New technologies in the air by NTU Singapore and Camfil to improve indoor air quality

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and Swedish company Camfil, a global leader in the air filtration industry, are collaborating to develop innovative solutions to improve air filtration efficiency and indoor air quality.

The partnership will see the testing of various air filter technologies on NTU's buildings, focussing on their performance in tropical weather. These will be tested on NTU's 200-hectare campus which is already a living lab for many environment-friendly research projects ranging from sustainability solutions to electromobility.

Leading NTU's efforts will be the Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N), who together with Camfil's experts will investigate the impact of indoor air quality on the cognitive performance of adults, which includes assessing their learning performance, memory abilities and reaction time.

Findings from the joint research projects are expected to shed light on the optimal indoor environment for improved cognitive health and general well-being of building occupants.

NTU Chief of Staff and Vice President (Research), Professor Lam Khin Yong said, "The research partnership between NTU and Camfil is highly relevant in today's urban cities as people spend more than 90 per cent of their time indoors, whether at home or at work. In urban centres, assessments on indoor air quality are also central in determining the well-being of workplaces. It is our aim that the collaboration will result in innovative solutions that can help improve the general well-being and productivity of building occupants."

Camfil, headquartered in Sweden, is a global leader in the air filtration industry with more than half a century of experience.

Mr Alain Bérard, Executive Vice President - Marketing and Products, Camfil said, "Camfil's mission has been to develop and deliver innovative clean air solutions combined with optimised energy efficiency. We share these objectives with NTU Singapore, and our collaboration will lead to significant breakthroughs in our field of activity."

Research to focus on tropical climate

In urban areas, people who spend a lot of time in enclosed buildings are susceptible to pollutants from sources such as furniture, paints, carpets and electronics.

The levels of indoor pollutants such as particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen dioxide, carbon dioxide and allergens will determine the air quality. Exposure to a high concentration of indoor air pollutants may affect productivity in the short term and damage one's health in the long term.

Through field studies, the researchers aim to find out the efficiency of general ventilation devices and systems.

Investigations on different air filter solutions will also provide a good platform for the development of a filtration standard for tropical climates.

Provided by Nanyang Technological University