University of Wolverhampton produces sanitiser in coronavirus fight
More than 100 litres of sanitiser has been produced by university chiefs in Wolverhampton to help frontline workers.
Academics and technicians from the University of Wolverhampton have sped up the process amid a shortage.
The anti-viral cleaner will be distributed to the NHS, councils and other healthcare workers.
A trial batch of sanitiser had already been produced before the lockdown by the university's School of Pharmacy and School of Engineering.
Dr Colin Brown, head of the School of Pharmacy, said: "We’re excited to be able to begin producing sanitiser to a high specification on such a large scale.
"It’s a testament to the hard work of the team to be able to adapt to the WHO process and work across multiple disciplines to respond to the needs of the NHS Trusts and our frontline care workers.
"We plan to continue production, and get more ingredients as they become available so that we can continue supporting our community.”
Dr Matthew Palframan and Dr Mark Hewitt made the first batch and have been working alongside Dr Aman Dhir to "upscale" the quantities.
They have adopted the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s methodology – using ethanol, isopropyl, glycerol and hydrogen peroxide.
Professor Nazira Karodia, pro vice-chancellor for regional engagement, said: "This is the first of many batches of sanitiser the university will manufacture and donate, and I’m proud of the wide range of projects colleagues in the University are launching to combat this virus.
“The academic and technical skills being used are world class."
It comes as the university has donated personal protective equipment (PPE) – and has offered the use of its student accommodation at its Walsall Campus for NHS staff.
A total of 133 rooms for doctors, nurses, midwives are available – with NHS staff from New Cross Hospital offered use of the Liberty Heights accommodation, with police using rooms at the city campus.
