A partial discharge is a localized spark that bridges a small portion of the insulation between two conducting electrodes under high voltage. The lifetime of high voltage electronic devices is often determined by the ability of the insulation material to withstand partial discharges, which start within gas voids in solid polymer insulation. A typical monitoring […]

The proposed internships will be aimed at developing advanced computer (software) and hardware platforms for simulation of modern power-electronic converter systems used in emerging electric power transmission systems. In particular, modular multi-level converter (MMC) simulations will be targeted. These converters are considered the primary candidates for dc systems used to integrate renewable energy sources into […]

The growing trend of delivering structural design services for industrial structures to foreign countries has often led to designs that reflect the local experience of designers who are part of a construction culture that includes very low-cost labour. The result is that Canadian construction companies such as the research partner company, Waiward Steel LP, are […]

This research project with the industry partner Saskatchewan Research Council focuses on the displacement front instability in heavy oil recovery processes such as water flooding, solvent injection and polymer flooding. In those processes, the less viscous displacing fluid usually moves faster than the more viscous displaced heavy oil. This results in an instability that manifests […]

Integrated integrity management is essential for subsea pipeline failure prevention, predictive maintenance and life extension campaign. Without managing integrity adequately, the condition of subsea pipeline would continue to deteriorate until premature failure. Real-time Condition Monitoring (CM) is a sensor-based monitoring technique aimed at enhancing the productivity of pipeline operation. The main intent of condition monitoring […]

Pipelines are a common means to transport oil, gas, and other petroleum products used by citizens in everyday life. Permanent inward deformations, called dents, can develop along a pipeline, most of which are not a safety concern. The objective of the project is to develop the processes used to accurately assess the safety of different […]

High Voltage DC Transmission (HVDC) is used for bulk power transfer over long distances. Manitoba Hydro’s HVDC system involves collection of AC power in the north where it is converted to DC and then transferred to southern Manitoba (approx 900km) through asynchronous HVDC links where it is converted back to AC to feed consumers. Asynchronous […]

This project involves three streams, all focusing on the effects of low-dose ionizing radiation. The first stream examines the effects of single ion irradiation using the Microbeam at McMaster University. Preliminary biological research will be conducted on human cell lines using standard radiobiological endpoints including DNA double strand break foci and micronuclei formation. The second […]

This project is a feasibility study of applying Machine Learning to Vancouver Island Load Supply Capability determination. The intern is expected to apply neural networks and other machine learning methods to train a transmission operation decision making model to determine the load supply capability of Vancouver Island. An operation scenario database covering equipment status and […]

The successful commercialization of new cathode materials for lithium ion batteries requires an improved and detailed understanding of the correlations between their structure, properties, and performance. Such a correlation will provide a foundation for better understanding the degradation mechanisms and optimized operating conditions for these cathode materials; pairing new battery materials with ideal applications and […]

Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells convert hydrogen and oxygen into electrical power through an electrochemical reaction, producing water and heat. These fuel cells have been considered for automotive powertrain applications. In this proposed work, a set of varying PEMFC materials will be investigated to advance the performance of PEM fuel cells. The fuel cells […]

The electric power grid in Canada provides energy to the country. In order to provide more reliable power, to include more clean energy and to supply energy to remote Canadian communities, part of the power grid may be required to operate autonomously. At the distribution level, microgrids, which can be isolated from the main grid, […]