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

Targeting SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) methyltransferases (nsp10-nsp14 and nsp10-nsp16 complexes) toward developing small molecule antiviral therapeutics

COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world to standstill with more than 3 million people infected and more than 200 000 mortality so far. It has literally brought the health care systems in many countries to the breaking point, if not beyond. The economic consequences have been devastating with millions of people out of work. We are taking a novel approach by focusing on two SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) methyltransferases that are essential for viral replication. Both enzymes (nsp14 and nsp16) are druggable. Therefore, identifying potent inhibitor of these two proteins could be used in providing new therapeutics for COVID-19. In addition, because these proteins are highly similar in other coronaviruses such as SARS (SARS-Cov) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), the same drugs likely could be effective in treatment of other coronavirus infections.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Masoud Vedadi

Student:

Aliakbar Khalili Yazdi;Sumera Perveen

Partner:

Structural Genomics Consortium

Discipline:

Pharmacy / Pharmacology

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Toronto

Program:

Accelerate

Mine Revegetation in the Yukon

The mining industry is one of the leading sectors of the Yukon economy. Mining companies are committed to restoring the land affected by mining activities to meet closure plan requirements. Revegetation of impacted sites is a challenge all mining companies face in sub-arctic regions because: 1- Lack of knowledge regarding which plants to use for revegetation and how to implement them effectively in the field; 2- Lack of commercially available seeds and seedlings.
Applied research using innovative methods is required to provide answers to the unique challenges facing mines operating in Yukon, one of which, is revegetation at mine sites. The objective of this project is to build a Ph.D project with the University of Alberta, the Yukon Research Centre and a mining company: Goldcorp.
Through this Ph.D project, applied research will be conducted, engaging with Yukon First Nation, to expand and disseminate knowledge regarding mining revegetation in the Yukon.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Simon Landhäusser;Liza Piper;Guillaume Nielsen

Student:

Krystal Isbister

Partner:

Goldcorp Kaminak

Discipline:

Resources and environmental management

Sector:

University:

Program:

Accelerate

Stand-alone Low-cost Millimeter-Wave/Terahertz Security Inspection Imaging System

The exponential growth of e-commerce in conjunction with threats pertaining to the drug trade, the online pharmacy, and terrorism are creating a significant need for inspection sites (i.e. postal processing centers) to upgrade and expand their capabilities. Therefore new solutions are needed. In the frame work of this project, our goal is to develop a low-cost security imaging inspection system that can see not only through opaque postal packages but can also differentiate various objects and materials from each other within a reconstructed image of package interior without the need for opening them at the border or mail processing centers.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Safieddin Safavi-Naeini

Student:

Shahed Shahir

Partner:

OZ Optics

Discipline:

Engineering - computer / electrical

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

University of Waterloo

Program:

Accelerate

Validation of a weighted wearable training system for hockey skating

ROKET GEAR is a Canadian start-up that has developed a wearable training system for hockey skating. The system consists of adding weights strategically placed on the leg so that skaters can actually strength train while skating. As a result, the training system allows athletes to increase their effort during skating and to build strength in their leg muscles. This project will help ROKET GEAR determine the appropriate amount of weight to add to their system to maximize the strength training effects without actually disturbing the proper skating technique.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Darren Stefanyshyn

Student:

Ishan Chathuranga Malagalage Don

Partner:

ROKET GEAR

Discipline:

Kinesiology

Sector:

Service industry

University:

University of Calgary

Program:

Accelerate

Air Quality and Heat-Related Health (and Death) Effects of Increasing Green areas: the case study of the Greenbelt’s Urban River Valleys

The Greater Toronto Area has experienced significant urbanization during the past decade; meanwhile, the consequences of the urban heat island and the frequency and duration of the heat waves are becoming more evident. Preserving the green areas and increasing vegetation leads to a decrease in air temperature, an increase in evapotranspiration, a decrease in cooling energy demand; and provide better thermal comfort for inhabitants. To assess the effects of green infrastructure and the Greenbelt’s urban river valleys on urban climate and air quality, the mesoscale model needs to be coupled with the air quality model. The benefits of this project are: 1) developing a comprehensive basis for regional climate and air quality evaluations; 2) assessing the effects of greenery in the GTA, and 3) providing more accurate and reliable information for policymakers to improve urban climate and air quality and reduce the negative impacts of high temperatures.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Umberto Berardi

Student:

Zahra Jandaghian;Mohamed Ahmed

Partner:

Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation

Discipline:

Architecture and design

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

Ryerson University

Program:

Spatial Dynamics of Narwhal in a Rapidly Changing Environment

Narwhals are an iconic ice-associated species that are seasonably distributed across much of the Canadian archipelago that are also of immense cultural importance to the Inuit First Nations. While narwhal are highly adapted to their sea-ice environments, their susceptibility to the stresses of a changing climate and increased human activity in the area are a major concern. Using a unique catalogue of narwhal biotelemetry data spanning over three decades, this project aims to undertake the first evaluation of how movement and migration behaviours of narwhal tagged at several locations across the Arctic fluctuates between years and may change with the climate. By evaluating how narwhals respond to different environmental variables, we will be able to reveal drivers of migratory patterns, potential changes in narwhal space use, and how best to protect the species from conflict with increased human activity throughout the region.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Nigel Hussey;Marie Auger-Méthé

Student:

Courtney R Shuert

Partner:

World Wildlife Fund

Discipline:

Biology

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

Program:

Measuring the Contribution of Equipment to Performance: Using portable inskateinstrumentation to optimize skate boot/blade set up, training andperformance in world class speed skaters.

Evolution of the on-ice sport equipment, namely skate boots and blades, has been primarily driven by the users;
however, there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting the link between skate boot/blade design and set up as
it translates to optimal on ice skating technique and performance. We are proposing a new academic-industrialsport
research collaboration that will explore the use of unique performance measurement tools for equipment
managers, coaches, and athletes to support their expertise and augment day to day practices of skate boot/blade
set up and implementation. A series of targeted projects are being proposed to develop, validate, and implement
the use of a portable measurement device and protocol to obtain meaningful metrics of skate boot/blade set up,
technical analysis, and training that translation to producing faster skaters.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Kelly Lockwood;Michael Holmes

Student:

Colin Dunne

Partner:

XSENSOR Technology Corporation

Discipline:

Kinesiology

Sector:

Arts, entertainment and recreation

University:

Brock University

Program:

Accelerate

Advanced Analytics for Diesel Flash Point Inferential

Diesel flash point is an extremely important indicator of the quality of diesel products. In order to achieve great quality control, the diesel flash point must be strictly tested and controlled, but this important indicator is difficult to measure due to technical or economic limitations. As an effective solution, data-driven inferential sensors provide stable and reliable online estimation of these variables based on historical measurements of easy-to-measure process variables. In this project, we will utilize advanced data analytics and deep learning technique to build comprehensive inferential sensors to estimate the diesel flash point. Compared with traditional prediction model, this inferential model based on deep learning, with much less design effort and maintenance cost, can fully mine process data information and provide much better estimation. This project will improve the diesel quality, reduce the cost of entire process, and bring huge economic and environmental benefits for petroleum refinery industry.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Bhushan Gopaluni

Student:

Liang Cao

Partner:

Parkland Refining (BC) Ltd

Discipline:

Other

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

University of British Columbia

Program:

Accelerate

Data use for HIV Prevention in Malawi

HIV prevention is a growing, and essential facet, of halting the HIV epidemic. Reducing the transmission of HIV and ensuring individuals are tested and put on antiretroviral therapy (ART) cannot effectively and efficiently be accomplished without decisions that are founded on high-quality evidence. Current projects focus on data availability and use among decision-makers and actors in the health sector, in an effort to understand barriers to data use and encourage decision-making that is founded on high quality evidence. The data user study aims to addresses these challenges, by increasing our understanding of who uses data, the data elements and systems they use to make decisions and what gaps and bottlenecks exist that disincentivize the use of data.
The work the interns will be doing is foundational in the success of the projects and Cooper/Smith’s work, as it assists with program design and monitoring and evaluation to amend and adapt our programs effectiveness moving forward. This work also provides a baseline for our sample population, so we have an understanding of the impact the work is having throughout implementation. Their communications outputs will also assist Cooper/Smith in raising awareness about our innovative work, and informing partners of progress and findings.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Christine Stich

Student:

Raveeshma Nathali Gunawardena;Deborah Chan

Partner:

Cooper Smith

Discipline:

Epidemiology / Public health and policy

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

McGill University

Program:

Accelerate

Supporting broadband, transportation, and trade policy using quantitative and qualitative tools

There is a disconnect between the development of advanced research methods in academia, and their use to inform real-world policies. The purpose of this research is to apply rigorous tools to support real-world policy questions at the local, regional, and global level, and assist various types of institutions meet their strategic objectives. At the local level, interns will work on an analysis of equitable access to broadband connectivity in Kingston, ON, as part of the City’s plan to expand broadband access. At the regional level, interns will support the Eastern Ontario Leadership Council, who is trying to understand and overcome transportation barriers across municipal boundaries. The interns will describe and quantify commuting patterns across municipal boundaries, project commuting patterns according to demographic and technological shifts, and identify and rank solutions to address regional transportation needs. At the global level, the interns will support the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), one of the largest donors of foreign assistance globally, who is trying to understand the role trade policy plays in improving resilience and food security in East Africa. While all projects focus on different sectors, they each leverage novel tools to answer policy-relevant research questions.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Allen Head;Warren Mabee

Student:

Ardyn Nordstrom

Partner:

Limestone Analytics Inc

Discipline:

Economics

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Queen's University

Program:

Accelerate

Detailing the Life-History, Biology, and Population Ecology of Phorodon cannabis

Cannabis sativa is a plant grown used as industrial hemp, for CBD oil, and both medicinal and recreational cannabis (marijuana). Since production has historically been prohibited in Canada and the USA, little is known about insect pests of cannabis, including a species of aphid, the cannabis aphid (Phorodon cannabis). In order to develop effective management techniques, one first needs to generate an understanding of the insect’s basic biology. The proposed research will document the life-history and ecology of cannabis aphids in commercial fields and greenhouses. This project will be performed with the industry partner, Canopy Growth, which has the field and greenhouse infrastructure to examine these insects in commercial contexts. This project will generate information essential to developing management methods for cannabis aphids that can be directly employed by the partner organization and will be serve as a baseline for future research into the aphid and cannabis pests.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Sean Michael Prager

Student:

Jacqueline Verhallen

Partner:

Canopy Growth

Discipline:

Forestry

Sector:

Other

University:

University of Saskatchewan

Program:

Accelerate

Design and development of a big data analytics system to accommodate dynamic risk modeling of emergency responder delays at active rail crossings

In this project, we design and develop a big data analytics system, which is expected to support the advancement in the state-of-the-art in modeling the dynamic risks associated to emergency responders being delayed at active rail crossings. The model will be used to show risk within cities and support prescribed solutions to mitigate the impacts. Specifically, we design and develop a model to evaluate the risk of emergency responders being exposed to active crossings in terms of lost travel time. We also design and develop a state-of-the-art big data management system for efficient computation on generating and regenerating the models at a city level based on thousands of rail crossing blockage events, thousands of emergency response calls, with numerous potential origins and destinations is essential to evaluate the risk factors in varying scenarios.

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Faculty Supervisor:

Carson Leung

Student:

Bryan Wodi;Maryam Ghaffari-Dolama

Partner:

TRAINFO

Discipline:

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Manitoba

Program:

Accelerate