THE UNIVERSITY of San Carlos in Cebu will develop a low-cost indoor ventilation system that can curb the spread of airborne viruses, the Department of Science and Technology said.

DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said the research led by Dr. Edward Querikol is being conducted in close collaboration with its inventor, Dr. Frank Helleis of the Max Planck Institute of Chemistry in Mainz, Germany.

Dela Pena noted that USC seeks to redesign Helleis’ invention to fit indoor tropical environments in the Philippines.

“The low-cost ventilator shall then be demonstrated, and hopefully will be used in selected tropical indoor environments, such as classrooms, banks, and government agencies,” he said.

“The project team is also considering its use in public transport vehicles, as well as in small manufacturing facilities,” he added.

The USC team composed of engineers has left for Germany to study, train and learn.

USC engineers will learn the process, design, and engineering behind the low-cost ventilator and how it will be modified and adjusted to fit local indoor tropical environment.

The project is supported by the DOST’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development and has a funding of P8.3 million.