Headworks BIO Inc., an engineering and manufacturing company that supplies biological wastewater treatment solutions to municipal and industrial facilities around the world, has signed an option agreement with the Texas A&M University System (TAMUS). The option agreement provides Headworks BIO with the right to negotiate an exclusive license for TAMUS's patent-pending Electron Beam (E-Beam) technology for use in municipal wastewater treatment applications.
The National Center for Electron Beam Research (NCEBR) at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, is the leading academic and research organization focused on the research, development and commercialization of E-Beam and X-ray technologies for improving the quality of life of people and the regional economies around the world. The activities of the NCEBR, conducted by Texas AgriLife Research, hinge on the world's largest high-throughput research/commercial grade E-Beam and X-ray irradiation equipment.
"Entering this option agreement with the Texas A&M University System demonstrates Headworks BIO Inc.'s commitment to staying at the forefront of available wastewater treatment technologies," said Michele LaNoue, president and CEO of Headworks BIO Inc. "We are committed to offering new and innovative treatment technologies to our customers and partners around the world and are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with a university that is pioneering the research and development of this revolutionary technology."
Electron Beam processing or electronic irradiation is a process which involves using electrons, usually of high energy, to treat an object for a variety of purposes. Possible uses for electronic irradiation include sterilization and to cross-link polymers.
This process has the ability to break the chains of DNA in living organisms, such as bacteria, resulting in microbial death and rendering the product or sample sterile. E-Beam processing is currently in use commercially for the sterilization of medical products, pasteurizing food to protect against foodborne pathogens, developing aseptic packaging materials for foods as well as in the disinfestation (the elimination of live insects) from grain, tobacco and other unprocessed bulk crops.
"The National Center for Electron Beam Research is excited to enter an option agreement with Headworks BIO with the potential of negotiating an exclusive license agreement for TAMUS's patent-pending Electron Beam (E-Beam) technology," said Dr. Suresh Pillai, director of NCEBR.
The NCEBR is researching ways to harness E-Beam and X-ray technologies to treat municipal drinking water, wastewater and industrial waste streams. Projects underway are focused on disinfecting against microbial pathogens, destroying estrogenic compounds, chlorinated compounds and other recalcitrant pollutants.
Sterilization with electrons has significant advantages over traditional methods that are currently in use. The process is a quick switch-on, switch-off technology that produces no radioactive material or waste products and is compatible with a variety of materials.
Source: Headworks USA
