Press Release by Keynes Controls
FluoroGlow
Keynes Controls were delighted to support Exeter University students in the development of state-of-the art water quality instrumentation projects. Keynes Controls provided resources to assist the very talented undergraduate to develop and test the state-of the art sensors to be used to measure for the first time pathogen outbreaks in real-time.
Field testing Loch Leven in Scotland
Exeter Undergraduate Kathryn Thomas field testing the individual sensor parts used in her real-time sensor system. Each of the component parts designed by Kathryn were tested separately in order to ensure the functionality of all the items. Field testing was undertaken at Loch Leven in Scotland.
Global Citizenship Event Competition
Kathryn Thomas 1st Place Winner
University of Dundee Medical School
Kathryn, has developed the award-winning invention, FluoroGlow, to detect cryptosporidium, a waterborne parasite causing respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses. Inspired by a 2024 outbreak in Brixham, Devon.
According to the government, there were 5,708 cases of cryptosporidium in the UK in 2024.
"I was in my final year when I saw a news report about a large outbreak of cryptosporidium in Brixham which was making many people unwell and forcing residents to boil their water," she explained.
"I began to wonder if there could be a faster, more reliable way to detect cryptosporidium in water.
"I approached the engineering company I had worked for with this idea and they have supported me to develop the fluorometer device.
"By identifying contamination early, FluoroGlow could help prevent outbreaks before they spread and protect families and communities from preventable illness," Ms Thomas said.
Ms Thomas said she hoped thousands more cases could be prevented worldwide if her device was in use.
ESBF Competition
Kathryn Thomas The Big Ideas Runner Up Is Fluroglow!
Supporting Engineers And Scientists To Reach Their Potential
ESBF empowers engineers and scientists to become leaders in UK industry, helps them achieve their full potential and achieve their career goals.
It does this by annually awarding Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarships to talented engineers and scientists to enable them to study for an MBA at top international business schools.
More than 400 Sainsbury Management Fellows (SMFs) have benefitted from this world-class business education since 1987, while also forming an unparalleled network of likeminded leaders, executives and entrepreneurs.
DATE: 05/11/2025
To read more about the 'Graduate innovation to detect water contamination up for national award' click here...