Research at UOIT

Building on a solid foundation

http://research.uoit.ca

U N I V E R S I T Y O F O N T A R I O I N S T I T U T E O F T E C H N O L O G Y
TABLE OF CONTENTS
:: BUILDING ON A SOLID FOUNDATION 3

:: LEADING INNOVATION AT UOIT 4

:: INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH CHAIRS 6

:: RIGOROUS RESEARCH WITH IMPACT 8

:: RESEARCH FAST FACTS 9

:: COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL WELLNESS 12

:: SUSTAINABLE ENERGY 13

:: APPLIED BIOSCIENCE 14

:: AUTOMOTIVE, MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING 15

:: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION 16

:: BUILDING STRONG PARTNERSHIPS FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE 17

:: BRINGING INNOVATIVE RESEARCH TO LIFE 18

:: ESTABLISHING WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH CENTRES AT UOIT 20

PUBLISHED IN 2010
 BUILDING ON A
SOLID FOUNDATION
In just six short years, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT)
has moved from a start-up university to one of the most research-intensive
universities in Canada. This remarkable success was achieved by focusing
on a select number of research areas where UOIT has carved a niche. Most
notably, UOIT has attracted six Canada Research Chairs (CRCs) and another
five industrial research chairs. This is an outstanding achievement and an
excellent reflection of the quality of our faculty and researchers.
In 2008 and 2009, UOIT was the youngest university named to a prominent
list of Canada’s Top 50 research universities, a tremendous accomplishment
for a university so few years into its history. The coveted accolade is a
reflection of UOIT’s founding commitment to pursue research of national and
international standards, to focus its research on areas of highest impact on
society and to align its research objectives so as to contribute to provincial
and national priorities.
We’re building a culture of innovation by engaging our researchers in activities
aimed at increasing their knowledge and understanding of innovation as a
core academic activity. Our undergraduate and graduate students are fully
engaged in research under the supervision of our professors who are
experts in their fields from around the world. By establishing strong
partnerships with business and industry leaders, we’re able to provide
researchers with real-world experience. At UOIT, we are focused on
transforming ideas into real solutions that will benefit society.
As you read through these pages, I hope that you feel energized by the
research momentum that we have established and that you will, like all of
us at UOIT, be inspired by the future that lies ahead.

Michael Owen, PhD

Associate provost, Research

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 LEADING INNOVATION
AT UOIT
In just six years, UOIT has been awarded six prestigious Canada
Research Chairs (CRCs):

Tier 1 CRC in
Dr. Douglas Holdway
Aquatic Toxicology

Tier 1 CRC in
Dr. Greg Naterer
Advanced Energy Systems

Tier 2 CRC in
Dr. Carolyn McGregor
Health Informatics

Tier 2 CRC in
Dr. Shari Forbes
Decomposition Chemistry
Tier 2 CRC in
Dr. Dan Zhang
Robotics and Automation
Tier 1 CRC in Digital Technologies
To be determined for Collaborative
Knowledge Discovery

Clean water is vital to society’s health and well-being, now and in the
future. In Canada, and globally, water quality crises have necessitated
the critical need for effective sensors to detect the presence of and
understand the impact of contaminants in the world’s water. A professor
of Ecotoxicology in UOIT’s Faculty of Science, Dr. Douglas Holdway’s
research into biomarkers and the long-term impact of short-term
exposure to contaminants is critical in providing the tools and monitoring
techniques to better protect freshwater streams, rivers and lakes from
long-term and irreversible damage. Such contaminants presently being
studied include pulp mill effluents, plastic water bottle leachates (and the
chemicals known to leach from such plastics including various phthalates
and bisphenol A), landfill leachates, and regionally important pesticides.
His research will also help regulate and discontinue the use of chemicals
that threaten the viability of aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, in
collaboration with Environment Canada, Dr. Holdway and his team are
developing a range of biomarkers in fish to assess the possible toxicity
of pulp mill effluents from mills around the world.

Dr. Greg Naterer, a professor and associate dean, Research and Graduate
Studies, in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, and his research
team are developing new ways of improving energy efficiency and utilization,
particularly focusing on sustainable hydrogen production and battery thermal
management. These can significantly contribute to greenhouse gas reduction
and economic growth via new technologies such as nuclear- or solar-based
hydrogen production, electric vehicles and other clean-energy sectors.
Leading a consortium of researchers from UOIT, Atomic Energy of Canada
Limited, Argonne National Laboratory, Illinois, and other university and industry
partners in Ontario and abroad, Dr. Naterer’s team is developing and building
the world’s first lab-scale facility for hydrogen production with a copper-chlorine
(Cu-Cl) thermochemical cycle. The cycle could eventually be linked with
nuclear reactors or other heat sources to achieve much higher efficiencies,
while lowering both the environmental impact and costs of hydrogen production
beyond any other conventional technology.
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With growing global interest in her research, Dr. Carolyn McGregor, a
cross-appointed associate professor in UOIT’s faculties of Business and
Information Technology, and Health Sciences, is changing how information
is used to monitor the health of hospital patients. Passionate about her
purpose, Dr. McGregor knows her research has the opportunity to touch
many lives. Her initial research focuses on using advanced technology to
monitor infants born prematurely, since certain life-threatening conditions
such as infection can be detected up to 24 hours in advance by
observing changes in physiological data streams. Led by Dr. McGregor, a
group of internationally recognized researchers including neonatologists
from the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, as well as hospitals in the
United States and Australia, are improving advanced stream computing
software developed by IBM Research to work toward greatly enhancing
the decision-making capabilities of doctors. Being able to predict
potential changes in an infant’s condition with greater accuracy will allow
doctors to intervene more quickly, greatly impacting neonatal care through
reduced mortality and morbidity rates and overall health-care costs.
Improving the rate at which crimes are solved using forensic evidence is
the focus of Dr. Shari Forbes’ research at UOIT. An assistant professor in
Chemistry/Forensic Science in the Faculty of Science and an expert in
decomposition chemistry, Dr. Forbes’ research is based on the relatively
new field of forensic taphonomy. She is working to identify novel
information about the chemical reactions that occur during soft tissue
degradation. By establishing a unique method for estimating time of
death, her research will significantly enhance the speed and accuracy of
how crimes are solved in Canada and around the world. Dr. Forbes is the
only Canadian member of the Geoforensics and Information Management
for Crime Investigation, an interdisciplinary team of more than 40
international scientists and forensic advisors. The team aims to find ways
in which new technologies can aid in the forensic investigations of crime
scenes, such as locating the graves of murder victims, uncovering buried
items of evidence and helping to narrow down search areas for police.
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Using advanced parallel robotic designs to significantly enhance
manufacturing capabilities in the automotive and aerospace sectors
is the purpose of Dr. Dan Zhang’s research at UOIT. As director of
Automotive, Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering programs and
an associate professor in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science
at UOIT, Dr. Zhang is working to further advance the flexibility, resiliency,
reliability and precision of parallel robot systems. Thus far, he has
invented a prototype parallel robot that has the ability to reach five
different sides of an object, works efficiently with contours and allows for
precision surface polishing and finishing. With two different dimensions,
the prototype offers a macro model used for manufacturing and a micro
model that can be used for biomedical and semiconductor applications.
His research aims to develop a general design methodology for optimizing
the performance of parallel robotic systems, leading to improved
manufacturing capabilities, and resulting in higher efficiencies through
improved reliability and accuracy, and greater cost savings and
sustainability for manufacturing industries.
While Dr. Carolyn McGregor’s initial research focuses
on infants, ultimately, the goal is to apply her research
to all ICU patients, as well as cancer patients and
other areas of medicine. The earlier physicians can
detect that a person is starting to exhibit indicators
as an onset to a certain condition, the less it has
impacted their bodies and the quicker they can
recover. Quicker recovery will mean reduced cost for
care. This groundbreaking research may change the
future of health care for all Canadians and those
around the world.
 INDUSTRIAL
RESEARCH CHAIRS
NSERC – General Motors
Dr. Remon Pop-Iliev of Canada (GMC) Chair in
Innovative Design Engineering

Cameco Research Chair

Dr. Brian Ikeda
in Nuclear Fuel

Cameco Research Associate

Dr. Scott Nokleby
Chair in Nuclear Fuel

UNENE/NSERC Industrial
Research Chair in
Dr. Anthony Waker
Health Physics and
Environmental Safety

UNENE/NSERC Industrial
Dr. Ed Waller
Research Associate Chair

Design engineering plays a critical role in the development of products

that are used every day across a variety of industries and sectors.
Dr. Remon Pop-Iliev is focused on significantly improving Canada’s
capacity in design engineering through the establishment of a Centre
for Innovative Design Engineering and Research. An associate professor
in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, he is working on a
novel approach for innovative design engineering training by developing
advanced technologies for hands-on construction and the testing of
real-world prototypes in manufacturing engineering at UOIT. He rigorously
promotes student design portfolios and oversees engineering student
competition submissions that have won national awards. In his current
capacity as a research chair, he is also exploring alternative and
sustainable mobility concepts such as extended-range, hydrogen-powered
hybrid electric vehicles, as well as developing the next generation of
lightweight long-reach composite robotic arms.

Renewed interest in the benefits of nuclear power as a sustainable and

clean energy source has sparked the research of Dr. Brian Ikeda, who is
focused on improving the lifetime performance of metallic components
used in the nuclear power industry. An associate professor with the
Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, Dr. Ikeda is part of a
multi-disciplinary research team at UOIT and is working with researchers
in areas including nuclear-electric/hydrogen generation, corrosion and
health and safety. His research in nuclear fuel production involves
understanding the performance of materials used for converting
hydrofluoric acid into fluorine, and the corrosion of materials used in
molten salt environments. His diverse research interests include the
study of localized corrosion processes related to nuclear fuel waste
containers, and developing models to predict the amount of corrosion
damage that might occur.

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Dr. Scott Nokleby, associate professor in the Faculty of Engineering and
Applied Science, is investigating ways to improve human safety and
enhance the production of nuclear fuel through the use of advanced
automation and mechatronics. His research is divided into three thrusts:
uranium ore mining, nuclear fuel manufacturing and nuclear material
handling. Using advanced robotics and automation processes in the
mining and production of fuel will significantly decrease human exposure
to radiation from uranium, as well as other toxic substances. As demand for
nuclear energy continues to increase, it is critically important to develop
technologies that will better protect those who work directly in the field,
improve manufacturing productivity and maintain low nuclear fuel costs.

Dr. Anthony Waker, a professor in UOIT’s Faculty of Energy Systems and

Nuclear Science, is finding new ways to improve the health and safety
of those who work with nuclear power. Through his research, he is
developing advanced methods of radiation detection for mixed radiation
fields that can provide immediate information on the radiological
conditions within a nuclear power plant. By combining real-time
measurement of radiation fields with developments in 3D-computer
modelling already being investigated by his colleague and fellow chair,
Dr. Ed Waller, Dr. Waker plans to develop an innovative, online health
physics and environmental protection information system for use in
nuclear power plants.

An associate professor in the Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear

Science, Dr. Ed Waller’s research involves radiation field and environmental
modelling, and dose visualization related to nuclear power plant
operations and safety. Working with his colleague and fellow chair, Dr.
Anthony Waker, Dr. Waller is developing an advanced operational health
physics tool through the integration of the research methods and results
into an online health physics and environmental protection information
management system.

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RIGOROUS RESEARCH
WITH IMPACT
UOIT is deeply committed to engaging faculty and students in research
that has the greatest potential to impact society locally, provincially,
nationally and internationally.
Building on a solid foundation of research successes, UOIT has
developed its Strategic Research Plan to further advance the research
and innovation momentum created during its first six years of operation.
Contributing to provincial and national innovation agendas is a high
priority. The plan focuses on five key research themes:
1) Community and Social Wellness.
2) Sustainable Energy.
3) Applied Bioscience.
4) Automotive, Materials and Manufacturing.
5) Information and Communication.
All five themes are supported by funding from the Natural Sciences and
Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences
and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Canadian Institutes of
Health Research (CIHR), the CRCs program and other federal and provincial
granting agencies and foundations.
UOIT has attracted more than $26 million in research funding since the
fiscal year 2003-2004. In 2008-2009, UOIT received more than $8 million
in research funding, a 32-fold increase in funding since 2003-2004.
UOIT is continuously seeking collaborations with business, industry and
community partners, as well as academic institutions in Ontario, Canada
and abroad. Establishing community and industry partnerships at the
local, national and international levels is essential in ensuring that UOIT
stays relevant and true to its mission.

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 Total UOIT awarded funding since inception (2003-2004 to 2008-2009)

RESEARCH $9,000,000

$8,000,000
$8,102,450

14.4%
Industry

FAST FACTS $7,000,000

$6,000,000
$6,877,161
9.1%
0.8%
$7,008,221

13.3%

4.8%
4.9%

17.8%
Other

:: In less than six short years, UOIT received the distinction of being
$5,000,000 Provincial
named one of Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities by Research MRI* 32.2% government
43.6%
Infosource Inc. (November 2008 and 2009); $4,000,000

:: UOIT will soon open the doors to the General Motors of Canada Federal
$2,859,356
$3,000,000 government
Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE), a world-class research, design 5.1% 13.7% 62.9%
and training centre focused on the next-generation automobile industry. $2,000,000
49.7%
When construction is complete, the centre will feature a climatic wind $1,146,858 94.9% 32.8%
$1,000,000
tunnel large enough to accommodate research and testing of cars, $250,549
buses, trucks, trains and airplane wings; $0
2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009
:: UOIT has one of the highest rates of professors with PhDs among
Funding breakdown for 2003-2006 is unavailable *This is a one time grant for clean energy
Canadian universities;
:: UOIT offers unique programs in areas of strategic importance to
Ontario and Canada, including a Master of Information Technology
Security, both a Bachelor and a Master of Engineering in Nuclear Total UOIT awarded funding
FY 2008-2009
Engineering, a Master of Science and PhD in Applied Bioscience and
a Master of Science in Modelling and Computational Science;
:: UOIT has received research funding in excess of $26 million since its
inception in 2003;
:: UOIT has been awarded six prestigious CRCs;
Federal
:: UOIT students, including undergraduates, collaborate with their government
professors on significant research projects and gain valuable hands-on Provincial
$5,095,886 government
experience. This is a key differentiator between UOIT and traditional 63%
higher-learning institutions; Industry

:: Since 2006, UOIT has had more than 60 invention disclosures, applied for $399,581 Other
5%
more than 30 patents and entered into three licensing agreements; and
:: UOIT has successfully launched two spinoff companies, Hoper Inc., in $1,438,549
$1,168,434 18%
2007 and Beaconwall in 2009. 14%

Awarded funding by faculty

2008-2009 $358,112 Business and
4%
Information Technology

Criminology, Justice
and Policy Studies

Education
$3,273,064
40% $1,902,086
24% Energy Systems
and Nuclear Science

Engineering
$847,702 and Applied Science
11%
$1,034,665 Health Sciences
13%
$557,967
7%
Science

$106,984 $21,870
Institutional
9 http://research.uoit.ca 1% 0.2%
A BUSTLING RESEARCH
COMMUNITY, UOIT
STUDENTS AND FACULTY
ARE FULLY ENGAGED
IN RESEARCH THAT
IMPACTS SOCIETY.

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11 http://research.uoit.ca
 COMMUNITY AND
SOCIAL WELLNESS
Promoting a safer, healthier environment for Canadians is a key research
priority for UOIT. Leading innovation on emerging research issues such as
hate crime, counter-terrorism, cybercrime, youth crime, immigration and
wrongful conviction, restorative justice, human rights, psychology of law,
ecological justice, and international and comparative crime and justice,
UOIT has assembled some of the world’s leading experts to tackle these
major challenges and develop advanced technologies.
UOIT is making significant strides in the advancement of health-care
delivery through the development of advanced technologies that assist
practitioners in enhancing patient outcomes and improving the quality of
life for Canadians. To facilitate leading-edge research in this area, UOIT
has established its first major research unit – the Health Education
Technology Research Unit (HETRU). A Tier 2 CRC in Health Informatics
has been awarded to further strengthen UOIT’s efforts in this area.
UOIT has also created the Centre for Evaluation and Survey Research
(CESR) and the University-Community Link Unit (CLU). CESR offers high-
quality survey research services, while CLU is a partnership between the
community and the university to narrow the gap between research and
practice to inform social and economic policy.
Research sub-themes:
:: Applied Integrative Health Technologies Research;
:: Criminology, Crime Detection and Prevention;
:: Health, Environment and Society; and
:: Human Health.
Graduate programs:
:: Criminology, MA;
:: Health Sciences, MHSc; and
:: Information Technology Security, MITS.

12 http://research.uoit.ca
SUSTAINABLE
ENERGY
UOIT researchers are engaged in finding ways to achieve secure and
sustainable energy systems by leading change in energy production,
conversion and efficiency. By conducting aggressive research in this
area, Canada will continue to be a global leader in energy innovation,
ensuring that environmentally responsible energy and transportation
technologies are developed and in place for the future.
UOIT faculty members are highly involved in research on nuclear
energy and safety through their participation on national committees
such as the Natural Resources Canada external advisory panel on
Generation IV designs, on fuel and waste management R and D
committees, and via externally supported work in collaboration with
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, the Nuclear Waste Management
Organization, and Ontario Power Generation (OPG). UOIT holds several
research chairs who are actively involved in these areas, including the
UNENE/NSERC Chair in Health Physics and Environmental Safety,
senior and associate research chair in Nuclear Fuel supported by
Cameco Corporation, and Tier 1 CRC in Advanced Energy Systems.
The diversity of energy research at UOIT spans many faculties with
a focus on improving efficiency and lowering costs through hydrogen,
fuel cells, wind turbines and solar energy as alternatives to existing
sources. UOIT researchers have developed a method for using solar
panels as sound barriers to generate clean power while reducing noise
pollution on Ontario’s highways.
UOIT’s Thermal Energy Storage System is Canada’s leading geothermal
energy installation and is one component of the university’s research
into renewable energy. This highly efficient and environmentally friendly
system is used to heat and cool its buildings.
Research sub-themes:
:: Alternative Energy Systems;
:: Energy Efficiency and End Use;
:: Nuclear Energy Production; and
:: Nuclear Risk Management.
Graduate programs:
:: Materials Science, MSc, PhD*;
:: Mechanical Engineering, MASc, MEng;
:: Modelling and Computational Science MSc, PhD*; and
:: Nuclear Engineering, MASc, MEng.
*Pending approval by the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies (OCGS).

“Fuel cells may be a viable answer to our global energy concerns. My

research focuses on developing a membrane based on polysiloxane
derivatives as a more environmentally friendly alternative to the
membrane used in fuel cells today.”
Amanda Northcott, fourth-year Concurrent Education student, major in
Chemistry, minor in Mathematics

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 APPLIED
BIOSCIENCE
Taking an interdisciplinary approach to life science research, UOIT is
quickly demonstrating its research successes and generating further
opportunities in areas of applied biosciences from the cellular to the
ecosystem levels. Understanding at the molecular level has also become
increasingly important to produce advances in knowledge, resulting in
benefits for society.
Led by a Tier 1 CRC in Aquatic Toxicology, UOIT’s environmental science
research focuses on the ecosystem level and the interactions of aquatic
systems and microbial communities with their environments.
Researchers in molecular bioscience and chemistry are investigating the
interrelated fields of cellular mechanisms of action of drugs and receptors,
bioinformatics, and host-microbe interactions. Chemistry and biology
researchers at UOIT are studying nutritional immunology through the use of
prebiotics and probiotics.
Forensic Science, led by a Tier 2 CRC in Decomposition Chemistry, involves
the use of biological and chemical tools to study the decomposition of
human remains in grave sites and chemically related aspects of food
spoilage, in addition to research in forensic law.
Research sub-themes:
:: Environmental Science;
:: Forensic Science; and
:: Molecular Biology and Chemistry.
Graduate programs:
:: Applied Bioscience, MSc, PhD

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AUTOMOTIVE,
MATERIALS AND
MANUFACTURING
Research in this area is driven by the need to develop sustainable and
eco-friendly materials for use across a variety of industries including manu-
facturing and transportation. Researchers are engaged in the discovery of
new materials to reduce the cost and improve the long-term performance
of fuel cells as a viable alternative to existing power supplies. UOIT
researchers are also working to develop emerging nano-crystalline materials,
including carbon nanotubes, which have applications in fields of renewable
energy and biomedical devices.
In the automotive industry, future transportation systems will require rigorous
research efforts in areas such as advanced materials, intelligent systems,
batteries and storage and fuel-cell technology, to name just a few. This
research is supported by an NSERC-General Motors of Canada design
chair and a Cameco Corporation junior chair in robotics. A Tier 2 CRC has
been awarded to strengthen UOIT’s efforts in the area of Robotics and
Advanced Manufacturing.
The General Motors of Canada Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) will
be open for business in 2010. The facility will be a world-class research,
design and training centre focused on the next-generation automobile
industry. ACE includes a climatic wind tunnel capable of testing full-size vehicles
under normal and simulated adverse weather conditions (e.g., snow, sleet,
sub-zero or humid conditions).
Research sub-themes:
:: Advanced Materials;
:: Manufacturing Technology; and
:: Sustainable Transportation Systems.
Graduate programs:
:: Automotive Engineering, MASc, MEng;
:: Materials Science, MSc, PhD*; and
:: Mechanical Engineering, MASc, MEng, PhD.
*Pending approval by the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies (OCGS).

“Greenhouse gases and the scarcity of oil will force society to change
the way transportation is used. Electricity is an obvious choice. In
the near future we will need a lot of automotive engineers who really
understand electrical drivetrains. I intend to be ready by being an expert
in that field.”
Pierre Hinse, second-year MASc, Automotive Engineering student

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INFORMATION AND
COMMUNICATION
Understanding how technology can be fully integrated into everyday life is
the focus of UOIT’s research in this area. The Canadian economy is driven
by information flow, yet society is overwhelmed by the sheer volume of
high-tech devices designed not only to communicate, but to provide the
latest news and information. With a predominance of highly sophisticated
information users, a much clearer understanding of the impact of message
streaming through organizations and society is imperative.
The impact of technology related to information and communication
mechanisms has begun to permeate society. Decisions to work and study
simultaneously are heavily influenced by the availability of education
programs over the web; similarly lifelong learning relies upon the availability
of such programs. Implications for education policy and future developments
in technology-assisted learning must be seriously explored. Organizational
and societal dependence on information streams will continue to stimulate
the need for research, growth and development of all aspects of information
systems.
UOIT has established state-of-the-art laboratories such as the Advanced User
Interface and Virtual Reality lab, and Advanced Wireless Communications
and Networking Research lab that innovates research in the areas of gaming,
virtual reality and communications networks, as well as the Multi-Informatics
Laboratory, which examines human-computer-human interactions and online
collaborations.
Research sub-themes:
:: Communication Systems;
:: E-learning and Educational Informatics;
:: Information Systems; and
:: Markets and Innovation.
Graduate programs:
:: Computer Science, MSc, PhD;
:: Education, MA, MEd;
:: Electrical and Computer Engineering, MASc, MEng, PhD;
:: Information Technology Security, MITS;
:: MBA; and
:: Modelling and Computational Science, MSc, PhD*.
*Pending approval by the Ontario Council on Graduate Studies (OCGS).

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BUILDING STRONG
PARTNERSHIPS FOR
A BRIGHTER FUTURE
Research at UOIT is thriving thanks to its strong academic, community and
industry partnerships, and provincial and federal funding agencies. Such
linkages ensure faculty members are well integrated into the ‘real world’
and that they are able to receive financial support to transform their ideas
into innovative solutions to meet the demands of today’s knowledge-driven
economy.
Cameco Corporation has invested $1.5-million towards the establishment
of a research chair at UOIT. The goal of the partnership is to improve both
the efficiency and worker safety during the production of elemental fluorine
for fuel enrichment and of CANDU fuel bundles. “The research that UOIT is
conducting dovetails with our research and takes what we’re doing to the
next level,” says Michael Murchie, director, Research Centre, Innovation
and Technology Development at Cameco Corporation. “It allows us to take
advantage of the expertise being established at UOIT in Nuclear Engineering.
Additionally, we’re making a connection with grad students involved in the
research who could potentially be future employees of Cameco.”
Using the latest technology to improve health outcomes is the focus of a
partnership between IBM and UOIT. IBM’s First of a Kind (FOAK) research
program will help doctors detect subtle changes in the condition of
critically ill premature babies. “Partnering with UOIT gives us an enhanced
level of credibility and access to specialized expertise and highly sophisti-
cated wet labs that allow for real-world collaboration,” says Don Aldridge,
industry executive, Research & Life Sciences at IBM Canada Limited.
IBM awarded UOIT access to the prototype software patented by researchers
at its T.J. Watson research facility in New York under the FOAK program,
which is designed to accelerate the delivery of innovative technologies to
the market and link IBM’s research work to real-world problems. “Canada
is the place to do medical research,” says Aldridge. “Together with UOIT,
we will be the first to market a solution that is compelling and one that
every neonatal intensive care unit globally will want to take advantage of.”
OPG and UOIT share a common goal of seeing a strong, sustainable and
cleaner energy sector that will provide for future generations. Through
ongoing support, their partnership is creating opportunities for UOIT
researchers to develop new technologies to advance clean energy
solutions. In 2008, OPG provided $65,000 to fund the redesign of two
electric buses in an effort to raise awareness of the role of electricity
as an alternative fuel source. “We need people poised to take on new
challenges and develop new solutions for the ever-evolving electricity
generation business,” says Jacquie Hoornweg, director, Nuclear Public
Affairs at OPG. “The engineering programs and research programs at UOIT
have been developed to meet that need.”
17
SABIC Innovative Plastics produces engineered thermoplastic pellets for
the moulding industry and hopes its newly formed partnership with UOIT
will lead to improvements in its custom colour compounding operation in
Cobourg, Ontario. SABIC’s plastics are used in the automotive, electronic,
consumer goods, and medical sectors, among others. “Having a
partnership with UOIT gives us ties to the academic world, allows us to
identify young talent, and provides a branch plant in a small Ontario town
with the ability to attack more difficult and higher-level problems,” says
Dan Ross, innovation leader and QC process engineer at SABIC Innovative
Plastics. “Additionally, UOIT’s research allows us to improve our own
internal quality and make our customers successful by providing them with
better service.”
Establishing strong ties within the community is every bit as vital to UOIT’s
research vision as partnerships formed with leading businesses and
industries. As part of HETRU, Dr. Wendy Stanyon, an assistant professor
with the Faculty of Health Sciences, has secured training partnerships with
the Durham Regional Police Service and Ontario Shores Centre for Mental
Health Sciences and has created simulations that will further enhance
police officer training in responding to situations involving individuals with
mental illness. The project has received more than $110,000 in funding
from Inukshuk Wireless, a Canada-wide wireless broadband network equally
owned by Bell Canada and Rogers Communications, and the Canadian
Council on Learning.
“UOIT creates interest from all over Canada and the
U.S., positioning Durham Region as the place to be
for new and emerging technology when it comes to the
energy and nuclear sectors, UOIT plays an important
role in the economic development of Durham Region,
attracting large international companies who recognize
that the university provides a good source of potential
employees. With the resources and expertise that
business and industry are looking for, it creates synergy,
which leads to new jobs in the region. With a strong
relationship, the future looks very bright for the region
and the university.”
Roger Anderson, chair and chief executive officer of
the Regional Municipality of Durham.
http://research.uoit.ca
 BRINGING INNOVATIVE
RESEARCH TO LIFE
With a major emphasis on providing solutions to real-world problems,
UOIT is aggressively pursuing applications to get its groundbreaking
scientific discoveries to market. UOIT has made significant progress in
commercializing the innovative ideas of its researchers thanks to its
Office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization (OTTC), which assists
faculty in moving a scientific discovery to the private sector by sourcing
funding and establishing partnerships with experts in the field to mass
produce and market the researcher’s product or service. Among the
patents that have already been filed – in areas including manufacturing
technology, automotive, education, Internet software and consumer
products – more than half have received external funding.

RADIATION MASK HELPS EMS WORKERS DETECT

CONTAMINANTS IN PATIENTS
After two years of research, Dr. Ed Waller, associate professor in the
Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, has created a
Radiological Triage Mask (RTM) aimed at helping emergency medical
service (EMS) responders quickly identify radiation contaminants in
patients, including individuals who may be the victims of radiological
dispersal devices, also known as dirty bombs. The RTM has received
almost $250,000 in grants, including the university’s first ever Idea to
Innovation grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research
Council of Canada. UOIT’s OTTC has also filed for worldwide patent
protection for the mask.

GREEN HYDROGEN ENERGY FROM WATER AND WASTE HEAT

Dr. Greg Naterer, a Tier 1 CRC and professor in the Faculty of Engineering
and Applied Science, and his research team have recently patented new
equipment for spray drying and molten salt reactors. Their patented pending
designs can significantly reduce the costs of producing hydrogen by using
waste heat in a new thermochemical water-splitting process. The UOIT-led
team of researchers, universities and other partners is building the world’s
first lab-scale demonstration of a copper-chlorine (Cu-Cl) cycle for thermo-
chemical hydrogen production using nuclear or solar energy.

CHANGING THE WAY STUDENTS VIEW STATISTICS

After watching her students struggle to understand the mathematics
behind statistics, Dr. Hannah Scott, an associate professor in the Faculty
of Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies, developed a comprehensive
set of multimedia interactive tutorial films for teaching statistics. The
films are based on using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences
(SPSS), the most commonly used statistics software package among
students. More than 600 undergraduate students at UOIT are using the
widely popular videos to enhance their understanding of highly complex
material. The films are now licensed through UOIT’s OTTC to a major
education publisher.

18 http://research.uoit.ca
A SUCCESSFUL SPINOFF
UOIT successfully launched its first spinoff company, Hoper Inc., in Durham
Region. Dr. Miguel Vargas Martin, an associate professor and director of
Graduate Studies with the Faculty of Business and Information Technology,
formed the company to further develop navdriver, an innovative software tool
used to streamline website navigation through online searches. It increases
efficiency by modelling the structure of a website, analyzing visitors’ traffic
patterns and creating a summary of the most important page relationships for
each page on a site. This patent-pending technology is one of the first to
enhance navigation based on how people surf a website.

OPENING DOORS TO DISCOVERY

Fourth-year Engineering students at UOIT earned international recognition for
their innovative design of an automatic door opening mechanism that stores
energy in the form of compressed air each time the door is manually opened,
using the stored energy for assisted automatic openings. The door remains
functional during emergency situations or power loss, which is extremely
beneficial for people who rely on automatic doors as part of an accessible
community. The mechanism is also energy efficient since it does not rely on
electricity for operation. The prototype won first place at the UOIT Capstone
Design competition in 2007 and two patent submissions for the design were
completed in Canada and the United States.

“I had the opportunity to work with an excellent team and collaborate with
world-class professors. It’s a rewarding experience to develop an idea that
could greatly impact communities – and it’s good for the environment too.”
Mike MacLeod, MASc graduate, door mechanism inventor.

http://research.uoit.ca 19
ESTABLISHING WORLD-
CLASS RESEARCH
CENTRES AT UOIT
GENERAL MOTORS OF CANADA AUTOMOTIVE CENTRE
OF EXCELLENCE (ACE)
ACE will be the first commercial automotive research, development and
innovation centre of its kind in the world. The 16,300-square-metre facility is
a place where industry, researchers and students will collaborate to test and
validate vehicles and products of the future. The centre’s unique testing
facilities include:
:: One of the largest and most sophisticated climatic wind tunnels in the
world. It will have extreme weather capabilities (-40 C to 60 C), a solar
array to replicate the effects of the sun and a rotating chassis
dynamometer to test road load conditions;
:: Two environmental chambers that allow for tests under controlled
conditions of temperature and humidity (five to 95 per cent humidity);
:: A four-post shaker;
:: A multi-axial simulation table (MAST);
:: Three vehicle hoist bays that can accommodate cars, trucks and
buses, including alternate fuel, hybrid and electric energy vehicles; and
:: Machine shop facilities.
While situated on UOIT’s north Oshawa campus, ACE will be operated as
an independent test facility available for rent to manufacturers, start-up
companies and researchers across Canada and around the world. It will
enable cutting-edge research and development in:
:: Accommodation of future automotive fuels such as hydrogen;
:: Effects of extreme weather;
:: Noise and vibration;
:: Structural durability testing; and
:: Vehicle dynamics.
ACE will be used for more than automotive testing. It has been designed to
accommodate aircraft components; alternative energy technology such as
wind turbines; buses; locomotives and trucks. Furthermore, ACE has the
potential to be used to train military personnel, rescue crews or competitive
athletes; to carry out performance testing of outdoor survival gear; to assist
the movie industry; or test products that are subject to severe wind, humidity,
snow, icing or desert heat. ACE will also serve as a hub of the Automotive
Innovation Network (AIN). In addition to UOIT, AIN partners include:
:: Auto21;
:: École Polytechnique Montréal;
:: McGill University;
:: McMaster University;
:: University of British Columbia;
:: Université du Québec institut national de récherche scientifique;
:: Universitié de Sherbrooke; and
:: University of Waterloo.
ACE is developed in partnership with UOIT, General Motors of Canada Ltd., the
Partners for Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education (PACE) and
the governments of Ontario and Canada. The facility is scheduled to open for
business in 2010. 20 http://research.uoit.ca

Renderings provided by Diamond and Schmitt Architects.

ENERGY RESEARCH CENTRE
The Energy Research Centre (ERC) will be a 9,290-square-metre facility
where scientists, engineers and industry leaders collaborate to conduct
leading-edge research into the latest green and clean technologies and
train the students of today for the energy-related jobs of tomorrow.
The ERC will house UOIT's unique-in-Canada nuclear and energy systems
engineering programs, including courses in wind, solar, hydrogen,
hydraulic, geothermal and nuclear energy. It will promote Canada’s
entrepreneurial advantage through commercialization partnerships,
helping to re-establish Canada as a leader in designing, building and
operating innovative energy systems.
Research to be conducted within the ERC includes:
:: Biological effects of tritium and low-energy X-rays;
:: Electric power systems and smart metering;
:: Electrochemical and corrosion effects;
:: Emerging energy systems;
:: Environmental effects of radiation;
:: Geothermal systems integration;
:: Health and medical physics;
:: Hydrogen power systems and use in energy storage;
:: Mini- and micro-hydro generators;
:: Nuclear power plant design and simulation;
:: Nuclear reactor design and safety analysis;
:: Radiation biophysics and dosimetry;
:: Radioactive waste management;
:: Reliability engineering, human machine interface and uncertainty
analysis;
:: Safety-critical digital instrumentation and control systems;
:: Solar energy technologies; and
:: Wind energy systems and turbine design.
The ERC has received a total of $45.4 million in funding from the provincial
and federal governments and is scheduled to open in March 2011.

http://research.uoit.ca 21
USING EVIDENCE-BASED TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE
LEARNING OUTCOMES
In response to the overwhelming need for research related to the
evidence-based use of advanced technologies, particularly within health
sciences education, UOIT has established the Health Education
Technology Research Unit (HETRU).
With its state-of-the-art simulation lab, HETRU is a natural evolution for
health sciences students and faculty at UOIT. HETRU is focused on
enhancing the theory-to-practice transition for students and improving
competencies at the professional level.
Rigorous research into evidence-based teaching, learning, and
assessment of learning outcomes is focused in six core areas,
distinguishing HETRU as a unique research body and UOIT as a national
and international leader in this field. Core research areas include:
:: Advanced Technologies;
:: Competencies and Work-Readiness;
:: Disposition and Self-Efficacy;
:: Interdisciplinary Collaboration;
:: Patient-Centred Care; and
:: Simulations.
HETRU is establishing research partnerships with post-secondary
institutions, hospitals and industry to create research teams that will
work towards solving complex problems in health-care education.
HETRU members, including Dr. Carolyn Byrne of
the Faculty of Health Sciences in partnership with
Lakeridge Health, McMaster University, the University
of Toronto, Durham College and Georgian College,
have developed simulations and a core competency
framework for interprofessional care. Both are for use
in educational training and assessment of students
and practising health-care professionals. This project
was funded through a HealthForceOntario grant.
http://research.uoit.ca
MAKING SENSE OF SURVEY RESEARCH DATA
Surveys are a fundamental part of social science research. They
also serve as essential tools for program evaluation, assessing the
effectiveness of new initiatives, measuring the salience of a product or
idea and more. Research is also becoming increasingly interdisciplinary.
In many cases it is difficult to understand the implications of research
and how it affects our daily lives. Reports generated from collected data
must remain unbiased, providing the reader with a clear idea of the
issues under study. Effective survey design, development, and
administration can lead to more effective knowledge transfer, policy
development, and decision making.
UOIT is meeting these new challenges with the establishment of the
Centre for Evaluation and Survey Research (CESR). Offering a variety of
services to university faculty and the larger community, CESR is an inter-
disciplinary academic, market-driven, hybrid centre that primarily serves
systematic research and analysis functions both within and outside the
university.
It currently offers a variety of services, including research, survey design
and evaluation methods consultation; small focus group facilitation;
survey instrument design; web, e-mail and mail out surveys; data
entering; data cleaning and preparation; descriptive and more advanced
data analysis; summary report generation; large final report generation;
generation of data templates; and training in a variety of related services.
As the centre expands, it hopes to provide more intensive services
including, but not limited to, telephone interviewing, in-person
interviewing, and large group facilitation projects.
BRINGING RESEARCHERS AND THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER
TO TACKLE SOCIAL PROBLEMS
In order to design programs to combat societal problems such as poverty,
unemployment, drug addiction, child abuse and violence, valid and
accurate information is needed. UOIT’s Community Link Unit (CLU) will
work with public agencies and groups on community-based research
to narrow the gap between research and practice to inform social and
economic policy.
In traditional social science research, ideas originate at a university and
are then brought to the community. The best social science research,
however, is conducted in partnership with people living and working in
communities and demonstrating an interest in using the results to make
decisions about improving their lives. In this collaborative process, jointly
researched common topics ensure ideas and expectations are recognized
and understood from the project's inception and facilitate the acceptance
and implementation of results.
Partners can include community-based organizations and associations;
non-profit social service providers; neighbourhood or labour networks;
advocacy, ethnic and national groups; museums and cultural centres; the
media; industry; advocacy coalitions; hospitals; schools; and all levels of
government agencies.
CLU is currently working with a number of organizations on issues of
immigration, diversity, poverty and mental health.
22
CHALLENGE INNOVATE CONNECT 23 https://connect.uoit.ca
 PRINTED IN CANADA 2010
OFFICE OF THE ASSOCIATE PROVOST RESEARCH
2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1H 7K4 T 905.721.8668 ext.2357 E research@uoit.ca W research.uoit.ca