Innovations 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

Pacific sand lance habitat management framework

Forage fish, including Pacific sand lance, play a critical role in marine food webs in the Salish Sea. They feed on plankton and transfer this energy to predators like Chinook salmon. In turn, Chinook are an important prey item for the federally listed Southern resident killer whale, playing an important role in their survival. Any variations in forage fish productivity, and distribution resulting from human impacts (e.g., shipping, expanding ports) can contribute to widespread and unanticipated ecological impacts (e.g., recent losses of iconic predators like salmon, and whales). Protection of forage fish and their habitats through improving sustainable coastal ecosystem management practices will play a key role in ensuring the health of forage fish populations, their dependent predators and the ecosystem as a whole. The proposed project will increase our understanding of how to reduce human impacts on coastal nearshore habitats and thus provide resources/information to habitat managers to do so. Data gathered as a result of this project will support the development of evidence-based management tools, which will help to improve sustainable coastal ecosystem management practices in the Strait of Georgia and surrounding areas.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Tara Martin

Student:

Jacqueline Huard

Partner:

Discipline:

Forestry

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

Crowdsensing-based Wireless Indoor Localization using an Innovative AI & ML Algorithm

Smartphone based indoor navigation services are desperately needed in an indoor GPS-denied environment, such as in Combat-zone Surveillance, Health Monitoring, Fire Detection, etc. The Receive Signal Strength (RSS) based algorithms are commonly used in indoor localization, which rely on the WiFi fingerprint data built by the Mobile Crowdsensing approach. Conventional statistical and probability techniques are used to deal with crowdsensing-based RRS fingerprinting information, but there are some issues such as low localization accuracy, highly relevance to the device/software they used, large database required, unfriendly to new encountered smartphone, etc. The proposed project will develop a novel integrated approach that combines AI technology (e.g., Artificial Neural Networks) and ML methods (e.g., Feed-forward Multilayer Perceptron Regressor and Support Vector Machine) to solve aforementioned problems, as well as build a crowdsensing-based RRS Wi-Fi fingerprinting dataset in a university building in Regina, SK Canada for indoor positioning studies

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Faculty Supervisor:

Wei Peng

Student:

Xiaoning Fei

Partner:

Ericsson Canada

Discipline:

Engineering - mechanical

Sector:

University:

University of Regina

Program:

Accelerate

Strategic BC Salmon Health Initiative: effects of pathogens on the health and conservation of BC’s Pacific Salmon- Part 2, Coho salmon

Multiple species of wild Pacific salmon in British Columbia have faced declines over the past three decades and the role of disease in these declines is poorly understood. High-throughput molecular methods have led to the development of a novel, multi-year dataset that has unprecedented breadth across pathogen taxa and unusually large coverage over space and time. We will use these data for Coho salmon to determine: 1) where infection “hotspots” occur along the British Columbia Coast for each pathogen, 2) whether any spatial factors (e.g. temperature, depth) are associated with probability and intensity of infection, and 3) whether any detected pathogens are associated with survival to adulthood. Some of the analyses will draw upon and promote the Pacific Salmon Explorer, a data portal recently released by our partner organization, the Pacific Salmon Foundation. Our findings will contribute to the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s goal of protecting and conserving wild salmon populations.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Kristi Miller-Saunders;Scott Hinch

Student:

Arthur Bass

Partner:

Pacific Salmon Foundation

Discipline:

Forestry

Sector:

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerating discovery through high-throughput experimentation and machine learning

Canonical methods of molecular discovery and reaction optimization rely on “trial-and-error” approaches and slow experimentation with low discovery rates. By harnessing high-throughput experimentation (HTE) with machine learning (ML) methods, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, we have the potential to dramatically accelerate the discovery and preparation of next generation molecules and materials. We will extract, unify, and transform data from literature into actionable intelligence, and generate a robust workflow for the automated synthesis of catalysts and resins at NOVA Chemicals. Through ML models, we will leverage newly-generated data to guide experiments and simulations, enabling rapid molecule development, and culminate in the inverse design of molecules and materials targeting function rather than a particular molecular structure. By combining the expertise, software, and hardware tools of the Hein Lab with the instrumentation and extensive database at NOVA Chemicals, we will create a closed-loop, self-driving laboratory that will (i) be capable of implementing a diverse range of chemical workflows and (ii) create datasets that will be leveraged by AI, allowing users to navigate complex structure-function relationships and experimental landscapes.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Jason Hein

Student:

Wei Ling Chiu

Partner:

NOVA Chemicals

Discipline:

Chemistry

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Elevate

Development of the Global Matrix 4.0 Physical Activity Report Card Grades for Children and Youth

Physical inactivity is a growing global health crisis, with childhood physical inactivity being of particular concern. The Global Matrix 4.0 Physical Activity Report Cards for Children and Youth is an initiative aimed at promoting global childhood physical activity through international collaborations. The goal of this project is to further the global promotion of childhood physical activity by contributing to the development of the Global Matrix 4.0. To achieve this goal the intern will create documents detailing the development process methods of the Global Matrix 4.0, develop an evaluation protocol and related documents for the Global Matrix 4.0, support communication between leaders and Report Card teams, and create resource documents for countries registering for participation in the Global Matrix 4.0. The partner organization, the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance, is the organizer of the Global Matrix 4.0 and will benefit directly from the productivity associated with the intern’s project.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Rachel Burns

Student:

Evan Turner

Partner:

Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance

Discipline:

Kinesiology

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Carleton University

Program:

Accelerate

Antimicrobial Coatings Development

Copper-based antimicrobial coatings could play a significant role in reducing infections in hospitals and care facilities, reducing spoilage in consumer appliances, and reducing fouling on the hulls of ships. In this project, the development of copper-based coatings will be pursued for a wide variety of surfaces using paints and other advanced coating technologies. The chemical and physical properties of the coatings will be characterized and improved to minimize costs while maintaining effective killing of bacteria and fungi. With this information, the project partner will be able to continue advancing towards commercialization of a coatings industry for achieving the various antimicrobial goals.

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Faculty Supervisor:

William Anderson;Boxin Zhao

Student:

Fut Kuo Yang;Joseph Nwaiwu;Sanjay Krishna Muralidharan

Partner:

Aereus Technologies

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Waterloo

Program:

Accelerate

Determination the effectiveness of drought resilient bioretention bed in stormwater management

The greatest river in Calgary, Bow River, is an important source of water for industrial, agricultural and living activities for city and people of Calgary. With the incredibly fast of urbanization in Calgary, the natural landscapes are gradually replaced by impervious areas, such as urban streetscapes, houses and buildings. While the amount of water that cannot penetrate through those impervious areas during rainfall, known as stormwater run-off, will discharge into the Bow River and consequently increase pressure to water treatment systems, there are other extended droughts period that need to take potable water for irrigation activities. Therefore, this project focuses on analyzing the amount of stormwater run-off retained and treated using a bioretention system, and evaluates the possibility of using retained stormwater for irrigation. This project contributes to protecting the water of Bow River, which is one of the mandates of my partner organization Bow River Basin Council.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Angus Chu

Student:

Phuc Truong

Partner:

Bow River Basin Council

Discipline:

Engineering - civil

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

University of Calgary

Program:

Accelerate

Reducing Waste in Seafood Supply Chains to increase Sustainability

Sedna Technologies is an innovative fisheries technology firm working to increase sustainability in the commercial fishing industry with the adoption of innovative technology. By eliminating waste, more harvested product can make it to market and satisfy demand. Sedna is continuing to grow and is beginning to develop predictive analytics platforms to organize and distribute relevant data to clients in order to achieve the objectives mentioned.
With a reduction in waste, higher incomes can be achieved, and a product of high integrity can meet market demand. With growing export markets in Atlantic Canada, we must ensure that non-quota fisheries such as lobster remain sustainable through the proper handling and treatment post-harvest allow for the product to reach end consumers.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Carlos Bazan

Student:

Sheamus MacDonald

Partner:

Sedna Technologies

Discipline:

Other

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

Memorial University of Newfoundland

Program:

Accelerate

The development of a serum-free media formulation for cultured meat production

Cultured meat production has enormous potential to supplement the global protein supply. However, it has yet to become a consumer product due to high production costs, which are mainly attributed to the cell growth media. We intend to develop a cheap and effective culture media for the growth of animal cells for cultured meat applications. Many traditional cell growth medias rely on supplementation with foetal bovine serum. The key to reducing the cost of current serum-free media formulations is the production of low-cost growth factors – complex biomolecules that support robust cell growth in culture. To that end, we have designed an inexpensive and effective method of growth factor production, which will allow us to produce a low-cost growth medium. This research will significantly impact the potential for industrial-level cultured meat production by reducing the environmental, ethical, and financial strain of current production methods which rely on animal-derived serum.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Andrew Simmonds

Student:

Matthew Anderson-Baron

Partner:

Future Fields

Discipline:

Biology

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Alberta

Program:

Accelerate

An Integrated Multi-Case Study Approach to Advancing Business-to-Business (B2B) Online Marketing Strategies In an Expanded Multi-sector Study with 15 Companies

Business-to-business (B2B) marketing is considerably different from the business-to-consumer (B2C) marketing. Marketing strategies do not necessarily translate from one segment to another. This is evident in the social media/online marketing arena where many of the strategies and tools have been developed primarily for B2C marketing which results in many B2B companies dismissing social media/online marketing tools as irrelevant for their business. While social and online marketing may differ for a B2B context, it should not be dismissed. A strategic approach for the B2B context can drive brand recognition, acquire new customers, and create significant financial returns for a company.
This proposal seeks to better understand how online and social media marketing are best applied within a B2B context. We propose that utilizing a multi-case study approach will provide project participants with the opportunity to better understand social media/online marketing tools and develop more relevant and applicable best practices for a B2B business environment. The project’s research will focus on earned and paid social media coverage/content and which will be analyzed using the tools determined by the project partners (SEM, Hubspot, CRM, and/or Salesforce) in order to identify broad themes and patterns applicable to the partner’s B2B marketing needs.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Renee Majeau;Ryan Young

Student:

Azaali Jetha;Brittney Stahn;Christine Irwin;Darien Monck;Evan Crawford;Leanne Johnston;Marvin Pasalo;Monica Thai;Calvin Switzer;Eimistone Granado;Jolyne DeMarco

Partner:

Discipline:

Other

Sector:

University:

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

Program:

Accelerate

An Integrated Multi-Case Study Approach to Identify Employee Training Best Practices to Drive SME Business Development

E training and development has been repeatedly identified in studies to be a major contributor to corporate financial performance. Large enterprises maintain dedicated training departments, while a vast array of consultants and corporate education companies exist to help small and medium sized enterprises. At the same time, choosing the right corporate training is difficult, and SMEs are less able than major corporations to absorb mistakes.
This proposal seeks to better understand the factors that make corporate training successful for Canadian SMEs, with success measured in terms of driving revenue growth and profitability. Utilizing a longitudinal multi-case study approach where successive interns build on the work of their predecessor, we believe that studying multiple companies in a range of industries simultaneously will provide the opportunity to develop best practices that can be shared between SMEs.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Ryan Young;Renee Majeau

Student:

Colin Mcintosh;Kaleena Mootoo

Partner:

Discipline:

Other

Sector:

University:

Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

Program:

Accelerate

The effect of an affective music recommendation system and auditory beat stimulation on anxiety in the student population

Chronic anxiety is a growing psychological disorder worldwide and in Canada. Even when anxiety presents at pre-clinical levels, it can be disabling. Anti-anxiety drugs have many adverse side-effects. In some cases, listening to music decreases anxiety more effectively than anti-anxiety drugs. Binaural beats may also reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. This project will examine the potential additive effects of combining the anxiety reducing properties of calm inducing music and binaural beats. In this project, we propose to evaluate the anxiety reducing and calming potential of music and binaural beats through electroencephalographic (EEG) band power measures, galvanic skin response (GSR), Heart Rate Variability (HRV), anxiety measures, and emotional state measures (valence, arousal). We predict that the combination of music and binaural beats will cause a greater reduction in anxiety and increase in calmness than either of these conditions. More broadly, the proposed work is intended to provide a proof of concept for the effectiveness of a sound-based treatment of anxiety that is free of harmful side-effects.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Frank Russo

Student:

Adiel Mallik

Partner:

LUCID

Discipline:

Psychology

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Ryerson University

Program:

Accelerate