Winter means more time indoors, and that's when airborne germs become a real concern. Researchers at UBC Okanagan have designed a device that captures exhaled particles before they spread through a room — and the results suggest it works far better than current systems.
The problem with existing ventilation is straightforward: it's either one-size-fits-all or uncomfortable. Building-wide systems try to manage airflow across large areas, but they can't adapt to where people actually are. Some setups blow clean air directly at individuals from a fixed point, like airplane vents, but that only works if you stay still. Move around, and the protection disappears. Plus, constant airflow dries out eyes and skin, making it impractical for long shifts in offices, clinics, or classrooms.
"Many Canadians spend nearly 90 percent of their time inside," says Dr. Sunny Li, a professor in UBC's School of Engineering. "Indoor air quality isn't optional — it's a health issue."
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The team developed what they call an induction-removal or jet-sink airflow approach. Instead of blasting you with fast-moving air, it guides airflow around your body and continuously draws contaminated particles into a localized purification zone. Think of it less like an airplane vent and more like a targeted exhaust that catches germs at the source.
Dr. Mojtaba Zabihi, the lead researcher, explains the insight: "Room layouts and existing HVAC systems are all different. You need something that works for the person, not the building."
To test it, the team ran computer simulations of a 30-minute scenario — someone sitting across from another person, breathing, generating body heat, exchanging air. They modeled how particles moved and compared their new design against standard personal ventilation systems.
The numbers were striking. The new device reduced infection risk to 9.5 percent. A typical personal ventilation system? 47.6 percent. A standard exhaust-based system? 38 percent. Regular room ventilation alone? 91 percent risk. When positioned optimally, the device prevented inhalation of pathogens during the first 15 minutes. Out of 540,000 particles, only 10 reached the other person. Simulations showed it removed up to 94 percent of airborne pathogens.
"Traditional systems fail the moment people move or interact," says Dr. Joshua Brinkerhoff, a study co-author. "This adapts. It's made for real spaces where close contact happens — clinics, classrooms, offices."
The research, published in Building and Environment, shows that smart airflow engineering — not just filters — can fundamentally change how safe indoor spaces feel. The next phase involves scaling the system for larger rooms and building physical prototypes to test in actual clinical and public settings.
Dr. Zabihi, who sits on Canada's National Model Codes Committee on Indoor Environment, sees this as a step toward rewriting ventilation standards. If adopted, it could reshape how we think about air safety in shared spaces.
