Developing Antibacterial Nanofiber Air Filters for Bioaerosol Removal from Ambient Air

by Muhammed Raşit Çevikalp | Dec 18, 2022

Project Title: Developing Antibacterial Nanofiber Air Filters for Bioaerosol Removal from Ambient Air
Project Type: TÜBİTAK Project
Project Coordinator: Doç. Dr. Derya Yüksel İmer

In this project, the antibacterial and bioaerosol removal filters were developed with hightechnology production processes using the collaboration of industry and multiple Universities in Turkey and England. Raw materials (nanomaterials and functional biocidal monomers) of filters having high performance properties were fabricated with academic collaborations between ITU, PRU and Northumbria University. These were tested for their usability for indoor air filter applications and their performances were approved through the fabrication of air filters having high efficient, high bioaerosol retaining capacity, antibacterial, compact and optimum filtration area under a range of test conditions. The collaboration between three universities (ITU, PRU and NU) and private company (Inovenso) enables us to significantly enhance the impact of academic research conducted in our universities. The mobility of scientific knowledge from university to industrial areas increases the competition and globalization in engineering communities. This strategy is very important for making a real and sustained contribution to technology development in developing countries. The expected outcomes of a mutual relationship between industrial experience and academic perspective are; (i) the enlargement in theory and practice for air-filter development (ii) the management of activities, such as employment of post doctoral or doctoral students in the nanofiber fabrication industry (iii) generation of new and practical knowledge about air filtration technology (iv) creating a public awareness for importance of indoor air quality. In addition to these outcomes, the academic partnership in the proposed project will increase researcher productivity resulting in high impact publications and patents. The academic partnership includes the capacity building activities, sharing of scientific equipment and services, casestudy applications and knowledge exchange relationships. The expected impacts of collaboration are; (i) increase of scientific productivity (ii) building the relationship with academicians and industry regarding indoor air quality (iii) enhancing the collaborative relationships between researchers to encourage future collaboration projects.

İTÜ Faculty of Civil Engineering

It can be accepted that the history of ITU Civil Engineering Faculty was commenced in 1727 by the establishment of Humbarahane during the era of Damat İbrahim Paşa. However, this attempt was to no avail due to the martyrization of the studwents of this school by the Janissaries.

In 1734, during the grand viziership of Topal Osman Paşa, classes related to Civil Engineering was being taught in Hendesehane, which was founded in Üsküdar. Similarly, this school was also closed after three years due to the opposition of the Janissaries. The reasons of the tragedy that occured in Battle of Chesma, 1770 were inadequacy of the ships and the ignorance of the Ottoman Navy.

Although the Atlantic Map (1513) and the Map of Europe and the Mediterranean Sea (1523) by Piri Reis were the leading pieces of the era, Ottoman viziers were so ignorant that they claimed it was impossible for the Russian Baltic Fleet to reach the Mediterranean Sea assuming that there were no sea connection. With the proposal from Gazi Hasan Paşa and Baron de Tott, Mühendishane-i Bahri-i Humayun was established during the time of Sultan Mustafa III, aiming to train naval construction engineers. Since Ottoman Empire did not have any engineering schools at the time, military engineering classes were taught by French engineers beginning from 1784. French lecturers had to return to their country in 1788 with the increasing suppression from Austria and Russia, which were unwilling for the development and thriving of Ottoman Empire. In 1759, during the Grand Viziership of Koca Ragıp Paşa, Humbarahane was reopened in Karaağaç, Haliç (Golden Horn) and continued to teach even though it was incompetent. In 1792, Lağımcı Ocağı and Humbaracı Ocağı (Guild of Sappers) were established.