U of S researchers working on device that removes COVID-19 virus from air
Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are developing a way to sanitize the air we breathe to help protect us from catching COVID-19.
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CBC News ·
Posted: Dec 17, 2020 2:20 PM CT | Last Updated: December 17, 2020
U of S researchers are working on a filtration system that would remove the COVID-19 virus from the air we breathe.(University of Saskatchewan)
SASKATOON Imagine an air-purification system that not only removes dust and noxious particles, but can also neutralize a virus in the air. That’s the goal of a team of chemical and biological engineers at the University of Saskatchewan. For 15 years engineers have been developing an active filtration system, using active oxygen molecules to zap organic pathogens and noxious particles found in the air. A traditional HEPA air filter simply traps air particles. When the pandemic hit earlier this year the team of engineers pivoted and have been working to develop a way to neutralize the COVID-19 virus. “The virus is found in droplets of water in the air. Somebody coughs, somebody sneezes and there are these water droplets that contain the virus for the most part,” said Jafar Soltan, professor of chemical engineering.