Laser-induced graphene to help filter COVID-19 from air

The technology - developed by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel in partnership with Rice University in Houston, Texas - is being commercialised by LIGC Application Ltd, which has developed a technology for producing and patterning porous graphene foam using a commercially available laser in ambient temperature. China’s Hubei Forbon Technology Co. Ltd. provided $3m in funding.

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“For the past five years, our lab at BGU's Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research has focused on the development of LIG, specifically in antimicrobial filtration and environmental applications,” said Dr. Chris Arnusch. “We are excited to be commercialising our technology in a number of air filtration products for COVID-19 and other specialised filtration applications.”

LIGC Co-founder and CEO Yehuda Borenstein said: “In the absence of better filtration technology, the indoor spaces where we used to spend most of our ‘normal’ life - schools, stores and workplaces - due to COVID-19 present a real risk. This technology will provide cleaner and more breathable air with lower energy and maintenance costs and virtually silent sound levels.”