The world’s first filter to kill 99.9% of SARS-CoV-2 virus

The Korea Heral newspaper quoted the Korea Energy Research Institute (KIER) on May 3 as saying that the above high-efficiency particulate air filter was developed based on the world’s first photothermal effect – also known called a HEPA filter.

The photothermal effect is used in various fields such as drug delivery, cell death, sensors and solar cells. This effect is the mechanism by which light energy is absorbed and converted into heat energy of a substance.

Korean scientists have announced a technology to produce photothermal HEPA filters by coating an existing HEPA filter with plasmonic metal nanoparticles that produce a photothermal effect.

Researchers at the KIER Institute tested the thermal efficiency of a filter against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Photo: The Korea Heral

According to research, when the photothermal HEPA filter is radiated by light-emitting diodes in the visible light range, it is not harmful to the human body and is heated to 60 degrees Celsius or higher within 10-15 days. seconds, viral and bacterial cells will be killed.

The KIER Institute says that existing HEPA filters installed in air filtration systems are highly susceptible to secondary bacterial contamination due to contaminants that adhere to them, creating a bacteria-friendly environment. HEPA filters use ultraviolet light to help prevent this, but UV rays shorten the life of the filter because of corrosion.

“By adopting photothermal HEPA filter technology, up to 99.9% of viruses collected in the filter can be removed. So any secondary infections can be prevented by bacteria and viruses that cannot be prevented. proliferate in the filter,” shared the study’s lead author Yoo Seung-hwan.

The KIER Institute adds that the new filter can be easily installed onto existing filters. Air filter developer Cleantech (based in Busan – South Korea) has been licensed to manufacture this new filter. Cleantech is in the process of building a photothermal HEPA filter production facility and plans to launch the product later this year.