Elcora receives $495,750 from gov't for R&D centre
2016-07-21 10:22 ET - News Release
Mr. Troy Grant reports
CANADIAN GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN ELCORA'S GRAPHENE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
On July 20, 2016, Darrell Samson, member of Parliament for Sackville-Preston-Chezzetcook, was in Bedford touring Elcora Advanced Materials Corp.'s new graphene research and development centre. During his visit, Mr. Samson announced a $495,750 repayable contribution to the project through ACOA's business development program (BDP). This support has assisted Elcora with purchasing equipment and completing renovations to its new R&D centre, which is now up and running at full capacity. Funds are also being allocated to hire staff and conduct marketing activities.
Elcora will use its new R&D centre to explore further applications of the raw material graphite, which is processed into graphene. Initially, the company is planning for small-scale production of up to 100 kilograms of graphene per year. Current forecasts are to increase output to 10 tons per year within a few years. An integral component of Elcora's research and marketing will be working with application developers to use graphene in the commercialization of products.
The potential uses for graphene are virtually limitless -- from bulletproof vests to water purification. Elcora is dedicated to electricity storage, specifically developing batteries for electric cars. That is why, on Wednesday, June 22, Elcora hosted the first North America stop of the 80edays electric car challenge. Eleven international race teams met at the new graphene R&D centre to be briefed on the route. This event helped to demonstrate that electric cars are a sustainable, reliable means of transportation. Elcora's scientists are dedicated to unlocking the full potential of graphene. They are creating a strong foundation of research to support new opportunities and discoveries that will help make Nova Scotia an international centre of interest for the development of graphene applications.
The government of Canada and the governments of the four Atlantic provinces are committed to working together to build a vibrant economic future for Atlantic Canada. Through the Atlantic growth strategy, they are focusing efforts and resources to stimulate the region's economy and address both longstanding and emerging regional challenges, and build on Atlantic Canada's competitive advantages, such as its strong export potential, growing innovation ecosystem and skilled work force.
Quotes
"The government of Canada is making targeted investments to expand innovative research in clean technology. Organizations such as Elcora will help to drive economic growth and build on the strong foundation of scientific research in the region," said Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
"Supporting clean technology projects such as this one will help to diversify our region's economy, open up new markets and create high-quality jobs for Atlantic Canadians. Exploring new applications of revolutionary materials like graphene will help to accelerate clean growth -- and it will all be done right here in Bedford, N.S.," said Mr. Samson.
"Graphene is widely believed to be the next wonder substance that will have the ability to change mankind. The race is on to refine processing technology and to discover practical applications for this material. While the challenge is enormous, the rewards to be had by advancing this material commercially are even greater. This lab is at the forefront in that development and could not have happened without the support of these targeted investments by our elected officials," commented Troy Grant, president of Elcora.
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