A device that could help small businesses with sterilization efforts during the pandemic is one step closer to hitting the market.
FedNor has awarded Canadore College just over $100,000 to help the local company FEME Innovations Inc. commercialize its UltraViolet Qube-it.
FEME Innovations Inc. consists of a trio of West Ferris Secondary School students – Emily Yates, Fionna Truong and Ella Kelso – who have developed a device that kills germs using ultraviolet, or UV light.
The company was one of 12 around the world to receive grant funding through a competition run by the Brazilian mining company, Vale, last year, which allowed for further development and testing of the device.
Canadore College’s Innovation Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Prototyping (ICAMP) will help FEME Innovations Inc. with the pre-commercialization of the invention.
“We are really hoping that our product will be out this summer,” said Emily Yates during Tuesday’s FedNor announcement.
Once the device goes through the commercialization process, it could be used by small businesses and organizations to keep up with health and safety protocols in a user-friendly and cost-effective way.
It was one of three FedNor investments announced Tuesday, with Mattawa logging company Emile Janveaux Forest Products receiving a $381,000 loan to purchase new equipment, and FPI Forest Innovations receiving $525,000 for its Ontario Forest Sector Capacity Building initiative.