The breath of life

Pneumonia is the biggest killer of children worldwide. But when it comes to fighting the disease, particularly in remote communities, the key problem is access to medicine and technology. Oxygen, with antibiotics, is crucial to pneumonia treatment, but not every healthcare facility has oxygen available. In fact, some don’t even have electricity. In 2011, a team of physics researchers - including Associate Professor Roger Rassool from the University of Melbourne - collaborated with colleagues from a wide range of disciplines to develop the first electricity-free oxygen concentrating system, known as FREO2. FREO2 draws water from local river streams and uses it to produce oxygen, without electricity. And now, it’s saving lives.
Episode recorded: August 28, 2018.
Interviewer: Dr Andi Horvath.
Producers: Dr Andi Horvath, Chris Hatzis and Silvi Vann-Wall.
Audio engineer and editor: Chris Hatzis.
Banner: Getty Images.

Pneumonia is the biggest killer of children worldwide. But when it comes to fighting the disease, particularly in remote communities, the key problem is access to medicine and technology. Oxygen, with antibiotics, is crucial to pneumonia treatment, but not every healthcare facility has oxygen available. In fact, some don’t even have electricity. In 2011, a team of physics researchers - including Associate Professor Roger Rassool from the University of Melbourne - collaborated with colleagues from a wide range of disciplines to develop the first electricity-free oxygen concentrating system, known as FREO2. FREO2 draws water from local river streams and uses it to produce oxygen, without electricity. And now, it’s saving lives.

Episode recorded: August 28, 2018.

Interviewer: Dr Andi Horvath.

Producers: Dr Andi Horvath, Chris Hatzis and Silvi Vann-Wall.

Audio engineer and editor: Chris Hatzis.

Banner: Getty Images.