Advanced Coatings**

Graphite Innovation and Technologies (GIT) is a Canadian materials engineering startup company that develops innovative graphene-based products including GrapheneCoatTM, a coating with anti-biofouling properties of particular use for marine applications. GIT is seeking to advance the use of their products in three ways: improved processing (giving a more homogeneous and reproducible product), especially better dispersion and reduction of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs); increased knowledge of the fundamental physical properties of their coatings (especially giving limits to the temperature region of use); explorations of new formulations to expand its uses to new applications.* GIT proposes collaboration with Professor Mary Anne White's research group at the Department of Chemistry at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, through the NSERC ENGAGE program. Professor White and her group will use their expertise in materials chemistry and their specialized laboratory equipment to explore new processing methods that could enhance these properties, and to carry out accurate thermal properties and thermal stability measurements of GIT formulations. These advances could both improve the present product and allow new applications. * The research conducted under this collaboration would be specifically beneficial to the marine industry, and to industries seeking reliable protective coatings for various applications. It is anticipated that this research will help GIT to provide a wide range of inexpensive, environmentally friendly and easy-to-apply coatings that are better and more durable than existing products.*