Draper Collaborates on Innovative Project to Enhance Indoor Air Quality and Public Health

Draper's Role in Improving Indoor Air Quality

In a significant move towards enhancing public health, Draper has partnered with an esteemed multidisciplinary team of experts from various fields, including industry, academia, and public health. This initiative is part of a project financially supported by the Building Resilient Environments for Air and Total Health (BREATHE) program from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).

ARPA-H's BREATHE program seeks to innovate public health by improving the monitoring and management of indoor air quality while also anticipating emerging health threats. Draper is proud to be part of the Strategic Control of bioAerosols in Learning Environments (SCALE) team, which was specially selected to perform within the ARPA-H BREATHE program. The initiative is led by Poppy Health and aims to craft and implement the first comprehensive system capable of real-time detection and minimization of various indoor air hazards like allergens, molds, bacteria, and viruses. Following development, these systems will be trialed in schools across multiple districts throughout the country.

The SCALE team comprises several reputable members including Attune, Daikin Industries (Daikin Applied Americas), Handix Scientific, Wyss Institute, and multiple esteemed universities among others, supported by advisors from various disciplines. Dr. Joseph Lomakin, Draper’s program team leader, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting Draper’s unique capabilities in microfluidic pathogen isolation and lysis, which are crucial for this multi-disciplinary endeavor. He noted that the aim of the project is not only to identify air quality issues as they arise but also to advocate for methods to improve indoor environments that will ultimately enhance human well-being, prevent disease, and boost productivity.

The SCALE System Components

The innovative SCALE system is built upon three major components:

1. Advanced Biosensors: These sophisticated devices are engineered to identify health threats present in the air through an amplification-free genetic sensor. This sensor emits a small electrical signal whenever it detects harmful microbes.

2. Respiratory Risk Assessment Software: This software evaluates how identified hazards may affect human health and recommends actions for building management. It uses the ASHRAE 241 Standard model to function as a real-time decision-making engine.

3. Automated Air Handling Systems: Responding to the output from the risk assessment software, these systems regulate airflow, filtration, and sanitizing processes to ensure clean air circulation, effectively minimizing hazard exposure within the building.

According to Sam Molyneux, the overall lead for the SCALE project and Co-CEO at Poppy, this initiative signifies a fusion of cutting-edge biotechnology with intelligent infrastructure aimed at creating the very first health-responsive built environment.

The intention behind the system is to remain cost-effective, fully adaptable, and scalable across diverse types of buildings, including workplaces, educational institutions, and long-term care facilities. The initial phase is set to roll out in three or more school districts located in varying climate zones, with special attention directed towards communities that experience disproportionate health challenges.

Conclusion

This pivotal research has been largely supported by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). The perspectives and conclusions presented herein belong solely to the authors and should not be construed as representative of the official policies of the United States Government. Draper continues to display its commitment toward addressing significant national challenges through innovative research and development practices.

About Draper

Draper is a non-profit organization focused on research, development, and manufacturing, addressing some of the most pressing issues facing the nation. With a workforce of over 2,500 employees across 12 locations, the organization is dedicated to providing transformative solutions in four primary mission areas: Strategic Systems, Space Systems, Electronic Systems, and Biotechnology Systems.

To learn more about Draper, visit www.draper.com. Follow Draper on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.