BacterFilter

Poor indoor air quality has detrimental effects on human health, particularly in the modern era where the average person spends 90% of their time indoors. Along with this issue is the occurrence of sick-building syndrome, which is caused by a number of combined aesthetic and technical building conditions. The combination of visibly poor working environments and the presence of harmful particulates makes factory workers especially at risk to the symptoms of sick-building syndrome and thus a decreased quality of life due to health issues.

BacterFilter addresses these problems by integrating biofiltration into a decorative panel. BacterFilter focuses on the filtration and degradation of the chemical 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) in order to help lower levels of this toxin in factories that manufacture vinyl, which is commonly used in interior finishes and furniture. BacterFilter fights design with design in order to improve the working conditions of factory workers.

The bacteria Xanthobacter autotrophicus uses the pellicle as a growth media to integrate its ability to degrade DCE with the visual possibilities of the cellulose. The features of the bacterial cellulose wall panel are estimated to decrease the effects of sick-building syndrome, and they have a more sustainable life cycle in comparison to traditional commercial wall panels.

While BacterFilter currently focuses on removing DCE from at risk environments, further development of the product could lead to the ability to integrate other toxin degrading microorganisms into the panel. This will allow BacterFilter to address the air quality needs of a variety of other environments.

Above is a prototype of the BacterFilter panel. This prototype is a life size mock-up of one of the varieties in shape and color that BacterFilter is available in. Customization of the panel's aesthetic qualities is possible due to the versatile nature of the bacterial cellulose that is used.

Above is a scale model of BacterFilter. Made at 1/2" = 1', this model shows a vinyl producing factory with the filtration panels installed. The panels shown in this model are just one example of the size, shape, and color that BacterFilter is available in. From these study models, we are able to get a better sense of how the panels interact aesthetically within the space.