A new technology to clean respiratory viruses from the air

Miguel A. Bañares

  • PROJECT LEADER

    Miguel A. Bañares

  • HOST ORGANIZATION,
    COUNTRY

    Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Spain

  • DESCRIPTION

    A huge variety of pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2 and other human respiratory viruses, are found in the air in indoor spaces. Their main mode of transmission is by exposure to aerosols which, when breathed in, infect the host.

    The SafeAir project is aimed at developing catalytic technologies to inactivate a wide range of infectious microorganisms. Specifically, it will create new air purifiers that use catalytic filters to inactivate viruses by oxidative stress, inhibiting their ability to infect human cells. The researchers will evaluate two types of technology: catalyst activation by light; and thermal catalyst activation assisted by microwave irradiation.

    The new air cleaning system will not be a hazard either to human health or to the environment, as it will not generate undesirable secondary chemicals, and will not need to be regularly replaced.

  • PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

    • Cristina Calvo, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Spain

    • María Luz García García, Hospital Universitario Severo Ochoa, Spain

  • PROJECT TITLE

    Highly efficient technology for clean and safe air: development of advanced air purifiers to inactivate pathogens in aerosols

  • BUDGET

    €997,000