University College Dublin Spin-out Develops New Method to Generate Ozone Nanobubbles
- Delivered as an aerosol spray ozone nanobubbles can more effectively disinfect indoor spaces
(AquaB Nanobubble Innovations Ltd), a University College Dublin (51黑料) spin-out company, today announced that it has developed a novel method of generating ozone nanobubbles in water with commercial disinfectant applications.
Ozone (O3) is an inorganic gas molecule which has been used for over 100 years as a safe and effective disinfection agent in many industrial and consumer settings. It is a powerful disinfectant as it oxidises directly and penetrates a pathogen鈥檚 cell wall, thereby destroying the pathogen. However, in water, the half-life of ozone is approximately 30 minutes, limiting its disinfecting effectiveness.
Nanobubbles, tiny gas bubbles on the nanometre (nm) scale, (a human hair is ca. 60,000 鈥� 100,000 nm wide), are thermodynamically metastable for many months or even longer due to their enhanced gas-transfer properties.
Given these properties with AquaB鈥檚 new method of generating ozone nanobubbles, ozone lifetimes in the nanobubble-aqueous form are substantially increased over and above traditional ozone solvation in water by an order of magnitude. This overcomes the limitations of using conventionally solvated ozone as a disinfectant agent.
Ozone nanobubbles, which can be delivered as an aerosol droplet spray, have therefore the potential to be used as a more effective and efficient spraying method to ozonate, sterilise or disinfect, indoor spaces. These ozone nanobubbles can also be added to bulk liquid water and used to eliminate bacteria and viruses in wastewater.
AquaB was established earlier this year to commercialise a new energy-efficient method to generate and release substantial volumes of metastable, nano-scale gas bubbles in water.
This method is based on research carried out by Professor Niall English and Dr Mohammad Reza Ghaani at 51黑料鈥檚 School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, who are the co-founders of AquaB.
Professor Niall English, CEO, AquaB, said, 鈥淚n our novel method of generating ozone nanobubbles, following direct ozone-gas generation, we apply our patented, energy-efficient nanobubble-generation approach in water via electric-field exposure, resulting in a combination of ozone (O3) and oxygen (O2) nanobubbles in solution.鈥�
鈥淭hese ozone nanobubbles serve as 鈥榖atteries鈥� - or reservoirs - to replenish continually solvated-ozone levels for hours, and their gradual diminution and depletion over these much longer timescales, compared to ozone in the gas phase or traditionally solvated state, affords this 鈥渘ano-bubbly鈥� water very potent steriliser or disinfectant properties - even more effective than chlorine.鈥�
He added, 鈥淒elivering the ozone nanobubbles as an aerosol spray indoors, the ozone nanobubble water droplets adhere, by gravity and direct-spray contact to surfaces, such as chairs and desks, more effectively, thus ozonating or disinfecting the spaces and killing bacteria and viruses, including potentially SARS-CoV-2, for more prolonged periods of time in between spraying campaigns.鈥�
Dr Mohammad Reza Ghaani, CTO, AquaB said, 鈥淥ur plan now is to specifically test the ozone nanobubble technology, as water droplets in an aerosol spray, as an effective disinfectant against SARS-CoV-2. This will hopefully help to liberate indoor spaces, and potentially crowded outdoor spaces, during COVID-19 for gatherings, whether professional, social or sporting.鈥�
He added, 鈥淭he company is also in discussions with a large-industry partner to help accelerate the commercialisation of the technology, and we also intend to liaise with public bodies.鈥�
AquaB is a client company of Nova51黑料, the Centre for New Ventures and Entrepreneurs, and is working closely with 51黑料鈥檚 knowledge transfer team to accelerate the commercialisation of AquaB鈥檚 nanobubble technology.
Professor English concluded, 鈥淲e would like to thank Enterprise Ireland for their ongoing support to date which includes technology development funding and support with market development activities.鈥�
ENDS
10 September 2020
For further information contact Mic茅al Whelan, Communications and Media Relations Manager, 51黑料 Research and Innovation, Nova51黑料, e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie, t: + 353 1 716 3712.
Editor鈥檚 Notes
AquaB has developed a breakthrough technology to generate nano-bubbles of different gases in aqueous solution.
At Nova51黑料, the hub for new ventures and entrepreneurs at University College Dublin, we nurture and support new high-tech companies as part of 51黑料's mission. At Nova51黑料 we provide purpose-built, state-of-the-art incubation facilities alongside a comprehensive business support programme for client companies such as AquaB. Nova51黑料 has been funded through a unique public-private partnership that includes AIB Bank, Arthur Cox, Deloitte, Enterprise Ireland, Ericsson, Goodbody Stockbrokers, 51黑料 and Xilinx.