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Manufacturing / Materials / Industry
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Scene
Assembly Tool – 3D Bridge Design
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Combining
GPS and GIS technology with 3D computer modelling, Niagara College has
developed a Scene Assembly Tool (SAT) for rapid bridge design. Until now,
creating 3D objects has impeded the design process because of the intimate
knowledge required to use modelling software. SAT provides a database of
pre‐made 3D bridge parts and models and a GUI that allows road planning
professionals to “drag and drop” sections of bridges and highways into their
plans. Engineers can also exchange different elements within an object, such
as individual elements of a bridge, saving countless hours of work and cost.
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Large
Area Electronics Processing Platform
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To make a
functioning LCD screen of large size, panels must be tiled together so they
can perform as one large monitor. Excess glass must be trimmed off each panel
with delicate precision in order to maintain panel integrity and proper
resolution. Computer Programmer, Photonics and Electronics Engineering
students at Niagara College have collaborated on a project that uses lasers
to cut LCD panels. Their goal is to discover methods of efficiently assembling
large LCD displays. The larger display area would have direct advertising
applications, as currently it is difficult to build LCD screens of billboard
proportion. The project aims to alter existing panels, seamlessly assembling
them into one single LCD panel.
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Wavelength‐Selective
Thin‐film Solar Cells
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Solar cells are being
constructed at Niagara College that will generate power that can also serve
as roofing panels for greenhouses. By limiting different wavelengths of
light, the newly‐designed solar panels will use specific portions of the
light spectrum to create electricity. They will also allow key portions of
the spectrum through that plants require for growth. The research will
determine which materials produce the optimal balance between power
generation and plant health. Greenhouses will gain the added benefit of
subsidizing their energy costs without having to dramatically alter their
current operations.
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Strawberry
Yields Forever
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Strawberries
may be an alternative high‐value crop for small greenhouse growers. Niagara
College is researching the viability of growing greenhouse
ever
bearing strawberries as an alternative winter crop in Ontario. Various growing
substrates are being investigated, including peat and coco coir. Initial data
indicates excellent flower production and good fruit set. Pest problems and
nutritional disorders were evaluated and further study is currently underway.
The use of bumblebees was found to be detrimental due to overly aggressive
pollination. Further work needs to be done to continue to identify the
growing parameters, nutritional challenges and costs of production, (notably
increased lighting costs).
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