A Montreal company is preparing to commercialize a machine it invented that could freeze food and liquids in seconds and without electricity. A patented technology that its inventor considers the “microwave of cold”.
Developed by Julien Michalk, holder of a bachelor’s degree in engineering, the Ufrost machine can freeze small portions of food or liquids, including strong alcohols.
His flight team has been using the machine in an event context since 2017.
From next June, an improved version will come onto the market, the operation of which is accessible to everyone.
“We are targeting the professional restaurant and bar market first, and one day everyone will have access to this technology. It is a tool of creation, a generator of value. There is a real “wow” effect when customers see the machine in action,” explains Julien Michalk, owner of Ether Innovations.
Many uses
Operating the Ufrost machine, which sells for $4,000 or rents for $250 a month, is easy. Simply place the food or drinks in the round or square compartments of an ice cube mold. The lid of the machine closes and in a few seconds the portions of food, juice or alcohol are ready to be consumed.
“It allows us to create evolving cocktails, incorporating a portion of alcohol of a different color into a cocktail that dissolves slowly, or even making wine ice cubes that we put in our wine glass, avoiding the addition of water .” . It can be used for multiple purposes. For example, someone who grows tomatoes could freeze their tomatoes,” suggests Julien Michalk.
-100° in less than a minute
Compared to conventional freezing, in which the food has to be heated to -30 to -50 degrees in 20 minutes, the Ufrost machine can reach -100 degrees in less than a minute thanks to the use of CO2 the 32-year-old entrepreneur .
“You can use it anywhere because it doesn’t require electricity. Therefore it is very practical in the event context. All you have to do is fill up your CO2 canister and it’s ready to go. »
Looking for investors to become shareholders, Ether Innovations, whose average staff is 25 years old, holds patents for distribution of Ufrost machine in Canada, United States, France, Germany and United Kingdom.
The idea for this technological innovation came to him on a Saturday evening in January when no customers showed up at the Montreal branch he runs. Julien Michalk told himself that the cold wouldn’t stop him and that he would find a way to make vodka popsicles to attract customers. Ten years of research and development later, the young entrepreneur has won his bet.
Ether Innovations
- Founding date: 2016
- Number of employees : 30 people
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