JLR developing air purification system that inhibits viruses
NEW TECHNOLOGY SET TO BE USE IN FUTURE JAGUAR AND LAND ROVER MODELS
AIR purification technology being developed by Jaguar Land Rover for its cars of the future has been proved to inhibit viruses - including coronavirus - and airborne bacteria by as much as 97 per cent.
The effectiveness of the prototype heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system has been demonstrated in laboratory tests, according to the Coventry car maker.
It uses Panasonic’s nanoe(tm) X** technology to inhibit harmful bacteria and viruses, and will be used in cabins of future Jaguar and Land Rover models.
Jaguar Land Rover has worked on the system with Perfectus Biomed, a microbiology and virology lab, to perform the worldleading laboratory-based sealedchamber test designed to simulate a vehicle ventilation system in recirculation mode over a 30-minute cycle.
The independent research showed that viruses and bacteria were inhibited by as much as 97 per cent.
Panasonic’s innovative nanoe(tm) X technology has also been tested on novel coronavirus by Texcell, a global research organisation that specialises in viral testing and immunoprofiling, and is one of the laboratories in the world with permission to test against novel coronavirus.
It found more than 99.995 per cent of the virus was inhibited during the two-hour laboratory test.
Dr Steve Iley, Jaguar Land Rover’s
chief medical officer, said: “Our customers’ wellbeing is of paramount importance to us and now, more than ever, we are all looking for technological solutions that can help take care of our loved ones.
“The independent research, developed and commissioned by our expert engineers, is just one of the ways we are working to assure our customers that harmful pathogens are being minimised, providing a cleaner environment for passengers inside the cabin and setting new standards in the ownership experience.”
The technology uses a high voltage to create trillions of Hydroxyl (OH) Radicals enveloped in nanosized water molecules.
These OH Radicals denature the virus and bacteria proteins, helping inhibit their growth.
The OH Radicals deodorise and inhibit allergens in a similar way to create a cleaner air environment.
Alexander Owen, research engineer at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “This technology is a great example of being able to harness the power of nature and puts Jaguar Land Rover right at the forefront of this cabin technology.
“Hydroxyl Radicals are one of the most important natural oxidants in chemistry and have been helping to clean our atmosphere for millennia, removing pollutants and other harmful substances.
“The creation of this technology and our advanced research, is the first step in deploying this scientific phenomenon within vehicle cabins of the future.”