Hoosier school districts to use clean air tech
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) – A Purdue University-affiliated LED lighting manufacturer has created new technology to help protect schools against the COVID-19 pandemic. Florida-based Energy Harness Corp., which has an office in the Purdue Research Park of Indianapolis, has created a device that attaches to ceiling grids and uses UVC light to clean and circulate air.
The university says Energy is working to install the technology at Beech Grove City Schools and Franklin Township Community School Corp., both located in central Indiana.
“We have demonstrated and studies have shown the effectiveness of UVC light in killing the COVID-2 family of pathogens,” said Patricio Daneri, managing director of Energy’s Midwest division. “Our Active Airflow unit provides the added advantage of safe usage during the school day in occupied classrooms. The unit has a fan system to draw in the air, where it is cleaned and then cycled back into the room.”
Purdue says the Energy team created the technology by applying its expertise in LED lighting and their familiarity with school clients.
“We wanted to help because we know schools can be great at disinfecting surfaces and areas, but they may not have the same options to clean the air,” said Daneri.
Daneri says some schools may be able to use federal and state funding during the pandemic to help cover the costs of the technology.