Shale reservoirs store gigantic volumes of petroleum (oil and gas). However, because of the complex nature of the reservoir rock, it is difficult to recover the oil and/or gas stored in shales. Under normal conditions, it is possible to extract only as much as 10% of the resources in place, thus leaving behind a huge […]

In this project, a series of highly efficient and highly selective multifunctional Guerbet catalysts are developed and will be investigated for the condensation of low alcohols to high alcohols in a continuous-flow reactor. Low energy density bioethanol and methanol will be upgraded to n-butanol and iso-butanol with high energy content comparable to gasoline with high […]

Sensoreal’s patented technology allows them to perform complicated laboratory health testing procedures on a plastic microchip the same size as a credit card. The testing is done through the use of passive microfluidics, in much the same way as trees transport water to their leaves. A blood sample is placed in the loading port of […]

Shale reservoirs have become a very important source of hydrocarbons, especially in North America. Shales are rocks with very low permeability and therefore, produce the hydrocarbons stored in them is difficult. In order to do it, oil companies have to inject high pressurized fluids to break the rock. But, by using this unique strategy, most […]

The Project’s objective is to continue the upgrading work executed in the previous MITACS Converge project with a larger focus on more challenging biocrude oils such as heavy fractions, high viscosity, high nitrogen, high ash oils that are produced from feedstocks such as “feed gate residues” in the form of manures, biosludges and organics from […]

Closing the carbon cycle by utilizing CO2 as a feedstock for producing new fuels such as Methanol and Ethanol is an appropriate intermediate step towards a carbon-free future. Recently some researches on new nano-catalysts have increased the hope of bringing this technology to the market. While the reaction mechanisms are not elucidated, the present study […]

The partner organisation, Sigma Energy Storage, develops energy storage by gas compression. This technology is based on the storage of electricity from intermittent energy sources, such as wind or solar power, and the recovery of unused electricity from diesel-based power sources located in remote communities not connected to the electrical power grid system. During the […]

Multi-phase aerated stirred fermenters are well-accepted in the production of biopharmaceuticals including antibodies and vaccines. Nevertheless, their hydrodynamic and mixing characteristics as well as the influence of various process engineering variables on their performance are not fully understood. In the current study, extensive experimentation (ERT and endoscopy) and the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach will […]

New approaches are required to secure our food supply in response to the growing world population, rapid diversification of pests, and accelerating weather-related impacts of climate change. Suncor has recently developed a new category of plant immune aids that activate a plant?s native immune system to induce a range of beneficial responses, including greater resistance […]

In this project we will employ melt compounding to obtain finely delaminated graphite/polypropylene composites, suitable for automotive applications. The targeted applications involve composites having electrostatic dissipative properties and high flexural modulus. High purity graphite, prepared by a proprietary method developed by the sponsoring organization, Grafoid, will be melt compounded with polypropylene and polypropylene-based thermoplastic olefin […]

Enhancing the current and power density in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is one of the main challenges to their large-scale commercialization and hence in tune with the pending needs of the PEMFC industry. The volumetric power density in PEMFC stacks is strongly affected by the flow field plates due to their critical impact […]

Production of bitumen in Canada has increased considerably in the last decade. Due to its heavy nature, bitumen needs upgrading in order to make it marketable. Partial upgrading, where bitumen is upgraded into transportable oil that meets pipeline specifications, has the potential to maximize the benefits of bitumen commercialization. However, there is not any economical […]