A revolutionary new biocidal technology developed at Auburn University has been granted U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration. This technology can help many people around the world who do not have access to safe, clean drinking water.

The technology, first developed by Dr. S.D. Worley (pictured left) in the AU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, was licensed in 1997 to HaloSource, Inc. based in Seattle, WA,. HaloSource has been successful in advancing the technology to commercialization. The unique biocidal technology is incorporated into a product called HaloPure Br that has been marketed in both developing and         developed countries such as China, India and Brazil.

“HaloPure Br technology involves attaching biocidal bromine (Br) onto porous beads for use in inexpensive disinfecting cartridges that can be incorporated into water purification and filtration devices”, according to Dr. Worley. Bacteria and viruses are killed on contact at the point-of-use offering a powerful, cost-effective means of decontamination that is unique, and can improve the performance of many other water purification systems currently on the market. In addition to serving as a primary disinfecting agent, HaloPure Br cartridges can be engineered to ensure the safety of stored water, as well as for control of biofilm and slime formation downstream of the cartridge.

The EPA registration is expected to ‘broaden the reach of HaloSource’s products and extend the range of potential partners to support the need for clean drinking water worldwide in both developed and developing economies’ according to the company press release, and broadens the market for HaloPure Br.

Dr. Jeff Williams, senior vice president and chief technology officer for HaloSource, says that “the technology has the potential for saving lives in countries around the world in which there are no inexpensive means available for disinfecting drinking water.

The license with HaloSource is one of 54 currently active license/option agreements based on technologies developed by Auburn University faculty and students, and is managed by the Auburn University Office of Technology Transfer. “With a new business plan, we are initiating proactive approaches in working with faculty and student inventors, and marketing the University’s technologies”, said Dr. John D. Weete, acting assistant vice president for technology transfer and commercialization.