Graphene’s wide range of properties make it ideal for producing flexible electronics, increasing the lifespan of batteries, improving the performance and energy efficiency of water filtration systems, as well as smart packaging to prevent food spoilage.
An expert in 2D nanomaterials and electrochemical mechanisms involving graphene, University of Waterloo Professor Michael Pope from the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology has developed an advanced manufacturing platform that produces large-area nanofilms made of graphene and other 2D wonder materials. The invention assembles densely tiled monolayers of various 2D nanomaterials into large area films by printing graphene ink onto a simple water bath. These films, which can be as thin as one atom, can then be transferred to a wide variety of materials and combined with other nanomaterials to create hybrid films.
Given the roll-to-roll scalability of Pope’s technology, it is highly efficient and cost effective. Current thin film production requires a large amount of energy, operating at 1,000 ०C in vacuum conditions. Staff in the Waterloo Commercialization Office (WatCo), which connects researchers and partners to commercialize innovations, matched Evelyn Allen, an engineer with 15 years’ experience in the cleantech industry, with Pope to bring his platform to the cleantech sector.
Together Pope and Allen founded Evercloak, a startup that specializes in manufacturing ultra-thin graphene and other 2D nanomaterial films specifically for cleantech applications.
“WatCo has been an integral part of Evercloak’s path to commercialization,” says Allen. “When I decided to apply for a National cleantech competition, they helped identify a viable partnership between myself and Michael and have facilitated the patent and IP protection process. With WatCo’s support we have established a very promising startup and secured funding for further development.”
WatCo supported Allen when she pitched Evercloak at the Women in Cleantech Challenge. Funded by Natural Resources Canada and the MaRS Discovery District, the challenge provides an opportunity for Canadian women entrepreneurs to develop world-class cleantech solutions and launch innovative cleantech startups. After the successful pitch, Allen is now one of six women across Canada competing for a $1-million prize in the national challenge.
In the next phase of the challenge, she will receive $800,000 in support from Natural Resources Canada and MaRS Discovery District, and participate in an intensive 30-month business accelerator program before competing for the $1-million prize.
Evercloak was also recently named a finalist in the Ontario Power Generation Ignite competition. Qualifying in the Environment and Electrification Development category, Evercloak was awarded $25,000 to further develop their nanofilms.