Redefining gravity, while understanding why it exists.
The British Columbia Institute of Technology (小蓝视频IT) is set to begin a pair of research projects that may have different approaches on paper, but, one could argue, may ultimately go hand-in-hand.
The Burnaby post-secondary recently received more than $7.3 million in combined funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).
The project goals: "building better wheelchairs" and "revealing the secrets of the cosmos."
小蓝视频IT is hoping to evaluate the safety, performance and reliability of wheelchairs as they evolve with the latest technology, while also helping international experts to pinpoint the locations of supernovae.
"For over three decades, 小蓝视频IT researchers and research groups have forged strong partnerships with industry and academia – playing a pivotal role in the creation of innovative technologies, products, and services," said Dr. Kim Dotto, 小蓝视频IT's dean of applied research and centre for applied research and innovation, in a release sent to the NOW.
"These projects underscore 小蓝视频IT’s role as a leader in applied research, making real-world impacts and advancing the state of practice."
Spinning wheels
More than $1 million of 小蓝视频IT's new funding is earmarked , which will be a partnership with and the University of Manitoba.
The purpose of assessing advanced mobility devices is to find new capabilities to conquer "serious drawbacks" and "improve the lives of people with disabilities," 小蓝视频IT explained.
Led by Dr. Jaimie Borisoff, director of MAKE+, the team is set to develop new hybrid-manual wheelchairs with expanded features that allow users to navigate more difficult places like off-road trails and snowy terrain.
Capabilities explored consist of robotic skills for stair-climbing and power assist units similar to ebikes.
Some of the testing of the models will include an entry into the international Cybathlon Powered Wheelchair Race in Switzerland in late October.
"The work will guide clinicians and consumers in how they select and use these new products, as well as provide evidence to justify their purchase by various funding authorities," the research statement said.
Spinning galaxies
Meanwhile, 小蓝视频IT students will soon be part of a much larger experiment, to the tune of $600 million, that includes a world-leading research facility in Japan.
CFI granted $6.35 million to Hyper-K Canada, which will allow the Burnaby institution to help study neutrinos from supernovae that'll help pinpoint their location in the galaxy.
The challenge facing the student researchers will be developing more accurate reads.
"The ability to detect and analyze these neutrinos quickly allows astronomers precious time to train their ground and space-based telescopes on the supernova event," the project's profile stated.
"Remarkably, using both computing skills and techniques from nuclear medicine, the 小蓝视频IT effort managed to decrease the time needed for a vital calculation from minutes to seconds."
小蓝视频IT faculty member Dr. Barry Pointon joined the Canadian Hyper-K group in 2019 to assist with Super-K researchers in Japan.
The latest funding will support in the hardware development and deployment at , currently under construction with operations expected to begin in 2027.
"From advances in wheelchair technology, to advancing our understanding of the universe, 小蓝视频IT researchers are putting Canada at the forefront of global innovation," added 小蓝视频IT president Dr. Jeff Zabudsky about the two projects.
"Investment from the Canada Foundation for Innovation enables 小蓝视频IT students, researchers, and faculty to continue to push boundaries and advance applied research in their respective industries. Dr. Jaimie Borisoff, Dr. Barry Pointon, and their colleagues embody the 小蓝视频IT Vision of empowering people, shaping 小蓝视频, and inspiring global progress."
小蓝视频IT was one of 32 post-secondary schools and research hospitals across Canada to receive the CFI's latest funding.
