DASA Launches COVID-19 Call for Rapid Sanitising Technology for Ambulances
DASA Launches COVID-19 Call for Rapid Sanitising Technology for Ambulances
The Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) is part of the UK Government’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), run by the Ministry of Defence. The Accelerator has launched a time-sensitive call under its Open Call for Innovation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which seeks to develop rapid sanitising technology to speed up the time it takes to clean ambulances.
Ambulances must be thoroughly cleaned when a patient with suspected COVID-19 has been transported. This can take up to 45 minutes and is conducted at cleaning centres, which can be some distance away.
To make this process faster and more efficient, DASA is looking to identify, develop and demonstrate rapid sanitising technologies. Innovations must be suitable for rapid deployment to clean public sector vehicles following the transport of patients with COVID-19. Ideally systems will have wider applicability than just ambulances, and may extend to buses, trains, and other blue light services or even in hospital wards/rooms.
Systems which are mobile, allow ease of operation and maintenance, are robust and reliable are of particular interest. Proposals relying on the use of decontaminants must be able to fully wet a complex surface for a given contact time to ensure effective decontamination. Those without access to a suitable decontaminant should specify this in their proposal.
Efficacy will need to be demonstrated via a short process of trials/experimentation, to include definition of tactics, techniques and procedures to ensure selected options are used effectively for specific applications. Ideas will need to be rapidly developed and tested with potential to be scaled and used across the UK over the coming months. All projects will be required to undergo practical assessment at Dstl Porton Down and a live demonstration on an ambulance, provided by the Welsh Ambulance Service.
Applications should be submitted using the DASA Enterprise Collaboration Service. Initial registration is required for new users.
As this call forms part of DASA’s Open Call for Innovation, applications are accepted at any time; however, the next two cut-off dates are: 1 April 2020 and 28 May 2020.
More information about this research funding opportunity and the application process is available on the RESEARCHconnect funding information platform. RESEARCHconnect provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on research funding news and policy. To find out more about how RESEARCHconnect can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.