不良研究所

Protein biopolymers represent green alternatives for various commodity materials, such as plastic-like alternatives. Self-assembling proteins can be engineered to be mechanically robust, flexible and biodegradable, and they can be integrated in various materials forms (thin films, coatings, gels, etc.). This project aims at fabricating composite materials composed of self-assembling proteins and organic substances such as biodegradable polymers. For instance, we aim at incorporating chemically-resistant and mechanically stiff proteins into biodegradable polymer blends to modulate the mechanical properties, crystallinity and biodegradability of the polymers. The project will involve joining a team of researchers to fabricate the composites, optimize the protein content, and characterize the mechanical, thermal and structural properties of the composites. Incorporating protein additives into polymer blends represents one step towards the development of protein-based greener plastic alternatives.

The student will be involved in all steps of the fabrication process of the composites: from the production and purification of the proteins, to the composite fabrication and characterization.

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The field of 鈥渟mart鈥� clothing is growing, and biology offers compelling advantages to functionalize textiles to endow them with a range of useful properties. For instance, integrating proteins and living cells into textiles can allow us to design textiles that can 鈥渟elf-heal鈥�, that can respond to stimuli or to the needs of a user. In order to tightly integrate proteins and biofilms to textiles, proteins can be engineered to specifically adhere on the surface of cotton, silk, polyester or other fabrics. Through genetic engineering strategies, this project consists in optimizing the binding and adhesion strength of engineering proteins to a range of common fabric materials. The project will involve designing the engineered proteins, expressing them and characterizing their adhesion through a range of microscopic techniques and material characterization tests.

The student will be involved in all steps of the process to express and validate the adhesion of proteins to textiles: from the protein engineering and protein expression steps, to the development of protocols for adhesion on textiles.

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Soft and biocompatible materials capable of electron transfer are attractive for several applications, including biosensors, electrobiosynthetic systems, flexible electronics and low-cost energy conversion and storage devices. Using proteins and peptides to fabricate soft electronics allows for the production of multifunctional bioactive and environmentally-friendly devices. This project specifically aim at combining circuit bioprinting with protein-based electronics to fabricate conductive biological electrode circuits. Genetic engineering and biomineralization strategies will be used to produce conductive protein fibers that will then be integrated in a polymer matrix to create a bio-ink for printing. The project will require optimizing the composition of the conductive bio-ink, as well as the printing conditions to produce stable protein circuits. The mechanical properties of the bio-ink will be investigated, as well as the final electrical and mechanical properties of the printed circuits.

The student will be involved in all steps of protein circuit fabrication: from the production and purification of the proteins, the optimization of the bio-ink composition, and the characterization of the printed circuits.

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Cold reactive plasmas (ionized gases produced by an electrical discharge) have been used in several applications, including lighting and thin film deposition. A currently innovative field of research is plasma interactions with liquids for decomposition, synthesis or generation of active species. A particularly novel direction is the use of plasmas in interaction with water to generate active molecules with a wide range of applications from agriculture (fertilizers) to medicine.

- Optimizing a plasma liquid treatment system. - Characterization of the species produced. - Literature search.

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Surface engineering is used to selectively tailor the surface properties of materials (to render it hydrophobic or hydrophilic, for example) without affecting the desirable bulk properties (low cost, good mechanical properties, resistance to corrosion and durability). Cold reactive plasmas (ionized gases produced by an electrical discharge) have been used to alter a surface by the addition of functional groups or a functional layer. Plasma prepared organic coatings have been deposited on a wide range of solid surfaces. We have recently developed a method to plasma coat hydrogels, which are used in several applications, such as contact lenses.

- Deposition of thin organic coatings using plasma technology. - Surface analysis and characterization of the deposits - Laminin immobilization procedure. - Literature search

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Islet transplantation is one of the most promising long-term treatments to type 1 diabetes. Access to this therapy is limited by donor islet supply and the side effects associated with lifelong immunosuppression to avoid graft rejection. Several encapsulation devices are being developed and tested in clinical trials to safely transplant stem cell-derived islet graft while avoiding immunosuppression. By creating a barrier between islets and immune cells and hence vascularization, these devices typically lead to oxygen limitations in regard to islet survival and function. Current numerical models of islet oxygenation are simplified to a single islet model or neglect parameters like the effects of fluid flow, and often lack thorough experimental validation. In this work, we aim to develop a robust validation platform for a numerical model that accounts for the effects of fluid flow for human-scale islet transplantation devices. Our envisioned model is a vascularized device which can accommodate therapeutic islet doses in a single tissue patch 鈥� a concept coined as 鈥渕acroencapsulation鈥�. This project will consist of developing oxygen micro-sensing strategies to better visualize the oxygen profiles in macroencapsulation devices. The student will learn how to fabricate and image oxygen-sensing materials, as well as apply fundamental principles learned in engineering, such as the conservation of mass and momentum, and convective transport. Note: please submit your application in a single pdf (cover letter, CV, transcript) directly on our website (). Under 鈥渢itle of position鈥� please indicate SURE 2022: Developing oxygen-sensing materials.

The trainee will learn what it is like to work in research and in biology. Moreover, they will learn fundamental skills for working in a biology laboratory such as: cell culture, pipetting, using a biosafety cabinet, best practices for documentation, etc. The student will conduct toxicity studies for novel oxygen-sensing strategies using a ruthenium complex and mouse insulinoma cells (MIN6).

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The potential of endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) for tissue engineering and cell therapy is increasingly evident. These highly proliferative cells can be applied to sites of ischemia and vascular damage to aid in the healing process. Upon maturation, the endothelial cells (ECs) contribute significantly to the maintenance of vessel homeostasis by producing factors such as nitric oxide, formed through the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Nitric oxide regulates smooth muscle proliferation, vessel tone, and has anti-inflammatory properties. The maturation of proliferative ECFCs into eNOS-producing ECs is critical in vascular homeostasis but not well understood. These two cell types are nearly indistinguishable based on surface marker expression and proliferation and clonogenicity assays are laborious and time-consuming. Current eNOS reporters are either in mouse models (which lack circulating ECFCs) or they contain a promoter/reporter design, which reportedly lacks endothelial specificity due to the complex DNA methylation patterns of the native eNOS promoter. We propose to create a human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) eNOS reporter cell line by targeted insertion of green fluorescent protein (GFP) downstream of the native eNOS coding sequence, including a cleavage peptide sequence. This will transcriptionally link the expression of GFP to native eNOS, while minimally affecting the protein functionality. We hypothesize that this reporter can be used to study the differentiation of ECFCs to EC non-invasively in real-time and will be invaluable for engineering new treatments for cardiovascular disease. Note: please submit your application in a single pdf (cover letter, CV, transcript) directly on our website (). Under 鈥渢itle of position鈥� please indicate SURE 2022: Studying endothelial differentiation dynamics.

The trainee will be involved in experiment design, data acquisition, and data analysis. Wet lab techniques could include mammalian cell culture, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, qPCR, Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, and more. The trainee will also be expected to present updates at group meetings.

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Cell culture plays a major role in the development of state-of-the-art cell therapies for cancer, diabetes and other degenerative conditions. However, when it comes to isolating rare and specific cell types, typically stem cells from a patient鈥檚 blood, the process becomes very complex. Many time-consuming steps and expensive consumables are typically required. Personnel and reagent costs contribute to the high cost of these therapies (often over $100,000 per injection), limiting patient access to potentially life-saving treatments. The Stem Cell Bioengineering Laboratory has been developed a proprietary multi-functionalization technique that is compatible with many surface geometries and materials. The overall goal of the project is to translate promising findings from flat surfaces to microbeads which can be used for therapeutic cell handling. Specifically, the aims of this project are to (1) adapt current surface treatment protocols to produce functionalized microbeads, (2) apply various surface characterization techniques to determine whether the functionalization was successful and (3) study the interactions between functionalized microbeads and cells of therapeutic interest (e.g. certain types of stem or progenitor cells). Between surface chemistry and molecular biology, the intern will have the opportunity to learn about various experimental techniques ranging from materials characterization to human cell culture. Note: please submit your application in a single pdf (cover letter, CV, transcript) directly on our website (). Under 鈥渢itle of position鈥� please indicate SURE 2022: Designing next-generation culture surfaces for therapeutic cell bioprocessing.

The trainee will be involved in experiment design, data acquisition, and data analysis. Wet lab techniques could include mammalian cell culture, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, ELISA and more. The trainee will also be expected to present updates at group meetings.

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Nanosecond and femtosecond laser micro/nano machining causes the generation of nanoparticles (NPs). Specifically, under laboratory conditions, some of the generated NPs fly directly off to the working environment, which can cause severe health hazards to the researchers. Furthermore, the heavier NPs will re-deposit back onto the target surface. Many researchers who have studied laser machining in air have commented on the need to clean the substrates from NPs before further analysis or application. While NPs are often considered a nuisance or waste stream, they are also essential for a wide range of applications, e.g. catalysis. We have recently developed a setup for collecting NPs in-situ during femtosecond laser micromachining and identified the dominant factors in NP removal and collection. This project involves laser machining various target materials (Cu, Fe, Ti, Si) and collecting the generated NPs onto a collection plate. The primary goal of this project is to explore the properties (size, polarity, absorption) of collected NPs using various analytical tools including ZetaSizer, ICP-OES, UV-VIS spectroscopy. The collected NPs will be dissolved into a variety of solvents of varying viscosities to determine which solvent results in the least NP agglomeration. NPs generated under various machining conditions will be further analyzed by dissolving the collected NPs in the identified solvent.

Participate in laser micromachining experiments, perform NP size measurements using the ZetaSizer/ICP-OES and perform the data analysis.

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About 25% of the plastics discarded are too contaminated to go anywhere but the landfill. As a result, global warming and pollution are greatly increased. Non-stick, self-emptying containers could address this problem. The slippery surfaces exhibited by the Nepenthes pitcher plant, a carnivorous plant that is said to teach insects how to 鈥渋ce-skate鈥� just before digesting them, inspire a possible solution to the abovementioned issues. So-called SLIPS, present slippery, liquid-repellent, and self-healing properties. They are based on porous surfaces, which are infused with a lubricant that is immiscible with the wetting liquid. Therefore the porosity of a substrate鈥檚 surface is what keeps the lubricant in place. Recently, we have demonstrated that femtosecond (fs) laser irradiating surfaces produce porous topographies with multi-scale roughness. The parameters and mechanisms behind their formation have also been established. Further, we have determined the molding conditions to transfer the negative of hierarchical structures from the laser-micromachined surfaces to different polymers. In this project, we want to explore the surface wettability and robustness of lubricant-infused polyethylene and polypropylene with the surface porosity molded from a laser micromachined stainless steel mold. Different lubricants will be infused and compared, and liquids with different surface tension will be tested in order to guarantee extremely non-wetting properties and the long-term stability of lubricants on the porous plastic containers.

- participate in laser-machining and hot press experiments - develop an experimental method to efficiently infuse substrates with lubricant - experiment with different lubricants and test liquids - carry out contact angle measurements to assess wetting and flowability - test mechanical robustness and durability of produced slippery surfaces

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Catalytic and Plasma Process Engineering (CPPE) laboratory is engaged in the development and understanding of catalyzed processes and reactor engineering concepts dedicated to sustainable energy conversion technologies. Within this project, the student in collaboration with a PhD student will focus on the synthesis of novel catalysts for the direct non-oxidative methanol conversion to value-added chemicals (olefine). The UG student will work closely together with PhD student and develop, synthesize, characterize new catalysts as well as to test them in our catalytic reactors.

1. Catalyst preparation (impregnation, solvothem method, ...) 2. Catalyst characterization (BET, chemisorption, TPR, TPD,...) 3. Catalyst activity measurements (Fixed bed reactor connected to mass spectrometer) 4. Data analysis and kinetic modeling (material balance calculation in Excel and potentially modeling with Athena Visual Studio or DFT modeling with QuantumEspresso).

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Poly(urethanes) (PUs) are the 6th most widely produced polymer globally, finding application in sealants, coatings, foams and structural materials. Traditionally, PUs are made from di-isocyanates and diol monomers. Avoiding entirely the use of isocyanates for poly(urethanes) has been advocated due to the health issues from exposure and the dangerous processes traditionally used to manufacture them. Consequently, there has been a strong emphasis based on developing non-isocyanate poly(urethanes) (NIPUs), particularly with the use of bio-based building blocks. Since PUs are so important for many industries, NIPUs have been extensively explored with feedstocks such as terpenes, plant oils, carbohydrates and bio-polyols. A particularly attractive feature of many of these routes is the fixation of carbon dioxide to form the cyclic carbonate from epoxy groups for NIPUs. The target materials are replacements for conventional PUs; focusing on bio-based diamines (such as the fatty acid diamines) and dicarbonates derived from carbohydrates. These materials will be tailored with moisture-curable end groups via silane chemistry and further enhancements will focus on improving mechanical properties (eg. nanofillers such as appropriately functionalized fumed silicas) or incorporating self-healing properties (via attachment of dynamic covalent groups). The student will learn to synthesize and characterize their polymers and then perform subsequent measurements to design more benign PU-based materials.

The student will design non-isocyanate poly(urethanes) (NIPUs) mostly from bio-based building blocks. The student will learn to synthesize the target polymers and they will characterize the composition, structure, molecular weight distribution and thermal properties via NMR, FTIR, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The student will correlate molecular properties to bench-mark materials to inform them of the next step towards adding moisture-curable groups and to impart nano-fillers optimally. If time permits other functionalities may be incorporated, such as to enhance recyclability. Mechanical property testing will then ensue to measure properties such as modulus and yield stress.

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Biological cells are extremely responsive to their surroundings, and understanding these cell-environment interactions is critical in (1) designing replacement tissues, (2) building new drug-screening platforms, or (3) creating bioinspired sustainable materials. In this project, we will investigate microfluidic and microscale materials development strategies to guide biological cells towards these specialized functions. Projects can involve a variety of specialized fabrication techniques, including biomaterial synthesis, cleanroom-based microfabrication, microfluidic device development, and laser machining. In addition, the student will develop cell culture, microscopy, and image analysis skills. Ultimately, the goal of experimenting with these "smart" dynamic and responsive platforms is to help us understand the design rules that govern biological materials, and then leverage that understanding for societal benefit.

The student will gain experience in advanced biofabrication, materials characterization, cell culture, and microscopy techniques. More broadly, this project will require students to work across disciplines and collaborate closely with materials scientists, engineers, and biologists. Solving these broad problems requires highly-motivated, independent and driven individuals, who are unafraid to learn new fields and try new techniques

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Recent studies have demonstrated that teaching students to mindfully recognize, understand, label, and regulate their emotions pays outsized dividends in enhancing their learning outcomes and future success. However, whether this can or should be taught at the secondary and post-secondary levels, and particularly within the complex frameworks of engineering design, problem-solving, and groupwork remains an open question. In this project we will develop, implement, and pilot technology-supported strategies to help students unobtrusively build this emotional self-awareness in prototypical engineering design courses. We will first test-drive and assess the impact of these approaches at Shad 不良研究所, an outreach and enrichment program for exceptional high-school students; and then use these preliminary studies to ask whether such techniques may have value in an undergraduate engineering experience.

Literature review and synthesis; development of pedagogical instructional materials; development and delivery of learning activities; programming a simple online reporting system; data analysis and quantitative / qualitative survey evaluation.

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Primary nucleation in supercooled water droplets is classified as either homogeneous or heterogeneous. Homogeneous nucleation occurs when nuclei of the solid ice phase develop uniformly within the liquid parent phase. Heterogeneous nucleation occurs when nuclei preferentially form at structural inhomogeneities, in other words surfaces and interfaces. At the same temperature, heterogeneous nucleation occurs more favourably, which makes homogeneous nucleation and crystallization difficult to characterize. However, the study of homogeneous nucleation is critical to understanding atmospheric chemistry and crystallization phenomena. Therefore, several droplet levitation methods have been developed to eliminate the effects caused by the presence of solid surfaces and container walls. Recently, an acoustic levitation device called the TinyLev was developed. It uses two arrays of small acoustic transducers to keep several droplets stably suspended in the air simultaneously, and, therefore, eliminates the presence of solid surface effects. There has already been significant study of levitated pure water samples. However, to further our understanding of crystallization in other useful and distinctive solutions, studies of levitated nanofluids and hydrate-forming mixtures must now be conducted.

The student should have a strong background in multi-phase thermodynamics and crystallization processes. They will design and carry out experiments related to nucleation and freezing in acoustically-levitated solutions. Thermal and digital imaging will be used to determine both temperature and morphological characteristics. The effect of various factors, such as position, nanoparticle addition, and promoter concentration, that influence nucleation time of a sample will be investigated. They will work closely with a graduate student on this project but must also be able to work independently and diligently.

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Water is one of the most significant compounds in nature that is not only responsible for life but also plays a significant role in many processes related to energy and safety. Water can undergo two significant phase changes when it is exposed to the proper thermodynamic conditions and components: Ice and Gas Hydrate. Ice accretion on modern infrastructure such as aircrafts, ships, offshore oil platforms, wind turbines, telecommunications and power transmission lines jeopardize their integrity and pose a significant safety hazard to operators and civilians alike. Gas hydrates on the other hand, are viewed as a new/alternative method to sustain our increasing energy demands and hence, our quality of life. Naturally occurring gas hydrates have enormous amounts of stored energy that exceeds conventional carbon reserves and mostly contain natural gas. Rheometry experiments will provide a unique insight into the flow of water, in a liquid state, but also as a slurry with soft-solids (ice and hydrate). This information is essential for the design of safe, economical, and environmentally responsible processes and facilities to deal with ice and hydrate-forming systems, as well as for the exploitation of in-situ methane hydrate as a future energy resource. A novel approach will be undertaken in this work, exploring the effects of nanomaterial surfaces and polymeric additives on both ice and gas hydrate forming systems. The goal is to elucidate the behavior of the flow of water in the presence of these surfaces and additives as it transitions to either ice or hydrate. The outcome of such work has the potential to place Canada at the forefront of technologies related to de-icing techniques that preclude ice accretion and natural gas recovery, storage and transportation.

The student should have a strong background in multi-phase thermodynamics and crystallization processes. He/she will design and carry out experiments related to ice and gas hydrate nucleation, both at atmospheric and high pressures and measure rheological properties. The student will investigate the effect of various factors, such as degree of sub-cooling and inhibitor addition, that influence the rheology of the phase change. He/she will work closely with a graduate student on this project but must also be able to work independently and diligently.

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The growing presence of micro/nanoplastics in the environment has garnered significant attention from the media and the scientific community due to concerns over their potential environmental and health impacts. Upon their release to the environment, plastics degrade into smaller particles that can bioaccumulate. Detecting and visualizing these plastic particles remain a challenge due to their small size and the complex nature of environmental samples (e.g., natural waters, soils). However, the improvements in technology serve as a springboard to advance our ability to image and identify these plastic pollutants. The primary objective of this project is to develop methods to visualize and characterize different types of plastics.

The student will be trained in a range of nanotechnology and laboratory techniques that will include, for example: generation of micro/nanoplastics through simulated weathering conditions, particle size determination by dynamic light scattering, particle labelling techniques, fluorescence spectroscopy and advanced microscopy techniques. After receiving the required training in the lab (first month), the student will start working more independently. The student will be introduced to a range of new areas including microscopy, spectroscopy, chemistry, and environmental nanotechnology.

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Wastewaters are important stressors for aquatic ecosystems. Some (emerging) contaminants are refractory to conventional treatment such as coagulation, settling and filtration. New low-cost, sustainable, and functionalized materials are promising alternatives to conventional chemicals (coagulant and flocculant) used in the water treatment industry.

The student will be trained in a range of analytical/laboratory techniques related to the water treatment industry that will include, for example: jar test procedures, raw and treated water characterization, floc size measurement, fibers counting, microplastics detection, column tests, etc. After receiving the required training in the lab, the student will start working more independently. The student will be introduced to a range of new areas including colloid chemistry, water chemistry, materials science, and environmental nanotechnology.

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Widespread environmental contamination by plastics is one of this century鈥檚 most concerning issues. Tons of plastics are exposed to weathering in the environment due to mismanaged waste. Plastic is also used for outdoor applications (e.g. furniture, coatings, structures), thus it is exposed to weathering all year round. Weathering can cause the breakdown of large plastics into smaller microplastics and nanoplastics. These smaller plastics have been widely detected in the environment, however, identifying plastics smaller than 1 micrometer in size is still a challenge. The primary objective of this project is to study the breakdown of plastics under simulated weathering conditions and identify microplastics and nanoplastics that are formed.

The student will be trained in a range of analytical and laboratory techniques that will include, for example, handling of microplastics and nanoplastics, spectroscopy techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, determination of particle size via dynamic light scattering, and electron microscopy, and other general laboratory skills. After receiving the required training in the lab (first month), the student will start working more independently under the guidance of a postdoctoral fellow. The student will be introduced to a range of new areas including plastic pollution, environmental engineering and colloid science.

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Working with a graduate student and Prof. Coulombe, the intern will continue the development of a gliding arc discharge plasma-catalysis technology for gas conversion. The student needs to have a strong interest for plasma engineering, device design and construction (CAD and 3D printing), and electrical circuit design and measurements. Ideal project for a Physics or Engineering Physics student.

Continue development of gliding arc discharge, including device and power supply. Detailed characterization using electrical probes and high-speed camera.

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The use of pesticides is accompanied by significant risk. Unlike many other chemical pollutants, pesticides are developed with inherent biological toxicity and are intentionally released into the environment. While agrochemicals would ideally only impact the target species, pesticide from cultivated lands are transported into surrounding water systems. Consequently, the omnipresence of pesticide residues in the environment has been recognized to threaten freshwater ecosystems globally. This project aims to address these risks with the monitoring of pesticides through the optimization of sampling methodologies in three distinct environmental compartments: stream water, stream sediments, and biofilms. Field samples collected from agricultural tributaries in the Lac Saint-Pierre (LSP) floodplain will be analyzed for forty-eight pesticides, ranging from popular herbicides, such as atrazine and glyphosate, to insecticides and fungicides of emerging concern, such as chlorantraniliprole and pyrimethanil. In partnership with a P么le d鈥橢xpertise formed by the Government of Qu茅bec, pesticide data collected through this research project will be used to draw comparisons with biotic indicators of ecological integrity monitored by other partners of this interdisciplinary project. These comparisons will help assess current guidelines to reduce the risk of pesticide exposure on aquatic life and evaluate land use mitigation techniques for agricultural producers to minimize environmental contamination with pesticide application.

The student will first get familiarized with the background information as well as the context of the project, then will be trained on the various sample collection, preparation and analysis methods relevant to the project, which will later be applied to the samples collected. The student will work in close collaboration with the team members to develop and execute the fieldwork. The student will also participate in weekly research meetings and on a regular basis exchange with members of the other research groups involved in the project.

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