Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Since the pre-industrialization period, the level of carbon dioxide has dramatically increased in Earth's atmosphere, disrupting the natural carbon cycle of our planet. This unbalance is responsible for major change in our environment (global warming, ocean acidification, sea level rise, etc.) and in our health (cancers, lung/heart diseases, etc.). The imperative to combat climate change requires strong resolutions such as the regulation of polluting industries, the ramping up of renewable energy or the halting of deforestation. Carbon dioxide capture and reuse in various forms of compound is one of the clean tech solutions which has been considered to minimize the effect on Earth. Mechanically Assisted Chemical Exfoliation (MACE) process involved the treatment of airborne particles resulting from carbon pollution (ash, slag, graphite, talc, pumice, etc.) into a CO2-enhanced nanoparticle coating additive able to dope the properties of fabric substrates. This project aims to optimize the carbon content of a CO2-derived nanoplatelets coating additive in order to further enhanced the mechanical performance of polymer fabric as a greener and more inexpensive alternative than graphene additives.