The American University in Cairo

<h3 id="overview">Overview</h3>
<p>The American University in Cairo was founded in 1919 by Americans devoted to education and service in the Middle East.</p>
<p>In line with the liberal arts approach to education to which the University is committed, the School of Sciences and Engineering (SSE) offers degree programs in natural sciences (biology, chemistry and physics), Mathematics and actuarial science and computer science and engineering, as well as a number of engineering programs (architectural and construction, electronics, mechanical and petroleum).</p>
<h3 id="research">Research</h3>
<p>AUC is committed to actively transfer research and innovation through technology licensing and collaborative partnerships delivering tangible benefits to the community.</p>
<p>The university boasts 16 research centers that promote collaborative research across a wide array disciplines.</p>
<p>The Yousef Jameel Science and Technology Research Center was established to promote research at AUC. Bringing together a qualified group of scientists and engineers since its inception in Fall 2003, the Center has experienced a spectacular rate of growth. It is now a very visible feature of AUC and is increasing gaining national and international recognition. The Center supports a variety of nanoscience and technology-oriented projects that make use of its state-of-the-art equipment. The center aims to attract high-caliber researchers from around the world who, together with AUC faculty, contribute to the center’s research themes and help steer its future research activities. </p>
<h3 id="industry-partnerships">Industry Partnerships</h3>
<p>AUC is committed to actively transfer research and innovation through technology licensing and collaborative partnerships delivering tangible benefits to the community.</p>
<p>The Technology Transfer Office (TTO) works with the University’s researchers and inventors to accelerate the process of bringing their developed technologies to the community. The office supports research at all stages and helps establish a connection between companies and the commercialization of intellectual property.</p>


<h1 id="background">Background</h1>
<p>Bacterial contamination is an invisible problem that occurs in the sources of food and drinking water or even in the air and on different surfaces with pathogens, whether bacterial, viral or parasitic, or even the toxins of these microbes, leading to injury of humans and animals with many infectious diseases. Food contamination occurs at any stage of its production or manufacture, during transportation, storage, distribution or consumption, as a result of any change or malfunction in surrounding environmental conditions resulting in health hazards or diseases that may cause life. It is noted that the poor environmental situation and the spread of infectious diseases lead to an increase in the mortality rate in the world’s most densely populated and least developed countries or so-called developing countries. The spread of insects and rodents carrying disease with lack of health awareness and the lack of food or pollution are all environmental factors increase the spread of these Epidemics.</p>
<h1 id="technology-overview">Technology Overview</h1>
<p>This Innovation focuses on converting bulk Green tea oil and Peppermint oil to nanoparticles (whether in powder or liquid). This nano-transformation resulted in unique properties and results such as: <strong>(i)</strong> water solubility enhancement, <strong>(ii)</strong> broad antibacterial and antifungal activities <strong>(iii)</strong> prolonged and effective antimicrobial power of more than 96 hours (iv) Enhanced thermal stability.</p>
<p>Both models of powders and nanoparticles are environmentally friendly and biodegradable.</p>
<h1 id="benefits">Benefits</h1>
<ul>
<li>Improve the thermal stability of green tea oil and Peppermint oil after it is encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles</li>
<li>Promote antibacterial activity in a wide range</li>
<li>Work effectively for long periods (96 hours).</li>
<li>Green tea oil and Peppermint oil are converted into a more stable powder form.</li>
</ul>
<h1 id="applications">Applications</h1>
<p>This project is based on the use of nanotechnology to convert some volatile natural herbal oils such as Green Tea oil and Peppermint oil into nanoparticles after mixing with some natural polysaccharides such as chitosan and non-anionic non-ionic surfactants, all of which meet the specifications of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and be eco-friendly to the environment. These nanoparticles have multiple uses in specially the field of antiseptics due to their superior antibacterial and antifungal properties. These nanoparticles are easily formed into multiple formulations such as powders, liquids, soap, creams, as well as hydrogels, which are easy to use in the manufacture of detergents and disinfectants and can be safely applied on the skin or mucous membranes to prevent the infections and improve the freshness of the skin. It can be used and sprayed on different surfaces such as the walls and walls of hospitals and medical and food factories, which prevent and limit the spread of bacteria on the surfaces better than the liquids used in markets as well as being environmental friendly products. These particles can finally be used as preservatives for different food industries.</p>
<h1 id="opportunity">Opportunity</h1>
<ul>
<li>Available for exclusive and non-exclusive licensing</li>
<li>Exclusive/non-exclusive evaluation for defined period (set up for options).</li>
<li>Collaborative/supportive research</li>
</ul>
