SARS-Cov-2 pandemic continues with many challenges to the entire world. Based on the current state of knowledge, one of the main drivers of transmission are aerosols, tiny droplets that can remain in the air for a long time. These become a problem especially in places where different people spend a long time at the same time or one after the other, such as offices, waiting rooms and doctors' surgeries. Last year, as part of a "Covid19 Emergency Response Call", the European best-in-class network EIT Manufacturing, under the leadership of the Vienna University of Technology Wien (Institut für Fertigungstechnik und Photonische Technologien), a consortium of AIT Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), HPM Technologies and AQA was formed to implement the idea of a mobile air purifier and disinfector. When operating the unit, it is possible to switch between filtration and disinfection mode. Disinfection mode is used to treat surfaces when no people are present in the room.
Within the framework of the project, the TU Vienna developed further an existing prototype for air purification with a high turnover rate within half a year, HPM technologies and the experts of the Competence Unit Bioresources at the AIT developed the optimal combination of aerosol production technology, selected disinfectant and the application quantity required for the inactivation of various bacteria and viruses. AIT's long-standing cooperation partner AQA has a profound insight into the market and developed a strategy for the use and marketing of the product.
AIT Aerosol Expert Clara Pogner, Competence Unit Bioresources, explains "This innovative technology combines two ways to ensure reduced bacterial and viral contamination of indoor air as well as inactivating viruses and bacteria on surfaces." This contributes to people's health, Pogner further explains "During the development of the device, we placed great emphasis on testing, the functions. Viruses, bacteria and fungi were used. In the process, we were able to show that our device delivers what it promises."
The project was successfully completed at the end of 2020. Now the certification is planned for the market launch and then offer an efficient, mobile and affordable solution for homes, medical practices, offices, waiting rooms on the cutting edge of science.
Link to "one expert - one topic - one minute"- video with AIT aerosol expert Clara Pogner. She explains in one minute how the MobileAirCleaner project can help in the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. (DE) https://youtu.be/D9Ep4PjtBrA
Link to EIT Manfufacturing: https://eit.europa.eu/news-events/news/eit-manufacturing-awarded-eur-33-million-eit-crisis-response-initiative-tackle (Project "Clean Air")
