Project Videos
watch Niagara Research - Involving Students in Applied Research
Niagara College involves more than 500 students each year in applied research activities with local small and medium sized businesses.
Working on real-world, applied research projects provides students with the opportunity to bring the skills and knowledge they have learned in the classroom to a new level, presenting fresh and innovative ideas to our industry partners. The skills and expertise students gain in applied research allows them to become better prepared graduates for employment.
Students can become involved in applied research activities through course-based research projects, as a part-time research assistant, on a full-time co-op or internship placement, or as a graduate intern.
Working on real-world, applied research projects provides students with the opportunity to bring the skills and knowledge they have learned in the classroom to a new level, presenting fresh and innovative ideas to our industry partners. The skills and expertise students gain in applied research allows them to become better prepared graduates for employment.
Students can become involved in applied research activities through course-based research projects, as a part-time research assistant, on a full-time co-op or internship placement, or as a graduate intern.
Niagara Research - Health & Safety: A Visual
Niagara Research strives to provide student Research Assistants with the skills and knowledge necessary to work safely in any environment. This video is a visual representation of these critical skills which are important in any industry.
Green Day @ Niagara
Green Day @ Niagara is an annual event that is open to students, faculty, and the community and welcomes the participation of environmental organizations and eco-driven businesses. This event aims to build environmental awareness and to actively recruit volunteers into the Niagara Environmental Corps - a student-driven environmental group at Niagara College - and other local groups and organizations. Green Day @ Niagara takes place in Niagara Colleges Niagara-on-the-Lake campus courtyard each September.
OCE 2010 - Street Lighting Analysis - City of Welland
Students from the Photonics Technology Program at Niagara College have been working with the City of Welland on an unbiased comparative study of traditional high pressure sodium (HPS) street lights versus light emitting diode (LED) solid state lighting technologies. This evaluation will incorporate both lab tests and the field tests of LEDs on Welland streets. Students will gain valuable hands-on experience while helping to advance the technologies of the local community.
OCE 2010 - Street Lighting Analysis - City of Welland
Students from the Photonics Technology Program at Niagara College have been working with the City of Welland on an unbiased comparative study of traditional high pressure sodium (HPS) street lights versus light emitting diode (LED) solid state lighting technologies. This evaluation will incorporate both lab tests and the field tests of LEDs on Welland streets. Students will gain valuable hands-on experience while helping to advance the technologies of the local community.
OCE 2010 - Micro Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)
Niagara Research faculty and students have teamed up with Checkfluid (a company that specializes in manufacturing sampling valves) to conduct analysis on sampling oil from large machinery. The purpose of this project was to reduce the amount of time it takes to sample oil on a job site (which could take a very long time) and offer a solution to consumer's to conduct testing of their machinery quickly and easily. The Micro-Laser Spectroscopy (LIBS) does just that by reading the emission spectrums from the tested material. The laser and it's prototype are currently still under development, and will be in working order in the near future.
Niagara Escarpment Toe Restoration Project
Development along some portions Ontarios Niagara Escarpment has led to issues with slope stability and damaged forest-buffer ecosystems. Niagara Research has been working with Earthgen International Ltd. to restore the escarpment by determining optimal growing conditions for trees in hopes of enhancing the time to maturity.
Seedlings of the native tree species from the escarpment are being monitored in a 1.25 ha test site at the colleges Niagara-on-the-Lake campus. Students are gaining valuable field-study and data analysis experience. The results of this project could prove invaluable for future forest restoration programs across the province.
Seedlings of the native tree species from the escarpment are being monitored in a 1.25 ha test site at the colleges Niagara-on-the-Lake campus. Students are gaining valuable field-study and data analysis experience. The results of this project could prove invaluable for future forest restoration programs across the province.
Detection of Wear Metals in Oil Using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (MicroLIBS)
In order to determine the health of large industrial equipment such as engines or turbines, samples of oil are taken from the equipment and analyzed for wear materials.
Currently, the oil is sent to a laboratory where it is analyzed using bulky and expensive inductively coupled plasma equipment. The results tend to come back several days later, a delay that can result in long downtimes, or even equipment failure.
Preliminary research has shown that a q-switched solid state laser can be constructed and is able to produce the desired pulse characteristics required for LIBS. This is possible while still maintaining a sufficiently small size to allow integration with the probe.
With the current design for the spectrometer, the desired resolution and wavelength range has been achieved. Construction of the spectrometer will begin in the near future.
By integrating the probe laser and the spectrometer, it is possible to achieve both goals of on-site, real-time oil analysis while maintaining a relatively low cost.
Currently, the oil is sent to a laboratory where it is analyzed using bulky and expensive inductively coupled plasma equipment. The results tend to come back several days later, a delay that can result in long downtimes, or even equipment failure.
Preliminary research has shown that a q-switched solid state laser can be constructed and is able to produce the desired pulse characteristics required for LIBS. This is possible while still maintaining a sufficiently small size to allow integration with the probe.
With the current design for the spectrometer, the desired resolution and wavelength range has been achieved. Construction of the spectrometer will begin in the near future.
By integrating the probe laser and the spectrometer, it is possible to achieve both goals of on-site, real-time oil analysis while maintaining a relatively low cost.
Large Area Electronics Processing Platform
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.
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.
OCE Discovery 2010 Video Contest - Daniel Evkovich - Niagara College Canada
Project Title: An Unbiased Comparison of Solid State LED Technology with Traditional High Pressure Sodium Street Lighting
OCE Discovery 2010 Oral Presentation Contest - Sandro Rocco- Niagara College Canada.mpg
Project Title: An Unbiased Comparison of Solid State LED Technology with Traditional High Pressure Sodium Street Lighting
OCE Discovery 2010 Oral Presentation Contest - Daniel Evkovich - Niagara College Canada.mpg
Project Title: An Unbiased Comparison of Solid State LED Technology with Traditional High Pressure Sodium Street Lighting