Innovative Projects Realized

Explore thousands of successful projects resulting from collaboration between organizations and post-secondary talent.

13270 Completed Projects

1072
AB
2795
BC
430
MB
106
NF
348
SK
4184
ON
2671
QC
43
PE
209
NB
474
NS

Projects by Category

10%
Computer science
9%
Engineering
1%
Engineering - biomedical
4%
Engineering - chemical / biological

Experimental study of droplet generation and mixing inside droplet in droplet-based microreactors

The proposed summer exchange program is to perform experimental study of droplet generation and mixing droplets in droplet-based microreactors. The droplets are generated by feeding substrate into a tube and letting the substrate form drops from the other side of the tube. Each individual droplet acts as a small reactor under confined conditions. Accordingly, the droplet-base microreactor is a container where the droplets are generating and the reactions are being processed. This type of reactor has demonstrated its great potential for excellent transportation performance and the flexibility to precisely control the reaction process within each droplet. These features allow them to be widely used in many fields, such as preparation of functional materials, chemical synthesis, biochemical engineering, and so on. I expect this research to further develop the theories of the droplet mixing performance through droplet generation.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jesse Zhu

Student:

Mingyu Yang

Partner:

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

University:

Western University

Program:

Globalink

The effect of Cu dopant in zeolite on catalytic properties and deactivation incarbonylation of dimethyl ether

Ethanol has gained much attention as a potential fuel alternative or additive due to its environmental and long-term economic advantages. Recently, a method for synthesis of ethanol from syngas has been proposed. The purpose of this research is to explore the effects of Cu on the synthesis process, in order to find the most efficient means of creating ethanol. The expected results of this project, are to determine how exactly Cu contributes to the synthesis
process in the hopes of adding efficiency to the creation of this renewable energy source. In addition, this research project has the purpose of creating a personal link to China through the relationships that I build with colleagues that will help to broaden my understanding of research processes and accelerate my involvement in the development of large scale and economically viable renewable energy sources.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jesse Zhu

Student:

Katherine Lawrence

Partner:

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

University:

Western University

Program:

Globalink

Experimental and Computational Investigationson Catalytic Mechanism of Ethylene Polymerization over Ziegler-Natta Catalysts

Magnesium chloride (MgCI 2) is a commercial catalyst important for the production of polyolefin material. Although magnesium chloride has been used for over 50 years, the active site is still not entirely known. This research aims to learn more about the active site. The formation of defective magnesium chloride surfaces acts with Ziegler-Natta catalysts and is viewed by using the density functiona l theory (DFT). The density functiona l theory looks at the structure of atoms and molecules in condensed phases. This computational method is used in quantum mechanical modeling in chemistry, and allows for the understanding of electron density and the properties of multiple electron systems. This project also looks at the effects of comonomer, a monomer that makes up a copolymer. The comonomer is a chain transfer agent of hydrogen, and its effects are studied in this project. Fi nally multiple catalysts will be
developed based on mechanistic approaches.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jesse Zhu

Student:

Mary Ames

Partner:

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

University:

Western University

Program:

Globalink

The luminescence of cavitation bubble generated by spark discharge in water

Cavitation bubble can be generated by ultrasound, laser or spark discharge underwater. It has good potential in the application of medical treatment, environmental treatment and surface cleaning. When the bubble collapse, the vapor inside will be compressed quickly and the temperature will rise to several thousand Kelvin, even reach ten of thousand Kelvin, and the pressure inside is around several hundred atm. Under such condition, there will be luminescence phenomena inside of the bubble if its energy is large enough. In this project, we want to use simulation and experimental methods to study the luminescence inside of the cavitation bubble. The temperature and pressure variation will be simulated and the intensity and spectrum characteristic of luminescence will be
studied by using high speed photography and emission spectra methods.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jesse Zhu

Student:

Jim Chen

Partner:

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

University:

Western University

Program:

Globalink

First Principles Study of C2 Oxygenates Synthesis Directly from Syngas over Rh-MnOx Catalysts

C2+ oxygenates synthesis directly from syngas is one of the most promising processes for utilizing non-oil fossil fuels cleanly and efficiently. Through previous experiments, it has been found that the reaction rates and selectivity of C2+ oxygenates increases remarkably with the addition of MnOx. However, the detailed mechanism for the promotional effect of MnOx on the reactivity of Rh catalysts remains unclear. In this project, various calculations and experiments will be performed including: density functional theory (DFT) calculations as well as the thermodynamics and kinetics for all possible
elementary steps involved in the formation of C2 oxygenate from syngas. Through these investigations, the role and nature of the Mn promotional effect on the reactivity of Rh catalysts will be elaborated thus enabling industry to make this ‘green’ synthesis more effectual.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jesse Zhu

Student:

Jordan Auzam

Partner:

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

University:

Western University

Program:

Globalink

Synthesis of hierarchical porous Ti-ZSM-5 and it’s performances for alkylation of benzene

The alkylation of benzene is receiving increased attention in petrochemical industry. This is because it is potentially an alternative to produce xylene (used in production of polyester and plastic water bottles) from coal and natural gas. It is expected that changing the acidity of the reaction catalyst would improve the utilization of methanol in the reaction. A more efficient catalytic benzene alkylation, using methanol, will decrease production costs as well as energy consumption. This project is also about broadening my research skills and creating global academic network. It will allow me to gain a greater understanding of research processes and expand on my learning from my engineering studies.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jesse Zhu

Student:

Carolyn Tait

Partner:

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

University:

Western University

Program:

Globalink

Catalytic Reforming, Hydrogenation, and Decarboxylation of Unsaturated Fatty Acid Esters over Non-noble Metal Catalyst

Biodiesel refers to a vegetable oil or animal fat based diesel fuel consisting of saturated and unsaturated long-chain alkyl esters. Low value biodiesel has been developed on a commercial scale, however the application is limited. The conversion of biodiesel to high value C8-16 n-alkanes currently uses metal catalysts (Pt/C), which is an expensive technique. Designing and preparing non-noble catalysts, such as Ni and Fe based catalysts, is important
for the commercialization of biodiesel carboxylation technology. The purpose of this project is to develop a catalyst that will catalyze the process of reforming, hydrogenation, and decarboxylation for the conversion of unsaturated fatty acid esters to n-alkanes found in aviation fuel.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jesse Zhu

Student:

Jamie Leidl

Partner:

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

University:

Western University

Program:

Globalink

Determination of Solubilities of CO2 in Brines Under Geological Storage Conditions

More and more attention is being paid to the sequestration of CO2. The proposed methods for CO2 sequestration include geological sequestration, ocean sequestration, mineral sequestration, and so on. Among them, saline aquifers in geological sequestration can store the largest amount of CO2, and is the most promising method. At present, the study of CO2 sequestration in saline aquifers remains at the stage of modeling prediction. Even though
numerous experimental data for the solubility of CO2 in CO2-H2O-NaCl system are available, data in certain P-T-x conditions are still lacking, especially in the saline systems containing additional Ca2+, Mg2+, and SO4 2- ions, and their effects on the large-scale injection of CO2 to saline aquifers. We plan to simulate the CO2 sequestration environments in saline aquifers, using our originally designed visual capillary device, in combination with in-situ Raman spectroscopy and/or microscopy technology, to study solubility of CO2 in brines (contains Na+, Ca2+,Mg2+,Cl-,SO4 2-) at relevant P-T conditions.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jesse Zhu

Student:

Anthony Pucci

Partner:

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

University:

Western University

Program:

Globalink

In situ synthesis and characterization of cellulose Ag/AgCl composite photocatalyst

The research project I will be working on at Tianjin University is called the “in situ synthesis and characterization of cellulose Ag/AgCl composite photocatalyst.” During this project, we will be working with lignocellulosic-based composites, which have many applications in biology, medicine, dirt degradation, and wastewater treatment. A composite is defined as a material made of two different materials, each with different properties. In the case of this project, we will be using cellulose acetate and different amounts of silver to form our composite. By producing many different membranes of these composites, with different amounts of silver, we will be able to test their broad range of applications. In doing so, we believe we can determine the
relationships between the different composites and their physical and chemical properties.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jesse Zhu

Student:

Brendan Hewton

Partner:

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

University:

Western University

Program:

Globalink

Nitrosation of dimethylformamide (DMF) wastewater in fluidized bed biological reactors

DMF is a toxic organic compound used in various industrial processes. It has been linked to causing cancer and assorted birth defects, and therefore is a dangerous compound to have in wastewater. The process of nitrosation is simply the conversion an organic molecule into a nitroso derivative, essentially a molecule with a nitrogenoxygen functional group. This process will turn the toxic DMF into a safe non-toxic compound. We expect to see different levels of DMF degradation depending on the setting of the reactor. By changing parameters such as pH (acidity or alkalinity) we hope to find the most effective and efficient way to degrade DMF in wastewater.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jesse Zhu

Student:

Aaron Alaimo

Partner:

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

University:

Western University

Program:

Globalink

Green and Controlled Synthesis of Chiral Compounds

Organocatalysis is a method used where the rate of reaction is increased by an organic catalyst, referred to an an organocatalyst. The use of an organic compound eliminates the need to use a metal catalyst, deeming the project as “green”. The absence of the metal catalyst means there is no need for the expensive recovery process during waste treatment and there is no risk of metal leakage. Organocatalysis are particularly useful because they allow for the production of many complex structures through multicomponent, multi-step or tandem reactions using relatively inexpensive compounds. The objective of this lab is to develop a new class of organocatalysts that incorporate both functionalities, NHCs and thiourea functionalities in a chiral scaffold. The combination these two grounps has never been investigated, however has the potential to lead to the generation of new organocatalysts important for many important transformations.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jesse Zhu

Student:

Adrienne Dao

Partner:

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

University:

Western University

Program:

Globalink

Cultural Capital and Return Migration to Turkey

This research project studies Turkish university professors who have spent significant periods of time living in the United States or Canada but have decided to move back to Turkey. I want to understand why these professors choose to move back to Turkey after spending so much time in North America, and what factors cause them to leave. This project will take place in Istanbul, Turkey with possible trips to Ankara and other cities to meet my subjects. The research will include interviews with twenty-five professors from various backgrounds. The hypothesis that I will test is that the election of the Justice and Development Party in 2002 started a new wave of migration of religiously-oriented professors returning home. This differs from previous trends that involved primarily nationalist and secular academics as return migrants.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Gavin Brockett

Student:

Naomi Pearson

Partner:

Discipline:

Visual arts

Sector:

University:

Wilfrid Laurier University

Program:

Globalink

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