by Brianna Crandall — November 11, 2020 — NoviSphere, a developer of comprehensive rarified-environment solutions, officially launched November 10. Using scientifically proven short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C) pathogen-elimination (air purification) systems and additional cleanroom technologies, NoviSphere delivers ultraclean, protected environments that promote health and safety, allowing people to get back to business, back to work and back to life.
The company’s initial commercial product is the NoviSphere PE 254 Air Purification Unit, a cost-effective, high-performance UV pathogen-elimination system engineered to deliver the highest possible degree of cleanliness to any environment. Its patent-pending design uses germicidal (254nm) UV-C lamps, fully contained and sealed inside the unit, and proprietary baffling technology to kill up to 99.99% of airborne viruses, bacteria and mold spores.
NoviSphere’s high-performance, cost-effective UV-C air purification unit kills up to 99.99% of pathogens and provides up to four complete air changes per hour in an average room. Image courtesy NoviSphere
According to the company, the NoviSphere Air Purification Unit continuously removes all pathogens safely and reliably using a variable-speed control, providing up to four complete air changes per hour in an average room. The compact system can be used in virtually any large public setting, including, but not limited to, hospitals, schools, warehouses, manufacturing plants, hospitality, mass transit centers, sports facilities, and industrial and commercial settings.
The NoviSphere Air Purification Unit’s effectiveness has been scientifically validated through extensive independent testing conducted at the University of Minnesota, says the company. The results reportedly confirmed that the unit eradicated 99.99% of an aerosol coronavirus strain — specifically, HuCov229E, a nearly identical COVID-19 single-stranded RNA virus that causes respiratory illnesses in humans.
Testing on the COVID-19 virus will occur when cultures are available in the scientific community. Additionally, further testing is planned in 2021 to verify 99.999999999% eradication (1 part per billion, or ppb).
Long used to disinfect air and environments, UV-C light works to kill or inactivate microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA, explains NoviSphere. According to Chris Hogan, PhD, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota:
Intense UV-C light has a proven track record of virus inactivation in aerosols. Published papers in Aerosol Science & Technology show it is particularly effective against single-stranded RNA viruses. Coronaviruses — and more specifically, SARS-CoV-2 — are single-stranded RNA viruses and would be highly susceptible to UV-C activation. Sealed, ducted UV-C sources with flow rates above 10 CFM are the effective approach.
The NoviSphere leadership team, helmed by CEO Paul Lockhart, a former NASA astronaut, has a combined 100 years of experience bringing the most advanced solutions to consumers through space technologies, laboratory cleanrooms, biological eradication, consumer product design, retail, and now, eradication of viral contaminants. This highly experienced roster of experts is working together to drive NoviSphere’s growth and product development.
CEO Lockhart stated:
At NoviSphere, our mission is to deliver confidence and safety to customers in their communities, workplaces and businesses. The rarified environments we enable through our technologies are pathogen and particulate free — essentially, a magnitude better than today’s stringent ultraclean standards. Our NoviSphere Air Purification Unit, designed to effectively monitor and maintain pathogen-free living and working air environments 24 hours each day, delivers you the peace of mind necessary to go about your life and work, knowing you, your family or your employees are breathing virus- and bacteria-free pristine air. As a former astronaut entrusted with some of our nation’s most critical assets, I can think of no endeavor more important than what we are embarking on at NoviSphere.
The NoviSphere PE 254 Air Purification Unit can be purchased now, with installation and volume deliveries beginning in early 2021. The units will be available through a variety of commercial options, with pricing varying by application and total area of the space where the unit(s) will be installed.
NoviSphere stands for “new environments.” The company delivers viral, pathogen and bacteria-free environments for a variety of applications and industries through demonstrated barrier protection and assured environmental quality. NoviSphere’s integrated components and pathogen elimination systems are based on validated scientific methods that eliminate biohazardous material and other airborne contaminants from enclosed settings of any size, while its rarified, “move-in-ready” environments are designed to eliminate risk and promote occupant health and safety.
