The powerful blasting instrument, known as The Magic Flute from its shape, could replace traditional explosives altogether. Mr McGowan, who needed an injection of cash to continue the project, applied for a Smart Award and has just been told he had been given £45,000 from the European fund.
He is delighted and says he will now be applying for the Queen’s Award for Innovation.
The Magic Flute is currently being refined and Mr McGowan will be going to America shortly where he will oversee the production of a modified style of airgun for the flute.
Mr McGowan has world patent markets already tied up in 24 countries including the USA, Russia and South Africa, representing 83% of the world’s mines, where the flute would be revolutionary.
The device operates by exploding highly compressed air, using a simple solenoid firing system, into water. Compressed air, when released explosively into water, creates an air bubble of intense pressure and because it is sealed in a confined space it has nowhere to explode, so it implodes, creating a massive shock wave which shatters the rock in-situ, without any flying debris. The procedure happens so quickly it cannot even be filmed.
In mining this would mean workers would not have to clear the area during blasting. Also each flute can be used 300,000 times over.
Mining would not be the only use for the flute. It could be used to blast dry wells in Third World countries to get water out at a lower depth, for demolition and scores of other uses.
Mr McGowan has over 25 years experience in mineral exploration, mining engineering and seismic surveying. He says it has always been his dream to be able to replace conventional chemical explosives with something more efficient and environmentally friendly.
Once the refinements in the USA are completed, he will be looking for a manufacturer.