GCRF_NF411 Effective point-of-use STERilisation of medical equipment using Ethylene Oxide (STEREO)

The project addresses the needs of effective chemical sterilisation that is essential to manage virus spread and in everyday healthcare. Currently, the most effective sterilisation can be performed with ethylene oxide, a chemical that is not available in Botswana or South Africa, or many other African countries. We propose a new process for producing ethylene oxide for the most effective sterilisation, aiming for equal access to high-level healthcare in DAC-list countries. The process will use inexpensive and widely available ethanol as a starting substrate. Our research goal is to demonstrate ethylene oxide production at the rates and in quantity needed for 1 m3 of stand-alone sterilisation units.