MIT Solve

Solution Overview

Solution Name:

Local Sterilizer

One-line solution summary:

Local Sterilizer create a virus-free air flow into the inhalation zone.

Pitch your solution.

We believe we share mutual goals of improving well being around the world, which is vital nowadays due to the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak. How to sufficiently decrease the spread of infection assuming that the total isolation is not reachable?

We see the solution in assessing the behavior of users and establishing the areas that are the most susceptible for spreading the virus and then providing the tools for decreasing the risk of the spreading of the virus even for relatively tight and long users meetings (the class rooms, restaurants, etc.). We have the solution Local Sterilizer for providing sufficiently safe environment for the local zones with a few people in the relatively stationary positions: class room, restaurant table(s).

By reducing the spread of infections these tools will allow continuation of normal business to the business owner and normal life to the public. It will preserve the modern service economies.

What specific problem are you solving?

Let us look at COVID-19 pandemic by the eyes of the “users” - people who could potentially get sick.

No doubt the world like to purchase product-service “stay-healthy” or “youdonotgetsick”.

However, the reality of recent events shows that the price users are prepared to pay for this product-service personally quite limited.

The life cycle of the virus is about two weeks, so, if all users globally paid for “youdonotgetsick” by interacting all contacts during 3 weeks (let add a week to be sure) the service will be delivered with guarantee.

But freedom of movement and communications having a large value (price) for real users we are dealing with.

So, because user is not ready to pay this price, there is a need in alternative product-services.

What is your solution?

Local Sterilizer provides clean, sterilized airflow inhaled by the customers at the table. At the same time, this airflow displaces the exhaled air from the area above the table, in which there is a risk of airborne pathogenic microorganisms.

Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?

We believe in the ability of people to resist threats and find a way out in the most difficult situation.

Even during an epidemic, people should have freedom of communication, and business should continue to work. Our mission is to reduce quarantine restrictions by creating conditions for safe communication of people in restaurants, schools and other places.

Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?

Strengthen disease surveillance, early warning predictive systems, and other data systems to detect, slow, or halt future disease outbreaks.

Explain how the problem you are addressing, the solution you have designed, and the population you are serving align with the Challenge.

Businesses are now facing quarantine-related issues and risk of infecting customers. Unlike competing devices that disinfect the premises only in the absence of visitors, we offer local disinfecting devices that reduce the risk of infection for customers while they are at the room.

Local Sterilizer create a virus-free air flow into the inhalation zone and provide a critical reduction the chances of exchanging exhaled and inhaled air masses. Our disinfection devices installed in areas of concentration of groups of people significantly reduce the risk of transmission of infection from a carrier of the virus to people nearby.

In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?

Columbia, Maryland, U.S.

What is your solution’s stage of development?

Prototype: A venture or organization building and testing its product, service, or business model.

Explain why you selected this stage of development for your solution.

The goal of the current phase is to complete the development and manufacturing of the prototype. After that, we plan to organize testing and control of the technical and functional characteristics of the product in certified laboratories.

1. Confirm the theoretical calculations of the radiation efficiency in the disinfection chamber, perform the appropriate measurements for the prototype.

2. Confirm the theoretical calculations of the movement of air flows, perform control measurements of the flow parameters for the prototype.

3. Confirm the degree of disinfection, conduct appropriate microbiological tests.

Who is the Team Lead for your solution?

Lev Feinstein