SBIR/STTR Award attributes
It is becoming increasingly apparent that the major pathway of the COVID-19 transmission is through respiratory droplets. This effect is of especially large concern in closed, poorly ventilated spaces, with people aggregating in close proximity. Therefore, effective air filtration in warehouses and other buildings is one of the most effective ways of limiting COVID-19 transmission. Unfortunately, airborne influenza transmission studies suggest that the use of HEPA filters indoors reduces the relative risk of contracting an airborne disease by only about 40%, compared to the situation where no air filtration is used. Clearly, more efficient indoor air filtration systems are needed to curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2 viral pathogens through airborne micro and nanodroplets. To address this need, Hedgefog Research Inc. (HFR) proposes to develop a new Extreme Efficiency Nanodroplet Air (XENA) Filtration/Decontamination system, which will take advantage of several novel decontamination techniques. Together, those techniques will provide efficient capture and decontamination of airborne micron- and sub-micron aerosols. In Phase I, we will demonstrate the operation of the key components and will conduct the preliminary design of the full-scale prototype. In Phase II, HFR plans to design and demonstrate the operation of a prototype platform, thus reaching TRL-5.
