蓝莓视频

What is one million times thinner than a strand of hair and two hundred times stronger than steel?听

The听answer is听graphene, a two-dimensional nanomaterial.听The听wide ranging听听properties听of graphene, discovered in 2004,听make听it ideal听for producing听flexible听electronics, increasing the lifespan of batteries,听improving the performance and听energy听efficiency of听water filtration systems, as well as smart packaging to prevent food spoilage.听 听

鈥淭his is the superpower of graphene,鈥� says Evelyn Allen, chief executive officer of , a cleantech startup听that specializes in manufacturing ultra-thin graphene and other 2-D nanomaterial films for cleantech applications.

Recently selected as a finalist in听,听Allen听is one of six women听across Canada who will听compete for a $1-million prize in the听national cleantech challenge. Funded by Natural Resources Canada and MaRS Discovery District, the challenge provides an opportunity for Canadian women entrepreneurs to develop world-class cleantech solutions and launch innovative cleantech startups.

鈥淐ongratulations to Evelyn Allen on this achievement that recognizes her innovative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit. Her commitment to sustainability and entrepreneurship will support this high-profile industry and the women who will lead it,鈥� says Charmaine Dean,听vice-president, University Research at the听University of 蓝莓视频.听听

Michael Pope, assistant professor, chemical engineering, and听Evercloak听co-founder,听discovered the听innovative technology听with his team in 2015.听Evercloak鈥檚听low-cost advanced听manufacturing platform builds ultra-thin nanomaterial membranes, enabling disruptive clean technologies that will reduce cost, energy use, and听associated greenhouse gas emissions throughout the oil and gas, nuclear, energy, mining and agri-food sectors.听听

As a corporate research partnerships manager in the Office of Research,听with an engineering听background in the cleantech industry,听Allen听is passionate about听environmental听sustainability.听She will lead commercialization of the manufacturing platform that produces large-area nanofilms made of graphene and other 2D wonder materials.听Her application was supported by the听蓝莓视频 Commercialization Office (WatCo)听which helps researchers and partners further develop opportunities for commercialization.听

Before applying for听the Women in Cleantech Challenge, Allen wanted to make a lasting difference in the cleantech industry and听contribute to 蓝莓视频鈥檚 innovative ecosystem.听She says working at the University fueled her听passion听for听technology driven solutions.

鈥淚n a partnership role, I see the impact of integrating technology driven solutions to solve industrial environmental challenges听and听can鈥檛 wait to make a difference with our technology,鈥� she says.听听

Allen鈥檚 advance听to the next听phase of the challenge will help her make听an impact on cleantech.听

鈥淚n听15 years of working in this industry, I can鈥檛 name more than听two female entrepreneurs leading cleantech companies. I am听so excited to have this opportunity听to grow a business with a mission to make a global impact,鈥� says Allen.听听

In the听next phase of the challenge, she will receive $800,000 worth of support听from听Natural Resources Canada and听MaRS听Discovery District,听and participate in an intensive 30-month business accelerator program before competing for the $1-million prize.听听