The patented SonoChem technology has evolved from a major US$12 million European Union-funded seven nation programme ("SONO"). The programme aimed to develop a method for mass producing low cost antimicrobial textiles using Sonochemistry to produce nanoparticles of these elements.
The SONO consortium used enzymes to improve adhesion of antimicrobial nanoparticles to fabric using ultrasonic irradiation with the ultimate aim of reducing the impact of the significant global health issues associated with the alarming rise of hospital acquired infections (HAIs) affecting patients around the globe.
SonoChem's unique technology leverages from - and improves upon - this ground-breaking European Union work, with significant improvements in the manufacturing process. Further innovation, particularly in relation to scalability, means that SonoChem's technology will enable the mass production of treated textiles, ensuring a potentially global reach of product.
US and EU patents owned by SonoChem will be licensed to its industry partners and will result in the scaled production of a range of items and improved health outcomes on a truly international scale.
The European Union Sono Project
The European Union Sono Project
The European Union Sono Project
The SONO project was initiated to address the urgent need of reducing the growing number of hospital acquired infections in hospitals and healthcare settings across Europe, principally caused by the increasing resistance of pathogens to existing antibiotics.
The project was clinically successful and resulted in the production of highly active antimicrobial textiles. However the machine made to produce these textiles could not achieve production on a commercial scale, and the project did not progress any further.
Two UK-based scientists - Dr Mircea Vinatoru and Professor Tim Mason of Coventry University - commenced the design a new machine that could mass produce antimicrobial textiles, threads and yarns.
Patented technology
The European Union Sono Project
The European Union Sono Project
A patent application for SonoChem technology was filed in 2015. The application was supported by Coventry University.
Patents for the technology covering Europe and the United States were granted in Aug/Sept 2019.
These patents are owned by SonoChem Limited.
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