Faculty of Arts and Science

Producing hand sanitizer for local hospitals

kvd1 — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 03:01:00 +0000

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to worldwide shortages of personal protective equipment and, very early on, products like hand sanitizer. This has a great impact on hospitals where these products are critical to limiting the spread of the virus, especially for frontline health care workers and patients.

Confronting COVID-19

Tags:

COVID-19

Coronavirus

Hand Sanitizer

Hospitals

community

chemistry

Canada Research Chair

PPE

The 5-minute workout

kvd1 — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 03:00:00 +0000

With gyms closed and fitness classes cancelled, many of us are experiencing the challenge of exercising within cramped spaces. In fact, for some, it is not unlike the situation for someone stationed on a submarine for weeks at a time.

Confronting COVID-19

Tags:

Whole-body Interval Training

Modelling the spread of COVID-19

kvd1 — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 03:00:00 +0000

A chart depicting the COVID-19 epidemic curve from the "COVID-19: Modelling and Potential Scenarios" presentation prepared for the Ontario government.

Confronting COVID-19

Tags:

Evidence-Based Decision Making

Informed Decision Making

Epidemic

Pandemic

How physics is a key to easy-to-build ventilators

kvd1 — Tue, 05 May 2020 02:59:00 +0000

A team of Canadian physicists, including Nobel Laureate Art McDonald and other Queen’s physics researchers, are part of an international team working to develop a robust, easy-to-manufacture ventilator that can be certified and manufactured with off-the-shelf parts from established supply chains.

Confronting COVID-19

Tags:

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories

Queen’s Centre for Security and Privacy

kvd1 — Tue, 21 May 2024 15:27:30 +0000

Frozen in Time: Unveiling the Mysteries of Turner Glacier through Glaciological Research in Akshayuk Pass

kvd1 — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 19:28:05 +0000

Wai Yin Cheung

Glaciological research on Turner Glacier in Akshayuk Pass involves studying the physical properties and behavior of the glacier, as well as the surrounding environment, to better understand the dynamics of this glacial system. This includes measuring yearly snowfall, melt, and ice thinning to understand ice volume change and sea level contributions over the past 50+ years. By collecting and analyzing data over time, Queen's ICELab glaciologists can identify patterns and changes in glacial behavior, which can inform our understanding of climate change and its impact on northern environments. The research on Turner Glacier is part of a larger effort to study glacial systems around the world and develop strategies for mitigating the effects of climate change. Watch the full video: https://bit.ly/3MD00Vy

Location of photograph:

Turner Glacier, Akshayuk Pass

Submission Year:

2023

Inuit Nunangat: Where Two Worlds Collide (From the Art and Waste in Pannituuq [Pangnirtung] Project)

kvd1 — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 19:20:05 +0000

micky renders

Inuit Nunangat is a site where differing epistemologies and cosmologies collide. The Arctic waste crisis stems from a culture of wasting that is capitalist and not Inuit. With the delicate Arctic ecosystem degrading due to climate change, escalating resource extraction, the opening of the Northwest Passage, and the expansion of NORAD, unprecedented volumes of waste and contaminants are causing unknowable changes in life, land, sea, and ice. At the intersection of art, politics and activism, the Art and Wastes in Pangnirtung Project challenges assumptions about Inuit and exposes the pervasive nature of settler colonization as the root cause of wastes.

Location of photograph:

Pannituuq (Pangnirtung), Nunavut

Submission Year:

2023

Crystallization Pattern of a Common Salt Mixture

kvd1 — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 19:17:10 +0000

Rachel Korchinsky

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are rechargeable energy carriers that power electronic devices such as phones, cars, and hybrid/electric vehicles. The demand for lithium used to manufacture LIBs is expected to grow 30-fold by 2040. Industry primarily extracts lithium from rock ore and brine; however, the methods used are time-intensive and costly. Therefore, we are investigating alternative extraction methods that would reduce the energy consumption, waste production, and time intensity. The image, obtained by microscopy, is of salts that crystallized after evaporation of a lithium-containing brine.

Location of photograph:

Electron Microscopy Facility, Queen's University

Submission Year:

2023

Returning the Gaze

kvd1 — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 18:58:42 +0000

Siobhan Speiran

This was taken by Rubén Vargas at the wildlife sanctuary Proyecto Asis in Costa Rica, who captures the most beautiful images of the resident animals. I am standing in front of the capuchin enclosure observing the behaviours of Lulo, Lucy, Soplita, Pablita, and Cappuccino, while guided tours are taking place nearby. It is illegal to own wild animals in Costa Rica; these capuchins have been rescued from their past lives as companion animals or entertainers. While unable to be reintroduced to the wild, they receive life-long care and advocacy in the sanctuary community. My research looks at the intersections of animal welfare and conservation in Costa Rican sanctuaries, which are popular sites of sustainable, captive wildlife tourism. Here, the monkey returns my gaze in this photo, blurring the distinction between researcher and subject; I study him while he studies me.

Location of photograph:

Proyecto Asis, Costa Rica

Submission Year:

2023

Lithium Below, Stars Above

kvd1 — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 18:51:52 +0000

Dr. Christopher Spencer

Lithium is an element that is key to our energy transition away from fossil fuels and plays an important role in the battery technologies for space exploration. This photo was taken during an expedition to Western Australia exploring for lithium deposits that have the potential to reshape the global economy and resolve the global climate crisis.

Location of photograph:

Western Australia

Submission Year:

2023

Advancing Canada’s research infrastructure

kvd1 — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 16:37:36 +0000

On Friday, at SNOLAB, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, recognized the key role of research infrastructure by announcing more than $628 million to support 19 research infrastructure projects at institutions across the country, including two research facilities affiliated with Queen’s University.

Research Funding

Centre for Health Innovation

accd1 — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 20:23:02 +0000

Crystalline Acid

kvd1 — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 19:07:03 +0000

Dan Reddy

This photo taken with scanning electron microscopy depicts an extremely small yet precise volume (i.e., nanolitre-sized) of crystallized decanoic acid. We are using these spots of crystalline acid to extract and preconcentrate, or soak-up, chemicals of concern like opioids from wastewater samples. This preconcentration step improves our ability to monitor these chemicals. By doing so, we can improve how we detect these harmful compounds and protect local watersheds.

Location of photograph:

Chernoff Hall, Queen's University

Submission Year:

2022

Capturing the Art of Research – photo essay

kvd1 — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 19:23:25 +0000

With a reimagined focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the annual ��˴�Ƭ Art of Research photo contest reveals seven winning images.

With a reimagined focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the annual ��˴�Ƭ Art of Research photo contest reveals seven winning images | #QueensuResearch

Polar Bear Denning

kvd1 — Tue, 31 May 2022 14:24:56 +0000

Scott Arlidge

This photo demonstrates the collection of snow from inside a maternal polar bear den to collect environmental DNA. When the mother digs out the den, skin cells from its paws are abraded and stuck to the snow. Some preliminary research shows that we may be able to identify individual bears by analyzing these snow samples, information which can inform polar bear population management. My research is a pilot of ground-based non-invasive polar bear monitoring techniques, with a focus on Inuit inclusivity. Inuit Elders and polar bear hunters were key knowledge holders and collaborators throughout this research.

Location of photograph:

Coral Harbour, Nunavut

Submission Year:

2022