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Technology 

The University of Malta’s (the University) has designed and built a number of prototype devices that use short wavelength Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) to disinfect between 9 and 16 disposable face respirator masks (N95/FFP2) concurrently in a few minutes. This allows hundreds of face respirator masks to be safely reused every day, alleviating the strain on the demand for these resources in times of heavy use. The prototypes include several safety features, such as interlocks, to prevent accidental exposure of staff to harmful ultraviolet radiation that is associated with severe eye and skin damage. The technology has already been adopted at Mater Dei Hospital and has generated substantial interest from the local Healthcare sector.

While the technology is currently developed for small scale personal protective equipment such as face masks, it can be upscaled and integrated into much larger units. UVGI technology may be applied to disinfect office spaces, supermarkets, schools, shops, vehicles, clothes, hospital wards, public transport and medical equipment and instruments.

The Offer 

The University of Malta is seeking to partner with one or more industrial entities interested in the design, manufacture and sales of equipment based on the technology, ideally with the intent of penetrating both the local and foreign markets. The ideal candidate should be able to handle the different requirements of product design, manufacture or integration, and sales. The ideal candidate will be expected to develop one or more products by January 2021.  The University will also provide the support necessary to obtain the required certification to make the technology available on the market.  The successful candidate will also be eligible to apply for the Malta Enterprise COVID-19 Support Schemes

Interested parties are to submit their applications to the Corporate Research and Knowledge Transfer Office by Monday 27 July at 12:00, noon. No late applications will be considered eligible.

Documents to be submitted:

● List of industrial processes available in-house and/or proof of the ability to outsource industrial processes.

● Motivational letter highlighting why the UM should engage with you as an industrial partner 

Selection process: 

All Expressions of Interest submitted by the stipulated deadline shall be reviewed by the Selection Team. The Selection Team will be composed of Academic members of staff currently involved in the development of the prototype UVGI technology as well as representatives of the Corporate Research and Knowledge Transfer Office. 

The submitted Expressions of Interest will be ranked based primarily on the entity’s relevant expertise in the sector, availability of the required skills and processes, and availability to start production.

The University reserves the right to request additional information and hold additional meetings with prospective partners in determining the most appropriate partner or partners.

The University reserves the right to accept or reject any submission and/or to cancel the whole procedure and reject all submissions. The University reserves the right to initiate a new invitation for submission. 

The publication of this expression of interest  does not commit the University to implement the project.

In submitting an expression of interest, the applicant accepts that should he/she be chosen, a licensing agreement will be entered into with the University.

Each applicant will be informed of the outcome of the results of the selection process. The Selection Team’s decision will be final and at the full discretion of the University.