Connect with us

Technology

Natural hydrogen: first reports are released on the potential of this emerging resource

Published

on

A research team at INRS takes stock of the situation in Quebec 

QUEBEC CITY, June 14, 2024 /CNW/ – Natural hydrogen, a gas found everywhere on our planet, is the subject of growing interest from governments and industry as an emerging alternative for the production of “cleaner” energy.

Natural hydrogen, which unlike oil and natural gas is carbon free, could become a key element in the energy transition as a complement to green hydrogen.

Knowledge of natural hydrogen and efforts to develop the resource are still in the exploratory stages worldwide, including in Quebec, which is thought to hold undiscovered reserves. Nonetheless, some countries have already started to adapt their regulatory frameworks in anticipation of wider use of the resource, notably France and Australia. 

A first in Canada

A team from the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), under the supervision of Professor Jasmin Raymond and Adjunct Professor Stephan Séjourné, also President of Enki GeoSolutions, has just released six research reports funded by Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie (MEIE). 

Drawing on an exhaustive review of the scientific literature, the team documents the state of geological, geophysical and geochemical knowledge on natural hydrogen and also reports on developments elsewhere that could be relevant to Quebec.

“We need to assess whether there is a natural hydrogen resource in Quebec, and whether it is renewable. Our work will lay a rigorous scientific foundation for determining whether natural hydrogen can be harnessed to contribute to the province’s energy transition and benefit Quebec society as a whole,” says Jasmin Raymond, Professor at INRS and holder of the Institut nordique du Québec Research Chair on Geothermal Potential in the North

“This work has enabled us to draw up an initial inventory of the situation in Quebec, the first of its kind in Canada. Our knowledge of natural hydrogen is constantly expanding, and I hope that these initial observations will encourage further scientific reflection on the subject in Quebec,” adds Stephan Séjourné, President of Enki GeoSolutions and Adjunct Professor at INRS.

These reports follow on an initial study published last March in the journal Frontiers in Geochemistry. In it, the team showed that rocks capable of naturally producing hydrogen were present in various geological contexts in Quebec, both in sedimentary basins in the south of the province and in the Canadian Shield to the north.

“Traces in rocks attest to the production of natural hydrogen in Quebec’s geological history. Now we need to determine whether we can find a structure with sufficient reserves to be viably exploited”, says Félix-Antoine Comeau, INRS research professional on Jasmin Raymond’s team.

INRS has decades of expertise in research related to oil and gas exploration as well as underground reservoirs, whether for CO₂ sequestration or geothermal energy.

The team is made up of Geneviève Bordeleau (professor, INRS), Maxime Claprood (professor at UQAC), Félix-Antoine Comeau, Bernard Giroux (professor, INRS), Erwan Gloaguen (professor, INRS), Michel Malo (honorary professor, INRS), Maria Luisa Moreira dos Santos (master’s student, INRS), Pascal Mouge and Valentin Mulliez (Novatem), Jasmin Raymond and Stephan Séjourné.

In a summary report, the research team formulated three main recommendations with a series of steps aimed at improving the chances of finding natural hydrogen and preparing for the development of this resource.

Links to the reports :

Part 1 : État des connaissances scientifiques actuelles sur les sources et les occurrences d’hydrogène naturel pertinentes pour le contexte géologique du Québec. – EspaceINRS 

Part 2 :  Définition et inventaire des secteurs de roches sources potentielles pour l’hydrogène naturel : 1. Bassins sédimentaires du sud du Québec. – EspaceINRS

Part 3 : Définition et inventaire des secteurs de roches sources potentielles pour l’hydrogène naturel : 2. Bouclier canadien du Québec. – EspaceINRS

Part 4 : État des connaissances sur les méthodes géophysiques pour la recherche de l’hydrogène naturel, et inventaire des données pertinentes pour le Québec. – EspaceINRS 

Part 5 : État des connaissances géochimiques pour la détection de l’hydrogène naturel, et inventaire des données géochimiques existantes permettant d’identifier des remontées de fluides profonds dans le sud du Québec – EspaceINRS

“In addition to demonstrating the potential for a new resource to explore in Quebec, our work lays the groundwork for future regulations surrounding how it is developed,” explained Félix-Antoine Comeau, noting that some companies could launch into exploration too quickly and possibly in the wrong places.

“If Quebec wants to remain competitive in terms of energy and the economy, it’s important to address this issue now,” concluded Professor Raymond.

About INRS 

INRS is an academic institution dedicated exclusively to graduate research and training in strategic sectors in Quebec. Since its creation in 1969, it has actively contributed to Quebec’s economic, social, and cultural development. INRS ranks first in Quebec and Canada in research intensity. It is made up of four interdisciplinary research and training centres located in Quebec City, Montreal, Laval, and Varennes, which focus their efforts on strategic sectors: water, earth, and environment (Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre); energy, materials, and telecommunications (Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre); urbanization, culture, and society (Urbanisation Culture Société Research Centre); and health and biotechnology (Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre). The INRS community includes over 1,500 students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty and staff members.   

SOURCE Institut National de la recherche scientifique (INRS)

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Gloo and Faith Assistant Partner to Build Custom AI for Churches and Ministries

Published

on

By

Gloo expands AI offerings to churches and ministries with custom models and community engagement capabilities

BOULDER, Colo., Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Gloo, the technology platform for the faith ecosystem, announced the acquisition of Faith Assistant (previously Bible Chat). The artificial intelligence-based chatbot helps ministries engage their people through conversational AI, trained on the ministry’s own content. The company serves a variety of organizations — from churches and parachurches to publishers, seminaries and home school organizations. 

“We’ve admired Faith Assistant’s vision and innovation since their impressive work during the first Gloo AI Hackathon,” said Steele Billings, chief AI officer at Gloo. “Faith Assistant puts ministries in control of their content — they decide what the model is trained on and where it’s deployed. This aligns perfectly with our mission to provide trusted AI tools for redemptive purposes, and we’re excited to be a part of scaling it to the next level.”

“The faith ecosystem is diverse — it includes pastors, professors, administrators, missionaries and organizations looking to serve others. We’re seeing our AI help these ministries engage people on a deeper level, 24/7,” said Chase Cappo, co-founder of Faith Assistant. “Now, with Gloo, we can help more ministries implement unique AI strategies to accomplish their missions.”

Faith Assistant creates custom AI models and chatbots, or AI assistants, for organizations like Luis Palau Association, Concordia Church, The Christian Post and Texas-based radio station, KCBI. The customized model answers questions, recommends resources and even connects users with staff or volunteers who are ready to respond. 

“Our journey has always been about using technology to support the Church’s mission,” said Andrew Rogers, co-founder of Faith Assistant. “Partnering with Gloo means we can expand that vision while staying true to our core values. Their commitment to empowering ministry leaders aligns perfectly with our goals.”

“The platform lets us provide 24/7 answers, encouragement and support, which means we can serve our audience whenever they need us,” said Emily Haring Thevarajoo, Digital Content Director at KCBI Radio, about Faith Assistant. “It’s also helped us think differently about how we engage listeners and even how we approach donors. With its analytics, we’re able to better understand everything from the kinds of questions being asked to the challenges our community is walking through.”

Cappo and Rogers will continue to contribute to the growth of Faith Assistant while integrating it into Gloo, with Cappo assuming the role of director of the Gloo AI Enterprise Division.

As part of the expansion, Faith Assistant will launch a free version for churches built on the Gloo Kingdom-Aligned Large Language Model (KALLM). The free subscription will allow church leaders to create their own AI assistant, trained on their sermons and content. Church leaders can access advanced Faith Assistant features as part of the Gloo+ membership. Enterprise options are available for larger ministries and publishers looking for fully custom AI models that transform content into interactive, two-way conversations. This tiered approach will make the AI assistant available and affordable for ministries of all sizes.

Churches and ministries can learn more at faithassistant.com.

Gloo is the technology platform connecting the Christian faith ecosystem. Gloo connects ministry leaders to resources, people, insights and funding so their people and communities flourish and their organizations thrive. Gloo enables trusted exchange between organizations and people, so they can collaborate with greater confidence. Gloo serves over 90,000 churches and over 1,000 resource partners. Gloo is based in Boulder, Colorado.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gloo-and-faith-assistant-partner-to-build-custom-ai-for-churches-and-ministries-302352336.html

SOURCE Gloo

Continue Reading

Technology

VOCODIA HOLDINGS INC. AND TRACCOM INC. HAVE SIGNED AN MOU TO FORM A JOINT VENTURE THAT WILL REVOLUTIONIZE EVENT MONITORING WITH NARRATIVE AI

Published

on

By

Real Time Voice-Enabled Alerts and Conversations to Redefine Crisis Response, Process Management, and Decision Making

BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Traccom Inc. (OTCMKTS: TRCC), through its wholly owned subsidiary and operating entity Vulcain Inc., and Vocodia Holdings Inc. (OTCMKTS: VHAI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding towards forming a joint venture to introduce “Narrative AI.” This cutting-edge solution integrates causal analysis with advanced voice AI technology. The partnership has been formed to set a new standard in real time event monitoring, Response Management©, and decision-making across industries.

Transforming Event Monitoring with Narrative AI
Narrative AI represents the next frontier in proactive alert systems. Unlike traditional text-based notifications that often lack urgency and interactivity, this innovative platform uses Vulcain’s Causal AI solution to monitor real time critical events. When Causal AI reasoning predicts an event breach, the system triggers an immediate actionable and appropriate response management process to the relevant response parties.

This capability ensures swift communication and active problem-solving. Narrative AI utilizes an intelligent dialogue regarding the impending event and recommends potential actions to mitigate its impact. Narrative AI applications provide unparalleled precision and speed. Current Response Management AI use cases include emergency management, logistics, healthcare, and financial risk monitoring.

“Text Alerts Aren’t Enough”
Brian Podolak, CEO of Vocodia, emphasized the critical need for Response Management innovation.
“In high-stakes situations, text alert systems fall short. Narrative AI goes beyond simple notifications, enabling real time, Response Management that ensures clarity, prompt action, and better outcomes. This is the future of event response.”

Greg Duffell, CEO of Vulcain, added:
“Our mission at Vulcain has always been to empower organizations with actionable insights through causal intelligence. Partnering with Vocodia allows us to take this vision further, by combining our expertise with their state-of-the-art Response Management AI. Narrative AI doesn’t just inform—it engages in intelligent conversation, ensuring that the right people take the right actions at the right time.”

Robust Pipeline
Both companies shared their optimism on the revenue potential of this joint venture. A preliminary pipeline of opportunities is already established across multiple industries. The partnership plans to scale rapidly and is targeting aggressive revenue growth for 2025, with Narrative AI as a key driver of profitability.

Key Features of Narrative AI:

Causal Event Monitoring: Advanced AI algorithms track and analyze complex event patterns in real time.Response Management©: Dynamic mechanisms including natural-sounding voice AI engages stakeholders, ensuring clear understanding and rapid, pre-emptive action that identifies, reduces, and eliminates threat levels.Cross-Industry Applications: Suitable for emergency response, logistics, healthcare, financial services, and more.Scalable Integration: Seamlessly integrates into existing workflows, enabling immediate deployment and impact.

Pioneering the Future of Crisis Response
This venture builds on Vocodia’s expertise in Response Management AI and Vulcain ‘s Causal AI Platform. Together, the companies aim to redefine how organizations monitor and respond to critical events, with solutions that are intelligent and intuitive.

About Vocodia Holdings Corp.

Vocodia is an AI software company that develops practical AI solutions, making them easily accessible for businesses through cloud-based platforms. These solutions are cost-effective and scalable to enterprise levels. Vocodia specializes in conversational AI, providing scalable enterprise-level AI sales and customer service solutions. Their Digital Intelligent Sales Agents (DISAs) are designed to sound and feel human, performing tasks that require human-like conversation, thereby reducing labor costs and enhancing communication effectiveness. For more information, please visit: http://www.vocodia.com.

About Traccom, Inc.

Vulcain is at the intersection of human and artificial intelligence, leading the charge to AI 3.0 with high value feature solutions for business. Vulcain’s Causal AI platform is used for harmonizing, testing, and validating data for extracting and commercializing knowledge. The Vulcain platform combines hundreds of millions of AI ready data sets with human domain knowledge. It can provide a ready to use solution that can be customized, scaled and adapted for customer use-cases and human intervention.  With a commitment to human-AI, excellence, sustainability, and customer-centric solutions, the company believes that it is poised for long-term growth and success in the global AI marketplace.

For more information about the company and its wholly owned subsidiary Vulcain, Inc., email shareholders@vulcain.ai or visit www.vulcain.ai 

Forward-Looking Statements This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,”, “should,” “will” and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date and undertake no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law.

Contact Details: (561) 484-5234

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vocodia-holdings-inc-and-traccom-inc-have-signed-an-mou-to-form-a-joint-venture-that-will-revolutionize-event-monitoring-with-narrative-ai-302352337.html

SOURCE VOCODIA HOLDINGS INC.

Continue Reading

Technology

Casio Privia PX-S Series Named ‘Home Digital Keyboard of the Year’ for the Fourth Consecutive Year

Published

on

By

Casio’s Flagship PX-S7000 Earns Top Industry Recognition from MMR’s Prestigious Dealers’ Choice Awards

DOVER, N.J., Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Casio’s Privia PX-S Series has once again been crowned “Home Digital Keyboard of the Year” by Musical Merchandise Review’s (MMR) esteemed Dealers’ Choice Awards. This marks the fourth consecutive year and the ninth win since 2015—solidifying Casio’s leadership in the digital piano market.

“This repeated acknowledgment reflects not only the strength of our instruments but also the unwavering trust music retailers and customers place in Casio,” said Stephen Schmidt, vice president of Casio’s Electronic Musical Instruments Division.

As an award determined solely by U.S. music retailers, this recognition underscores the PX-S Series’ exceptional design, performance, and reliability—qualities that resonate deeply with musicians and dealers nationwide.

“We are honored to see Privia recognized for the fourth straight year,” said Stephen Schmidt, vice president of Casio’s Electronic Musical Instruments Division. “This repeated acknowledgment reflects not only the strength of our instruments but also the unwavering trust music retailers and customers place in Casio. The PX-S7000, in particular, redefines elegance and excellence in the digital piano space.”

Since its inception, the Casio Privia line has earned global acclaim for delivering premium sound, authentic touch, and timeless style while remaining accessible and practical. The standout model of the series, the PX-S7000, pushes boundaries further with its unmatched sound quality, sophisticated mid-century modern design, and professional-grade performance.

Christian Wissmuller, executive editor of MMR, shared, “The PX-S7000 is a stunningly successful pairing of impressive, professional-level sound and playability with powerfully appealing aesthetics. Casio’s designers devoted just as much thought and energy into creating an instrument that would enhance the visual appeal of a domestic living space as they did on engineering specs that have yielded a wonderful-sounding musical instrument. The numbers don’t lie: for four years in a row, now, the PX-S Series consoles have been irresistibly compelling options for end-users, consistently generating profit – and satisfied, repeat customers – for MI retailers.

About the Awards

For 32 years, MMR’s Dealers’ Choice Awards have celebrated the best-in-class products shaping the musical instrument industry. Voted on by retailers, these awards highlight instruments that drive innovation, delight customers, and fuel business success.

The Casio Privia PX-S Series is available nationwide at select music dealers. For more information on Casio’s full lineup of electronic musical instruments, visit Casio.com.

About Casio America, Inc.

Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957, Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, digital cameras, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to fulfill its corporate creed of “creativity and contribution” through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casio.com.

Media Contact
Peter Giles, Giles Communications, 1 (914) 644-3500 700, pgiles@giles.com, www.giles.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/casio-privia-px-s-series-named-home-digital-keyboard-of-the-year-for-the-fourth-consecutive-year-302351604.html

SOURCE Giles Communications

Continue Reading

Trending