MAIN Project: Interactive Learning and Neuro-Reinforcement Myo-prosthesis

Description

The MAIN project aims to design the first smart hand prosthesis technology based on high-density myoelectric sensors (HD-EMG) and interactive deep learning strategies. HD-EMG employs numerous closely spaced electrodes to detect and analyze muscle activity with significantly greater spatial resolution compared to conventional EMG, which allows for more precise and intuitive control of myo-prostheses. This innovation will not only improve the user experience by compensating for their disabilities in a natural way but will also strengthen their neuromuscular capacities and fully exploit the capacities of their residual limbs, beyond current limitations. The MAIN project brings together several researchers and socio-economic actors with complementary expertise and is supported by a grant of $1,125,000 over 3 years awarded by the FRQNT's STRATÉGIA initiative. This initiative, which is part of the 2022-2027 Québec Research and Innovation Investment Strategy (SQRI2) and the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan of the Fonds de recherche Québec – Nature et technologie (FRQNT), aims mainly to propel sustainable innovation in key economic sectors, by increasing research capacity tenfold, supporting the new generation of researchers, and generating significant benefits for Québec.

Note that Université Laval is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and groups. We are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants, regardless of race, gender, age, disability, or any other factor. The application process is accessible to all candidates.

Research Field

- Biomedical instrumentation, biophysiological signal processing
- Rehabilitation Technology
- Robotic Hands & Grippers, Prosthetic Hands, Human-Robot Physical Interaction, Haptics, Human Assistive Devices
- Design of sensors and electronic interface circuits
- Artificial intelligence, computer vision
- Deep, interactive and reinforcement learning
- Embedded machine learning, Embedded System Design
- Virtual and augmented reality
- Occupational therapy, manual function, motor control, brain plasticity, intensive upper extremity rehabilitation interventions, cerebral palsy
- Participatory research, technical aids, needs assessment, impact evaluation

Research Supervisor

Benoit Gosselin

Research Environment

MAIN Project - STRATEGIA Initiative

MAIN is an interdisciplinary project bringing together the following research environments:

- Smart Biomedical Microsystems Laboratory, Université Laval: https://www.biomicrosystems.ca/
- Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory, Laval University: https://www.ingreadaptulaval.ca/researchprojects
- Robotics Laboratory, Laval University: https://robot.gmc.ulaval.ca/en
- Institute for Intelligence and Data, Université Laval: https://iid.ulaval.ca/en/
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris), Quebec: https://www.cirris.ulaval.ca/en/
- TOPMED, Collège Mérici, Quebec: https://topmed.ca/en

Research Team:

- Benoit Gosselin, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Université Laval.
- Alexandre Campeau-Lecours, Mechanical Engineering, Université Laval.
- Clément Gosselin, Mechanical Engineering, Laval University.
- Christian Gagné, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Université Laval.
- Audrey Durand, Computer Science / Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering, Université Laval.
- François Routhier, Rehabilitation, Université Laval.
- Véronique Flamand, Rehabilitation, Université Laval.
- Édith Martin, TOPMED, Collège Mérici.
- Mounir Boukadoum, Computer Science, UQAM.

Web Site

Financial Aid Available by Program of Study

Doctorate in Computer Science

Program description

Financial Aid Available*

Financial Aid Related to Research Project

Information unavailable

Program-Specific Financial Aid

Graduate Studies Awards

Milestone	Amount
Progression scholarship	7 x $500
Doctoral exam or seminar presentation	$750
Doctoral exam, seminar or conference	$1,000
Publication	$750
Communication	$1,000
First submission of dissertation	$1,000*
Total	$8,500

*A $500 bonus will be added to the graduation scholarship if the initial submission is made before the semester preceding the final qualifying semester.

Université Laval: Student Financial Aid

Funding source	Amount
Leadership and Comittment Scholarship (Canadians & permanent residents)	$30,000
Citizens of the World Scholarship (International students)	$30,000
Mobility Grant for Out-of-Province Internships or Research Visits (in French)	$1,000 to $2,000
Graduate Scholarships from Granting Agencies	$25,000 to $40,000$
Online Directory of Graduate Scholarships (in French)	$500 to $50,000

Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship Program: Entitles international students to pay Canadian student tuition fees, for overall savings of around $40,000.

_{* Amounts shown represent maximum financial aid available. Certain conditions apply. Subject to change without prior notice. For further information, contact sponsoring organizations directly.}

Doctorate in Electrical Engineering

Program description

Financial Aid Available*

Financial Aid Related to Research Project

Information unavailable

Program-Specific Financial Aid

Graduate Studies Awards

Milestone	Amount
Progression scholarship	7 x $500
Doctoral exam or seminar presentation	$750
Doctoral exam, seminar or conference	$1,000
Publication	$750
Communication	$1,000
First submission of dissertation	$1,000*
Total	$8,500

*A $500 bonus will be added to the graduation scholarship if the initial submission is made before the semester preceding the final qualifying semester.

Université Laval: Student Financial Aid

Funding source	Amount
Leadership and Comittment Scholarship (Canadians & permanent residents)	$30,000
Citizens of the World Scholarship (International students)	$30,000
Mobility Grant for Out-of-Province Internships or Research Visits (in French)	$1,000 to $2,000
Graduate Scholarships from Granting Agencies	$25,000 to $40,000$
Online Directory of Graduate Scholarships (in French)	$500 to $50,000

Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship Program: Entitles international students to pay Canadian student tuition fees, for overall savings of around $40,000.

_{* Amounts shown represent maximum financial aid available. Certain conditions apply. Subject to change without prior notice. For further information, contact sponsoring organizations directly.}

Doctorate in Merchanical Engineering

Program description

Financial Aid Available*

Financial Aid Related to Research Project

Information unavailable

Program-Specific Financial Aid

Graduate Studies Awards

Milestone	Amount
Progression scholarship	7 x $500
Doctoral exam or seminar presentation	$750
Doctoral exam, seminar or conference	$1,000
Publication	$750
Communication	$1,000
First submission of dissertation	$1,000*
Total	$8,500

*A $500 bonus will be added to the graduation scholarship if the initial submission is made before the semester preceding the final qualifying semester.

Université Laval: Student Financial Aid

Funding source	Amount
Leadership and Comittment Scholarship (Canadians & permanent residents)	$30,000
Citizens of the World Scholarship (International students)	$30,000
Mobility Grant for Out-of-Province Internships or Research Visits (in French)	$1,000 to $2,000
Graduate Scholarships from Granting Agencies	$25,000 to $40,000$
Online Directory of Graduate Scholarships (in French)	$500 to $50,000

Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship Program: Entitles international students to pay Canadian student tuition fees, for overall savings of around $40,000.

_{* Amounts shown represent maximum financial aid available. Certain conditions apply. Subject to change without prior notice. For further information, contact sponsoring organizations directly.}

Doctorate in Rehabilitation Sciences

Program description

Financial Aid Available*

Financial Aid Related to Research Project

Information unavailable

Program-Specific Financial Aid

Graduate Studies Awards

Milestone	Amount
Program progress award (S-1 to S-8)	8 x $525
Program progress award (S-9 to S-11)	3 x $200
Successful completion of Ph.D exam	$800
Submission of dissertation deposit before the end of the 12th semester	$2,000
Language training	$250
Total	$7,850

Université Laval: Student Financial Aid

Funding source	Amount
Leadership and Comittment Scholarship (Canadians & permanent residents)	$30,000
Citizens of the World Scholarship (International students)	$30,000
Mobility Grant for Out-of-Province Internships or Research Visits (in French)	$1,000 to $2,000
Graduate Scholarships from Granting Agencies	$25,000 to $40,000$
Online Directory of Graduate Scholarships (in French)	$500 to $50,000

Supplemental Tuition Fee Exemption Scholarship Program: Entitles international students to pay Canadian student tuition fees, for overall savings of around $40,000.

_{* Amounts shown represent maximum financial aid available. Certain conditions apply. Subject to change without prior notice. For further information, contact sponsoring organizations directly.}

Master's Degree Degree in Rehabilitation Sciences with thesis

Program description

Financial Aid Available*

Financial Aid Related to Research Project

Information unavailable

Program-Specific Financial Aid

Graduate Studies Awards

Milestone	Amount
First submission of thesis by the end of the 5th semester of full-time registration	$2,000
Language training	$250
Total	$2,250

Université Laval: Student Financial Aid

Sources de financement	Montant
Leadership and Comittment Scholarship (Canadians & permanent residents)	$10,000
Citizens of the World Scholarship (International students)	$20,000
Mobility Grant for Out-of-Province Internships or Research Visits (in French)	$1,000 to $2,000
Graduate Scholarships from Granting Agencies	$20,000 to $27,000
Online Directory of Graduate Scholarships (in French)	$500 to $50,000

_{* Amounts shown represent maximum financial aid available. Certain conditions apply. Subject to change without prior notice. For further information, contact sponsoring organizations directly.}

Master's Degree in Computer Science with thesis

Program description

Financial Aid Available*

Financial Aid Related to Research Project

Information unavailable

Program-Specific Financial Aid

Graduate Studies Awards

Milestone	Amount
Evaluated activity	$650
Achievement scholarship	$1,000
Total	$1,650

Université Laval: Student Financial Aid

Sources de financement	Montant
Leadership and Comittment Scholarship (Canadians & permanent residents)	$10,000
Citizens of the World Scholarship (International students)	$20,000
Mobility Grant for Out-of-Province Internships or Research Visits (in French)	$1,000 to $2,000
Graduate Scholarships from Granting Agencies	$20,000 to $27,000
Online Directory of Graduate Scholarships (in French)	$500 to $50,000

_{* Amounts shown represent maximum financial aid available. Certain conditions apply. Subject to change without prior notice. For further information, contact sponsoring organizations directly.}

Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering with thesis

Program description

Financial Aid Available*

Financial Aid Related to Research Project

Information unavailable

Program-Specific Financial Aid

Graduate Studies Awards

Milestone	Amount
Evaluated activity	$650
Achievement scholarship	$1,000
Total	$1,650

Université Laval: Student Financial Aid

Sources de financement	Montant
Leadership and Comittment Scholarship (Canadians & permanent residents)	$10,000
Citizens of the World Scholarship (International students)	$20,000
Mobility Grant for Out-of-Province Internships or Research Visits (in French)	$1,000 to $2,000
Graduate Scholarships from Granting Agencies	$20,000 to $27,000
Online Directory of Graduate Scholarships (in French)	$500 to $50,000

_{* Amounts shown represent maximum financial aid available. Certain conditions apply. Subject to change without prior notice. For further information, contact sponsoring organizations directly.}

Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering with thesis

Program description

Financial Aid Available*

Financial Aid Related to Research Project

Information unavailable

Program-Specific Financial Aid

Graduate Studies Awards

Milestone	Amount
Evaluated activity	$650
Achievement scholarship	$1,000
Total	$1,650

Université Laval: Student Financial Aid

Sources de financement	Montant
Leadership and Comittment Scholarship (Canadians & permanent residents)	$10,000
Citizens of the World Scholarship (International students)	$20,000
Mobility Grant for Out-of-Province Internships or Research Visits (in French)	$1,000 to $2,000
Graduate Scholarships from Granting Agencies	$20,000 to $27,000
Online Directory of Graduate Scholarships (in French)	$500 to $50,000

_{* Amounts shown represent maximum financial aid available. Certain conditions apply. Subject to change without prior notice. For further information, contact sponsoring organizations directly.}

Desired Profile

- Occupational Therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Computer Software
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Bioinformatics
- Kinesiology
- Industrial Engineering
- Artificial intelligence

Requirements and Conditions

- Programming skills (Python, Matlab, etc.)
- Electronics Engineering, Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science
- Artificial intelligence, data science, machine learning
- Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Rehabilitation Technology/Engineering
- Occupational therapy, rehabilitation, neuroscience

Required Documentation

- Cover letter
- Curriculum vitæ
- Student transcript

Find Out More

Benoit Gosselin
Professeur
Département de génie électrique et de génie informatique
benoit.gosselin@gel.ulaval.ca