing in QFT. One such phenomenon is known as “3d mirror symmetry” which among other things relates two geometric structures known as the “Higgs branch” and the “Coulomb branch” of certain QFTs. This project aims to investigate a recently discovered relationship between the geometry of the Higgs branch and the algebraic techniques used to study 3d mirror symmetry. This investigation should lead to the development of new tools that could allow access to mathematical aspects of 3d mirror symmetry that have thus far proven difficult to probe.

5G-enabled Drone-based Online Inspection System

Canada’s infrastructure is falling apart quickly, and we can’t replace it fast enough. In 2020, Ontario’s municipal infrastructure needed around $52 billion in repairs, according to a recent study by the Financial Accountability Officer of Ontario. If we keep postponing repairs, there’s a big risk of services getting disrupted and maintenance costs skyrocketing. The problem is that most assessments of infrastructure today use old-fashioned, time- consuming methods that aren’t very efficient. We need to use new technologies that are affordable and reliable to assess our infrastructure’s condition and manage repairs and replacements. This project plans to use 5G technology to solve the unique challenges of assessing infrastructure. By using drones, augmented reality headsets, virtual reality, and powerful computer vision technology, we can inspect and communicate in real-time, both on-site and remotely. This advanced technology will make inspections faster and more effective. It will also encourage the growth of innovative networks involving companies like Rogers and start-ups. By tapping into the global market for asset inspections and maintenance, which is worth hundreds of millions of dollars each year, even a small amount of cost savings from technological improvements will bring significant benefits.

Monark Leadership Development

This project seeks to enhance the impact of leadership training and development by evaluating the effectiveness of a digital program tailored for early-career leaders. Despite the vital role of leadership training, its success often remains uncertain. This research program, spanning two years, aims to bridge this gap by conducting three studies. Study 1 will validate a 360-degree assessment tool for measuring behavioral change in leadership training, providing a reliable means to gauge improvement. Study 2 assesses the digital training’s effectiveness through quizzes, ensuring its efficacy in enhancing participant learning. Study 3 delves deep into the program’s outcomes, measuring post-training learning, transfer, and results through various participation metrics. By evaluating this digital training initiative over two years, the project aims to provide valuable insights for refining leadership training approaches. The expected outcomes include a detailed Mitacs Final Report, a peer-reviewed journal publication, and a white paper for the partner organization, Monark, to share evidence-backed leadership development strategies with their clients and partners, ultimately enhancing their offerings and strengthening organizational leadership.

Carbon neutral, pesticide-free glasshouse berry production for Canada

This project will deliver year-round pesticide-free berries in energy efficient, carbon-neutral Smart Greenhouses, replacing imports with their superior quality and price point. Local berries will be available across Canada, year-round, close to home, with a low carbon footprint. Canadian consumers will have the opportunity to explore new berry varieties with superior flavour and health benefits that will never be found on the “Dirty Dozen” list of pesticide-contaminated produce. Our impressive leaders in agritech, plant health, clean energy, business and glasshouse production will achieve this by putting plant health and clean energy at the center of our approach. Early warning sensor and robotic technologies will monitor, forecast, and manage pest and disease at levels below human detection. Clean energy will be harvested, converted, and stored between seasons, waste heat will be recovered, and CO2 will be harvested from air to support the crop. A software interface will provide growers with data integration and a business model to understand and facilitate conversion to sustainable, year-round berry production. The partner organization will benefit from being the catalyst for the development of several new technologies for food production.

Simulation, conception, fabrication et mise en oeuvre d’un dispositif permettant l’acquisition de flux d’énergie et de puissance électrique pour fourgonnettes de livraison commerciales

Les fourgonnettes de livraison commerciales doivent éteindre et redémarrer leur moteur à combustion interne plusieurs fois par jour (plus de 100 fois). Ces démarrages fréquents sollicitent intensivement l’ensemble du circuit de puissance électrique 12 Vcc. En conséquence, l’accumulateur plomb-acide, l’alternateur ou le démarreur sont remplacés à chaque année de façon préventive afin d’éviter des pannes véhicules. Les opérateurs de flottes de fourgonnettes ne retirent pas nécessairement un maximum de bénéfices de ces composantes si elles sont changées avant d’atteindre la fin de leur vie utile ou une limite acceptable sur la probabilité d’avoir une défaillance. INGENIARTS TECHNOLOGIES INC. voudrait étudier ce qui cause la dégradation de ces composants et s’il est possible de prédire quand elles doivent être remplacées. L’entreprise veut aussi déterminer s’il est possible d’améliorer la durée de vie de ces composants en leurs apportant certaines modifications. Selon les résultats de l’étude, l’entreprise pourrait proposer un nouveau produit ou service à un partenaire identifié et ainsi se développer un nouveau marché dans le secteur automobile.