COVID-19 Rapid Response: Bio-Safe Bio-Based Anti-Viral Disinfectant Fogging Technology

The University of Missouri-Rolla and the U.S. Department of Defense conducted extensiveresearch from 2003-2011concerning the efficacy of utilizing methyl esters (the chemical namefor biodiesel) a derivative of soybean and other vegetable oils as a decontaminant releasedthrough a fogging machine to impact bacteria and pathogens present in business and agriculturaloperations including viruses.This technology showed tremendous promise as a safe naturaland highly effective broad-spectrum disinfectant for applications in nearly any type of enclosedstructure that may have been contaminated with a virus or nearly any other pathogen. Dataindicate the chemistry to be effective at concentrations safe for humans and should have noimpact on sensitive electronics.This proposal is seeking funding for phase 1 of the commercialization of this technology to buildon the existing data and to get the technology registered and approved by the EnvironmentalProtection Agency under the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).Thetotal funding amount requested is $100000.00.The proposal's technology will have tremendous impacts and benefits to rural and urban healthlocally nationally and potentially globally.In addition market implications will positivelyaffect the economy.The technology will allow institutions and businesses the ability todecontaminate bacterial and viral pathogens in their establishments.Such establishments willvary and may include hospitals nursing homes universities and retail businesses.Thistechnology will significantly reduce the vulnerabilities of rural communities from hazards andillnesses is innovative and has the potential to lead to commercialization.The proposed innovative technology meets both the goals of the USDA and the purpose of theSBIR legislation by transforming scientific discovery and innovation into both social andeconomic benefit.Once established the technology can be rapidly deployed for private sectorcommercialization.The aim of the SBIR project is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of thetechnology bringing the innovation closer to commercialization.The project involves a highdegree of technical risk as emphasized in the Request for Proposal as the technology does notyet successfully have a patent and is facing hurdles that funding can help overcome.The project will be led by Rock House Advisors LLC team members Joe Jobe and RusselGerkhe.Both have participated in previous research concerning the technology notedthroughout the grant application.Joe Jobe's professional profile can be seen under theleadership tab of the Rock House website.The project has a high probability of advancing to thesecond phase of the SBIR.The applicants have not previously applied for SBIR Phase I funding.Phase I will allow Rock House Advisors to move beyond current barriers and obstacles tolaunching this research in a way that produces benefits for rural and even urban areas throughoutthe world.