Innovative Projects Realized

LysisLogic – Nazil Abdul Azeez

In this strategic project, LysisLogic Scientific Inc. aims to accelerate the commercialization of its innovative technologies. The project involves a detailed examination of the current technology portfolio and the creation of comprehensive innovation roadmaps. These roadmaps will blend R&D strategies with business tactics to streamline the path from lab to market. Expected benefits to LysisLogic include sustainable growth of the innovation portfolio and alignment of scientific pursuits with real-world market conditions, ultimately enhancing its presence in the industries served.

3D printing superstrong structural component from cellulose using silicate as binder

This project intends to use Canada’s rich forest fiber resources for the development of strong structural products, and improve the performance of cellulose-based products. Such high-performance cellulose-based products will be realized by binding 3D printed cellulose using the partner organization (National Silicates)’s sodium/potassium silicates products. The partner will also benefit significantly from this project as it is actively seeking for expanding the applications of silicates in 3D printing. Such applications can be potentially expanded to housing and other structural applications.

Utilisation de l’inférence causale pour l’attribution des ventes en assurance de dommage

Un client est soumis à plusieurs facteurs (notoriété de la marque, marketing numérique et marketing relationnel) simultanément. Dans ce projet de recherche, on vise de préciser l’apport de chacun de ces points de contacts, de la détention actuelle de produit au sein de l’entreprise ainsi que l’importance des différents types de canaux sur une vente en assurance de dommage. En d’autres termes, on veut quantifier l’importance de chacun des points de contact sur la vente. L’objectif étant de pouvoir pondérer les actions marketing par rapport à la vente afin d’améliorer notre connaissance de l’influence de ces points de contact et canaux en termes d’impact sur un individu.

L’optimisation des actions devrait être faite par rapport aux caractéristiques des clients en utilisant les notions de fractions attribuables et d’analyse causale qui sont des concepts souvent utilisés en médecine personnalisée et dont l’expertise pourrait être facilement transférable dans le domaine des assurances.

Standard -Development of Microalgal Protein Extraction and Purification Methodology for Human Food Production.

Naturia Technologies Inc. is a Canadian biotechnology company start-up founded in 2021 with the aim of developing biological innovations for tackling modern medical and environmental challenges. The interests of the company are divided into three main axes: Agri-food; Biopharmaceuticals; and Bioenergy. The company is currently focusing on the Agri-food axis and this project is part of R&D efforts through which Naturia Technologies aims to pursue patent applications in the US and Canada and operations on a larger scale in compliance with current Good Manufacturing Practices for the production of various protein-based products for human food production.

This project aims to develop a method for efficient extraction and purification of microalgal proteins in order to produce safe protein-based products for human food production. These ventures are motivated by consumer demand for products that are environmentally-friendly, safe to consume, vegan-certified, tasteless, and less expensive as a source of alternative proteins for human food.

The Psychological Underpinnings of Church Conflict: Analysis of the Ukrainian and Moscow Churches situations in Ukrainian Orthodoxy

This comprehensive study aims to explore the root causes of the ongoing conflict between the Ukrainian and Moscow churches through a multidisciplinary lens. Drawing on literary and religious psychology analysis, the article examines the complex historical, cultural, and psychological factors that have contributed to the conflict, providing a nuanced understanding of the ongoing tensions between these two institutions and Ukraine and Russian federation.
The article aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the complex historical, cultural, and psychological factors that have contributed to the conflict and explore the impact of these factors on the religious institutions and their followers. The article may contribute to the field of religious psychology, comparative literature, and conflict resolution by offering new insights into the sources of church conflicts and suggesting possible ways to address them. Additionally, the article may help promote a better understanding of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and its role in Ukrainian society.

Enhancing the Security of DeFi Ecosystem via Smart Contracts Analysis

Bitcoin! Ethereum! Cryptocurrency! Blockchain! In the past years, these words made headline news globally. The promise of blockchain, or decentralized ledger-based technologies, has electrified the world and created an excitement for technology that was last seen in the 1990s when the internet was entering mainstream. The core premise of the technology is that blockchains are secured by cryptography and economic incentives, and that they are governed by decentralized consensus. As such, it is critical that they are based on robust and sound economic and technological principles that enable good governance and safe societal welfare. Although today they work well in environments with a limited number of users, it remains unknown whether they work when applied at large scale. The rapid adoption of blockchains has also been closely followed by exploitation, including over a billion US dollars lost due to vulnerabilities in programming software modules that are executed on blockchains. This project plans to investigate the execution of those programs to test their functional correctness and specification against real-life events that trigger blockchain actions. It also plans to build safeguards around the execution of those programs in a blockchain environment.

Supporting LGBTQ2AS+ Newcomers for Employment in Canada

The purpose of this project is to develop and expand the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomer’s (EMCN) career development processes and supports for LGBTQ+ immigrants and refugees in their Rainbow Refuge and Bridging and Training Programs. Settlement practitioners and social workers have identified LGBTQ+ newcomers as especially vulnerable to systemic barriers when applying for work upon arrival in Canada. EMCN seeks to better understand the nature of these barriers in order to enhance its programs and offer specialized support that sexual minority newcomers need to be successful in their search for employment, retaining employment, and pursuing successful careers.

Mechanical control of DNA methylation in regenerative cells

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) exposed to stiff environment lose regeneration potential and acquire a scar-producing myofibroblast (MF) phenotype. We published that 4-weeks culture on soft-tissue-like surfaces not only prevents acute MF features but imprints memory that protects MSC from subsequent mechanical MF activation. Epigenetic methylation of DNA by methyltransferases (DNMTs) memorizes MF phenotype in disease. We hypothesize that mechanical environment controls MF memory by DNA methylation in MSC. We will subject MSC to various mechanical stress conditions in culture and test the effect on global DNA methylation, DNMT expression. Our data will establish mechanical factors as regulators of epigenetic memory in MSC. We will reveal how mechanics regulate DNA methylation to design therapeutic MSC with epigenetically stabilized regeneration potential and suppressed MF activation. Ultimately, we aim to improve the health of Canadians who are impacted by scarring of large area burn wounds.

Méthode de diagnostic multimodal des troubles de l’apprentissage par mesures physiologiques, à l’aide de la réalité virtuelle et de l’intelligence artificielle.

Les diagnostiques des troubles de l’apprentissage sont onéreux, soumis à la subjectivité de l’évaluateur, et les délais d’obtention d’un diagnostic sont assez long pour assurer une longue file d’attente. Le projet de recherche a pour objectif de diagnostiquer de manière quantitative le TDAH ainsi que la Dyslexie/Dysorthographie. Pour ce faire, le patient sera soumis à une expérience de réalité virtuelle conçue pour mettre en lumière les symptômes du trouble visé, et au cours de laquelle des données biométriques seront acquises : Signaux électriques du cerveau, comportement oculaire, mouvement et position du corps, performances face aux tests. Ces données permettront d’extraire des schémas caractéristiques des troubles de l’apprentissage afin d’y associer un score représentant la probabilité que le patient soit atteint du trouble de l’apprentissage diagnostiqué.

Design and evaluation of modular exoskeleton for integration with Agilik knee actuator

The proposed project aims to develop an assistive device that helps mitigate crouch gait in people with Cerebral Palsy (CP) by integrating the Bionic Power Agilik system with a tuneable exoskeleton device to explore the optimal knee ankle foot orthosis (KAFO) parameters for ultimate clinical use of the Agilik. The exoskeleton device will enable more people with CP to use the Agilik system by decreasing cost of the device and improving quality of care. We will approach this project in 3 phases: (1) design development, (2) prototyping and fabrication, and (3) characterization and evaluation. This project aims to improve health outcomes for children with CP and contribute to long-term gait and joint health improvement. Through this project we will potentially increase access to healthcare technologies for Canadians with CP and decrease long-term Provincial healthcare expenditures while increasing mobility independence and quality of life.

Mise en forme des biocomposites bois-polymère par impression 3D

Des quantités énormes de Résidus Industriels Forestiers (RIF) sont produites au Canada et ailleurs dans le monde. Les industries peinent à trouver preneur pour ces sous-produits du bois qui sont disposés par incinération avec des coûts élevés. Le recyclage et la valorisation des RIF permettaient d’améliorer la chaine de valeur des produits forestiers et réduire leurs impacts environnementaux. Afin de répondre à ce défi majeur, l’impression 3D présente une avenue de recherche interdisciplinaire qui permettrait à la fois de répondre à la problématique liée à la production et à la gestion des RIF et à celle en lien avec les défis de produire des biomatériaux ayant les caractéristiques physiques, mécaniques, morphologiques et esthétiques de hautes qualités.
Le lien entre la structure, le matériau et les paramètres de processus présente toujours un intérêt de recherche. En effet, l’étude des paramètres d’impression sur les performances des produits finis est un sujet crucial pour améliorer la qualité des imprimées. Cependant, il est très difficile d’obtenir les meilleures caractéristiques des pièces sans comprendre l’impact des paramètres de processus.

Technology Integration in the Natural Resources Sector

At the request of our community partners, Selkirk Innovates would like to refresh and ensure continuity with internships required to support our ongoing technology integration work in the natural resources sectors critical to the Kootenay environment and economy, specifically in forestry, fisheries, hydrology/ geothermal, wildfire mitigation and Mining/Minerals and with particular focus on applying geomatics and computing expertise to solve partner problems and/or enhance productivity.