German start-up in global demand with anti-coronavirus escalators

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German start-up in global demand with anti-coronavirus escalators

They patented an idea to disinfect escalator handrails using UV light

Published: April 26, 2020 15:59 Compiled by Christian Borbon, Digital Content Editor and inputs from AFP

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Copy of 871524-01-08-1587899592797 — Tanja Nickel and Katharina Obladen were still in high school when they patented an idea to disinfect escalator handrails using UV light. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 871523-01-08-1587899588965 — A decade later, their small German start-up UVIS can barely keep up with orders from around the world for their coronavirus-killing escalators and coatings for supermarket trolleys and elevator buttons. Image Credit: AFP

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200426 uv light — Working student Leon Rottmann and Katharina Obladen (R) stand at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 871514-01-08-1587899579102 — Leon Rottmann coats a shopping trolley for disinfection at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 871512-01-08-1587899572548 — Inspired by New York City's use of ultraviolet radiation to sterilise drinking water, they designed a UV light box that can be built into escalators to disinfect handrails, with the radiation destroying the DNA of disease-causing micro-organisms. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 871510-01-08-1587899568631 — After finishing university, the pair founded UVIS in 2016 with seed money from programmes for start-ups. They remain a rare example in Germany of women running an engineering firm. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 871503-01-08-1587899562145 — This year, the duo added an antimicrobial coating to their line-up, not based on UV technology. The invisible coating can be sprayed onto surfaces to destroy mould, bacteria and viruses like the novel coronavirus, using the self-cleaning properties of titanium dioxide. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 871516-01-08-1587899581933 — As Germany begins to relax some lockdown restrictions, the start-up's five-person team has been inundated with requests from shops, offices and cafes eager to reopen to a public newly aware of the health risks lurking in shared spaces. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 871506-01-08-1587899564928 — Leon Rottmann solds an electronic part at the mechanic's workshop. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 871518-01-08-1587899585498 — Leon Rottmann cleans a shopping trolley for disinfection at the mechanic's workshop of the Startup UVIS UV-Innovative Solutions in Cologne. Image Credit: AFP

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