Biota Launches COVID-19 Diagnostic in Wastewater

A First-Of-Its-Kind Antimicrobial Stainless Steel

Copper Foam as a Highly Efficient, Durable Filter for Reusable Masks and Air Cleaners

3M HVAC Filters have Viral Removal Efficiencies from 60% to 90%

Lydall Increases Filter Media Prices

HEPA Room Purifiers in Every Classroom at a Cost of $1 billion

KYMIRA has Two Nanofiber Layers to Maximize Mask Efficiency

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Biota Launches COVID-19 Diagnostic in Wastewater

Biota Technology, a pioneer of industrial genomics, announced the creation of a new business line to manage pathogen risk in the post-pandemic economy.

Following the recent transaction with Novozymes, Biota is launching diagnostics in an emerging, high-growth opportunity to further broaden its genomic platform: high throughput genomic monitoring of wastewater to detect and defend against pathogen risks.

"Biota's new offering addresses a global, long-term need to detect and proactively mitigate risks associated with potential disease outbreaks," said Ajay Kshatriya, Board Chairman.  "Genomic wastewater monitoring enables early intervention and broad protection for employees, customers, and the general public in a variety of enterprise segments."

Biota recently entered into a collaboration with Pangolin Health to develop technical workflows and analytic methods for a number of customers in the Southwestern US.

"Biota offered us the opportunity to leverage their extraordinary work in difficult industrial environments into the similarly challenging wastewater setting.  Because pathogen detection in wastewater is comprehensive, inclusive and always on, it's an instrumental source of critical data for pandemic management and control. This is relevant both for the current coronavirus and its variant strains, and the next pathogen," says, Dr. Bryan Walser, M.D., Executive Chairman of Pangolin Health.

Along with new investments in pathogen diagnostics, Biota continues to grow its core energy business. Recent efforts include geographic expansion via strategic engagements with a national oil company in the Middle East, and further developing solutions for customers in conventional and unconventional plays. Additionally, Biota is expanding the energy market opportunity with low carbon product concepts in carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) and geothermal energy.

As Biota continues to advance its industrial genomics platform across multiple sectors, the company leadership is evolving with the appointment  of Mathias Schlecht, Ph.D. to Chief Executive Officer and Ajay Kshatriya to Chairman of the Board.

"I've never been more excited about Biota's vision to pioneer industrial genomics across multiple sectors," said Mathias Schlecht, Chief Executive Officer. "With a global footprint in the energy market and rapidly growing market for pathogen risk management, Biota has the corporate strategy, commercial scale, and technical capabilities to develop new solutions across the industrial sector and create a billion-dollar enterprise."

A First-Of-Its-Kind Antimicrobial Stainless Steel

Advancing Medical Innovations (AMI) announced that its client, Performance Compounds Inside (PCI), has made historic advancements in metallurgy with its 3PRE Technology, a novel and proprietary process of activating antimicrobial properties. PCI's first use of its 3PRE Technology is with molybdenum, an essential element.

When activated through 3PRE Technology, molybdenum takes on antimicrobial properties and can be added to stainless steel during the foundry process to render it capable of destroying and inhibiting bacteria and other disease-causing microorganisms. The result is a stainless steel that retains the characteristics of 304 and 316 stainless steel while also imbuing antimicrobial properties directly and thoroughly into the steel – not as a coating.

Jim Stachowiak, president & CEO of Stainless Foundry & Engineering said, "Our foundry is pleased to have been involved in the manufacture of the first antimicrobial stainless steel. We are impressed with the homogeneity and consistency of the end product and can anticipate multiple uses across any number of industries."

Dr. Amod Paranjpe, co-founder and researcher at PCI said, "This is the first time a stainless steel has been manufactured with antimicrobial properties at the foundry process level. Activation of 3PRE within the steel enables a bactericidal effect with an extremely high 24-hour kill rate." Paranjpe added, "We anticipate this process would be equally effective with any form of steel product."

3PRE Technology carries significant IP protection and can be used to imbue a range of materials with antimicrobial protection.

AMI and PCI are actively seeking licensing partners for this antimicrobial technology. Inquiries can be directed by email to AMI at info@admedinno.com.

Established in 1946 by John McBroom, & headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Stainless Foundry & Engineering Inc. (SFE) is a well-established and highly regarded manufacturer of raw and machined castings in both sand and investment. SFE is a prominent supplier to OEM's servicing the Chemical, Petrochemical, Nuclear, Pulp & Paper, Pharmaceutical, Food & Dairy, Metering, & Military markets with corrosion-resistant, high heat, and wear resistant steel, stainless steel & high alloy parts.

Performance Compounds Inside (PCI) specializes in the research and development of patented technologies involving antimicrobial metals. Its 3PRE Antimicrobial Technology is an activation technology involving PREparing products to be antimicrobial, PREventing contamination and degradation, PREserving product integrity and safety. PCI's 3PRE Technology has utility across a variety of industries including, healthcare, consumer goods, agriculture, and general manufacturing.

Advancing Medical Innovations (AMI) is committed to helping provide select companies focused on highly innovative solutions in healthcare with the resources and support necessary to  successfully commercialize.

Copper Foam as a Highly Efficient, Durable Filter for Reusable Masks and Air Cleaners

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have grown accustomed to wearing facemasks, but many coverings are fragile and not easily disinfected. Metal foams are durable, and their small pores and large surface areas suggest they could effectively filter out microbes. Now, researchers reporting in ACS’ Nano Letters have transformed copper nanowires into metal foams that could be used in facemasks and air filtration systems. The foams filter efficiently, decontaminate easily for reuse and are recyclable.

When a person with a respiratory infection, such as SARS-CoV-2, coughs or sneezes, they release small droplets and aerosolized particles into the air. Particles smaller than 0.3 µm can stay airborne for hours, so materials that can trap these tiny particles are ideal for use in facemasks and air filters. But some existing filter materials have drawbacks. For example, fiberglass, carbon nanotubes and polypropylene fibers are not durable enough to undergo repeated decontamination procedures, while some further rely on electrostatics so they can’t be washed, leading to large amounts of waste. Recently, researchers have developed metallic foams with microscopic pores that are stronger and more resistant to deformation, solvents, and high temperatures and pressures. So, Kai Liu and colleagues wanted to develop and test copper foams to see if they could effectively remove submicron-sized aerosols while also being durable enough to be decontaminated and reused.

The researchers fabricated metal foams by harvesting electrodeposited copper nanowires and casting them into a free-standing 3D network, which was solidified with heat to form strong bonds. A second copper layer was added to further strengthen the material. In tests, the copper foam held its form when pressurized and at high air speeds, suggesting it’s durable for reusable facemasks or air filters and could be cleaned with washing or compressed air. The team found the metal foams had excellent filtration efficiency for particles within the 0.1-1.6 µm size range, which is relevant for filtering out SARS-CoV-2. Their most effective material was a 2.5 mm-thick version, with copper taking up 15% of the volume. This foam had a large surface area and trapped 97% of 0.1-0.4 µm aerosolized salt particles, which are commonly used in facemask tests. According to the team’s calculations, the breathability of their foams was generally comparable to that of commercially available polypropylene N95 facemasks. Because the new material is copper-based, the filters should be resistant to cleaning agents, allowing for many disinfection options, and its antimicrobial properties will help kill trapped bacteria and viruses, say the researchers. In addition, they are recyclable. The researchers estimate that the materials would cost around $2 per mask at present, and disinfection and reuse would extend their lifetime, making them economically competitive with current products.

The authors acknowledge funding from the Georgetown Environmental Initiative

 

3M HVAC Filters have Viral Removal Efficiencies from 60% to 90%

An experimental study was carried out to investigate effectiveness of residential HVAC filters at removing airborne virus particles. MS-2 bacteriophage organisms were grown on appropriate media, harvested, resuspended in saline, and then aerosolized into the ASHRAE 52.2 test duct using a nebulizer. Upstream and downstream air samples were taken using SKC BioStage cascade impactors. The collection plates were incubated, and the recovered plaque-forming units (PFU) were enumerated to determine the filtration efficiency of filters against virus particles.

The following conclusions can be drawn from this study.

(1) High efficiency residential HVAC filters were found to be effective at capturing airborne virus particles.

(2) Filter viral filtration efficiency was found to be generally correlated to its MPR rating, i.e., the higher the MPR rating, the higher the viral filtration efficiency.

In comparison to E1, E2 and E3 efficiencies measured per ASHRAE 52.2, VFE was found to be higher than initial E1 efficiency, but lower than initial E2 and E3 efficiencies.

Test results for 4-inch depth (20 x 25 x 4) filter are shown below..

The figure below shows the mean and 95% confidence interval of VFEs for all filters. MPR 300 through MPR 2200 filters had a relatively widespread in efficiency data, which can also be attributed the same reasons discussed above.

John Zhang, Ph.D., is a senior product development specialist at 3M’s Construction and Home Improvement Markets Division. Doug Huntley, Ph.D., is senior global R&D manager for 3M, having spent the last 25 years with the company developing the people and products to deliver novel, high-value solutions to a range of industries Andy Fox is a lead product development specialist at the 3M Construction and Home Improvement Markets Division. He specializes in filter media development and holds 42 issued U.S. patents. Bryan Gerhardt is an Advanced Product Development Specialist at the 3M Construction and Home Improvement Markets Division.  The full paper is found in IFN through the following link

Virus filtration performance of residential HVAC filters - International Filtration News (filtnews.com)

 

Lydall Increases Filter Media Prices

 

Lydall announced that its Performance Materials business segment is increasing prices for its Filtration and Specialty Insulation products supplied globally. The price adjustment is driven by significant and ongoing increases in key raw material and freight costs. 

“Lydall remains committed to reducing overall costs and making our operations more efficient through our One Lydall strategy and focused transformation initiatives,” says Lydall Performance Materials president Ashish Diwanji. “However, these extensive efforts are not enough to offset the sustained inflationary pressures that are widespread in today’s market. We must modify our pricing to ensure that we can continue to deliver the innovative products and high-quality, advanced materials our customers depend on to bring the world’s most essential products to market.” 

 

HEPA Room Purifiers in Every Classroom at a Cost of $1 billion

Amid the stimulus checks and unemployment extension in the $1.9 trillion relief package signed into law, is $130 billion to help schools reopen safely — including for personal protective equipment, reducing class sizes and, importantly, improving ventilation.

School safety measures call to mind images of masked students spread out among plexiglass-enclosed desks. But one of the most important things schools can do might be something you can’t see said Donald Milton, a professor of environmental health at the University of Maryland.

“Ventilation is critical because respiratory viruses can be transmitted by inhalation,” he said. “And the way to cut down on what people are inhaling, is to remove it from the air.”

But until recent weeks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had offered little guidance on improving ventilation in schools, and many had turned to unproven measures said Professor Joseph Allen, director of the Healthy Buildings program at Harvard.

“This is where the hygiene theater has come into play,” he said. “You see someone in gloves wiping down every surface — walls, and things that just don’t make sense.”

Much more important, he said, is ensuring the air in rooms is completely refreshed, known as air exchange, about five times per hour. 

That can be achieved by adjusting HVAC systems, something that might be tough for the many schools with old and failing air conditioning. 

“So it’s not as simple as put a filter in, you’re going to have to upgrade the whole system to be able to do that,” said engineer Maria Lehman, treasurer of the American Society of Civil Engineers. The group gave U.S. public schools a D+ in its last infrastructure report, which found more than 40% of schools had HVAC systems in need of repair.

“It’s of concern particularly because of evidence that we’re starting to build, that air pollution is harmful to student learning,” said Claudia Persico, a professor of public policy at American University.

Millions of students in the U.S. attend schools in close proximity to freeways or other sources of pollution, she said, so opening windows to improve airflow isn’t always a great option.

Though having a window to open would be a luxury for New York special education teacher Annie Tan.

“Right before COVID hit, I was in a windowless classroom,” she said. “I bought an air purifier for my class because there was a smell my classroom.”

In fact portable HEPA air purifiers, the kind some people have in their homes, are an effective way to clear viruses from the air. 

By one analysis from Richard Corsi, an indoor air expert at Portland State University, the devices could be installed in every classroom in America for about a billion dollars.

 

KYMIRA has Two Nanofiber Layers to Maximize Mask Efficiency

The KYMIRA K-Mask, with the integrated Nanofibre K-Filter, is designed to protect from viruses, bacteria and environmental particulates, with a 99.6% filtration efficiency. That is claimed as one of the best in the world.  Looking to help during the pandemic, KYMIRA researched and adjusted one of its existing technologies, it’s electrospun nanofiber material, with partner Radical Fibres..

Using a triple sandwich layer, nanofiber combination, the K-filters have been designed as a reusable, world class filter.

Layer 1: Nanofibres capture viruses, bacteria and pollutants via electrostatic attraction

Layer 2: Activated carbon layer for environmental pollutants

Layer 3: Nanofibres capture viruses, bacteria and pollutants via electrostatic attraction.

The filters have been independently tested to ASTM F2100, ASTM FT101 and EN 1486 standards, certifying the 99.6% filtration rating*. The K-Filter offer its protection for 200 hours and for particles as small as 0.03 microns. The effectiveness of the filtration level is due to this microscopic level of protection offered by the electrospun nanofibers, that ionically attract the particles before trapping them within the filter layers. To contextualize this, the Covid-19 virus has a particle micron size of 0.06 -0.5 and bacteria has a particle size of 0.3 microns.

Healthcare workers on the front line have so far been using N95 rated masks that have a particulate protection size of 0.3 microns; so the wearer can feel confident in their protection when using the K-Filter.

The nanofibers within the K-Filter are made from biocompatible hydrophobic material which are elastic and electrostatic, meaning they are highly breathable, flexible and will not become wet with water vapor from breathing, this also reduces the carbon dioxide re-breathing occurrence that is a problem among even medical grade respirators.

The K-Mask is designed to house the Nanofibre K-Filter and is made from KYMIRA Kynergy infrared fabric. The infrared fabric offers the wearer temperature regulation, due it it’s efficiencies in cellular excitation and enhanced circulation. The infrared fabric itself supports the wearer to cool or warm, depending on need and provides a cooling effect as you inhale, helping you stay comfortable during use. To note, KYMIRA KYnergy infrared fabric is safe to use, certified by the FDA as a class 1 medical device and CE marked.

Designed for comfort, prolonged use and protection, the fit and design of the K-Mask is claimed to be  second to none. Available in sizes small, suitable for smaller or teen sizes and medium/large, the mask is designed to fit close to the wearer, high up on the nose and wrapping around the cheeks towards the ears to provide greater protection to and from the wearer.

The extended sides offer pressure balance, so that it forces the inhale and exhale through the viral filtration, even with use at high exertion or during coughing or sneezing. This makes the mask ideal for not just everyday activities but for work, travel and playing sport too. The nose has a comfort strip underneath and a wired pinch bar so the wearer can ensure a close, comfortable fit, with attractive leather detailing. The straps fit around the head, fastening on the crown of the head and at the nape of the neck, providing comfort for long use that does not put pressure on the ears.

The Nanofibre K-Filters offer the wearer 200 hours of viral, bacterial and pollutant filtration protection. Once this time period is completed, the filter can be replaced with a fresh filter and the protection will continue.

The masks and filters can also be cleaned and reused during this 200 hour period. The masks and filters can be baked in the oven at 60 degrees and this will ensure that all trapped virus and bacteria particles are killed. The mask itself is also machine washable at 30 degrees. so it can stay looking fresh and clean (please note the filters should not go through the washing machine, unless your goal is to collect the pollutants in the washing machine itself).

The Nanofibre K-Filters can be used in the KYMIRA K-Mask, or any other reusable mask to increase the efficacy of any mask.

Fibertex Nonwovens has developed a versatile component – Adhetex 40A90NP0 – which is designed to improve the filtration efficiency of protective face masks and to also extend their safe storage period. By utilizing premium, high-efficiency Fibertex nanofibre layers in the production of protective face masks, end-users can expect to reach N95 and FFP2 level of protection.

The main benefit of Fibertex nanofibre layers, being a purely mechanical filtration layer, is guaranteed efficiency of the filtration layer during the lifetime of the mask.

Another important benefit of this advanced technology, is durability of the nanofiber layer, which enables extended storage time of masks, making them suitable for use as disaster and epidemic relief safety stocks.

Fibertex Adhetex nano materials are most commonly used in HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters for masks, industrial dust collection, gas turbine air inlet filtration, air-conditioning units, automotive components and filters in domestic vacuum cleaners.

Fibertex depth filtration media – which extend the service-life of the filter – have a gradient structure comprising an initial pre-filter layer, a dust-holding layer and the final nanofiber layer. Media is available in various thicknesses, depending on specific end-user requirements. The standard Adhetex roll is 1.55 m wide x 2 000 m and requires special handling to protect the delicate nanofiber component.

Face Masks

Fibertex Breathetex 140WH is one of the components used to mold and shape masks. This material, with FFP1 and FFP 2 / N95 efficiency levels, is positioned adjacent to the melt-blown and outer spunbond layer of the protective mask. The standard Breathetex roll is 2 400 mm x 200 m and is available in typical widths of 1 200 mm or 200 mm x 200 m. All Fibertex products can be delivered slitted to specific end-use widths required.