Lakehead Shads Develop Zero Waste Technology Product for 2007 National Shad Cup Competition

(July 31, 2007 --Thunder Bay, ON) Lakehead University's 2007 Shads have determined that the R-Card, a zero waste technology product will be entered into the National Shad Cup, to be held this October in Waterloo, Ontario. This prototype, developed by e-finity, is designed to reduce paper waste generated by consumer receipts, while also simplifying financial record keeping. According to the group's business plan, "e-finity strives to provide ease of use and efficiency to consumers in an environmentally responsible fashion. The R-Card eliminates paper receipt waste while providing a convenient organizational tool for consumers."

In addition to the R-Card itself, e-finity's package also includes a personal Duo R-Card Reader-Writer, a computer hardware component for use at home. Upon purchase, cashiers will swipe the R-Card through existing point-of-sale terminals. Later, when inserting the R-Card into the Duo Card-Reader-Writer at home, consumers will be able to transfer, save, and view all transaction records on their personal system. With this product, e-finity also offers eco-points to benefit the environment: customers will accumulate one eco-point for every dollar recorded on the R-Card. Once 2500 points are collected, a tree will be planted on the consumer's behalf.

"The students will have five weeks to fine-tune their R-Card prototype and business plan, and can draw on any of their Shad mentors, alumni, entrepreneurial contacts, or fellow Shads to perfect the product," says Dr. Sultan Siddiqui, Shad Program Director and Chair/Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Lakehead University. "As did the rest of their Shad peers, e-finity worked diligently to develop this prototype, and all 52 Shads feel confident that the judging panel will be impressed with the product's capacity to meet the zero-waste criteria."

RBC Shad Cup 2007 is an annual team-based entrepreneurship competition designed to showcase the entrepreneurial, science, and technological achievements of Shad students from across the country.

Lakehead University is one of only 12 universities across Canada to host the Shad Valley program and has been a proud Shad university since 1999. Over the past eight years, Lakehead has graduated approximately 400 Shads, and has consistently placed well in Shad Cup competitions. Staff, faculty, and community members involved with the program look forward to opening Lakehead's doors to many more gifted and enthusiastic participants in the future.

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Media: If you have any questions regarding this media release, please contact Heather Scott, Communications Officer, 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca.