Unleashing innovation that benefits our people, our communities and the land we live on.
Hydrogen cell snowmobile
In response to the 2020 YIP theme, Stefan Weissenberg’s project addresses affordable clean energy and climate action by designing the first hydrogen fuel cell snowmobile in the world, giving northerners a cleaner engine for over-land transport in the winter. The reliable and durable design will outperform battery hybrid options by way of a longer range, quicker fill times and better performance in cold temperatures.
Phylo Technologies
Phylo Technologies monitors and controls Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) units in homes. Phylo uses real-time indoor air quality measurements to maintain healthy air quality while avoiding over-ventilation. Compared to standard ventilation controllers, Phylo reduces energy consumption, improves home air quality, and engages residents in understanding their ventilation system. It can be installed in a home in 10 minutes with only a screwdriver and is designed to be compatible with existing ventilation systems.
Yukon Fur Real
Yukon Fur Real is a social enterprise business that evolved from a grass-roots market development initiative with the goal of reconnecting Yukoners with their local fur industry. The project challenges Canada's 400-year-old fur trade by disrupting the wholesale fur purchasing market and supports artisans (who are usually related to the trappers and often women) through a collective approach to the sale and promotion of Yukon wild fur and hand-crafted fur products. The project has a significant impact at an individual or family level and can help augment incomes from other activities. Yukon Fur Real also aims to keep sewing and artistic traditions using fur alive and help promote innovative uses of fur to meet modern needs.
Birch Sap and Levan Based Skincare
This product innovation involves harvesting raw birch sap and subjecting it to a natural process using enzymes to produce cosmeceutical co-products. It is believed the combination of these co-products will prove to be highly effective in the care and maintenance of healthy skin.
Thermodynamic Greenhouses
These thermodynamic greenhouses will significantly extend the growing season in cold climates, with their use of a solar-water heating system that automatically responds to changes in temperature. The structure contains garden beds that are built like mini greenhouses so that in cooler months the heating system can focus on the individual beds, rather than heating the entire structure.
Radon Mitigation System
This innovation manages radon mitigation in northern homes and buildings through a centralized control system; reducing the health risks of radon in a user friendly, and energy efficient manner. This unique system will now be moved towards commercialization with benefits to both the local economy and the environment.