Summerside inventor creates frost-resistant manhole cover

As paving crews work in the summer heat, a young inventor in Summerside, P.E.I.,is working on a new device that could keep roads in better shape when the snow starts tofall.

Nathan Kember has invented what he calls a "self-adjusting manhole cover."

The innovation is this: the lid of the manhole moves when winter frost causes asphalt in roadways to heave.

Kember saidthe device reduces cracks in asphalt and helpsprevent potholes from forming.

'Something that's not supposed to move'

"There's not a worse condition for moisture and frost in a manhole cover, because you get heat coming up from the bottom, from the earth and from the sewer," he said.

"It's just not a good situation for something that's not supposed to move."

Kemberwas introduced to the problem by someone he knows,who thought a solution to the manhole problem could really help people.

"He said if anybody could figure it out, it would be a nice invention, and I thought it wasn't too hard, so I decided to tackle it."

Kember isnow working with engineers at the University of Prince Edward Islandto test the device.

Already installed in Summerside

The City of Summersidehas installed three of Kember'smanholes in its roadways in recent years. City officials saidthe device could help improve local roads as well as the local economy.

"It's a product that we have use of in the city," said AaronMacDonald, the director of technical services for theCity ofSummerside.

"It would be an opportunity for someone to grow a product that could be tried and tested here inSummerside, but it would be usedeverywherethroughout the world," he said.

While thetesting with UPEI will continue for one more winter, Kember said, he intends to begin marketing the manhole coverright away.

Device already patented in Canada and the U.S.

Hepatentedthe device in the U.S. and Canada three years ago, when he was just 22 years old. He said he hopes his invention inspires other young entrepreneurs on P.E.I.

"If I can be an encouragement to younger youth, help them, coach them, push them along, I'm totally open to that."

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