Ann Arbor Times

An air curtain emitting from the brim of a hard hat can prevent 99.8% of aerosols from reaching a worker’s face, according to recent findings by Taza Aya, a startup originating from the University of Michigan. This technology offers a potential new protection option for workers in industries concerned with respiratory disease transmission.

Independent third-party testing demonstrated the effectiveness of the air curtain, which encircles the face via nozzles at the hat’s brim. However, for it to be effective against pathogens in the room, the air must first be cleansed of pathogens. Previous research by Herek Clack, U-M associate professor of civil and environmental engineering and co-founder of Taza Aya, showed that their method could remove and kill 99% of airborne viruses in farm and laboratory settings.

“Our air curtain technology is precisely designed to protect wearers from airborne infectious pathogens, using treated air as a barrier in which any pathogens present have been inactivated so that they are no longer able to infect you if you breathe them in,” said Clack. “It’s virtually unheard of—our level of protection against airborne germs, especially when combined with the improved ergonomics it also provides.”

Historically used for sterilization through fire—a thermal plasma—nonthermal or cold plasmas achieve similar effects without heat using highly energetic electrically charged molecules and molecular fragments. These ions stabilize quickly into ordinary air before reaching the curtain nozzles.

Taza Aya’s prototype includes a backpack weighing roughly 10 pounds that houses a nonthermal plasma module, an air handler, electronics, and a battery pack. The handler draws air into the module where it is treated before flowing to the nozzle array.

The development comes after disruptions caused by COVID-19 and amid reports from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding human cases testing positive for bird flu. During COVID-19, labor shortages disrupted meat production affecting prices and supply chains.

In recent months, user experience testing has been conducted with workers at Michigan Turkey Producers in Wyoming, Michigan—a processing plant known for humane handling practices involving hundreds of workers who come into direct contact with turkeys daily.

Paper masks have traditionally been used to protect employees but pose communication challenges on noisy production lines where many workers speak English as a second language. “During COVID-19 it was a problem for many plants—the masks were needed but they prevented good communication with our associates,” said Tina Conklin, vice president of technical services at Michigan Turkey Producers.

Masks require tight seals over mouths and noses to ensure proper filtration which can change throughout workdays; they can fog safety goggles and need removal during meals—issues avoided by Taza Aya's technology.

Clack's research on nonthermal plasma initially focused on livestock protection until pivoting towards personal protection following COVID-19's onset in early 2020. In October that year Taza Aya was named an awardee in Johnson & Johnson Innovation’s Invisible Shield QuickFire Challenge aimed at developing technologies minimizing daily life impact while protecting against airborne viruses.

“We are pleased with study results as we embark on this journey,” said Alberto Elli CEO at Taza Aya adding real-world product user testing will aid successful Worker Wearable launch planned for 2025.

Clack along with University Of Michigan holds financial interests within Taza Aya.

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