Kronos Advanced Technologies Inc. announced the exclusive national distribution of a device called ViralWall™ that is designed to be placed between individuals, draw in their exhaled air, kill, or disable any pathogens as they move through its patented graphene-based air filter, and release disinfected pathogen-free air. The device will act as a weapon against all bacteria and viruses, including antibiotic-resistant "superbugs," so its uses will extend well beyond the end of the pandemic. The device is the first-ever self-sterilizing graphene air purifier on the market and was developed by the Israel based R&D company LIGC Application LTD. (LIGC).

The technology for this device grew out of a partnership between research groups at Rice University, Houston, TX and at the Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), Israel. Both teams were working on graphene-related projects. Often described as a "super material," a graphene is a form of carbon that measures just one atom thick.

It is the thinnest and strongest material known and is flexible, transparent, and highly conductive of both electricity and heat. Rice University research demonstrated that they could make a flexible air filter from porous and conductive graphene foam, called laser-induced Graphene or LIG, and when they added small electrical pulses, it could kill airborne pathogens. LIG Graphene was shown to capture particulates and bacteria.

The bacteria cannot proliferate even when submerged in a culture medium. Through a periodic Joule-heating electric current mechanism, the filter readily reaches very high temperatures. This destroys any microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, along with molecules that can cause adverse biological reactions and diseases.

Capitalizing on the increased surface area and thermal stability of LIG graphene, the utilization of Graphene based air filters for reduction of nosocomial infection in hospital settings is suggested by LIGC. Kronos Advanced Technologies plans to develop disruptive manufacturing methods and Graphene-based futuristic products today. LIGC Application LTD has developed and owns a patented portfolio of revolutionary technologies for manufacturing processes for producing 3D Graphene that are high quality and low cost for air and water purification, biosensors, energy storage, and many other LIG applications to be made in the future at KNOS' electronics manufacturing facility in WV.

Active air filters made with LIG graphene are designed to damage and destroy organic particles, including bacteria, mold spores, and viruses at the micron and sub-micron levels when passed through a microscopic porous graphene network structure. This cost-effective and scalable approach is produced using CO2 lasers to create a conductive graphene mesh. The graphene mesh heats electrocute and neutralize organic particles and pathogens with revolutionary efficiency compared to active carbon filters, UV-C, and fiber HEPA filters used widely in schools, offices, homes, ships, and other facilities.

Since the LIGC filter uses low voltage electricity to eliminate bacteria and viruses, lower density filtration media can be used, resulting in significantly less energy consumption. In addition, LIGC active filters require lower maintenance than other filters and are safe for the operator during maintenance and replacement.