In-Class Project Showcase April 2024

---

Project Summary:

Foam Glass Gravel (FGG) was evaluated based on the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards to determine its potential as a lightweight fill material for infrastructure and construction projects.

Project Description:

The inspiration to explore the potential of Foam Glass Gravel as a backfill material for the team’s project arose from Blaine Kennedy’s research conducted at Geo Glass Ottawa. Recognizing FGG’s success in Europe, Blaine initiated research but faced obstacles due to the increased costs associated with ASTM standards testing. However, Blaine’s provision of an FGG sample enabled the team to conduct tests in the laboratory facilities at Algonquin College.
The team explored FGG, also known as cellular glass aggregate, as a potential solution to the limitations of EPS blocks and aggregates. FGG is crafted from recycled glass, a foaming agent (such as carbon), and a fluxing agent (like limestone). This mixture undergoes heating upwards of 900 degrees Celsius, causing the foaming agent to decompose and release gas bubbles, creating a cellular structure within the glass. The resulting Foam Glass is then crushed into gravel-sized particles.
Research findings suggest promising attributes of FGG, including notable impact-absorbing capabilities and insulative properties. Its lightweight nature also renders it suitable for various applications, such as airport EMAS (Engineered Materials Arresting System), below-grade building insulation, and landscaping projects.

---

Project Summary:

We are invited to enter the 2024 BLIA International Microfilm contest. As the video team, we aim to create a 3-5 mins film showcasing the key theme “Let’s Go Places!” to Promote Three Acts of Goodness.

Project Description:

Our project aims to explore the complexities of sibling relationships through the lens of loss, resilience, and hope. It highlights the delicate balance between protection and personal freedom. Through this narrative, we hope to promote understanding and empathy among viewers, highlighting the importance of communication and mutual respect in navigating life’s challenges together.
The story centers around two siblings who live together due to work and school. The younger sibling harbors a dream that may seem unrealistic to the older sibling, who works hard to provide for them both. This leads to an intense argument between the two, resulting in both storming off. However, after reflecting on their actions, they come back together with the goal of repairing their broken relationship.

---

Project Summary:

Plastics in Concrete goes into dept on the incorporation of plastics in concrete to help reduce recyclable materials in landfills and to promote an environmentally friendly material into the construction industry.

Project Description:

A problem the world is facing is plastics and recyclables in our landfills with nowhere for them to go. The study of plastics in concrete is being completed to investigate the incorporation of plastics as a sustainable component in concrete mixtures based on strength and reliability. By examining concrete containing plastics, a way to re-use the plastics that end up in our landfills, that is easy and efficient will be developed to contribute to the recycling crisis around the world. This contribution will help the environment, but as well will promote an environmentally friendly material into the construction industry that does not have any effects to the materials mechanical properties.

---

Project Summary:

The purpose of this project was to determine the efficiency of solar panel energy in a Canadian climate using an Arduino to precisely measure data between the sun and a 40-watt solar panel to find the solar panels efficiency in a winter climate.

Project Description:

The purpose of this project is to assess the viability of solar panel energy within the Canadian winter climate. This was done through the use of an Arduino-based system, built and coded by former Carleton University professor; John Armitage. John was introduced to the group through Algonquin professor; Federico Fernandez. John has developed and programmed a pyranometer using an Arduino connected to protoboards that record temperature and light waves from the sun within 30-second intervals throughout the day. This allows the pyranometer to provide accurate data on the energy coming from the sun at any given time of the day while also recording the energy produced by the solar panel. For this project, our group used a 40-watt solar panel to conduct the tests and then compared it graphically to calculate the efficiency of the solar panel to the sun’s energy output on that specific day. Using this device to test throughout the winter months, the group suffered through poor weather and device malfunctions, but regardless the more we tested the better the data became and with determination and perseverance our group was officially able to achieve and determine the maximum efficiency of 17% from a combination of the best data sets recorded. In conclusion, while the weather provides inconsistencies in the overhead cast, surprisingly things like the cold temperatures and cloud cloud coverage did not restrict the efficiency of the power output.

---

Project Summary:

The EcoSafeSense app provides clients of EcoSafeSense with an intuitive way to access and visualize sensor information on an Android device.

Project Description:

This project’s goal was to design and develop an Android Application to visualize and better understand data received from air quality sensors developed by the hardware team at EcoSafeSense. The main purpose of this application is to provide end users of the EcoSafeSense sensors with a way to view their data in a meaningful way at a quick glance.

---

Project Summary:

Project Description:

This project aims to survey and update tree data in one of eight zones on Algonquin College grounds to support their environmental, property management, and sustainability goals while ensuring seamless integration with AutoCAD plans whilst delivering clear communication with our client.

---

Project Summary:

UTask is a web application that connects clients who are seeking service and professionals providing services such as snow shovelling and pet walking in Ottawa and Montreal to meet the demand for effortless and secure interactions.

Project Description:

Founded in 2016 in Quebec by entrepreneur Jemima Gomez and her partners, UTask emerged as a newly developed mobile application. Commencing with a hands-on approach, the founders nourish the platform’s evolution, leading to the launch of an Android application in 2017 aimed at automating critical business operations and streamlining the incorporation of additional service providers. UTask, a recently developed web application, serves as a seamless conduit connecting clients with local service professionals, prioritizing efficiency and user convenience, UTask integrates pivotal features such as an invoicing system, real-time notifications, and Google Maps services, all to enhance and elevate customer satisfaction.

Clients utilizing the UTask platform gain access to a comprehensive range of certified service professionals available for tasks spanning cleaning, painting, plumbing, snow removal, and more. This diverse array of services ensures that clients can swiftly find suitable professionals to fulfill their specific requirements, enhancing the overall booking experience.

Upon accessing the platform, users are greeted with a user-friendly interface facilitating seamless navigation and task booking. UTask simplifies the registration process for both clients and service professionals, fostering interaction and collaboration within the platform.

Real-time notifications, powered by Microsoft’s SignalR library, serve as a fundamental aspect of UTask’s functionality, providing users with instant updates on crucial events such as new appointments, chat communications, and task status changes.

UTask also boasts a robust invoicing system, empowering clients to effortlessly manage their invoices and payments. By streamlining the invoicing process, UTask eliminates administrative burdens, allowing clients to focus on their core activities while ensuring smooth transactions between clients and service professionals.

---

Project Summary:

Development of an automated assembly line for applying protective layers to gas detection sensor caps.

Project Description:

The project encompasses the design and implementation of an automated assembly line incorporating components such as a robotic arm, conveyor, 3D printed parts, controllers, Arduino microcontroller, and soldering equipment. This assembly line will be responsible for consistently and accurately assembling protective layers on sensor caps. The program uses sensor detection from an Arduino to accurately create sequential logic in a robotic arm.

The project aims to have the robotic arm pick up a sensor cap from a sorted list, deposit the cap on a conveyor belt, and use a custom soldering iron end-effector to heat a proper paper to the sensor cap before the conveyor deposits the completed cap to its next assembly stage.

---

Project Summary:

Our team was tasked with creating an informational video on the used car buying experience in Ontario for our client, Ali Yaqub. Ali is the owner and founder of Inspect This Car a company that provides an impartial car inspection service for clients.

Project Description:

This video project is a collaboration between the Interactive Media Design Program and the company Inspect This Car. Inspect This Car is a car inspection service that offers clients a neutral network of mechanics that will certify used vehicles for sale. This is done through their website where clients can sign up to have a car inspected by booking a time with a partnered auto shop. This greatly benefits the seller and the buyer as the mechanic is a third party and therefore impartial towards either party.
Our team was tasked with turning pre-production produced by a previous group into a fully finished video product for the company. The premise of this video was an educational piece of content explaining the process of buying a used car and how the client’s service makes the process easier. We were provided with storyboards, a script, a shot list, personas, and material that helped with the feel of the video. In addition to this we commissioned a professional voice actor to read the script for the production.
Over the course of three weeks, we filmed all the material needed to put the video together. Our first shoot took place at one of the client’s partnered mechanic shops. Here we got shots of one of the mechanics inspecting a car for the video. These clips were to be used as B-roll to show the process of the car inspection. Our second video shoot took place a week later where we filmed all the “meet up” and “paper signing” B-roll. These clips were used to reinforce the information provided to us in the script about safe meetups, paperwork info, and DIY car inspection tips. For the final week of filming, we shot additional clips to fill spaces we felt were missing in the editing process.
The editing process began in the third week of filming. Over the course of two weeks, we stitched together all the clips we wanted to use in the video and created a rough version. From the rough draft we started creating animations in Adobe After Effects to enrich the viewing experience. By the end of the second week of editing we had a product we were happy with and presented it to our client. He suggested minor changes that we promptly made to produce the final product.
In addition to the first video, we had some extra time since all the pre-production material was handed off to us. We produced pre-production for a second video that we unfortunately did not have enough time to shoot and edit. This video would have been an interview telling our client’s story and the history of the business. Our plan for this material is to hand it over to a group in the future if our client decides to collaborate with the College again.