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Recent Submissions
The Wild Wild West: George Catlin's, Paul Kane's and Frederic Remington's Experiences of the West
(2023-04-07) Kelly, Emma
EXAMINING THE FEASIBILITY OF MINE THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE (MTES) IN NOVA SCOTIA: A CASE STUDY OF GLACE BAY
(2025-07-14) Sohrabikhah, Sara; No; Master of Applied Science; Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering; Not Applicable; Dr. Trevor Kelly; No; Dr. Yuan Ma; Larry Hughes
Mine Thermal Energy Storage (MTES) offers a promising solution for sustainable heating by repurposing abandoned, water-filled mines as underground thermal reser-voirs. This study assesses the feasibility of implementing MTES in Nova Scotia, with a focus on the Sydney Coalfield region, particularly Glace Bay. The research combines geological analysis, residential heat demand estimation, thermal storage capacity esti-mation, and cost-benefit evaluation to determine whether abandoned coal mines can support district heating applications. Results show that MTES can deliver substantial heating cost reductions compared to oil-based systems, while significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The study also explores the integration of MTES with local renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, to enhance energy system flexi-bility and reliability. International case studies from Springhill (Canada), Heerlen (Netherlands), and Bochum (Germany) are analyzed to illustrate the scalability, per-formance, and operational challenges of MTES systems. Key technical barriers—such as water quality management, infrastructure investment, and seasonal variability in heat demand—are discussed. Overall, the findings highlight MTES as a viable and sustainable energy storage approach for Nova Scotia and other regions with legacy mining infrastructure.
Synthesis and Characterization of Cationic Polyelectrolytes to Address Changing Source Water Quality
(2025-07-09) Sun, Zhisen; Not Applicable; Master of Applied Science; Department of Process Engineering and Applied Science; Not Applicable; n/a; Not Applicable; Professor Khaled Benis; Professor Graham Gagnon; Professor Alison Scott
This research focuses on developing novel cationic flocculants (polyelectrolytes) for drinking water treatment. Cationic flocculants are currently used in many municipal water treatment processes, but are not able to effectively address changing source water quality challenges. These challenges include increased concentration of humic substances and more frequent algae bloom occurrences. Changes in source water quality generally require higher dosing of traditional coagulants and flocculants, which increases treatment cost and sludge production. Hence, this research investigates novel cationic flocculants to determine how comonomer selection and copolymer properties impact treatment performance.
Nine cationic copolymers were synthesized and characterized according to copolymer conversion, molecular weight distribution, zeta potential, and jar testing. Of the materials evaluated, the most promising cationic flocculant was the copolymer of methacrylamide (MAA) and (p-vinylbenzyl)trimethylammonium chloride (VBTMAC), which shows great UV-254 results among other alternative cationic flocculants. These results demonstrate that utilities can adapt to changing source water quality through material innovation, instead of (or alongside) costly process innovation.
Further optimization is still possible through future work, including manipulating the molar ratio of neutral monomer and cationic monomer, improving understanding of intermolecular interactions between target contaminants and promising cationic flocculants, and extending results to bio-derived polymer flocculants. Through an iterative design approach, novel cationic flocculants can be optimized for specific water treatment challenges.
The Urban Quad: Reimagining Dalhousie Sexton Campus as an Open-Ended Landscape
(2025-07-14) Tillmann, William; Not Applicable; Master of Architecture; School of Architecture; Not Applicable; Rashida NG; Not Applicable; Niall Savage; Roger Mullin
This architectural thesis proposes the Urban quad as a new architectural type to mediate between Dalhousie University’s Sexton Campus and its host, the city of Halifax. Drawing from typological theory and Stan Allen’s field conditions, it develops a method that treats form as emergent from contextual pressures such as: social, environmental, and infrastructural. Strategies include deploying fields of material, reinterpreting precedent, daylighting and systematic and rhythmic ordering of walls, floors, roofs and columns. The design transforms a surface parking lot behind the Halifax Central Library into a shared academic and civic ground. It incorporates existing structures, notably Gerard Hall, while introducing new spaces: a public ramped landscape, interior atrium, and split-level commons. Represented through axonometric drawing, the outcome is a layered, porous framework that invites institutional and public life to overlap.
The Development and Evaluation of Nature Matters: an Evidence-Informed Program for Increasing Nature-Focused Behaviours and Nature Connection in Undergraduate Students
(2025-06-29) Ibrahim, Yasmeen; Not Applicable; Doctor of Philosophy; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience; Received; Dr. John Zelenski; Yes; Dr. Leanne Stevens; Dr. Alissa Pencer; Dr. Shannon Johnson
Mental health difficulties and stressors are prevalent amongst undergraduate students, whereas resources to support students’ mental health are limited. The well-documented benefits of exposure to, and connection with, nature include various aspects of mental, physical, and cognitive health, yet many people are unaware of these benefits and do not engage with nature as a health behaviour. This dissertation describes the development and evaluation of Nature Matters, an online evidence-informed wellness program that integrates the behavior change wheel framework with evidence-based learning strategies to raise undergraduate students’ awareness of the benefits of exposure to nature and encourage behavior change. In Study 1 (N = 108), I assessed the usability and acceptability of Nature Matters using a mixed-methods design. Both quantitative and qualitative results indicated that the program was well-received by undergraduate students, with positive ratings attained for all user-experience domains (1. Perspicuity or clarity/ ease of understanding, 2. Stimulation, 3. Usefulness, 4. Attractiveness, 5. Visual Aesthetics, 6. Trustworthiness of Content, and 7. Quality of Content). In Study 2, I examined if completing Nature Matters 1) enhanced connectedness to nature, 2) increased frequency of exposure to nature; and 3) increased frequency of noticing nature. As hypothesized, participants who completed the program (n = 45) reported greater connectedness to nature and a higher frequency of exposure to nature compared to control participants (n = 46), after accounting for baseline scores. Results for noticing nature were not significant. Exploratory regression analyses revealed that lower baseline levels of nature connectedness, noticing nature, and exposure to nature were all associated with a larger change in post-program outcome scores. Overall, the findings demonstrate the acceptability and effectiveness of Nature Matters for an undergraduate population, suggesting that this program has potential as an intervention for increasing exposure to and connection with nature. Building upon this evidence will advance the utilization of the human-nature connection for improving well-being and pave the way for the development of similar wellness programs.
Regioselective Substituent Effects upon the Synthesis of Dipyrrins from 2-Formyl Pyrroles
(2018-03-26) Michael H.R. Beh; Carlotta Figliola; Kate-Lyn A.R. Lund; Aleksandra K. Kajetanowicz; Ann E. Johnsen; Elise M. Aronitz; Alison Thompson
The synthesis of symmetric α-free meso-H-dipyrrin hydrobromides from 5-H-2-formyl pyrroles was investigated. The self-condensation produces regioisomeric dipyrrins through adoption of two mechanistic pathways. The key difference between the two pathways lies in which position of the pyrrole directs nucleophilic attack. Through a systematic study involving various substituted and (or) isotopically labelled 5-H-2-formyl pyrroles, we herein provide evidence to suggest that not only do two mechanistic pathways exist, but the steric bulk of the substituent adjacent to the 5-unsubstituted position influences which pathway dominates.