Production

Consumables, machinery-equipment production

a. Our faculty member Assoc. Dr. Ali Gelir and his team working in our Physics Engineering Department laboratories designed a mask with an active filter. The microorganism tests of the mask, which is designed as a mouth-nose mask and a full-face mask, are carried out in Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa Forensic Medicine Institute and Koç University Microbiology Laboratories. The active filter in the masks is located in a closed system with channels similar to the nasal canals. Inside these channels, there are LEDs designed in the “SMD” (surface mount device) case and radiating in the UVC region. Closed system prevents UV rays from harming people using this filter. The air intake into the filter channels takes place through the holes on the filter edges. Passive mechanical filters are also placed in front of these holes, so that the air passing through the channel is both mechanically filtered and exposed to UV radiation, making harmful microorganisms that can be transported by air become inactive (ineffective). Besides the fact that the designed filters can be used continuously instead of disposable, the fact that their filters can be changed makes a difference. Thanks to the LEDs used in the filter, any failure condition is detected immediately and the filters are replaced.

b. In COVID-19 period, protective mask filter of N95 and above, which is made of 100 percent local materials, including consumables, was completed at the İTÜ MEM-TEK Research Center and a trial-scale production was carried out. Within the scope of the research, primarily ‘nanofiber’ production technology was developed. First, production studies were carried out on a laboratory scale system. With the completion of laboratory-scale studies, a trial-scale production system was introduced. The 1-meter wide nanofiber-based device (trial scale electro spinning machine), which was previously installed and could not be fully operational, has been made functional with our own knowledge and technology. In this regard, cooperation was made with İTÜARI Teknokent. With the work done, the production technology has moved forward and the patent application stage has reached. N95 and N99 mask filters were produced with a trial-scale electro spinning machine that produces continuously 1 meter wide. Using the produced mask filters, a unique mask design, pictured below, was realized. Cooperation was made with R&D companies on this subject. The manufactured masks have successfully passed the performance tests carried out by the internationally accredited laboratory. In these difficult times, including our country, the number of masks that will meet most of the need are produced and presented to the use of the personnel of the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Defense.

c.The works carried out in İTÜ ARI Teknoknet are available below.