Amidst the spread of COVID-19, the health and safety needs of government agencies, the private sector and the general public pose an increased demand for alcohol-based disinfectants, resulting in higher prices and insufficient supply to meet the large demand. Answering this problem, a researcher from PSU’s Faculty of Science developed a highly efficient hypochlorous acid and hypochloride sterilization machine to be used as a an effective alternative for alcohol-based disinfectants. The machine uses water and salt to produce a disinfectant that safely sterilizes all kinds of surfaces.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Warakorn Limbut, the inventor, said he and students at the Faculty of Science have been conducting research on a machine for producing hypochlorous acid and hypochloride for disinfection. The yearlong process, involving a team of over ten people, progressed under the slogan "Disinfectant is not only ethanol", and was based on electrochemistry principles. The resulting product’s main strength lies in its accessibility: the machine enables anyone to produce disinfectants with ease. A large-scale industrial version of the equipment has also been created in collaboration with entrepreneurs, successfully demonstrated at the PSU Science Park on 28 December 2020.
In addition to producing the innovation, a large emphasis was placed on sharing the newly gained knowledge with the community through government agencies and schools in the nine southern provinces. Venues include the 4th Development Division, Rattanaphon Camp, Khlong Hoi Khong, Songkhla; Hatyaiwittayalai School, Hat Yai, Songkhla; the School of Religion Wittaya Foundation (Kho Mee), Hat Yai, Songkhla; the Faculty of Islamic Sciences, PSU Pattani Campus; and Chulabhorn Rajavidyalaya Science School in Satun. The disinfection machines were also delivered to various units and departments for further use.
Dr. Limbut pointed out the advantage of showing students that the knowledge gained in the classroom can lead to innovative and practical applications: an inspiration to young people, commercial use, and academic purposes. He also talked about future plans to work with entrepreneurs to develop and expand the types of disinfectants to increase their utility.
“I am proud and impressed with being able to bring a piece of knowledge from the classroom to increase creativity.The continuous effort and encouragement yield benefits in all dimensions: teaching, community, society, and in commercial aspects”,
Dr. Limbut concluded.
