Central to the purifier is FOAM3R filter technology which is described as a highly adaptable disruptor technology for microbial, CO2 and volatile organic compound (VOC) odour removal.
Patented by the University, FOAM3R can be used to produce multi-functional foam structures for applications including aircraft cabins, in-car air filters, ship and boat cabins, residential heating, ventilation and air-conditioning, home air purifiers and respirator and breathing apparatus.
The foam is comprised of high temperature polymer and active media such as selective adsorbents to capture contaminants and antibacterial agents to combat microbes. It is claimed to be mouldable and lightweight, energy-efficient and anti-bacterial, and the addition of active metals into the structure is said to make it 99.999 per cent efficient in removing common bacteria and viruses.
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FOAM3R’s tailorable composition allows for targeted capture of small to large VOCs – some of which are responsible for unpleasant smells, while others can be harmful to human health – and high-performance removal of CO2.
Currently in the prototype stage, the home air purifier design features two cylindrical columns of the FOAM3R material. During operation, one column is used to purify the air and the other ‘regenerates’ for reuse through heating, restoring the foam’s sorbent properties.
The process also removes collected pollutants and dead microbial debris captured in the air through heating, and recovers volatile components through cooling and condensation, which are collected as a liquid that can be poured away safely.
Created in a one-step manufacturing process, FOAM3R can be retrofitted into existing technology and is reportedly more energy efficient than comparable carbon-granule-based air purification systems.
In a statement, Professor Semali Perera, from Bath’s Department of Chemical Engineering, said the air purifier design and FOAM3R technology could present a breakthrough in air purification.
“We have created a highly efficient design, with none of the disposable cartridges or waste that we see in many commercial air purifiers, so there are several benefits to what we’ve created,” she said. “Our next step is to engage potential commercial partners with the requisite expertise to bring our invention to the market.”
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