A collaboration inspired by Medistar Corp. and including researchers from the University of Houston and Texas A&M has developed a heating ventilating and air conditioning system filter, made from nickel foam, that can trap and instantly kill 99.8% of the coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, say the lead researchers on the team. The investigators also say the filter catches and destroys 99.9% of anthrax spores and other pathogens, including the legionella bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease.
The biodefense indoor air protection system, currently under beta-testing at the InterContinental Hotel Houston Medical Center and soon to go into commercial production, can be custom-fitted to existing heating and cooling equipment in all types of HVAC systems in buildings, planes and ships, say the researchers.