WattByWatt research exploring wireless and plug-less charging
by CM Staff
The company’s patented technology, called Perovton™, is trying to change how everyday household and industrial devices are powered.
LAVAL — WattByWatt, launched in January 2021 to produce renewable energy from light using perovskites, a naturally occurring mineral being considered the future of solar cells, is on a mission to produce energy from light efficiently and reliably. The company’s patented technology, called Perovton™, is trying to change how everyday household and industrial devices are powered.
The research is being propelled through an internship program funded by Mitacs — a not-for-profit organization that reportedly provides students with unique opportunities to work on real-world, leading-edge projects. In order to bring its product to market, WattByWatt is working with three Mitacs interns from the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) and the University of Sherbrooke.
“The magic of this new photovoltaic material is that it works indoors,” said Pierre Des Lierres, WattByWatt Business Development Director, explaining that his company’s renewable energy system — which was financed by an initial funding of $4 million from private equity investors through WhiteHaven Securities, a leading Canadian exempt market dealer — harvests both natural and artificial light, and converts it into energy.
“Our technology means we can recharge small electronic devices like cellphones and remote controls, smoke detectors, and retail tags with the light energy we already pay for in our homes, offices, or industrial buildings,” Des Lierres said. “At the same time, we’re eliminating the need to replace batteries, which will significantly reduce the billions of batteries that currently end up in landfills each year.”
In just two years, the company has grown to ten employees and is currently seeking an additional $25 million in funding as it gears up to scale manufacturing. The value of tapping into research expertise at an affordable rate is huge, said Des Lierres.
“The Mitacs internship program is a game-changer for us,” he said. “With the support of Mitacs, we’re procuring a leadership position for Canada in the renewable energy sector by training and hiring high-quality talent here.”
Mitacs postdoctoral intern Soroush Hafezian recently accepted a full-time position at WattByWatt after helping to progress the company’s development roadmap. He called the experience extremely rewarding and is excited about the opportunity to further advance both his personal skills and the technology.
“I’m confident that pushing the science of solar energy harvesting to new heights will trigger great positive impacts in the near future,” said Hafezian. “My Mitacs internship allowed me to apply my knowledge and do a smooth transition into the industry. I look forward to taking part in this venture with the team.”
WattByWatt has patented a manufacturing process that enables the product to be made outside of a high-cost clean room. As a result, Mitacs says WattByWatt’s manufacturing facility and production costs will be significantly reduced by as much as 50%, allowing the technology to become widely accessible.
This month, the company is breaking ground on a 5,000-square-foot research development lab and pilot production facility in Laval that will be up and running by March 2023.
