It is always a challenge to develop air filters or facial masks that can effectively capture nano-particles like airborne Swine Flu or SARS viruses. To tackle this problem, Prof. Wallace Leung of the Department of Mechanical Engineering utilised polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) to produce a novel nanofibre filter material. By applying corona discharge technology, researchers imparted electrostatic charges onto PVDF nanofibre to induce electrical interaction with aerosols in close distance and capture the aerosols efficiently. The research team also developed multiple electrostatic separator layers to further strengthen the electrostatic capture performance of the filter material.

 

Filter durability tests have proved that the nanofibre filter material with multiple separator layers could maintain a persistently high performance for an extended period and is more durable. This invention has a wide range of applications. Industrial usage includes dust-free room, fossil-fuel power station and the reduction of vehicle and vessel particulate emission. Personal and household usage in air filtration includes facial mask, air purifier, vacuum cleaner, window filter screen, etc. Details>>