Rethinking disinfection during Covid-19
August 27, 2020
Dr Vinayak GHATE
Founder and CEO
SafeLight Pte Ltd
Ph.D. in Food Science & Technology (2016)
Given that Dr Ghate’s startup, SafeLight Pte Ltd, specialises in disinfection, joining the COVID-19 fight was a propitious decision.
Current disinfection technologies cannot effectively stop the spread of COVID-19. These episodic technologies can only be used once every few hours and are unsafe for humans. Germs can quickly double their population, and therefore surfaces become re-contaminated very easily.
Safelight’s patented visible light technology is part of an emerging category of continuous disinfection technologies, which work steadily round-the-clock to keep surfaces clean. This ensures that once a surface is sanitised, it stays sanitised.
Dr Ghate says, “COVID-19 has forced businesses to prioritise and re-evaluate hygiene strategies.”
He is exploring how Safelight, which kills bacteria, moulds and viruses, can be applied to COVID-19. PDI-based devices that help businesses enhance hygiene in their operations are also in the pipeline.
Dr Ghate adds, “Our technology could potentially lead to lower re-hospitalisation rates in healthcare, longer product shelf-life in food processing and reduced risk of infection in offices.”
SafeLight is supported by NUS’ Graduate Research Innovation Programme (GRIP).
