Provinces Nova Scotia

May 17, 2018

A big problem for Little Harbour

In picturesque Little Harbour, Nova Scotia, the livelihoods and pastimes of residents are inextricably linked to the water. More than 650 permanent and seasonal homes, along with six commercial shellfish harvesting areas, lie along Little Harbour’s 31.5 kilometres of shoreline. But the beauty and prosperity of the area is being undermined by water contamination levels in the harbor, which have been on the rise for some years. The main contaminant is fecal coliform—the bacteria found in feces, and one that can accumulate in shellfish tissue. The presence of fecal coliform and the disease-causing pathogens it can contain has had an... Read more

May 16, 2018

A voyage to the bottom of the sea — by sonar

Understanding the ocean, its creatures and possibilities requires understanding where it ends: the ocean floor. But mapping that remote territory is by no means easy. A team from Nova Scotia Community College recently worked with industry partners to evaluate a new approach to imaging the bottom of the sea. The partners were evaluating R2Sonic multibeam echosounders, an improved method of sonar backscatter imaging that greatly increases the information returned by sonar surveys of the ocean floor. Types of data that can be derived from a multibeam echosounder survey include water depth, which can be used to show the elevation of... Read more

March 15, 2016

A Posture Correction Aid for Wheelchair Users

Wheelchair-bound patients in long-term care facilities often have discomfort from slouching and being unable to reposition themselves. And caregivers suffer from strain injuries trying to lift patients into a more upright posture. In response to a request from a Halifax long-term care facility several years ago, Nova Scotia Community College occupational therapy students designed a posture correction aid to assist both patients and caregivers. A Nova Scotia manufacturer is now refining the design with the help of the college’s mechanical engineering technology researchers. MacKenzie Atlantic Tool & Die is a Nova Scotia-based company specializing in manufacturing highly diverse products ranging... Read more

March 14, 2016

A Hub for Smart Energy Use

A small Nova Scotia company has gained a reputation for developing innovative, custom designed energy analysis software to improve energy efficiency. Launched in 2013, The Efficiency Store offers a range of energy analysis services for homeowners and local businesses. The company founder, Megan McCarthy, came to Nova Scotia to complete her post-secondary education. While studying, she recognized an opportunity to become an entrepreneur in the energy efficiency sector. A researcher encouraged her to contact the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Applied Energy Research Lab. The result was a collaboration, with NSCC and The Efficiency Store working together to develop new... Read more

March 14, 2016

Growing Microalgae for Biofuel

Green algae harvested from Nova Scotia shores are being used by a local entrepreneur to produce biofuel for industrial use. And Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) is helping him refine his process. SabrTech is a Nova Scotia-based company using microalgae to design the next generation of biofuel, animal feed, and bioremediation. The company has partnered with NSCC and Acadia University to complete prototyping and optimize production of their algal biomass in a real world setting. The research team identified non-invasive and continuous quality assessment of algae as a key for achieving an optimum rate of production during microalgae cultivation. NSCC... Read more