Overview

NCDriven-deHCHO is an innovative biological method for removing formaldehyde from indoor environments. OUC-Haide is committed to advancing the practical application of this technology. Through experimental design and validation, we have demonstrated the feasibility of NCDriven-deHCHO in metabolizing formaldehyde. Our engagement in Human Practice has made us aware of the necessity for a reliable and effective formaldehyde removal product, driven by public feedback. Doctors specializing in respiratory diseases have also encouraged us to actively pursue the implementation of this project actively, aiming to improve the well-being of more people. We believe that NCDriven-deHCHO will be a groundbreaking formaldehyde removal product, offering a fresher and safer indoor air environment to a broader audience.

Usage Guidelines

Before using the device, we will sterilize it and provide you with a pre-installed hardware device and inoculated fermentation solution. Users only need to power on the device and activate the air compressor connected to the unit to start the entire device. Once the indoor formaldehyde concentration has been reduced to safe levels, we will retrieve the device, replace the cultivation solution, and inoculate the engineered bacteria, enabling the device to be reused.

Figure 1
Figure 1. Professional Services and User Guidelines

Target Users

Our formaldehyde removal device is positioned as an advanced, biologically-driven solution for effectively eliminating indoor formaldehyde while prioritizing efficiency and safety. Our target audiences include:

  • Homeowners: Individuals who recently renovated their homes are concerned about indoor air contamination due to formaldehyde.
  • Real Estate Developers: Companies involved in real estate development, construction, and property management seeking a reliable and efficient formaldehyde removal solution to ensure the safety and health of residents.
  • Facility Managers: Personnel responsible for maintaining indoor air quality in public places such as schools, offices, hospitals, malls, and factories, where formaldehyde pollution can be a concern.
  • Environmental Health Agencies: Government agencies or organizations dedicated to environmental protection and public health seeking innovative approaches to addressing formaldehyde contamination issues.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Target Users

Safety

Due to the critical nature of our device's application in human-related settings, we have taken significant precautions to ensure safety and minimize potential risks, such as bacterial leakage. We have focused on 3 key aspects, chassis selection, suicide switch, and hardware design, to provide users with a secure and safe experience.

  • Chassis Selection
    Before selecting our chassis microorganism (E.coli BL21), we conducted thorough research to confirm that this microorganism falls under Risk Group 1. We closely examined product documentation from sources such as the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, NIH guidelines, and the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) product sheet to ensure that under appropriate operating conditions, our chassis microorganism does not pose any health risks to healthy adults. This commitment to safety ensures that our project meets high standards of safety.

  • Suicide Switch
    The suicide switch comprises the arabinose operon, the MazF toxin and the MazE antitoxin gene. When bacteria are in a fermentation medium with a high concentration of arabinose, the MazE antitoxin gene is expressed, allowing the bacteria to survive. If bacteria escape from the device, they will die due to low arabinose concentration. Detailed information can be found on our project Design Page.

    Figure 3
    Figure 3. Suicide Genetic Circuit

  • Hardware Design
    Our hardware design is focused on complete sealing, with the exception of the ventilation and exhaust systems. We have chosen a 5.05 cm chuck as the interface between various components, with a silicone gasket between the two chucks. We use medium-sized clamps designed for 5.05 cm chucks for sealing. The Φ8 air tube interface is sealed, and both the ventilation and exhaust pipes are equipped with small (17 cm in height, 7.6 cm in width) 2.5-inch air filters. These filters use polypropylene microporous membrane filter cores with a filtration accuracy ranging from 0.1 micrometers to 0.5 micrometers to block bacteria effectively. Detailed information can be found on our project Hardware Page.

    • Figure 4
    Figure 4. Components Designed for Sealing
    Figure 5
    Figure 5. Air Filter

Future Outlook

Our formaldehyde removal technology holds immense potential for addressing indoor air quality issues related to formaldehyde pollution. Looking ahead, we have ambitious plans to expand the range of applications for our product. This includes tailoring devices with varying capacities for specific environments, such as residences, schools, hospitals, and factories. Our product lines will cater to different needs, offering short-term rapid formaldehyde removal and long-term sustainable solutions for post-renovation homes.

Furthermore, our ongoing research and development efforts are focused on enhancing the efficiency and safety of our engineered bacteria and exploring the removal of other indoor air pollutants.

In the future, we envision establishing partnerships with key stakeholders in the environmental and construction industries to contribute to improving indoor air quality and the well-being of individuals in various indoor settings.