Zenyatta Ventures recently announced receiving grant funding from the CanadaâIsrael Industrial R&D Foundation (CIIRDF) for the Production of NanoâGraphiteâReinforced Cement Admixture under the OntarioâIsrael Collaboration Program (OICP).
Zenyatta, Larisplast, BenâGurion University of the Negev (BGU) and B.G. Negev Technologies (BGN) recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding while on the Ontario Business Mission to Israel. Each partner will have a unique technical contribution in a scaled up program from the successful bench scale testing. This new program will have subtotal costs of $207,002 CAD (Zenyatta) and $322,129 CAD (Larisplast) for a total of $529,131 CAD of which 50% will be refunded under this OICP grant.
The emerging product aims to improve the mechanical performance of concrete and its resilience during earthquakes, helping to preserve the safety of citizens and infrastructure. The main objective of the collaborative project between Zenyatta, Larisplast, BGU and BGN is to develop concrete admixtures containing Zenyatta’s natural nanoâgraphite to create improved mechanical properties. Several benefits expected from the development of this enhanced concrete product include allowing a faster curing time, using less concrete during construction but still achieve a superior mechanical performance, inhibiting premature failure and withstanding large forces, typically produced during earthquakes or explosions.
Using natural reinforcing highâpurity, nanoâgraphite filler of this kind is also beneficial for the environment. The concrete industry is a significant contributor of carbon dioxide which is a major greenhouse gas. Widespread use of this enhanced product will have the potential to reduce the amount of concrete used in construction and consequently cut considerable carbon dioxide emissions.