{"id":31783,"date":"2025-11-24T16:07:16","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T16:07:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/?p=31783"},"modified":"2025-11-24T16:07:30","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T16:07:30","slug":"ubco-engineers-develop-new-device-to-enhance-indoor-air-quality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/ubco-engineers-develop-new-device-to-enhance-indoor-air-quality\/","title":{"rendered":"UBCO Engineers Develop New Device to Enhance Indoor Air Quality"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-blockquote uagb-block-e7eb3fc3 uagb-blockquote__skin-border uagb-blockquote__stack-img-none\"><blockquote class=\"uagb-blockquote\"><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__content\">UBC Okanagan researchers have unveiled a cutting-edge device to enhance indoor air quality by effectively removing airborne pathogens and reducing the spread of respiratory infections. This breakthrough could significantly impact health safety in enclosed spaces like clinics, classrooms and offices.<\/div><footer><div class=\"uagb-blockquote__author-wrap uagb-blockquote__author-at-left\"><\/div><\/footer><\/blockquote><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-space-between is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0dfbf163 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div style=\"font-size:16px;\" class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-post-author\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author__content\"><p class=\"wp-block-post-author__name\">The University Network<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share uagb-social-share__outer-wrap uagb-social-share__layout-horizontal uagb-block-ee584a31\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-ec619ce7\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"facebook\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M504 256C504 119 393 8 256 8S8 119 8 256c0 123.8 90.69 226.4 209.3 245V327.7h-63V256h63v-54.64c0-62.15 37-96.48 93.67-96.48 27.14 0 55.52 4.84 55.52 4.84v61h-31.28c-30.8 0-40.41 19.12-40.41 38.73V256h68.78l-11 71.69h-57.78V501C413.3 482.4 504 379.8 504 256z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-32d99934\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"twitter\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\"><path d=\"M389.2 48h70.6L305.6 224.2 487 464H345L233.7 318.6 106.5 464H35.8L200.7 275.5 26.8 48H172.4L272.9 180.9 389.2 48zM364.4 421.8h39.1L151.1 88h-42L364.4 421.8z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-social-share-child uagb-ss-repeater uagb-ss__wrapper uagb-block-1d136f14\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__link\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle?url=\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"linkedin\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-wrap\"><span class=\"uagb-ss__source-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\"><path d=\"M416 32H31.9C14.3 32 0 46.5 0 64.3v383.4C0 465.5 14.3 480 31.9 480H416c17.6 0 32-14.5 32-32.3V64.3c0-17.8-14.4-32.3-32-32.3zM135.4 416H69V202.2h66.5V416zm-33.2-243c-21.3 0-38.5-17.3-38.5-38.5S80.9 96 102.2 96c21.2 0 38.5 17.3 38.5 38.5 0 21.3-17.2 38.5-38.5 38.5zm282.1 243h-66.4V312c0-24.8-.5-56.7-34.5-56.7-34.6 0-39.9 27-39.9 54.9V416h-66.4V202.2h63.7v29.2h.9c8.9-16.8 30.6-34.5 62.9-34.5 67.2 0 79.7 44.3 79.7 101.9V416z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Engineers at the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) have developed a new device aimed at improving indoor air quality by effectively removing airborne pathogens. This innovation could become a vital tool in reducing the spread of respiratory diseases in enclosed spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditional methods for curbing the transmission of infectious diseases typically involve enhancing a building\u2019s ventilation system to regulate large-scale airflow. However, personalized ventilation systems provide an additional layer of protection by directing clean air towards individuals from a fixed distance. While this approach, similar to the air circulation on passenger airplanes, has its benefits, it also has notable drawbacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEnsuring high air quality while indoors is crucial for mitigating the transmission of airborne disease, particularly in shared environments,\u201d co-author Sunny Li, a professor in the\u00a0School of Engineering, said in a news release. \u201cMany Canadians spend nearly 90 per cent of their time inside, making indoor air quality a critical factor for health and wellbeing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First author Mojtaba Zabihi, a postdoctoral researcher at UBCO, emphasizes the challenges of implementing changes in existing HVAC systems due to the diversity in room layouts and ventilation designs. This underscores the importance of personalized ventilation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe wanted to develop an innovative system that prevents occupants from inhaling contaminated air while allowing them to use a personalized ventilation system comfortably for extended periods,\u201d added Zabihi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The research team, working with UBC\u2019s Airborne Disease Transmission Research Cluster, created an induction-removal or jet-sink airflow concept. This new design captures and removes exhaled aerosols before they circulate throughout the room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike conventional personalized ventilation systems, which rely on high-speed air jets that can cause discomfort and lose effectiveness when users move, the new system continuously draws contaminated particles into a localized purification zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur design combines comfort with control,\u201d Zabihi added. \u201cIt creates a targeted airflow that traps and removes exhaled aerosols almost immediately\u2014before they have a chance to spread.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using computer simulations to model breathing, body heat and airflow in a 30-minute consultation scenario, the researchers compared their new device against standard personal ventilation systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Their findings, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0360132325010418?\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">published<\/a> in the journal Building and Environment, were significant. The new system reduced the probability of infection to just 9.5%, compared with 47.6% for a static personal setup, 38% for a personal ventilation system with an exhaust design, and 91% under standard room ventilation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Under optimal conditions, the device was able to prevent pathogen inhalation for the first 15 minutes of exposure, allowing only 10 particles out of 540,000 to reach another person. Their simulations indicated the system could remove up to 94 percent of airborne pathogens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTraditional personalized ventilation systems can\u2019t adapt when people move or interact,\u201d added co-author Joshua Brinkerhoff, an associate professor in the School of Engineering. \u201cIt\u2019s a smart, responsive solution for spaces like clinics, classrooms or offices where close contact is unavoidable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Brinkerhoff noted that this study demonstrates the potential for airflow engineering \u2014 not just filtration \u2014 to improve indoor air quality and occupant safety. Moving forward, the team will focus on refining the design for larger rooms and testing physical prototypes in practical settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zabihi, who is a member of Canada\u2019s National Model Codes Committee on Indoor Environment, hopes this research will influence future ventilation standards, contributing to healthier and safer indoor environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/news.ok.ubc.ca\/2025\/11\/12\/ubco-engineers-create-new-device-to-improve-indoor-air-quality\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">University of British Columbia Okanagan<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Engineers at the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) have developed a new device aimed at improving indoor air quality by effectively removing airborne pathogens. This innovation could become a vital tool in reducing the spread of respiratory diseases in enclosed spaces. Traditional methods for curbing the transmission of infectious diseases typically involve enhancing a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-no-separators","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[275],"class_list":["post-31783","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tech","tag-university-of-british-columbia"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"The University Network","author_link":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/author\/funky_junkie\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Engineers at the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO) have developed a new device aimed at improving indoor air quality by effectively removing airborne pathogens. This innovation could become a vital tool in reducing the spread of respiratory diseases in enclosed spaces. Traditional methods for curbing the transmission of infectious diseases typically involve enhancing a&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31783","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31783"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31783\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31831,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31783\/revisions\/31831"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31783"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31783"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tun.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31783"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}