
Filtration innovations in 2020
Facemask materials, surface treatments, intelligent sensors & carbon nanotubes That the COVID-19 pandemic has been a driver for filtration industry innovation is beyond dispute, and one of the commercial inventions of the year is undoubtedly the new bicomponent spunbond nonwoven material that can serve as an effective N95 facemask filter – without the need for …

The dark art of whisky distillation and clean water for the Highlands
Did you know? In Scotland and Canada, it’s “whisky” … But in the Ireland, the U.S. and elsewhere, it’s “whiskey” … So while we’re not beyond the occasional typo here at IFN, in this case there is a method to our madness. The filter practices and processes of whisky manufacturers are often closely guarded secrets …

The Big Six – who are the major customers for nonwoven filter media in 2020?
The filtration industry is notably fractured in terms of its supply chain, as well as the end-uses for all types of filter media. Six multi-billion-dollar companies, however – with combined total annual sales of over $90 billion – can be identified as being arguably the industry’s most influential: • 3M • Danaher Corporation • Cummins …

Modeling airflow and filtration reveals truths and misconceptions on commonly held beliefs about virus spread
The interior of an airplane is perhaps one of the safest places to be when it comes to avoiding contamination from a virus like COVID-19. This is one of the surprising findings arising from detailed studies of recent so-called “super spreader” events in combination with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling. Together, they highlight the need …

Filter media players step up in the fight against COVID-19, but questions about the long-term supply persist
“The U.S. has a strategic petroleum reserve. It has strategic military assets. Where are the strategic meltblown assets?” This was the question with which Forbes investment specialist William Baldwin closed a column on April 3rd, immediately after U.S. President Donald Trump had issued a blistering attack on 3M during a press briefing in Washington. 3M …