Spun out of research at Washington University in St. Louis, Applied Particle Technology is focused on developing energy efficient, high performing innovative air purification technologies. The firm organized around developing sensors to detect aerosols, which are liquid or solid particles suspended in the air. Derived from work in the field of aerosol science and indoor air quality and aims at ultra-high particle collection efficiency, killing all pathogens, and removing gaseous pollutants, the firm is targeting indoor air quality for commercial aircraft and result in significant cost savings, the APT device has a lower pressure drop resulting in better fuel efficiency and provides significant cost savings compared to conventional HEPA filtration systems. In late 2018 the firm won $100K prize from NASA which hadbeen looking for ways to protect astronauts from airborne pollutants.It wa sreported that the win could lead to a test of APTs sensor on the International Space Station, and perhaps eventually to its use on manned missions to the moon or Mars. The firm's sensors are small enough to be worn on, say, a factory workers belt. The sensors also transmit exposure data in real time, alerting factory managers or public health officials to an air-quality emergency. APT also is working on the capability to distinguish among types of particles, which would help users identify the source of pollutants.
