Smart Incubator Microbium

Project Information

SIM

Grant agreement ID: 868967

DOI

10.3030/868967

Project closed

EC signature date 24 April 2019

Start date 1 June 2019

End date 30 November 2019

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

MICROBIUM, NAPREDNE TEHNOLOGIJE, D.O.O.
Slovenia

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SIM (Smart Incubator Microbium)

Reporting period: 2019-06-01 to 2019-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Safe drinking water (DW) is a responsibility of Water Utilities (WUs). The WUs are currently using a reactive monitoring approach, which reveals contamination with E.coli only days after it reaches the user. The market is calling for a faster, more automatized system for the analysis of DW.
SIM system enables fast, easy, reliable detection and quantification of E.coli and coliform bacteria in DW at reduced costs compared to conventional methods. There is no need for laboratory equipment. The detection limit is already at 1 bacterium per 100 mL and this conforms to the EU regulation and WHO guidelines. The detection system is based on ISO 9308-MPN method that is used in laboratories with accreditation all over the world. Our strategy is to simplify the analysis procedure to such extend that it can be used by anyone without any knowledge in microbiology with just looking at info-graphic in 6 steps. SIM does not generate any additional plastic waste.
The solution is appealing to small, medium and large WU as well as to the industry that is dealing with drinking or process water in their production processes.
Objectives of Technical, Commercial and Market Feasibility Study, duration 6 months.
Task 1. Testing of the desired specifications of the SIM instrument on the final target users (M1-M3).
We performed interviews with relevant water utilities in EU and participated with a booth at two international exhibitions for DW technologies. Gathered information was used to reevaluate the importance of planed specifications of SIM and further on possibilities for IP protection and production possibilities.
Task 2.1. Assessment of the EU, the USA and the Asian market and marketing strategy preparation (M2-M5).
A survey was concluded with the help of interviews with QC Managers worldwide as well as overview of regulation in drinking water sector. Marketing strategy and materials were prepared based on the gathered information.
Task 2.2. Searching for additional distributors (M4-M6).
We obtained new relevant distributor connections at international fairs and conferences.
Task 3. Detailed economic viability report (M5-M6).
A correction was made to financial predictions.
Task 4. Forming a detailed business and management model and testing its viability (M5-M6).
A business and management model have been generated.
Task 5. Forming an exit strategy, licencing our IP and know-how (M5-M6).
IP and exit strategy were prepared.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

We performed interviews with relevant water utilities in EU and participated with a booth at two international exhibitions for drinking water technologies. Gathered information was used to re-evaluate the importance of planed specifications of SIM and further on possibilities for IP protection and production possibilities.
A survey was concluded with the help of interviews with Quality Control Managers from EU countries, USA and Asia as well as overview of regulation in drinking water sector. Marketing strategy and materials were prepared based on the gathered information.
We obtained new relevant distributor connections at international fairs and conferences.
A correction was made to financial predictions.
A business and management model have been generated.
IP and exit strategy were prepared.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

During prototyping we discovered that we can develop a testing system that would greatly reduce the quantity of wastes. This will be the first such microbiological system on the market. All other use plenty of plastic accessories for one time use. We are overcoming this with the use of preferably glass or other materials that can be simply sterilized by the user. Thus, the use of our system would drastically reduce amount of plastic used worldwide. This is especially important in regions where waste management is not so efficient as in most of EU.

Simple results reading