This project seeks to alleviate the constant need for blood donations by enhancing the productivity of an industrial partner’s hollow fibre bioreactors, which have been developed to grow red blood cells from hematopoietic stem cells. In particular, simulations are used to optimize the bioreactor’s operating conditions, such that the cell density within the bioreactor can be maximized while still maintaining a homogenous growth environment for the cells. This growth environment must also mimic the bone marrow microenvironment to promote proper cell growth and differentiation.

Faculty Advisor: Professor David Simakov

Essential oil extraction is an international industry which is becoming increasingly relevant in Canada due to the legalization of cannabis, prompting the production of cannabis oils. Organic solvent systems are commonly used for Canadian cannabis oil extraction; however, more efficient processes that also have less environmental impact are available. A supercritical CO2 extraction system design can provide cost savings to cannabis oil production companies, while emphasizing efficiency, safety and quality

Faculty Advisor: Professor Ali Elkamel

Energy modelling and analysis of a smart energy network with alternative technologies in a building cluster comprised of residential, commercial and institutional buildings. Analysis of energy savings in building cluster simulations would be explored for determination of the feasibility of smart energy networks as a potential tool in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

Faculty Advisor: Lecturer Lena Ahmadi

The proposed design uses electrochemically generated Fe3+ ions to extract metals such as copper, gold and silver from scrap printed circuit boards (PCBs). Subsequently, these metals are recovered through electrowinning. Modelling and optimization of the process will be performed in MATLAB to select the design parameters yielding the highest recovery efficiency by economic value. The process will be designed to have a lower ecological footprint than the conventional pyrometallurgical route for metal recovery from electronic scrap.

Faculty Advisor: Professor Ali Elkamel

This project deals with developing a 2-D transient model of the continuous casting process in order to accurately simulate the temperature and pressure profiles and central porosity within AK steel billets. The model will thus be used to propose recommendations regarding limiting central porosity defects.

Partner Organization/Industry or Government Mentor: Rio Tinto Iron and Titanium

Faculty Advisor: Professor Hector Budman