Revolutionizing Air Disinfection: Aery by Duane Lye Dun Wei

A Dual-Stage Approach to Air Sanitisation in the Era of Pandemics

The Aery is a product of the new normal, a response to the worldwide emphasis on disinfection and sanitisation. The design was inspired by the need to create safer environments for social interaction, a challenge brought to the forefront by the ongoing pandemic. The unique properties of the Aery lie in its dual-stage disinfection approach. The first stage utilises the waste heat produced from the UVC light emitting diodes to kill pathogens as untreated air is pulled through the heated fins of the heatsink. The second stage involves increasing the air's exposure to UVC as it passes through a series of bends located under the light emitting diodes, thereby maximising the disinfection efficacy in a compact module.

The Aery was developed in Singapore over a span of two months, from February to March 2021. The design process involved a careful balance of technical specifications and creative solutions. The dimensions of the Aery are 139mm in width, 138mm in depth, and 692mm in height, making it a compact solution for air disinfection. The design team, which included Teo Jin Wah Ronnie and Uvarajan S/O M Velayutham, faced the challenge of understanding the complex behaviour of air flowing through the system and finding the right balance between the fin length of the heatsink, UV-C LED lifespan, and heat generated coupled with the efficacy of killing pathogens.

Research played a crucial role in the development of the Aery. The team leveraged studies showing that higher temperatures increased the deactivation rate of pathogens and that UVC LED technology exhibited increased disinfection efficacy and lifetime in comparison to existing mercury lamps. This research informed the design's unique approach of repurposing the energy transfer within the system to create an economical and effective air disinfection solution.

The Aery operates by accelerating air through an active inlet fan. The untreated air is blown through the heatsink for heat transfer, killing some pathogens as the air temperature rises. The air is then channelled through a U-bend and accelerated by another active fan. The air is then blown through an air-channel with bends to increase UVC exposure duration for higher disinfection efficacy via the UVC LED. The increased temperature and exposure duration result in a more effective deactivation of the pathogens before the air is released back into the environment.

The Aery's innovative approach to air disinfection has not gone unnoticed. The design was awarded Silver in the A' Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Products Design Award in 2021. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. The Aery, with its dual-stage approach to disinfection, certainly fits this description.