Air-conditioning filter that almost completely destroys new coronavirus with high heat of 200°C is developed

Researchers at the University of Houston have developed an air conditioning filter that kills pathogens including the new coronavirus at a high temperature of 200°C. In the experiment, they succeeded in killing almost 100% of the new coronavirus that passed the filter.

Catching and killing of airborne SARS-CoV-2 to control spread of COVID-19 by a heated air disinfection system-ScienceDirect
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2542529320300730

Researchers Create Air Filter that Can Kill the Coronavirus-University of Houston
https://uh.edu/news-events/stories/july-2020/07072020ren-coronavirus-filter.php

The new coronavirus, which has been raging around the world since the end of 2019, is said to be mainly caused by 'splash infection', which is transmitted by the splash (himatsu) that pops out of the infected person's mouth during coughing, sneezing, or conversation. Also, in some situations, 'aerosol infection', in which the infection spreads through very small particles (aerosol) floating in the air, has been pointed out. Therefore, careful hand-washing and gargling as well as ventilation of the room are being sought to prevent new coronavirus infection.

WHO suggests the possibility of ``aerosol infection'' of new coronavirus, appealing ventilation in addition to hand washing and gargle-GIGAZINE

However, aerosols floating in the air are only a few micrometers in size, and it is difficult to completely remove them. Therefore, a research team led by Professor Zhifeng Ren of the Department of Physics at the University of Houston worked with a local real estate agent to develop an air conditioning filter using commercially available nickel foam used for sound absorbing materials and electrodes.

In the picture below, the developed air conditioning filter is attached to the ventilation fan.

Nickel foam is made of metal, has electrical conductivity, and can be easily heated electrically. Also, since it is sponge-like, it has breathability and is easy to process. The developed filter is a mechanism that kills viruses and bacteria contained in the passing air by heating nickel foam to 200°C with electricity.

In fact, the test at Galveston National Laboratory confirmed that it killed 99.8% of the new coronavirus that passed the filter. Also, it was possible to kill 99.9% in the case of anthrax .

The real estate agent who cooperated with the development plans to commercialize an air purifier incorporating the filter developed by the research team. 'This filter could help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in airports, airplanes, office buildings, schools, and cruise ships,' said Ren. He said he is also developing a desktop model.