Engineering Capacity | INDUSTRY NEWS Electronics manufacturer CHH CoNeX is helping to produce an ultra-violet air steriliser that could significantly reduce the risk of coronavirus infection. It is collaborating with air sterilisation specialist Pathogen Solutions on the design and production of Medixair, a portable air sterilisation solution that is proven to eliminate airborne viruses and bacteria. The patented product, which is the result of 15-years’ development work, was initially derived to help combat hospital acquired infections and Pathogen Solutions now wants to ramp up production. Following extensive testing over the past few years, the solution has since been installed in Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow among other healthcare environments across the UK. Now, as the world takes action to improve infection control processes, Medixair is playing a significant role, since coronaviruses shares the same morphology as other viruses which the solution eliminates. There is substantial evidence to indicate that SARS-COV-2, the coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, can be passed from person to person in tiny droplets called aerosols, which travel through the air and accumulate over time. Medixair combats this by providing 24-hour airborne infection control. The 110-watt unit employs high intensity ultraviolet light to decontaminate the air within indoor environments. The portable machine works by drawing air into the unit and NOVEMBER 2020
Zapping Covid with UV
exposing it to UV light which is a proven method for killing bugs. The clean air is then recirculated back out of the unit. When deployed within medical wards or other indoor settings, the device can provide an additional and effective level of support against infection. Tim Hughes, managing director of CHH CoNeX, the company responsible for the assembly of Medixair units, commented: “Medixair operates differently to typical fogging machines and uses UV light to clean the air. This method has been used for infection control for several decades. In fact, back in the 1980s
researchers found that UV lamps were effective in preventing transmission of tuberculosis and similar technology is now being recommended for use in combatting Coronavirus. John Burrows, director of Pathogen Solutions, added that Medixair is already in demand across the world. “In addition to interest from domestic customers, we also have demand for Medixair from Indonesia, the Philippines and Europe. Products such as this are going to play a key role in keeping indoor areas safe in our new-normal.” 8 chhconex.com
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