University of Alberta develops sanitization tech to kill COVID-19 virus
A new sanitization product aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19 will soon be used in Edmonton and Calgary.
The TESER ACT unit was developed through a partnership between scientists at the University Alberta and Calgary based on advanced sanitization technologies company TESER.
It uses ultraviolet-C light (UVC) from hundreds of LED bulbs to kill viruses including the flu, common cold viruses, and E.Coli bacteria, a U of A release explained.
"We determined how much UVC light was required to fully inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus and prevent it from replicating," said Ryan Noyce, research associate at the University of Alberta and one of the scientists who helped develop the device.
Researchers found the technology was able to kill the virus within just one minute.
The university says while UVC light has been known to kill pathogens for around a century, TESER needed scientific proof that it would be effective against COVID-19 in order to meet Health Canada regulations.
"It’s well established technology, UV is well known as a good tool for killing all kinds of biological organisms," said David Ens, professor of medical microbiology at the University of Alberta.
The company created two models which are able to sanitize everything from cellphones to luggage and non-invasive medical instruments.
"Really simply, it’s a decontamination box," said Phil Alle, president and CEO of TESER. "It’s nothing too complicated. We wanted to make it extremely simple for use."
With the possibility of additional COVID-19 variants developing in the future, researchers say the unit is also capable of killing mutations of the virus.
"It’s kind of like fire," said Ens. "Fire will destroy just about anything it doesn't matter (if it’s) a big house,(a) little house, (a) stone house."
The company hopes to use the device in the medical field, including in laboratory practices in the future.
"Helping with testing, being able to bring out instruments or things that have been exposed to viruses (and) being able to clean them faster and move between labs," said Alle.
He says TESER is also working on an air sanitization unit which could integrate UVC technology to kill multiple viruses.
The government of Canada has given the company a grant for the first 10 units, which are planned to be used at the Edmonton International Airport and government offices in Edmonton and Calgary this spring.
The project was funded with help of the federal and Alberta governments through research and innovation agencies including Alberta Innovates and InnoTech Alberta.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jessica Robb.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.