Samsung Electronics Develops Reusable and Washable Air Purification Filter Technology

Showcasing Technology with the World's First Photocatalyst Application

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Pyeonghwa] Samsung Electronics SAIT (formerly the Advanced Institute of Technology) announced on the 15th that it has developed a reusable air purification filter technology. By utilizing this technology, one filter can simultaneously remove fine dust and harmful gases, and the filter can be used for up to 20 years with simple water washing.

Samsung Electronics SAIT researchers implemented a new concept filter technology by applying photocatalysts using light, such as cuprous oxide (Cu2O) and titanium dioxide (TiO2), for the first time in the world, proving its commercialization potential. This technology can increase the space efficiency of air purification devices or facilities. It reduces filter replacement costs and waste. Samsung Electronics SAIT plans to produce prototypes applying this technology and showcase and verify their performance in air conditioning facilities of buildings within semiconductor sites, bus terminals, and underground parking lots.

Samsung Electronics SAIT researchers who developed a new air purification filter technology /
[Photo by Samsung Electronics SAIT]

The new filter structure removes fine dust by coating a membrane made of inorganic materials at the entrance of a porous ceramic air purification filter. Photocatalysts are coated on the outlet passage to remove harmful gases. The dust collection capacity is about four times higher than that of conventional high-performance HEPA filters. For water washing, materials with waterproof properties such as cuprous oxide and titanium dioxide were applied. Assuming the filter is reused 10 times through water washing, it can be used for 20 years. This means the lifespan is extended up to 40 times compared to existing HEPA filters.

Samsung Electronics SAIT announced that the research results on the new concept air purification filter technology applying photocatalysts were published on the 15th (local time) in the world-renowned academic journal 'Nature Communications.' Kwon Hyukjae, a Samsung Electronics SAIT researcher (corresponding author and co-first author), said, "This research started by reflecting the requirements of not only the filter manufacturing industry but also actual users," and added, "We will expand research related to air purification filter regeneration technology to accelerate commercialization."

Image of the new concept air purification filter technology developed by Samsung Electronics SAIT / [Image source=Samsung Electronics SAIT]

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics SAIT presented a paper last year that implemented M-RAM-based in-memory computing for the first time in the world. It also disclosed research on next-generation neuromorphic semiconductors resembling the brain and stretchable technology that deforms according to skin movement. In 2020, it published a paper related to holographic display research.