Li-ion batteries (LIBs) are currently the most important power source for a wide variety of applications such as cell phones, laptops, computers and other portable electronics. They are also considered as very promising storage/power systems for future electric/hybrid-electric powered transportation. Although clever cell design and improvements in cell subcomponents can bear potential for volume and weight reduction, major developments in high energy density cathode and anode active materials are essential.
The Ontario government provides healthcare funding to fourteen Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) across Ontario. LHINs in turn are responsible for structuring health care delivery and allocating funds to best meet the needs of the population in the region. However, there are limited tools available to help LHINs evaluate the system-wide implications of proposed policy changes.
While we enjoy the modern convenience brought by a multitude of man-made organic chemicals, such as surfactants and flame retardants, the exposure to these compounds, some of which are bio-accumulative, persistent and even toxic, may endanger our health. Humans are exposed to chemicals in consumer products during both product use in the indoor environment (near-field exposure), and consumption of contaminated animal- and vegetable-based foods (far-field exposure).
Membrane proteins such as ion channels, transporters or G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are excellent but difficult drug targets involved in a large number of life-threatening diseases and conditions. These proteins, over-expressed and essential for disease onset and progression, are naturally targeted by toxins from venomous organisms. During evolution, these toxins have been optimized to efficiently target physiologically-relevant proteins involved in ion channel opening or closure, thus incapacitating the prey or defending against predators.
The bacterial transferrin receptor is considered to be a potentially efficacious candidate vaccine antigen against pathogens important in human disease and in animal husbandry. Previous data suggests that transferrin receptor-based antigens can elicit protection from both invasive disease and potentially from asymptomatic colonization. One major consideration when developing vaccines is the choice of adjuvant, a component able to influence the intensity, quality and breadth of the immune response.
The analysis of protein-protein interactions is critical for understanding cell growth control, and how aberrant connections contribute
to cancer and other diseases. Mass spectrometry is a critical tool in this field, but sample complexity, instrument dynamic range and
resolution limit some applications. This project will evaluate the use of the SelexION ion mobility device and High Resolution TOF
with Zeno pulsing for enhanced separation and detection of cross-linked peptides from protein complexes and to detect posttranslational
modifications of proteins, specifically phosphorylation.
The aim of the internship is for the intern to take up the challenge of detecting and removing noise from brain signals that are recorded using electroencephalogram (EEG). The noise that is of interest in the project is mainly caused by the subject chewing and walking. These noises are found to have caused the inability to have a high accuracy in performing seizure detection using EEG. Machine learning-based approaches are to be taken in the attempt to characterize these noises and subsequently eliminate it from the recorded brain signal.
Poor diet is one of the factors associated with obesity and overweight, which may increase the risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Two ways to improve the diets at the population level are to 1) establish public health initiatives (e.g.
A critical challenge today in neuro-surgery is the determination of tumor boundaries intraoperatively. There are means of doing this using high-resolution MRI machines, however, these can be prohibitively costly. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) offers a promising, cheaper, label-free alternative. However, the basic models used for clinical, real-time OCT limit its usefulness and depth of focus. This work will develop a type of image reconstruction that includes digital focusing and anisotropic properties.
While torque is an important parameter in automotive performance, there are currently very few effective methods to monitor it in vehicles. The aim of this project is to develop a low-cost solution for real time engine torque monitoring. An autonomous sensor module will be developed and mounted to the flexplate connecting the engine and the transmission system in vehicles with wasted vibration energy in the flexplates being harnessed to power the sensor module.