Jet Ice Research Chair in Sustainable Materials Chemistry
The Jet Ice Research Chair in Sustainable Materials Chemistry at Toronto Metropolitan University was established in 2022 to advance research in smart and green materials chemistry for ice-making applications. This partnership combines TMU’s research excellence with industry leadership from Jet Ice (external link) , a global leader in ice-making technology, to explore sustainable paint formulations and water quality enhancement techniques, driving innovation that supports environmental sustainability and performance improvements in ice-making systems. This partnership will set a new standard for environmental responsibility in the ice-making industry, helping Canadians enjoy ice sports while reducing their environmental footprint.
Research Chair
Dr. Stefania Impellizzeri, the inaugural Jet Ice Research Chair in Sustainable Materials Chemistry, joined TMU in 2018 and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biology. She is an expert in materials chemistry, photochemistry, physical chemistry, organic synthesis, catalysis, analytical chemistry and supramolecular chemistry. She received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Miami and was a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Ottawa.
Dr. Impellizzeri has received numerous awards, including a Marie Curie International Incoming Fellowship, the Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics Emerging Investigator Lectureship from the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the Canadian National Committee for the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Travel Award. She serves on the Board of Directors of Nano Ontario and is a member of several professional organizations, including the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Chemical Institute of Canada, and the American Chemical Society.
Research Objectives
The Jet Ice Research chairship has several objectives and goals to advance sustainable and evidence-based practices in ice-making through cutting-edge materials and analytical chemistry research, including but not limited to:
Developing next-generation ice paint formulations designed for high performance while minimizing environmental impact.
Exploring paint substitutes and smart materials for applications in professional and recreational ice rinks.
Investigating advanced water purification techniques to improve ice quality and reduce water and energy consumption in ice making applications.
Creating guidelines and informing best practices for sustainable ice-making, resurfacing and water recovery based on scientific principles and industry insights.
Test and validate new materials, methods and technologies in real-world settings.
Facilities
Research activities on ice and water technologies are carried out at TMU’s Urban Water Analytical Lab and Urban Water Experimental Lab, where custom designed and built, research-grade laboratory size ‘mini’ ice rinks equipped with specialized cooling plates, sensors, and computerized controls simulate ice-making environments. This setup allows the research team to control and monitor critical variables like temperature, humidity, and energy consumption in real time. The Urban Water Analytical Lab is the national leader in precision analysis, and is equipped to measure a wide range of water and gas properties with high precision. R&D on paints, additives, pigments and coatings are carried out in the Impellizzeri Lab for Advanced Multifunctional Materials and at the Toronto Metropolitan Analytical Centre (TMAC). The team also benefits from access to, and support from, the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC, formerly Maple Leaf Gardens), where they are able to test paints, products, practices, and methods in real-world ice rink conditions.
Equipped with advanced analytical instruments to measure a wide range of water and gas properties, this facility enables precise testing of water quality parameters critical for ice formation, maintenance and performance.
The Analytical Water Lab is accepting requests for water sample testing.
A controlled environment designed for testing ice paints formulations, resurfacing techniques, and the impact of various materials on ice quality and rinks’ energy expenditure.
Provides access for testing paints, products, practices, and methods in real-world ice rink conditions.
Provides access to cutting-edge materials characterization tools, supporting research in ice additives, coatings, and sustainable materials development.
Jet Ice
For over 40 years, Jet Ice has been a global leader in ice-making technology, bringing life to ice surfaces worldwide — from NHL facilities and Olympic venues to community recreation centers. The company offers a comprehensive range of products and services for the ice-making industry, including ice paints, water treatment systems, and training programs. Jet Ice’s commitment to innovation and quality has set the standard for ice sports.
Research Team
From left to right: Jiani (Jenny) Wang, Dr. Pedro Ortiz, Dr. Ryan Hutchins, Dr. Stefania Impellizzeri
Pedro Ortiz received a BSc in Chemistry (summa cum laude) at the University of Havana. He obtained his PhD in Chemistry, with the Cuban Science Academy’s Award, at the University of Havana. He joined the Department of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Havana as an Assistant Professor. Later, he joined Dr. Eduardo Schott’s Group at the Catholic University of Chile as a PDF. At TMU, he joined the research group of Dr. Bryan Koivisto, and later that of Dr. Stefania Impellizzeri. His scientific interests are related to the design, preparation, and characterization of organic and inorganic materials, and composites for a broad scope of applications.
Ryan Hutchins earned a BSc and MSc from the University of Waterloo and a PhD from the Université du Québec à Montréal. Following the PhD, Ryan completed post-doctoral fellowships at the University of Alberta and the University of Waterloo. Ryan's research has focused on understanding the water chemistry and biogeochemistry from diverse impacted and unimpacted environments using a wide variety of analytical instruments and methods.
Jenny is a research assistant working on the JetIce research project. With a background in chemistry, she is responsible for the day to day operations of the experimental ice rink as well as sample analysis. She’s passionate about developing sustainable practices in the industry.
Contact
If you have questions about the Jet Ice Research chairship or are interested in collaborating, get in contact with our Research Programs Manager by filling out the interest form below.
Adnan Syed
Manager, Research Programs, Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives
Email
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