Researchers at Scotland’s Edinburgh University have outlicensed rights to commercialize self-sustaining treatment for active remediation (STAR), a technology developed to remove toxic chemicals from soil and groundwater. The researchers say the technique will reduce the cost of cleaning areas contaminated with industrial waste by approximately 50% compared to existing methods. STAR safely burns away substances such as oils and petrochemicals in a controlled combustion reaction. The process stops once the contaminants are removed, leaving the original soil or groundwater behind.
The university has entered an exclusive license agreement with U.S. engineering firm Geosyntec Consultants to commercialize the technology. “We see STAR technology as a real game-changer for certain types of sites,” says David Major, environmental scientist at Geosyntec. “We are committed to making this technology available worldwide and especially to establishing a Scottish operation to serve the European marketplace.” Edinburgh Research and Innovation (ERI), the university’s commercialization arm, negotiated the license agreement.
Source: Science Business