The invention, filed in September 2022, focuses on an airlock that ensures the decontamination of objects and materials using ozone before they enter cleanrooms, laboratories, or containment areas. Industrial development is led by LAB'SAFE, an entity within the LAB'SCIENCE network.
In demanding sectors such as the pharmaceutical industry, hospital pharmacies, and research or bio-containment laboratories, every object entering a controlled zone is a potential vector of contamination. The manual transfer of materials remains a time-consuming step dependent on operators.
The patented airlock integrates ozone production directly within the transfer chamber. Ozone, a powerful oxidizing agent, naturally decomposes into oxygen, leaving no chemical residue on treated surfaces. The decontamination cycle occurs within a closed chamber before opening to the clean zone. The SAS’OZ achieves a 6 log decontamination of bacterial spores in minutes, allowing for cycles of only about ten minutes.
This invention is the result of joint work between LAB'SCIENCE teams and those at INU Champollion through its Research Unit DPHE. Valorization is supported by Toulouse Tech Transfer, illustrating the capacity of an industrial SME and a university institution to jointly transform research results into applicable field solutions.
LAB'SAFE is continuing the industrialization of the airlock, based on an already completed prototype. LAB'SCIENCE will present the solution to industry professionals at upcoming events. Institutions interested in a pilot site can contact the teams immediately.
About LAB'SCIENCE: A general contractor specializing in the design and construction of controlled environments (ISO 5 to ISO 8 cleanrooms, GMP pharmaceutical laboratories, containment laboratories, and modular solutions). The LAB'SCIENCE network comprises over 400 employees, generates approximately €100 million in revenue, and supports 750 clients. Headquarters: Nazelles-Négron.
About INU Champollion: A public higher education institution, an associate member of the University of Toulouse, pursuing its missions of higher education and research in the territories of Albi, Castres, and Rodez. The DPHE laboratory's activities focus particularly on developing environmentally friendly processes for biological and chemical decontamination of liquids and surfaces in health and agri-food sectors.
