Developing niosome-based vehicles to deliver plant immune aids

Innovative approaches that ensure food security in light of the increasing world population, increasing variety of crop pests and microbes, and accelerating climate change are urgently needed. Suncor has developed a novel plant immune aid that can effectively enhance the disease resistance of crops to enhance agricultural yields. Through this collaboration with Dr. Todd Hoare’s […]

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Modeling and Simulation of an aircraft environmental control system (part of the Integrated Cabin Comfort Analytical Tool)

Among the different sub-systems in an aircraft, the environmental control system is the one responsible for the control of temperature, pressure and humidity in the cabin and is crucial to passenger comfort. This system has around 40 components including heat exchangers, compressors, and turbines. Recirculation at different levels complexifies the modeling and simulation of such […]

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Effects of cell culture plastics on dendritic cells activated using ImmunyrTM

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada. A promising new way to treat cancer is through the administration of immune cells that target the cancer – an approach called cancer immunotherapy. The goal of this project is to engineer better culture vessels to produce dendritic cells. Dendritic cells are the “gatekeepers” of our […]

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Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Core-Shell Pt Catalysts

Presently, platinum (Pt) nanoparticles are required to catalyze the desired redox reactions at the anode and cathode of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The high cost of this precious metal catalyst remains a barrier to the wide spread commercialization of PEMFCs, particularly for automotive applications. In an effort to reduce the Pt loading in […]

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Development of novel fuel additives for internal combustion engines

Fuel additives are used to increase oxygen content and lubricity of the fuel as well as enhance the efficiency of combustion, and reduce exhaust emissions (particulate matter, CO, NOx and SOx emissions). Vehicular pollution contaminates eco-system and affects human and plant life. The motivation of this research is to compliment petroleum based fuel additives by […]

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Characterization and Improvement of Interfacial Properties of Cathode Materials forRechargeable Hybrid Aqueous Batteries Year Two

A new aqueous rechargeable battery combining an intercalation cathode with a metal anode has been developed recently. The energy density for a prototype battery is comparable or superior to commercial 2 V rechargeable batteries. There is a need to further improve the cycle performance and to reduce self-discharge effects of this battery. In this proposed […]

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Data-driven approach to establish a design space for raw materials properties and manufacturing conditions for pharmaceutical drug stability assurance

Pharmaceutical companies are required to perform stability testing of their drug products by regulation. A drug product that succeeds on stability testing means that its identity, potency, and purity remain within pre-established limits over its shelf life. Nowadays, drug products are more frequently reformulated in response to a highly competitive market, new research discoveries and […]

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Prototype of a CHP system based on an upgraded gravity-feed wood-pellet furnaceintegrated with a steam-powered micro turbine for small- to mid-scale applications using CFD simulation…

Biomass combustion is used to generate combined heat and power (CHP). The combustion furnace of this study (WiseWay) has been providing heat in small scales using wood pellets. The target of this project, however, is to upgrade the stove’s design (for larger scale purposes and other biomass types) and integrate it with a steam microturbine […]

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Development of bio-based wood adhesives with low formaldehyde emission from liquefied crop residues

Phenol formaldehyde (PF) resins are catalyzed poly-condensation products from phenol and formaldehyde. The annual global production and consumption of PF resins is over 3.0 Mt and valued more than $2 billion. However, the World Health Organization’s International Agency has classified formaldehyde to be carcinogenic to humans. Therefore, it is of great interest to produce green […]

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