Cardinal Volta captures heat that data centres and industrial sites already produce and converts it into electricity without burning more fuel. It was co-founded by Professor Aimy Bazylak of mechanical and industrial engineering and alumnus Nan Ge (MechE 1T3, MIE MASc 1T6, PhD 1T9).
The company has been named the Stage 2 recipient of the Eva and Allen Lau Commercialization Catalyst Prize, hosted by U of T’s Centre for Entrepreneurship. The prize began in 2025 with a $2-million gift from alumni entrepreneurs Eva Lau (IndE 9T2) and Allen Lau (ElecE 9T1, ECE MASc 9T2).
Early modelling suggests a large AI data centre campus could generate up to 15 per cent more usable power by recovering its own waste heat. Over the next few months the team will work out the most valuable use for recovered heat and how data centres buy new technology.
Reported from New commercialization funding will help this U of T Engineering startup turn waste heat into power (U of T Engineering News, September 18, 2026).
More from the original reporting: news.engineering.utoronto.ca/new-commercialization-funding-will-help-this-u-of-t-engineering-startup-turn-waste-heat-into-power/