Virozap

Table of Content

Author:

D. Yogi Goswami^*, Ph.D, PE

Distinguished University Professor,

Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering Department

Director, Clean Energy Research Center

University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida

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Abstract

Air quality has been deteriorating throughout the world due to emissions from power plants, automobiles and industrial processes. In addition, organics used in indoor building materials, carpets, paints and surface finishes add to the indoor air quality problems. Emergence of COVID and its transmission through air has affected the whole world. The pollutants of most concern in the indoor air are biological (viruses, bacteria, mold and other spores), volatile organic chemicals (VOC) and other allergens, such as, droppings of dust mites and cockroaches, etc. These pollutants not only make people sick, they have also been the main cause of allergies and asthma in a large part of the global population.

In the past, air-cleaning technologies just focused on filtration of particulate matter, the best being HEPA filters. However, HEPA filters cannot effectively remove viruses and VOCs. In recent years, UV-C technology has been gaining popularity for large buildings. However, UV-C is hazardous to be exposed to and also produces Ozone.

The scientists of Applied Photonix LLC (APL) have now developed the next generation Plasmonic Photonic technology for disinfection and detoxification of indoor air. It is the most advanced indoor air disinfection and purification technology to provide protection against any future pandemic as well as other pollutants in indoor environments. The new technology makes use of patented Plasmonic nanoparticles catalyst that emits waves that cause resonance with the incoming photons of UV-A light and enhance the effectiveness of the photons, making this process more effective than any other existing technology. The new Plasmonic Photonic technology has been tested extensively for effectiveness against viruses, bacteria, mold and other fungal spores, and Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs). The technology has been incorporated in the APL’s ViroZap^TM products. Figures 1 and 2 show the product configuration and a picture of one of the products.

The ViroZap products are UL certified. They are also FDA 510(K) cleared based on their performance against various viruses, bacteria and mold and other fungal spores.

**Figure 1.** Configuration of a ViroZapTM unit, consisting of a pre-filter, low grade UV-A LEDs and a medical grade catalytic filter.

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Figure 2. ViroZap unit for In-Duct Application in a central A/C system

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Performance of ViroZap products against viruses, bacteria and fungal spores

Tests conducted at the ARE Labs and submitted to FDA show the following results against RNA and DNA types of viruses, Gram Positive and Gram Negative Bacteria and black mold and a fungal spore (Bacillus Subtilis).