Nano Ceramic Sterilization Filter

Argonide Corporation

Sanford, FL

NanoCeram® alumina fibers, only 2 nanometers in diameter, are produced in multi kilo quantities. They are highly electropositive in water and attract and retain electronegative particles, such as virus, bacteria, mammalian cells (osteoblasts), endotoxins and macromolecules such as DNA and RNA.

• When formulated into a syringe filter, the firm products will retain 99.9999% of viruses, bacteria and protozoa such as hptosporidium at flow rates hundreds of times greater than virus-rated ultra porous filters. Waterborne pathogenic microorganisms are a major source of disease worldwide and it is the water contaminants that have the greatest impact on public health. Argonide's unique purification filters are capable of protecting our water supply from microbial contamination by terrorists.

• In June of 2003 the first of the firm's filter products were being marketed. These disc filters provide laboratory researchers with the capability for fast filtration of biological and hard to filter mixtures. Further filter products are planned including syringe and cartridge devices based on NanoCeram™ filter media.
• Key Applications for this technology are; Chromatography, Filtration of DNA, RNA and Endotoxins, Sterilization of Pharmaceuticals & Medical Serums, Production of Potable Water, Medical & Dental Offices, Collector for Biological Warfare Detectors.
• In 08 of 02 the firm's NanoCeram™ filters won R & D Magazine's award as one of the Top 100 most technologically significant new products of 2002.

• In October of 02 the firm's new point of use Microbiological Filters received a major EPA grant for removing arsenic from drinking water to meet the new 10 µg/L standard. NanoCeram™ fibers, owing to their high surface area, are capable of removing trace toxic metals from water. The EPA award funds our development of a household filter capable of removing arsenic from drinking water to satisfy the new 10 micrograms er liter specification. The unique set of properties exhibited by a newly identified family of oxide fibers is it's ultra small 2 nanometer diameter with an aspect ratio (AR) from 20 to 100. NanoCeram™ fibers deliver substantial increased strength, support, and insulation to metals, plastics, polymer-matrix and bio-materials.

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