Abstracts for the First Annual Polytechnics Canada Technical Showcase
November 16-18, 2006 Calgary, Alberta
For more information, please contact Allison Nixon.

Development, Evaluation, and Commercialization of a Home-Based Lift Device British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT)

Nancy Paris & James Watzke Health Technology Research Group British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) nparis@bcit.ca (604) 432-8754

Patient handling activities have become a major hazard for community health workers (CHWs) across Canada. For example, in British Columbia, from 1994 to 1998, nearly 40% of the accepted WCB claims for CHWs were for overexertion accidents involving patient handling. Lift devices are used to lift and transfer persons to or from a wheelchair to bed, toilet, bathtub, etc. They support the person’s entire weight in a sling attached to either a stand on wheels or to an overhead ceiling track. The person then can be moved freely from one place to another. Lift devices were designed to reduce biomechanical stresses to the person doing the lifting and transferring. The person being lifted and transferred should feel safer as lifts are designed to carry over 400 pounds. Lift devices used to lift and transfer people have been shown to reduce the risk of injury to health care workers. However, most commercially available lifts cost more than $3,000 - an amount unaffordable to the majority of the people who would need them in the home.

BCIT’s Health Technology Research Group has undertaken a multi-year R&D program to develop, evaluate and commercialize an affordable and safe lifting device for home use. To achieve this, WorkSafeBC funding was obtained to design, manufacture and install 20 manual patient lift devices in the homes of clients for one year of evaluation.

This paper will present this research program including:

• Details of the development of the prototype lifts, e.g., how the design was tested to an ISO standard, engagement of a Canadian lift manufacturer (for sharing of expertise), and re-designs of the prototypes to meet design requirements.
• Methods and results from the evaluation phases of this research. This included in-laboratory and field evaluations engaging 72 community health workers and 20 clients from local home support agencies. These user groups provided structured feedback related to several dimensions of the prototype lift, e.g., its design, feelings of safety and security while being transferred with the lift, perceived exertion while using the lift.
• Trials and tribulations of achieving positive commercial outcomes related to the BCIT lift, e.g., creating value from the intellectual property associated with the lift, engaging a commercial partner willing to help bring the lift (or unique features of the lift) to market.
• A summary of the latest research project under this program, which will explore the best models to facilitate the Province of BC to implement a home-based lift program for persons that would benefit from such a program.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We would like to acknowledge the funding of the Workers Compensation Board of BC for the projects described in this paper.

Smart Mold Project: Real-Time In-Cavity Data Acquisition Conestoga College

Hamidreza Karbasi Professor, School of Engineering Conestoga College hkarbasi@conestogac.on.ca (519)748-5220 Ext. 2287

Continuous improvements in product quality and production cost savings are crucial to maintaining a competitive edge in the injection molding industry. To reduce high-run production costs, automation can be employed to reduce the cycle time of molding, part inspection and verification, and machine setup.  A fundamental step in the automation and optimization of any plastic injection process is to precisely design, measure and monitor the injection molding process such that key process variables are observable and controllable.  This research investigated the measurement of two key process variables during the production process: in-mold/cavity pressure and temperature.

This research project was a partnership between Conestoga College ITAL and Polymer Technologies Inc. who worked together to define the research problem, identify a suitable prototype mold, identify and design the position of the sensors, and define the testing procedures.  Data was collected and analyzed for two classes of polymer.  Results of the in-mold pressure and temperature profiles demonstrated excellent affinity and high repeatability with the typical trends for their class of polymers.  The in-cavity pressure profiles corresponded well with the filling, packing, and holding points of the machine pressure profile. Based on the results of this research, a new process-control strategy for plastic injection machines is proposed.

VSC Mobile ED Desalination  System SAIT Polytechnic

Ms. Vita Martez Principal Investigator Applied Research & Innovation Services (ARIS) SAIT Polytechnic vita.martez@sait.ca (403) 284-7056

The VSC mobile Electro dialysis (ED)  desalination system was developed through focused applied research and technology development since February 2005  by a local industry partner Volker-Stevin Contracting Ltd., in cooperation with the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (Applied Research and Innovation Services-ARIS)  with financial support from the Industrial Research Assistance Program of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC-IRAP).

Water Desalination by Electro dialysis (ED) involves the demineralization of salt impacted water by transporting dissolved ionic species through a membrane stack under the influence of an electrical potential. It is a highly efficient method for separating, concentrating and/or purifying salts in an aqueous media or in reducing salts in saline process streams. When a saline feed water stream is fed into an ED membrane stack in the presence of direct current, the ion selective membranes transport either the positive or negative salt ions through the flow channels. In some flow channels the concentration of ions form a high total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrate stream and in other flow channels the removal of ions form a low TDS product water stream. The feed water is circulated until the desired product water quality and brine concentration is produced. In 2005 bench scale testing on a range of salt impacted water samples evidenced reproducible salt clean-up of 99.0% and a recovery ratio of about 90%:10% product water to brine concentrate. In 2006 the scaled up pilot was constructed and tested. The preliminary technology performance verification of this scaled-up VSC mobile ED desalination system demonstrated a successful  salt clean up of >99% demineralization and a product water to brine concentrate recovery ratio of 83% :17% from a highly saline lined retention pond.

The  potential applications of the VSC mobile ED desalination system to the energy industry include the production of demineralised water from brackish water sources for industrial steam boilers, (example; low TDS make-up water for steam generation in thermal heavy oil plants) or in various stages of processing in the oil refineries and gas plant operations. The brine concentrate co-produced during water de-mineralization is routinely re-injected into formations for pressure maintenance and secondary recovery by water flooding or for de-icing roads in winter road and highway maintenance operations. This feature providing onsite desalination services for the reuse of two streams (product water and brine concentrate) respectively, results in an estimated cost savings of about 30.0% because the cost for hauling/transportation and off-site disposal is significantly minimized if not eliminated. Consequently, the onsite availability of recycled water reduces the use of fresh water and provides a valuable environmental advantage for the conservation of a valuable natural resource that is currently in short supply. Other potential applications include producing demineralised water for other industrial sectors such as highway transportation, infra-structure, live-stock, irrigation, remediation and aquifer recharge (storage and banking of treated brine to increase ground-water availability).  Future work will involve conducting field trials and optimizing the process runs in the field under different temperatures and saline feed water quality conditions with a mandate to provide high performance desalination services, demonstrate sound economic, social and environmental responsibility, and go beyond applicable regulatory compliances to meet onshore or offshore water quality criteria.

Measuring the Impact of Applied Research on Canadian Polytechnics Seneca College

Dawn Mercer, Ph D Professor, Office of Research and Innovation Seneca College. Dawn.Mercer@senecac.on.ca (416) 491-5050 ext. 3086

In this presentation we will explore how the engagement of Seneca College with Canadian industry partners in collaborative, applied research projects builds institutional capacity and enhances real-world student training. We will suggest some metrics that may be used to assess the contribution these projects make to developing strategic direction in applied research and supporting desired outcomes for research within the Institution.

The Long Tail of Polytechnic Research Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Avrim Katzman Visualization Design Institute Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning avrim.katzman@sheridaninstitute.ca (905) 845-9430 ext. 4225

As the research mission of Polytechnics evolves it remains to us to find a suitable framework to distinguish our research practices and metrics from those of the Universities. The Long Tail economic theory may provide us with a structured approach to the delineation and evaluation of the differentiated research activities occurring in Canada’s Polytechnics.

The Long Tail theory identifies the economic shift from mass markets to niche markets, from “hits” to non-hits. In research terms this approach would imply a shift from long-term “grand challenge” research problems, to applied solutions to specific technological problems that have an immediate business result. Polytechnics are well positioned to provide research solutions that target niche needs. SMEs currently have access to research results and new technologies only when they become commoditized. Small scale, rapidly deployed research services, that service specific needs fit nicely within the context of the undergraduate programs and academic structure of Polytechnics. Using modern communications technology and the organizational strength of Polytechnics Canada these new products and processes might easily find utility beyond the local communities of the individual institutions and serve to realize the economic advantages of the Long Tail approach.

In this paper I will present an overview of the Long Tail theory and relate its basic premises to the Polytechnic research mission. I will employ specific examples from Visualization Design Institute projects in support of my contention. In addition I will offer suggestions as to how this framework might be best applied, and some of the necessary steps towards its implementation.

Leveraging opportunities by solving SME challenges: George Brown College’s solution for the Circuit Centre George Brown College

Polytechnic institutes are beginning to face a reality that universities in Canada have long understood: traditional government funded inquiry-based research is not, in the classical sense, a profitable enterprise. Notably, this type of research can enhance institutional prestige, which favourably impacts enrolment and philanthropic efforts.  However, applied research that leverages the polytechnics’ links to industry and high-quality facilities, and contributes directly to economic development, can also contribute to profits. This presentation describes a project undertaken by George Brown College to solve an immediate production need of The Circuit Centre, an SME in the electronics manufacturing sector.  By serving as a research contractor to The Circuit Centre, George Brown was able to support both a growing company and the local electronics manufacturing industry, prepare students for immediate entry into the industry and benefit the local economy, while testing a sustainable research model.

Integrated Projects Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Dr. Carlos Frewin Program Coordinator, School of Applied Technology Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning carlos.frewin@humber.ca  (416) 675-6622 x5579

This presentation outlines a new competitive strategy for placing graduates of the polytechnic institutes. This competitive advantage is derived from the ability to provide graduates who have experience working in integrated, multi-disciplinary projects. An example of a current integrated project will be presented. Time is planned for questions and discussion about the implementation of this type of project.

Our school, like many others, continues to graduate well trained people who can function very well within a specialized discipline. Employers are usually quick to recognize the technical skills of our graduates but have been telling us for years that they are looking for employees who can also work well with others in groups or teams in diverse workplaces. There is a continuing demand for graduates who have the employability skills reported by the Conference Board of Canada including Fundamental Skills, Personal Management Skills, and Teamwork Skills. Applicant qualifications listed in job ads often emphasize the “soft skills” while assuming the presence of basic technical skills. We have tried to meet employers demand for increasing levels of competence in the so called soft skills. All of the schools in our organization make an effort to teach these skills.

Our discussions with employers over the past 3 years have suggested a requirement for graduates who can go beyond the requirement for the technical and soft skills described above. The difference is not so much in the skills them selves but in their application. Employers now want people who can apply their skills in the modern matrix or project based organization. These are people who can work successfully within concurrent engineering environments. The key difference is that ideas or work is not just received from other technical disciplines and passed along the chain; the ideas and the work are produced WITH other technical specialties. This involves understanding the potential contribution of other disciplines and experiencing the impact of skill integration on productivity and quality.

At Humber we have the ability to take a project from the design stage through to the production and distribution stage. Employers tell us this is a unique competitive advantage in our market and sets us apart from other sources of graduates. The School of Applied Technology sees this approach to learning as a distinguishing feature of a modern polytechnic institution.

Minimalist Materials for E-learning and Distance Delivery Northern Alberta Institute of Technology

Ken McKee Mathematics/Statistics/Software Instructor Northern Alberta Institute of Technology KMcKee@nait.ca

Sir Alfred North Whitehead (1929) coined the term “inert knowledge” for the kind of knowledge schools typically teach. Students often fail to use knowledge gained in one setting (schools) in another key setting (on the job). Thus their knowledge is inert and is of no use to them when they need it.

Minimalist theory by Carroll (The Nurnberg Funnel, 1990) suggests that: 1. All learning tasks should be meaningful and self-contained activities. 2. Learners should be given realistic projects as quickly as possible. 3. Instruction should permit self-directed reasoning and improvising by increasing the number of active learning activities. 4. Training materials and activities should provide for error recognition and recovery. 5. There should be a close linkage between the training and actual system.

The critical idea of minimalist theory is to minimize the extent to which instructional materials obstruct learning and focus the design on activities that support learner-directed activity and accomplishment.

People don’t want to read a manual, whether it’s a 300-page tome or a clean, well-written one.

New users often suffer not from too little support but from too much of the wrong kind of support.

Develop the best pedagogy you can. See how well you can do. Then analyze the nature of what you did that worked.    Jerome Bruner

We ask the questions; “What do people want to do” and, “how do they want to do it?”  Minimalist instructional designs have produced faster and more successful learning. Overly comprehensive materials would exhaust the patience and the technical backgrounds of these new users (Davis, 1984: Scharer, 1983).

Applying Minimalist Principles, Strategies and Techniques (Susan M. J. Lester, Information Designer and Developer, Dupont Company)

1. Allow users to get started fast by taking action-centered (or user-centered) approaches by giving users enough information to get their real tasks done right away. Don’t try to cover every function
2. Focus on the users’ actions and not the products functions.
3. Get users engaged quickly by omitting long introductions and cutting down on repetition and verbiage.
4. Rely on users to think and improvise-provide enough information so the users will explore on their own and discover solutions to specific problems.
5. Exploit what people already know
6. Support error recognition and recovery-prevent mistakes whenever possible. Some errors can’t be avoided, but you can provide error information that supports error detection, diagnosis, and recovery.

Strategies for getting to know your users

1. Understand their goals and tasks
2. Know how they interact with the product in their working environment
3. Know what words they use to find or understand the tasks
4. Understand what they already know about a subject
5. Anticipate where they might run into trouble or cause errors.
6. Simplify Your Writing
7. Edit text thoroughly; cut unnecessary verbiage.
8. Establish a consistent structure-use style templates and documentation standards.
9. Organize the headings logically and consistently.
10. Provide most frequently used information first.
11. Create a thorough index using words that different users might use.
12. Provide a clear overview in the table of contents.
13. Avoid long introductions.
14. Visualize the information with graphics with callouts to replace long information.
15. Use tables, diagram, and flowcharts to condense or replace text.
16. Minimize screenshots to show only what applies (or circle it).
17. Short (30-60 minutes), task and action oriented topics.

Professional educators, teachers, trainers, librarians, etc. should read this book and have a sound understanding of the principles of Minimalism. Software engineers and computer scientists need to review this title in light of their efforts to make computer programs and the documentation supporting those programs more user friendly. This text is a sound investment which belongs in every academic library and in every technical communicator’s collection. (Book Review by Bill T. Johnson, Texas Tech University Library, http://www.library.ucsh.edu/istl/98-summer/review3.html)

John M. Carroll is Professor of Computer Science and Psychology and the Head of the Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech.

Carroll, J.M. (1990). The Nurnberg Funnel, MA: MIT Press Carroll, J.M. (1998). Minimalism beyond the Nurnberg Funnel, MA: MIT Press Eiler, M.A. (1997). Minimalism and Documentation Downsizing: The Issues and the Debate. The Newsletter of the Chicago Chapter of the Society of Technical Communication. 39.4 Whitehead, A. N. (1929). The Aims of Education, The Macmillan Company Wilson, B.G., Jonassen, D.H. & Cole, P. (1993). Cognitive approaches to instructional design. In G.M. Piskurich (ed.), The ASTD handbook of instructional technology (pp. 21.1-21.22). New York: McGraw-Hill.