Bonhomme's Grand Challenge: Durable Ice

The Institut nordique du Québec (INQ), the Carnaval de Québec, and the Centre de recherche sur les matériaux avancés (CERMA) are challenging university students across Quebec!

Background | Combining materials science with winter tradition!

The Carnaval de Québec is facing a growing challenge: certain weather conditions, particularly temperature fluctuations and changing climatic conditions, can affect the optimal preservation of the ice structure of the famous Bonhomme’s Ice Palace.

In this context, the Carnaval is seeking scientific expertise to identify innovative solutions that could extend the lifespan of the ice while preserving its structural integrity and transparency.

Left: the desired transparent appearance. Right: the alteration and whitening of the ice caused by weather conditions.

Contest Description

This competition is open to the student community and aims to collect scientific ideas, concepts, or approaches capable of addressing this challenge. The project must propose a solution to be applied to ice blocks as a post-production treatment. Ice blocks will be provided by the supplier for laboratory testing (refrigerated rooms at various temperatures ranging from -20°C to 4°C).

Prizes

The two winning innovative solutions will each receive a $2,000 scholarship, to be shared among the team members. Please note that the scholarships must be used to cover expenses related to implementing your innovative solution.

Eligibility

• Be enrolled as a student at one of the 16 INQ member universities;

  
  

• Projects may be carried out individually or by a team of no more than two students enrolled at one of these universities.

  
  

Application

By September 25, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., please submit your application package, including:

• Team composition (name, email address, affiliated university, and program of study);

  
  

• A summary of your innovative solution (maximum 1 page) including the following sections: 1) idea, 2) methodology, 3) feasibility, 4) budget, and 5) timeline;

  
  

• Submit your application package in PDF format to cerma@ulaval.ca. A confirmation email will be sent to acknowledge receipt of your application.

  
  

We particularly encourage you to consider the following elements:

• The main challenge faced by the Carnaval is that at temperatures above -4°C, combined with exposure to sunlight, the ice becomes cloudy and develops imperfections, whereas the Carnaval aims to preserve its original transparency and appearance;

  
  

• Melting caused by temperatures above freezing can weaken the structure of Bonhomme’s Ice Palace, potentially leading to its closure to visitors—an outcome the Carnaval seeks to avoid;

  
  

• The ice blocks used measure approximately 25 cm × 50 cm × 100 cm;

  
  

• Between October 2026 and January 2027, ice blocks will be provided to selected participants so that they can test and refine their methodology in a laboratory on the Université Laval campus;

  
  

• During the 2027 edition of the Carnaval de Québec, test ice blocks will be installed in a sunny area of the site to validate participants’ methodologies under real-world conditions;

  
  

• Only the first 50 applications received will be considered and evaluated.

  
  

Ready to take on the challenge and see your innovation put to the test on a full scale at the next Carnaval de Québec? Submit your application now!

Questions

For any questions, please contact cerma@ulaval.ca.