Peroxigen has developed a pipefitting that incorporates a novel, cost effective electrolytic cell that generates ozone in livestock drinking water. This low-voltage device generates ozone in solution, a powerful and fast-acting disinfectant that rapidly kills pathogens of all types and prevents cross-contamination of infections at shared drinking water sources. This project aims to determine the benefits of ozonated drinking water on the health and welfare of penned calves. The project will determine and quantify the benefits of ozone-water in terms of growth rates, the prevention of common gastrointestinal diseases, such as cryptosporidiosis and salmonellosis, and the impact upon antimicrobial usage.

The product proposed by Peroxigen UK Ltd is a "mobile fogger" that generates a fine mist of water droplets incorporating disinfectants for application in hospitals, schools and many other places. The product's purpose is the rapid elimination of the virus responsible for COVID-19, from air and from surfaces. The mobile fogger works by generating disinfectants in solution through chemical reactions induced by passing an electric current between two special electrodes. Peroxigen's key innovation is a novel electrolytic cell that incorporates a new generation of low-cost, plastic electrodes that have a special carbon surface that generates biocides. These electrodes are substantially cheaper than the solid diamond electrodes previously used. When an electric current is applied to these cells, powerful oxidising biocides (disinfectants), such as ozone and hydrogen peroxide, are generated instantly. The water charged with these fast-acting disinfectants is delivered through a nozzle as tiny droplets that kill microorganisms on contact. Using different types of nozzles permits the delivery of a fog or fine mist that hangs in the air to kill airborne pathogens, or a spray that can be targeted at a particular surface for decontamination. By applying an electrical voltage to the delivery nozzle, biocidal water droplets can be electrically charged, attracting them to surfaces. Although the water droplets contain powerful biocides, the disinfection technology is safe. The electrolytically generated biocides decompose rapidly, so that decontaminated spaces become safe to use again within an hour. In this project, Peroxigen will work with Edinburgh University to determine how efficiently this device kills microorganisms in a range of real-world environments. The University will identify and optimise operating parameters, such as droplet size and charge and the concentration of disinfectants, in order to maximise disinfectant efficacy and product performance. Peroxigen's strategy includes the building of prototype foggers to determine and optimise product performance and disinfection efficacy. The operating parameters, both physical and chemical, will be determined by the department of Physics by way of research on safe "laboratory" microorganisms. The resulting know-how will be transferring to the Roslin Institute for studies on Covid-19 and influenza viruses. Finally, Peroxigen will undertake trials in hospitals at other customer sites. Peroxigen's ambition is to deliver 500 mobile foggers within 27 months to customers in the public and private sectors, starting with healthcare facilities and schools. The company's low-cost fogger will provide effective decontamination in places where people work and congregate.