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Bioinformatics joins the world of mobile apps with GenomePad
With the rapid development of powerful mobile computing devices, performing bioinformatics tasks on the go is becoming increasingly feasible and useful for busy scientists. In collaboration with the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Centennial College students developed GenomePad. This mobile bioinformatics application takes advantage of many features and qualities from both the iPhone and the genomic maps from the UCSC Genome Browser to make portable browsing of the UCSC possible on the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. GenomePad was developed under the terms of the GNU General Public License, and is available free at http://research.oicr.on.ca/genomepad and from Apple's iTunes Store.
Innovative program improves efficiency and customer service
Humber web development post-graduate students developed an online content management system for All Tech-Neek Electronics Ltd. (ATNE), an 80-employee company that handled 40,000+ mobile device repair orders without a sophisticated online content management system. Customers had to call ATNE and speak with a customer service representative to check the status of their repair order, a process that was time consuming for both ATNE and the customers. It also hindered the number of repair orders ATNE could accept. The students developed a web-based solution that lets ATNE track all repair orders and communicate with their customers efficiently. This system increases ATNE's capacity and enables them to expand their customer markets. This will result in additional revenue opportunities for ATNE, and additional job creation. In addition to the content management system, Humber improved ATNE's overall e-business IQ. The infrastructure is now in place to create a greater online presence and enable ATNE to upgrade to new technologies. ATNE's website can now be synchronized with their databases.
New technology could soon be saving lives in Africa
A Mohawk-built prototype for national electronic health records system is being adapted for use Jembi, an international agency which is working to create secure electronic health records systems for countries in Africa. Proprietary commercial components in the Mohawk system will be replaced with free, open-source equivalents that African governments can afford that would be developed by Jembi. Mohawk developed the system on behalf of Canada Health Infoway, the federally funded non-profit corporation that is creating the national system. The new system is expected to save time, money and lives, eliminating needless duplication and allowing health care professionals to share information instantly. Last fall, Mohawk released its prototype, and a private company has built a commercial version that Mohawk is testing as part of its ongoing work for Infoway.
Enhancing open source visual programming
Seneca's School of Computer Studies worked with Mozilla Corporation on Processing.js 1.0, a visual programming language that makes data visualizations, digital art, interactive animations, educational graphs, video games work using web standards and without any plug-ins. Processing started as an open source programming language based on Java to help the electronic arts and visual design communities learn the basics of computer programming in a visual context. Processing.js takes this to the next level, allowing Processing code to be run by any HTML5 compatible browser, including current versions of Firefox, Safari, Chrome, Opera, and Internet Explorer 9. Seneca students incorporated 2D and 3D features into Processing.js 1.0. This achievement brings the best of visual programming to the web for developers to use and for worldwide users to enjoy.
Cloud-based strategy improves online accessibility
Researchers at OCAD's Inclusive Design Research Centre have developed a new approach to digital inclusion that is being integrated into the US broadband plan, the European Commission research framework on e-inclusion, the UNESCO learning portal and the Open Education Resource community globally. The AccessForAll strategy takes advantage of the adaptability of digital resources and interfaces and the capacity to pool and instantly deliver these resources through the cloud, to address the needs of anyone facing barriers to access, including people with disabilities, senior citizens, language learners or anyone in a compromising environment (e.g., noisy, eyes-busy, hands-busy). It equips individuals with a means to invoke the automatic reconfiguration of any networked interface to meet their unique personal specifications or environmental constraints. This one-size-fits-one solution also frees developers to innovate without fear of compromising accessibility. The approach is now an ISO standard (ISO 24751).
Canadian technology assists Paris Metro passengers with special needs
A Ryerson University researcher developed the Mobile Transit Companion, a mobile application which uses context-aware self-adaptive computing to deliver live, customized transit data to metro passengers en route. Developed in Ryerson's Digital Media Zone for the Paris transit authority, the application emphasizes functionality for passengers with special needs. Commuters can download the free software to set up a user profile, including their most accessible mobile communication method (voice or text). Information is then automatically sent to their phones based on their particular needs and the relevant available services at the station they are currently in. The inclusive application, complete with useful information for all passengers, was created in partnership with Sweden's Appear Networks. The project was part of a European research consortium to develop an open-source middleware platform. Ryerson was the consortium's only North American player.
Wireless controller revolutionizes underwater exploration
Cutting the cord on underwater robots has been a long-standing challenge for scientists. Tethered communication is cumbersome and can create safety issues for divers. A waterproof controller designed and built by York University researchers is allowing an underwater robot to go "wireless" in a unique way. AQUA, an amphibious, otter-like robot, is small and nimble, with flippers rather than propellers, designed for intricate data collection from shipwrecks and reefs. The robot, a joint project of York, McGill and Dalhousie universities, can now be controlled wirelessly using a waterproof tablet built at York. Watertight to a depth of 60 feet, the AQUATablet's aluminum housing protects the tablet computer, which can be controlled by a diver using toggle-switches and on-screen prompts.
What's New
New technology earns $6.15 million provincial grant and creates 44 new jobs in the electronics sector More
DALSA to Expand R&D Investment in Waterloo More
Seneca receives $2.3 million from federal government to expand open source research More
Citizen Lab at University of Toronto releases research report on cyber espionage More
Ontario and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) invest $433 million in new fusion processors More
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