Development of new products and technologies

Project title: Development of ecological disinfection equipment using UV LEDs and ozone
Project contract number: 1.1.1.3/1/24/A/051
Project implementation time: 01.09.2025 - 31.08.2028
Total project funding: 656 455.14 EUR, including: ERDF funding – 374 544.00 EUR (77.7%), State budget funding – 89 934.35 EUR (13.7%)
Scientific project leader: Dr.Phys. Gita Rēvalde (FST ASI Laboratory of High-Resolution Spectroscopy and Light Source Technology)
Project partners: 
•    SME SIA Biosan
•    Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre

About the project:
The project aims to develop an innovative, portable, and eco-friendly disinfection device that combines ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (UV LEDs) and ozone technology for highly effective sterilisation of various materials and surfaces. Unlike traditional mercury-based UV disinfection systems, which pose significant environmental and health risks due to mercury toxicity, this novel device offers a sustainable alternative aligned with EU regulations for phasing out mercury-containing products by 2027.
The proposed technology integrates UV LEDs with ozone generation to enhance disinfection efficiency. UV-C LEDs (emitting in the germicidal wavelength range of 200–280 nm) are known for their ability to disrupt microbial DNA and RNA, while ozone complements this by penetrating porous materials and inactivating pathogens through oxidation. Synergic use of UV-C and UV-A LEDs also will be explored. The combination leverages these technologies' distinct yet complementary properties, enabling superior disinfection outcomes that are unattainable with either method alone.
The project is interdisciplinary and involves expertise from photonics, material science, and microbiology, represented by three project partners: University of Latvia, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, and SME Biosan LLC. The project team will collaborate to design, test, and prototype the disinfection device. The device is expected to have wide applications in healthcare, laboratories, and public spaces, addressing the growing demand for safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly disinfection methods.

Project activities:
Activity 2 – Research, which includes at least one of the following research categories: industrial research, and experimental development including sub-activities:
•    2.d1 Characterization and diagnostics of UV LED sources
•    2.d2 UV LED irradiation modelling
•    2.d3 Pathogen inactivation tests with selected UV LEDs
•    2.d4 Pathogen inactivation tests combining UV LEDs and Ozone on various materials
•    2.d5 Design and procurement of materials for a prototype UV LED/ozone box
•    2.d6 Development, construction, and improvement of UV LED/ozone equipment (experimental research)
•    2.d7 UV Testing of UV LEDs/ozone equipment in laboratory conditions
Activity 4 – Dissemination of knowledge generated within the project through training, publications, or know-how and technology transfer
Activity 5 – Communication and publicity activities

Main expected results:
•    three scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals (one co-authored with an industry partner),
•    a functional prototype of the disinfection device,
•    one licensing agreement for technology transfer,
•    development of a validated methodology for disinfection using UV LEDs and ozone

Project title: “Development of a cultivation system for complex microbial communities based on the principles of microbial ecology.”
Project contract number: No. 1.1.1.3/1/24/A/104
Project partners: SIA "Biosan", SIA "Metabonet"
Project implementation period: 01.09.2025. - 31.08.2028. (36 months)
Total project funding: EUR 656,000.00 (ERDF EUR 509,712.00; State budget funding EUR 89,872.00; Private eligible costs EUR 33,849.60)
Project manager / lead researcher: Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Latvia Dr. Jānis Liepiņš
Project administrative manager: Laureta Buševica, e-mail: [email protected]

Project objectives:
To develop a technical solution (technology and bioreactor prototype) that would allow the principles of microbial ecology to be applied to the cultivation, monitoring, and enrichment of complex microbial communities of limited size in a bioreactor system.

Project results:

1. Three open access Q1 scientific publications.
2. Two large data sets stored in public data repositories, ensuring data sustainability and complying with FAIR principles.
3. A bioreactor prototype that combines several parallel cultivation volumes, a small working volume with functions that allow controlled mass transfer between cultivation volumes.
4. Know-how on how to implement microorganism ecology-based principles in the design of small-scale bioreactors.
5. Employment of an early-career researcher – 1 new researcher position.

Planned project activities:

1. Innovative microbe ecology-based technology for the cultivation and monitoring of complex microbial communities in limited volumes.
2. Small-scale, multi-volume bioreactor prototype adapted for the maintenance of complex microbial communities.
3. Validation of innovative technologies and bioreactor prototype.
4. Project coordination, support, dissemination of results, and public communication.

SIA "Biosan" is implementing a research project within the framework of the implementation regulations of the second round of the Latvian Recovery and Resilience Mechanism Plan 5.1. reforms and investment direction "Increasing productivity through increasing investment in R&D" 5.1.1.r. reforms "Innovation management and motivation of private R&D investments" 5.1.1.2.i. investments "Support instrument for research and internationalization".
Research project number and title: No. 18 "Expanding optical accuracy and functional application of photometers by improving the quality of manufactured optical block parts and the range of applicable light sources, detectors and optical filters"
Project No. 5.1.1.2.i.0/2/24/A/CFLA/006
The project is being implemented from May 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026
The aim of the study is to investigate the feasibility of developing a high-precision optical module and a new optical component manufacturing methodology that will ensure the expanded application of a single-wavelength photometer in other areas such as water quality analysis, veterinary diagnostics and potentially others.

6-month results: During the work, two interdependent lines were simultaneously pursued: 1. functional direction, where priority wavelengths and corresponding sets of optical elements were defined and justified; 2. mechanical/production direction, where the 3D design basis of the optical block was developed and validated with metrologically defined references and tolerances, switching to a hybrid SLS + SLA production approach.

12-month results: A prototype of a modular optical system was developed and experimentally tested. During the course of the work, various LED, optical filter, and detector solutions were integrated to evaluate the possibility of expanding the system’s application to multiple wavelengths and measurement modes. Turbidimetric and nephelometric measurements were performed on the experimental platform, testing both the attenuation of the direct light beam and the 90° scattered signal. The results confirmed the viability of the modular optical system concept and, at the same time, helped refine future requirements for the prototype’s design, electronics, reference signal compensation, and software calibration.

SIA "Biosan" is conducting research, development and implementation of a UV-A fluorescence meter for opaque microplates.
Project number - 5.1.1.2.i.0/1/22/A/CFLA/005. The research is being implemented within the framework of the Recovery Fund project through the Smart Materials and Technologies Competence Center. The goal of the Competence Center is to support research in accordance with the defined research directions, developing new products and technologies in the industry and introducing them into production, thus promoting cooperation between the research and industrial sectors, as well as increasing the competitiveness of industry businesses. The project is being implemented from March 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024 and is co-financed by the European Union.

Research result: 3D printing of the housing model and integration into the device. Development of the overall assembly of nodes. Alignment and assembly of parts. Combining the nodes into a single aligned system. Improvement of the control and data reading software. A prototype has been created - a UV-A fluorescence meter for opaque microplates.

SIA "Biosan" is conducting research, development of a personal automated dosing station for laboratories.
Project number - 1.2.1.1/18/A/007. The research is being implemented within the framework of the Smart Materials and Technologies Competence Center project. The aim of the Competence Center project is to support research in accordance with the defined research directions, developing new products and technologies in the industry and introducing them into production, thus promoting cooperation between the research and industrial sectors, as well as increasing the competitiveness of industry businesses. The project is being implemented from June 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021 and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

Research result: Development of the overall assembly of nodes. Drawing, manufacturing and assembly of parts. Development of device design. Combining nodes into a single aligned system. Development of control and internal software. Assembly of a prototype - a ready prototype of the PPS-8 device.

SIA "Biosan" is conducting, development and research of a multi-angle nephelometric detector.
Project number - 1.2.1.1/18/A/007. The research is being implemented within the framework of the Smart Materials and Technologies Competence Center project. The aim of the Competence Center project is to support research in accordance with the defined research directions, developing new products and technologies in the industry and introducing them into production, thus promoting cooperation between the research and industrial sectors, as well as increasing the competitiveness of industry enterprises. The project is being implemented from March 1, 2019 to March 31, 2021 and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

Research result: Development of the assembly. Drawing, manufacturing and assembly of parts. Development of the device design. Improvement of the software. Assembly of the prototype - ready prototype of the DEN-8U device.

SIA "Biosan" completed a study, possibilities of cultivating microorganisms based on the technology of reversible mixing for personal bioreactors.
Project number - 1.2.1.1/16/A/005. The study was implemented within the framework of the project Competence Center for Smart Materials and Technologies. The Competence Center for Smart Materials and Technologies covers three scientific directions: Smart Materials, Biotechnology, Environment. The aim of the Competence Center project is to support at least 20 studies in accordance with the defined research directions, developing new products and technologies in the industry and introducing them into production, thus promoting cooperation between the research and industrial sectors, as well as increasing the competitiveness of industry enterprises. The project was implemented from September 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018 and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

Research result: a new product was developed - RTS-8, a multi-channel bioreactor with non-invasive real-time measurements of biomass, O2 and pH.

SIA “Biosan” as a cooperation partner of the “Environmental, Bioenergetics and Biotechnology Competence Center” (VBBKC) has been involved in the implementation of the research project “Study of Microorganism Cell Cultivation Using Reversible Liquid Mixing Technology”. On April 11, 2011, VBBKC concluded an agreement with the State Agency “Latvian Investment and Development Agency” No. L-KC-11-0005.

On August 17, 2011, SIA "Biosan" signed an agreement with SIA "Environmental, Bioenergy and Biotechnology Competence Centre" on conducting an industrial study, project name "Research on technologies for determining workplace contamination with DNA and RNA amplicons", which on April 11 concluded an agreement on the implementation of the project "Environmental, Bioenergy and Biotechnology Competence Centre" with the State Agency "Latvian Investment and Development Agency".