Nahla O. Eltai

Qatar University, Qatar

Abstract Title: Next-Generation Air Cleaning to Control Airborne Infections Using Electrically Activated Water

Biography: Dr. Nahla Omer Eltai is a researcher specializing in infectious diseases at Qatar University, Biomedical Research Center (BRC); she received her PhD from Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany. Dr. Eltai is currently leading the microbiology research at BRC. Her research and teaching experiences have been fostered by several years of intensive work at state-of-the-art and multidisciplinary institutions; Dr Eltai has published over 58 papers in peer-reviewed journals and was awarded a patent on her discovery.

Research Interest: Airborne transmission of infectious agents has emerged as a critical public health challenge, particularly highlighted during recent respiratory disease outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Enclosed indoor environments, including hospitals and large public venues, can facilitate the spread of pathogens through contaminated air, increasing the risk of infections among occupants. While High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration remains widely adopted, its application is limited by high energy demands, airflow resistance, and maintenance costs. In response, a novel air decontamination system utilizing Electrically Activated Water (EAW) was developed and evaluated as a complementary and potentially superior approach for improving indoor air quality. Methodology A portable air-cooling unit was modified to integrate an EAW-based wicking mechanism designed to capture and inactivate airborne microorganisms. Controlled aerosol challenges using Escherichia coli, Aspergillus spp., and Newcastle disease virus were conducted within a sealed test environment. Airborne bacteria were quantified using a cascade impactor with nutrient agar media, while viral aerosols were collected using an SKC air sampler. Viral reduction efficacy, including against SARS-CoV-2, was assessed using TCID??/mL and RT-qPCR. Antifungal performance was determined by the inhibition of fungal growth following system exposure.