At the Research and Technology Forum hosted by SyracuseCoE on October 16th, Dacheng Ren and Tom Dunbar were invited to speak on their research and findings on viral transmission dynamics and innovative air sanitization technologies. Ren and Dunbar come from different fields of expertise – chemical engineering and physics – but their research overlaps in their desire to address public health needs, motivated by challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professor Dacheng Ren’s presentation, “Persistence of Viruses in Indoor Environments: Effects of Humidity and Material Properties,” addresses how indoor conditions affect viral transmission and whether engineering the HVAC systems can reduce risks. He began by discussing his experiment on viral infectivity on hydrophobic surfaces, concluding that cotton swabs are best for chamber tests. He then explained the environmental chamber setup used to optimize results with shorter sampling periods. The research revealed that viral persistence depends on the form of the virus – including droplet, aerosol, and other forms. Ren concluded that humidity control is key to reducing viral transmission in indoor environments, critical in spaces like schools and hospitals.
Tom Dunbar, founder of tomPhyzx, LLC, presented his research on “Innovations and Opportunities in Improved Indoor Air Quality,” examining viral particle detection through a physics-based approach. He used radiometry to measure power density in a space, offering insights into the presence of viral particles. Dunbar then shared results from tests involving the uvcPhyzx and OptiXphere prototypes, both featuring the Flux Capacitor™ design to enhance UVC efficiency. The system proved effective against viral and fungal pathogens, including SARS virus surrogates and strawberry gray mold spores. He concluded by demonstrating how the system could function in everyday indoor environments, expressing hope for its future integration into daily life. Dunbar credited Dr. Yinping Zhang, a professor at Tsinghua University who gave the keynote address at SyracuseCoE’s 2024 Innovation Showcase, as a source of inspiration.
Together, both speakers showcased groundbreaking innovations in indoor environmental safety and viral transmission control. With Ren and Dunbar’s expertise and research at the forefront, their findings highlight critical advancements in understanding viral persistence and improving air sanitization technologies. As these technologies continue to develop, their teams hold a vital role in public health strategies for mitigating future pandemics and enhancing overall indoor air quality.
To watch both Ren and Dunbar’s research presentations in detail, view the recording of the forum below:
SPEAKERS:
Dr. Dacheng Ren received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Connecticut in 2003. After finishing postdoctoral training at Cornell University, he joined Syracuse University in 2006. Currently, he is Stevenson Endowed Professor in the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering, and Associate Dean for Research in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.
Dr. Ren received an Early Career Translational Research Award in Biomedical Engineering from the Wallace H. Coulter Foundation in 2009 and NSF CAREER award in 2011. He was named the College Technology Educator of the Year by the Technology Alliance of Central New York in 2010. Dr. Ren is also a recipient of the Faculty Excellence Award from the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Syracuse University in 2014, and Chancellor’s Citation for Faculty Excellence and Scholarly Distinction in 2018. Dr. Ren currently has 79 journal publications with >8,000 citations and an h-index of 42, and 13 issued/pending patents. Dr. Ren has broad research interests in microbial control and the safety of medical devices. His research has been supported by NSF, NIH, EPA, DOE, Wallace H. Coulter Foundation, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and industrial sponsors. He is a fellow of American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE).
Tom Dunbar founded tomPhyzx, LLC in the summer of 2020 to tackle the urgent air purification challenges posed by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the resulting COVID-19 pandemic. With a career spanning over two decades, Tom brings a needed expertise in physics and engineering to the field of air sanitization.
Before establishing tomPhyzx, Tom dedicated 22 years to educating future scientists as a Professor of Physics at Corning Community College. His professional journey also includes significant roles as a Development Engineer at Kodak and Westinghouse/IST, where he honed his skills in innovative product development and optical engineering.
Tom holds a master’s degree in Optical Engineering from the University of Rochester and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics from Susquehanna University. His extensive academic and professional background positions him as a leading authority in air purification technologies.
Residing on Keuka Lake in New York’s picturesque Finger Lakes region, Tom balances his professional pursuits with a love for fishing and boating.