A lecturer in the Department of Manufacturing Engineering and Engineering Management (MEEM) is interested in taking air purification technology developed in the US and adapting it to the special needs of Hong Kong.

 

Dr Michael K H Leung, a MEEM lecturer who has spent much of his academic career performing research in air purification methods, said that an existing air cleansing technology, developed in the US, should work wonders here in Hong Kong if the technology is adjusted properly.

 

Dr Leung wrote a paper recently in which he outlined the results of a demonstration of the photocatalytic disinfection technology in a Hong Kong hospital ward. In the test, the photocatalytic converter--which uses ultraviolet light on titanium dioxide to destroy airborne microorganisms--eliminated 52 per cent of bacteria in the air in one pass through the air purifier.

 

"The test proves the effectiveness of the technology," explained Dr Leung. "The problem is adapting that technology to meet the needs of Hong Kong."

 

Currently the photocatalytic disinfection air purifying device is available in small sizes capable of destroying bacteria in single rooms. Hong Kong's massive buildings with central air conditioning will require different units, he said.

 

"I truly believe that this should be introduced to the Hong Kong market," said Dr Leung. "That is the focus of my applied research in this area.