Innoskate redefines ice rink maintenance by engineering E. coli to secrete ice-nucleating proteins, raising the freezing temperature of ice and decreasing the energy required for refrigeration.

Indoor ice rinks are fundamental to Canadian culture, yet their sustainability is at risk. Maintaining ice surfaces at -4 to -8°C requires continuous refrigeration, consuming approximately 520 kWh per day—equivalent to a household’s monthly energy use. This leads to high costs, carbon emissions, and environmental strain. While synthetic polymer alternatives eliminate refrigeration, they compromise skating performance by increasing friction, dulling blades, and restricting movement. Innoskate presents a novel solution by engineering E. coli as a chassis to express inaZ genes, enabling the production of recombinant ice-nucleating proteins (INPs) naturally found in Pseudomonas syringae. These proteins mimic ice crystal structures, allowing water to freeze at -2°C, a 6°C increase from conventional rink temperatures. To enhance secretion and aggregation, we will remove membrane-bound regions and modify the N-terminal of the protein. Once purified, these INPs can be applied directly to rink surfaces, reducing refrigeration demands while preserving natural ice quality.