What is the name of your product?
UV-activatable surface functionalization for hygienic applications - "Siphon" project

In our video we explain again the exact functionality of our product: https://youtu.be/9CFF55TDan0 .

What problem does your product solve?
It is estimated that 400,000 - 600,000 people in Germany alone contract infections (nosocomial infections) in connection with hospital stays every year. One of the many sources of this entry is the clinical water network, since germs from sewage can colonize the sewage pipes unhindered along this path. For example, when the faucet is turned on, pathogens and multidrug-resistant germs can enter the patient's room from the wastewater via the siphon. In the joint project of Fraunhofer FEP and MoveoMed GmbH, a siphon was developed with a UV-activatable coating that prevents microbial colonization and biofilm formation. The germicidal effect is achieved by the photocatalytic mode of action of the titanium dioxide (TiO2).

What is the main advantage of your product for customers?
Until now, thermal treatment, ultrasound or the use of chemical cleaning agents have been used to clean the siphon at intervals at great expense, largely preventing the further spread of germs. However, these methods are not only time-consuming and logistically demanding, they also place a financial burden on the hospital and ultimately on the healthcare system. With the developed siphon, costs are reduced, personnel and time requirements are minimized, and the spread of pathogens is prevented.

How can your product contribute to industrial transformation?
With our development, an already existing product was optimized financially and technologically, and the coating technology used was brought to the field of application.

What else is important?
At the end of the three-year project period, the mode of action of the developed prototype is to be investigated in a clinical study.

Fraunhofer FEP develops, investigates and evaluates a wide variety of coatings with, for example, antimicrobial and biocompatible properties for medical devices, instruments, materials and applications. For this purpose, we use customized, application-specific technologies, processes and also equipment.

Which target group do you want to address with this product?
Medical facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes but also public facilities.

What are you most looking forward to when you think about parts2clean 2021?
As one of the member institutes of the co-organizer (Cleaning Business Unit at Fraunhofer), in addition to the exhibition of our products and technologies, we are looking forward to the presentation of this project in the technical forum and lively talks and discussions with interested parties and potential customers.