Theresa Häupl is a graduate of the Bio- and Environmental Engineering (BUT) degree programme and has been working in hygiene management for Merlin Technology GmbH since graduating. The company, which specialises in room humidification, has now developed a new type of ultrasound aerosol disinfection system that can sterilise rooms of up to 170 square metres in less than an hour. BUT student Simon Unger tested and optimised the development as part of his bachelor thesis. The product will soon be available on the market.
According to the current state of knowledge, the coronavirus can be transmitted both by droplet infections and by airborne transmission with so-called aerosols. Now, with the newly developed direct room high-pressure air humidification system, room disinfection is possible. “This involves a dosing pump and associated components which are integrated into the air humidification system. This dosing unit guarantees exact and uniform dosing,” reports Theresa Häupl.
Supplement to wipe disinfection
“A room disinfection by means of aerosols is a permanent possibility to achieve a homogeneous disinfection of the whole room. It is a supplement to the classical wipe disinfection, which aims at sterile room air and surfaces. This means that even hidden areas that are difficult to reach can be disinfected,” says microbiology professor FH Professor Dr. Alexander Jäger.
Long-term cooperation
For 10 years now, the globally active Merlin Technology GmbH has been cooperating with the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria in Wels to test new product developments in modern laboratories and to obtain sound scientific input. “We have been working intensively on the subject of room ventilation and disinfection since 2006. High pressure or ultrasonic technology is predestined for this application. With Theresa Häupl we have got a great committed employee, who will prove and develop in many more projects. Her support is outstanding, especially for university’s development activities”, says Johann Reisinger, President of Merlin Technology GmbH.
In cooperation with Merlin Technology GmbH, Simon Unger, a bio- and environmental technology student, carried out measurements in different rooms at the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria, in private houses, companies, retirement homes and even in a library bus as part of his bachelor’s thesis.
