Grants and Contributions

Over the past 2 years, Questron has performed extensive upgrades/developments of three large software apps that serve as the user interfaces with the instruments. In order to enter the commercialization phase, these software products require watchful use, testing, and validation on the Android and PC computer platforms. The youth candidate will start by learning the product applications and then use his/her specialized skills and knowledge of JAVA language based object-oriented platform to debug and describe the coded functions. Having performed these preliminary but essential tasks, the candidate will utilize the refined software applications to interface with actual hardware electronics for function verification and robust function

This project will address development of an automated, sample prep workstation platform intended to perform the key tasks of microwave energy heated, close-vessel, sample digestion and associated tasks. As the project title states, significant focus of the development effort will be on low cost, small form factor, and a modular design. The project goal is to develop a platform that competes in price with current microwave-assisted digestion systems in the marketplace, but with the inherent benefits of automation i.e. automated sample loading/uploading, and automated sample vessel preparation with reagent additions and volumizing.

Questron’s QBlock and QPrep control electronics are currently based on Infineon Technologies PSoc 5 IC. This microcontroller is now entering legacy status and the manufacturer is making it harder to purchase as an of-the-shelf component. PSoc 6 chip, has now been released and Questron’s mandate is to transfer our electronics base to this component. The Youth candidate will be responsible for learning the existing product electronics and migrate the design to the PSoc 6 chip set. The candidate will work under the supervision and guidance of the Engineering Manager. In the process, the youth will make full use of his/her academic knowledge and apply it to the benefit of both parties.

The purpose of this CanExport SMEs agreement is to support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for activities related to export market development that are part of an export business case for a specific target market, particularly where activities are targeting departmental priority markets and sectors.

We released the newly updated QWave product for production in February, 2023; however, this product requires a time period for a dedicated production technologist to hand-hold the instrument productions for the upcoming one year to identify and remove the deficiencies and possible weaknesses of the new design in our production process. The youth to be hired will have his/her prime focus to learn the QWave production process, the manufacture and/or procurement of individual components and how these components are assembled in the next higher assembly. Finally, the youth will be involved in formulating and refining the final system testing with an eye on efficacy in catching premature failures and their root causes.

The purpose of this CanExport SMEs agreement is to support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for activities related to export market development that are part of an export business case for a specific target market, particularly where activities are targeting departmental priority markets and sectors.

Lambda, Questron’s automation station for Microwave digestions, is currently under development. In parallel to the physical development, we need to update all of the methods developed in the past for our existing products. The youth will have her prime focus to learn about the existing methodologies and translate them onto the new platform. As a prerequisite, the youth will have to learn the specifics of sample digestion process, and the chemistries/steps involved. This will follow with performing the newly conceived methods. At the end of the project, the candidate will have a thorough understanding of the sample preparation steps that happen in an analytical laboratory and allow the determination of sample elemental content.

The purpose of this CanExport SMEs agreement is to support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for activities related to export market development that are part of an export business case for a specific target market, particularly where activities are targeting departmental priority markets and sectors.