Smart Separations Awarded £50K By The IUK Business Led Innovation

Smart Separations is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a £50K grant by the IUK Business Led Innovation in Response to Global Disruption.

The funding was provided through the Government’s modern industrial strategy by UK Research and Innovation. It will allow SSL to complete the safety and antimicrobial efficacy tests of innovative products and solutions coated with SSL ̿s Virateq™ nanocoating — such as “Gino,” their newly launched personal air sanitiser.

These additional tests will be essential to bring this new device to market. Gino destroys coronavirus and other airborne pathogens, helping to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in society and national economy.

Successfully funded on the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform this month – Gino is a personal air sanitiser, designed to eliminate more than 99.9999% of microbes in a single air pass and at the lowest running cost. Gino relies on its ceramic washable filter, which is coated with ViraTeq ™.

When the harmful air comes into contact with the filter, the microbes burst like balloons touching a cactus. The filter should last for more than 5 years without the need to replace it.

The VirateqTM nano coating has been tested and proven, by independent labs, to not only to destroy beta coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 and human coronavirus 229E, but also other viruses, bacteria and fungi in seconds. It can be deployed on multiple surfaces, including wood, metal, textiles, and ceramic.

This coating technology will be particularly useful in places with a high density of people, where the risk of transmission through surface contact and air is high, such as: schools, hospitals, care homes, public transports, retail spaces, leisure facilities, offices and factories.

Smart Separations is led by a diverse team of scientists, experts in biotechnology, design, chemistry, material science and microfiltration. They are backed by a Scientific Advisory Board, which consists of a group of industry leaders and distinguished academics, providing insight and recommendations to help direct the work they do.

This grant encourages SSL to continue to work in the development of revolutionary products, that will make their mark in society as a whole. By actively partnering with prestigious organisations, such as the IUK, Smart Separations receives both support and further recognition in its commitment to being scientifically rigorous.

Smart Separations was founded in 2013, by research scientist Hugo Macedo, to develop a new microfiltration platform, using its patented ceramic membrane.

“At such challenging times for SMEs, continuing to receive the support from Innovate UK is such a great honour.
The only way to tackle this Pandemic is by tapping into the unexplored, by challenging the status quo – and that’s exactly what we are committed to do.
We would like to express a big thank you for your support in this crucial project as we together take action to tackle Coronavirus!”
Hugo Macedo, Founder and CEO of Smart Separations

Now partnered with the University of Surrey, they have grown to a team of 25 dedicated people on a mission to improve quality of life through innovation.

Their accolades include the i3S Health Prize 2020, the Rushlight Clean Environment Award and The Guardian’s Startup of the Year. they have secured grant funding through Horizon 2020, Portugal PT2020 and Innovate UK.

For more information about Smart Separations, visit their website.