Professor Hwang Jung-ho’s Research Team Develops Energy-Efficient Air Filtration Technology

-Technology Will Be Effective in Preventing Spread of MERS and other Airborne Diseases

A research team led by Professor Hwang Jung-ho from the College of Engineering has successfully developed a new air filtration technology to be used in medical facilities and many other public areas. This technology, which uses an ion generator, is seen as an improvement over the commonly used high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filter. Filters made using the new technology will be more efficient in terms of collecting small particles, including viruses and bacteria, minimizing the spread of infectious airborne diseases in public places. They will also be significantly more energy efficient than HEPA filters.

The development of the technology is especially important in light of the recent outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in this country. Some health experts believe that the spread of MERS was enabled by poor filtration systems in hospitals and other public areas. According to Professor Hwang: “This technology will replace air purification systems in public facilities such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, large department stores, subways, and large residential buildings. Therefore, micro-dust particles and virus particles will be filtered, and the public will have stronger protection.”