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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n