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Published: 02 August 2024

By Shane Rachel del Rosario

Water, salt, vinegar, and the desire to protect people from a viral outbreak. 

For Engineer Francis Aldrine Uy and USHER Technologies Inc., (USHER Tech) these were enough to produce a promising innovation that would ensure preparedness of communities for the next pandemic.  Through their low-cost portable disinfectant generator, they hope to usher institutions toward a culture of safety and environmental sustainability. 

Stirring the ‘solution’ 

A graduate of Civil Engineering from the Mapúa University and a PhD holder in Civil Engineering from the University of the Philippines, Engineer Uy is driven by the desire to develop and share localized disaster-prevention technologies.  He founded and is presiding over two disaster prevention technologies, such as the USHER Technologies Inc., which provides earthquake and structural health-monitoring systems, and WEHLO Resilience Technology Corporation, which offers localized weather impact monitoring. 

The COVID-19 pandemic inspired Engineer Uy and the USHER Tech Team to help protect people from the virus by introducing several innovations.  One of these was their low-cost mobile disinfection chamber dubbed as GoClean Chamber.

For full operation, the said innovation required a safer disinfectant solution, which they discovered as hypochlorous acid or HOCL.  However, machines that would produce this solution were not available.

“We found that the machines to produce HOCL were not available in the country, and those available were huge and expensive.  Thus, we developed a more cost-effective and mobile device that can be used in various workplaces to produce HOCL on demand, which we called HOCLOMAC,” Engineer Uy narrated. 

Ushering safety and sustainability through the HOCLOMAC

Engineer Uy and the USHER Tech team gave birth to HOCLOMAC, a device that can produce hypochlorous acid by combining water, salt, and vinegar.

Hypochlorous acid was proven as a potent and environment-friendly disinfectant solution that is suitable for various applications.  The solution made from the device could be used in several industries including hospitals, clinics, hotels, schools, industrial buildings, food processing plants, and agricultural farms. 

This ability, they believe, would be vital in improving sanitation and protection practices, thus helping to prepare the country for future pandemics. 

“It will improve sanitation and protection, aiding in preparation for the next pandemic. It is essential in this new normal,” they said. 

It also reduces the cost of acquiring different kinds of disinfectant solutions by 40% by providing a portable device that produces an all-in-one disinfectant solution for various applications. 

But just like the ingredients, the journey was not, at all times, sweet and tasty.  It underwent a fair share of challenges during its development process.

The disinfectant solution, which the HOCLOMAC produced, is almost odorless which made people doubt its effectiveness. 

“During many demonstrations, people initially doubted the effectiveness of the disinfectant solution produced by the device because it is almost odorless.  However, further studies proved its potential and usefulness,” Engineer Uy told. 

One characteristic of hypochlorous acid is its faint and mild smell.  But despite this, studies have proven its effectiveness in disinfecting surfaces.  The initial feedback, according to Engineer Uy and the USHER Team, also gave them the realization of the need for wider information dissemination on hypochlorous acid. 

“The disinfectant solution is almost odorless, which initially made people perceive it as ineffective.  Actual tests and certification were needed, and it was essential to educate people about hypochlorous acid,” he said. 

A hospital, according to Engineer Uy, also certified the effectiveness of the solution generated by the HOCLOMAC by conducting actual tests of the disinfectant solution in hospital settings. 

More than its ability to ensure people’s safety, the invention also aligns with the sustainable development goals (SDG), including SDGs 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, and SDG 13: Climate Action. 

The HOCLOMAC supports clean water and effective sanitation practices.  It also aims to reduce reliance on harmful chemical disinfectants, thus helping to mitigate environmental pollution and combat climate change. 

“By addressing these SDGs, HOCLOMAC contributes to creating a healthier, more sustainable world,” Engineer Uy quoted. 

Showcasing Filipino ingenuity in 2024 WorldInvent Singapore 

The HOCLOMAC will be showcased in the upcoming 2024 WorldInvent Singapore International Invention Show on July 9-11, along with five other promising Filipino innovations.

Engineer Uy and the USHER Team view this as an opportunity to represent the country and showcase Filipino ingenuity to the world.  They also hope to gain partners and investors to further improve their innovation and its distribution not only in the Philippines but also in other countries. 

“We will represent the country to showcase our innovation, share our experience on social media and our website, and use this exposure in future marketing and promotions,” Engineer Uy shared. 

Changing the global healthcare game with DOST

As they aim to stir future partnerships and opportunities in the global scene, Engineer Uy and the USHER Tech Team also expressed their gratitude to DOST, PCHRD, and DOST-TAPI for its moral and funding support.

Engineer Uy and the USHER Team received a startup grant from the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development.  This enabled them to receive funding while working on their innovation. 

“Funding is critical, and DOST through PCHRD has provided it.  Our ideas could not advance without sufficient funding and moral support from DOST,” they said. 

They also expressed gratitude to DOST-TAPI for funding their participation in the upcoming 2024 WorldInvent Singapore, further viewing it as an opportunity to establish a name for their innovation and inspire other Filipino innovators. 

“It is crucial for both local and international audiences to see that agencies like DOST-TAPI support us, as it recognizes our promising innovation worthy of being shared with the world.  It also indirectly promotes the product, encouraging others to become interested,” they said. 

Ushering a promising future 

Engineer Uy and the USHER Team dream of seeing their device in every Filipino household and workplace. They also hope to collaborate with the Department of Health for the deployment of their innovation in government hospitals and health centers. 

He also encouraged fellow Filipino innovators to continue stirring and creating solutions that would respond to modern challenges. 

“If you have a bright idea coupled with strong commitment, you can succeed.  Keep the excitement to sustain your journey,” Engineer Uy concluded. 

The HOCLOMAC is a product of Filipino ingenuity.  It proves that locally-made innovations could not only be at par with global creations but also contribute to stirring future solutions.  With a dash of passion and commitment, what we may perceive as small ideas could transform into enormous creations that would serve not only the present but also the generations to come. 

** This article is part of the "SPICE: Science and Technology Promotion for International Contest and Exhibits" campaign for the participants of the WorldInvent Singapore 2024. For more information and event updates, visit the DOST-TAPI website at www.tapi.dost.gov.ph.**