Torvec today entered into an agreement and plan of merger to acquire Ice Surface
Development (ISD), a wholly-owned subsidiary of UTEK Corporation. As a result,
Torvec will acquire an exclusive worldwide licence granted by the trustees of
Dartmouth College for land-based applications to a novel ice adhesion modification
system developed by Professor Victor F. Petrenko at Dartmouth Thayer School of
Engineering.
The Dartmouth patented technology allows for the rapid non-thermal de-icing
of vehicle surfaces using a novel electrochemical decomposition technology invented
by Dr. Petrenko of Dartmouth’s Ice Research Laboratory.
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Dr. Petrenko’s work has shown that electrodes attached directly to surfaces
can break down ice and water through the process of electrolysis. When applied
to automotive and truck surfaces, gas bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen are formed
during the electrolysis process. These bubbles generate pressure on the automobile
surface therefore shedding ice. The Torvec-Dartmouth team intends to adapt this
principle to automotive de-icing systems.
In June, 2000, Dr. Petrenko’s technology was licensed by Dartmouth to The BF
Goodrich Company for all aircraft and marine applications. Recently Discover
magazine honored Dr. Petrenko’s technology as the "most innovative invention
for the aerospace industry in the year 2000″.
Torvec acquired ISD from UTEK to integrate the Dartmouth de-icing technology
into its Fast Tracked Vehicle as well as to sub-license the technology for a
wide-assortment of land-based motorised vehicle applications (e.g. cars, trucks,
trains, trailers), including their components (e.g. windshields). The technology
also holds promise for significantly increasing the traction of tires and tracks
on ice.
The company believes that the de-icing technology it has acquired and its joint
venture with Dartmouth College to conduct research for the commercialisation
of the technology will enable it to develop innovative ice protection solutions,
not only for its Fast Track Vehicle, but for all automobiles, jeeps, trucks,
trailers, trains and the like, including all manner of land-based motorised
recreational vehicles.
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