Composite nanostructured air filters for VOC removal and pathogen inactivation
Advanced hybrid coating technology applied to commercial filter media that captures and inactivates airborne pathogens while continuously removing gaseous pollutants such as VOCs. Validated to deliver HEPA-grade particulate filtration and biocidal performance without toxic byproducts or significant increases in backpressure, enabling energy-efficient indoor air purification.
Overview
Metalmark Innovations has developed a proprietary, bioinspired materials platform that combines hierarchically porous scaffolds with rationally designed surface functionalities. When applied as a coating on standard commercial fibrous filter media, these hybrid materials enable continuous removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and inactivation of aerosolized pathogens on contact. The technology is designed for integration into common pleated filter formats, making it readily deployable in existing HVAC and air purification systems. By addressing both particulate and gaseous pollutants in a single filter element, the solution helps facility managers improve indoor air quality for applications such as infection-risk management, smoke readiness, and ESG compliance, without generating harmful byproducts such as ozone or ions.
Technical specifications
Core technology features:
- Hierarchically porous scaffolds modified with tailored surface functionalities that provide enhanced mass transport and high surface area for pollutant capture
- Dual-function coatings offering both sorption capacity for gaseous pollutants and biocidal activity against airborne pathogens
- Low backpressure design that does not significantly impede airflow, preserving energy efficiency in HVAC systems
- Self-cleaning catalytic function that degrades captured pollutants, extending filter service life compared to conventional media
- Format compatibility with standard pleated filter geometries used in commercial and industrial air handling equipment
Validated performance:
- HEPA-grade particulate filtration at 99.97% efficiency
- 76% reduction in viable bacteria demonstrated through external lab verification using representative airborne pathogens
- Demonstrated sorption function without byproduct generation
Technology readiness level
The technology has progressed through multiple years of materials and coatings research and development, supported by prior funding from federal agencies including the NIH, EPA, NSF, and the Department of Defense. Internal testing has confirmed performance for both particulate matter and VOC removal, and external laboratory verification has validated biocidal effectiveness against representative airborne pathogens. The current stage of work focuses on optimizing hybrid material compositions for sorption and biocidal performance using model VOCs such as toluene and acetaldehyde, followed by external lab testing of coated commercial filter media. An eight-month validation program is planned to further characterize sorption capacity and pathogen inactivation, positioning the technology for continued advancement toward broader commercial deployment.
About Metalmark Innovations PBC
Metalmark Innovations PBC provides indoor environmental intelligence and air purification systems designed to help organizations manage air quality risks such as wildfire smoke, pathogens, and pollutants. The company utilizes a proprietary, bioinspired materials platform featuring nano-structured porous coatings. These coatings provide both sorption and catalytic functions, which, when integrated into their Tatama air-cleaning technology, enable the degradation of captured air pollutants including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter. This self-cleaning process extends filter life significantly compared to conventional systems and operates without releasing harmful byproducts like ozone or ions.
The company’s solutions are intended to help facility managers transition from passive air monitoring to active, data-driven operational management. By translating environmental signals into decision-ready intelligence and action plans, Metalmark enables organizations to maintain healthier indoor conditions while balancing energy consumption and system performance. Their technology and services support critical use cases such as infection-risk management, smoke readiness, and ESG compliance. Spun out of Harvard University in 2018, Metalmark is a women-led public benefit corporation that has received research and development support from multiple federal agencies, including the NIH, EPA, and NSF, as well as the Department of Defense.
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