Reference number : GC-2017-Q4-01872, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Warriner, Keith (University of Guelph), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Ontario, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Engage Grants for universities, program name french : Subventions d'engagement partenarial pour les universités, program purpose english : Air is significant in disseminating pathogens with food processing and clinical environments. To date the main_x000D_
air decontamination approach is to use HEPA filters that physically remove microbes from air streams. The_x000D_
main disadvantage of HEPA filters is energy requirement for force air through filters coupled with the_x000D_
accumulation and failure of filters over time. Alternative systems include UV/ionizing based devices the_x000D_
retention time is too short to ensure microbial inactivation. In the following project will develop and_x000D_
characterize ultrathin air filters based on a novel copper alloy coated with a dielectric conducting polymer_x000D_
layer. The filters to be developed capture microbial cells then inactivate through a combination of copper ions_x000D_
and antimicrobials within the dielectric layer. The performance of filters will be assessed through determining_x000D_
the capture efficacy of model microbes under different flow rates, relative humidity and organic loading. Filter_x000D_
configuration and holding potential will be optimized along with antimicrobial agent incorporated into the_x000D_
dielectric layer. One potential restriction of copper based filters is through excessive corrosion and this will be_x000D_
addressed through evaluation of different polymer layers. The performance of the optimized filter will be_x000D_
assessed through verification studies with a cost-benefit analysis being performed in relation to currently_x000D_
available HRPA filter systems. The project will train a HQP in a diverse range of techniques including_x000D_
microbiology, material science, polymer chemistry and electrochemistry. The deliverable of the work will be to_x000D_
demonstrate ultrathin air purification systems that can be subsequently developed into commercial units to_x000D_
maintain air quality in different settings such as those encountered in food processing and clinical_x000D_
environments., program purpose french : Air is significant in disseminating pathogens with food processing and clinical environments. To date the main_x000D_
air decontamination approach is to use HEPA filters that physically remove microbes from air streams. The_x000D_
main disadvantage of HEPA filters is energy requirement for force air through filters coupled with the_x000D_
accumulation and failure of filters over time. Alternative systems include UV/ionizing based devices the_x000D_
retention time is too short to ensure microbial inactivation. In the following project will develop and_x000D_
characterize ultrathin air filters based on a novel copper alloy coated with a dielectric conducting polymer_x000D_
layer. The filters to be developed capture microbial cells then inactivate through a combination of copper ions_x000D_
and antimicrobials within the dielectric layer. The performance of filters will be assessed through determining_x000D_
the capture efficacy of model microbes under different flow rates, relative humidity and organic loading. Filter_x000D_
configuration and holding potential will be optimized along with antimicrobial agent incorporated into the_x000D_
dielectric layer. One potential restriction of copper based filters is through excessive corrosion and this will be_x000D_
addressed through evaluation of different polymer layers. The performance of the optimized filter will be_x000D_
assessed through verification studies with a cost-benefit analysis being performed in relation to currently_x000D_
available HRPA filter systems. The project will train a HQP in a diverse range of techniques including_x000D_
microbiology, material science, polymer chemistry and electrochemistry. The deliverable of the work will be to_x000D_
demonstrate ultrathin air purification systems that can be subsequently developed into commercial units to_x000D_
maintain air quality in different settings such as those encountered in food processing and clinical_x000D_
environments., agreement title english : Decontamination of air using ultrathin copper alloy filters modified with a dielectric layer for capture and inactivation of microbes, agreement title french : Decontamination of air using ultrathin copper alloy filters modified with a dielectric layer for capture and inactivation of microbes, agreement number : EGP, agreement value : 25000.0, agreement start date : 2018-03-07, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019)., additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019)., owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada