Summary
- Profile Type
- Technology offer
- POD Reference
- TOIT20241009008
- Term of Validity
- 15 October 2024 - 15 October 2025
- Company's Country
- Italy
- Type of partnership
- Investment agreement
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
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General information
- Short Summary
- The Italian company ALOS has developed a home device that improves indoor air quality by harnessing the photosynthesis of microalgae, to sustainably convert air pollutants into oxygen and biomass. It is the first B2C device capable of operating at a negative carbon balance (capturing and storing more CO₂ than the carbon footprint associated with the production of electical energy). Alos Srl holds the patents for both the device and the method of using microalgae for improving indoor air quality
- Full Description
-
ALOS is dedicated to advancing green strategies that mitigate the environmental impacts of anthropogenic activities while promoting human health. The company's approach is holistic, integrating biotechnologies, engineering, and design to create innovative solutions that are efficient and have a minimal environmental footprint. ALOS seeks to offer alternatives to conventional methods for reducing, preventing, or eliminating pollutant emissions, emphasizing the importance of sustainable environments, building and cities.
The flagship product of Alos is ALOS ONE, a revolutionary device designed to enhance air quality through photosynthesis. This photobioreactor lamp leverages the power of microalgae, photosynthetic organisms that excel at absorbing CO₂ and producing oxygen. Microalgae can fix CO₂ at rates 10 to 50 times more efficiently than terrestrial plants, and ALOS ONE is the first domestic device to harness this natural process in a compact form, merging traditional air purification methods with modern engineering and biotechnological advancements. Each lamp transforms pollution into oxygen with an efficiency that far surpasses conventional household plants, offering the phytoremediation capability equivalent to over 400 cubic meters of forest.
ALOS ONE is carefully designed with both functionality and aesthetics in mind. Below are the detailed specifications:
Dimensions:
Frame: 54 cm x 11 cm (diameter)
Operational Unit: 47 cm x 8.5 cm (diameter)
Capacity: 1.5 liters, providing ample space for the microalgae culture.
Weight:
Empty Weight: 1.5 kg
Full Weight: 3.0 kg
Materials:
Chassis: Crafted from premium woods such as Swiss pine, cedar, Italian walnut, and wenge, giving the product a natural and elegant appearance.
Operational Unit: Made from durable aluminum and Pyrex glass, ensuring longevity and ease of maintenance.
Light Intensity: The lamp provides an output of 510 lumens, sufficient for optimal microalgae growth.
Voltage: Operates at 12 V, ensuring compatibility with common household electrical systems.
ALOS ONE is currently a marketed TRL9 product.
Key technological improvements have been identified and planned according to user feedback.
The company is looking for partners interested in purchasing the patents related to this technology, with the option to negotiate an agreement for the transfer of unpatented know-how.Potential buyers include companies in the Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) industry, as they may be interested in expanding their portfolio with a consumer-facing product that integrates seamlessly into everyday environments. Additionally, companies specializing in sustainable home products, green technology, or air purification systems could see great value in acquiring this technology to enhance their market position, given the growing demand for eco-friendly and design-forward solutions.
Emerging players in the clean tech space or biotech companies focusing on innovative uses of microalgae might also be potential acquirers, as they can leverage the patented method and device to pioneer new applications or integrate it into existing solutions aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions. Moreover, furniture and home design brands looking to enter the sustainability market could find the combination of aesthetic appeal and cutting-edge technology in this product a key differentiator for their offerings. - Advantages and Innovations
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ALOS ONE showed impressive CO₂ reduction capabilities in various environments. Initially tested in a sealed case with a CO₂ concentration of 1.000 ppm—similar to a well-ventilated office—ALOS achieved a CO₂ subtraction rate of up to 92 mg/h, which is comparable to the absorption of 25 Kentia (H. forsteriana) trees.
In further experiments at Savi Laboratories with a more challenging scenario—air containing 10.000 ppm CO₂ and a suspension of bacteria and molds—ALOS ONE significantly outperformed initial measurements. Within hours, it reduced CO₂ levels by 95%, lowering the concentration to 400 ppm, akin to outdoor air. The sequestration rate during this test was estimated at 1.880 mg/h, equivalent to the absorption capacity of 500 Kentia plants or 8-20 laboratory photobioreactors, depending on the technology used. During the same 24 hours, the oxygen concentration in the sealed case increased from 19.6% to 22.1%, a 13% rise corresponding to about 22 liters of oxygen produced.
In addition to its CO₂ reduction and oxygen production, ALOS ONE showed promising results in reducing microbial presence. One hour after activation, there was a 33% decrease in molds. After three hours, bacteria from environmental sources decreased by 89%, while those from animal or human origins dropped by 75%. These outcomes suggest that ALOS is nearing the disinfection threshold of 90%, highlighting its potential for current applications and future improvements.
Overall, these findings affirm ALOS ONE's effectiveness, particularly in poorer air quality conditions, and indicate that performance could be enhanced further as it was operated at only 40% of its maximum power settings during the tests.
Considering a power consumption below 2,6 kWh, ALOS ONE can operate at a negative carbon balance in most settings (depending on indoor CO₂ concentration and local energy carbon footprint).
Lastly, the principles of optimisation of ALOS ONE can be easily scaled to develop larger, B2B products. - Stage of Development
- Already on the market
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- IPR status
- IPR granted
- IPR notes
-
Technology (IT202000029951A1) and method (IT202000029957A1) patents granted in Italy.
Method patent extended in PCT, USA (WO 2022118241) and UAE
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
-
The company is looking for partners interested in purchasing the patents related to this technology, with the option to negotiate an agreement for the transfer of unpatented know-how.
Potential buyers include companies in the Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) industry, as they may be interested in expanding their portfolio with a consumer-facing product that integrates seamlessly into everyday environments. Additionally, companies specializing in sustainable home products, green technology, or air purification systems could see great value in acquiring this technology to enhance their market position, given the growing demand for eco-friendly and design-forward solutions.
Emerging players in the clean tech space or biotech companies focusing on innovative uses of microalgae might also be potential acquirers, as they can leverage the patented method and device to pioneer new applications or integrate it into existing solutions aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions. Moreover, furniture and home design brands looking to enter the sustainability market could find the combination of aesthetic appeal and cutting-edge technology in this product a key differentiator for their offerings.
Given the growing urgency of climate action and the demand for solutions that seamlessly blend innovation with functionality, this patented technology represents a prime opportunity for strategic partners committed to driving environmental impact while appealing to consumers with sustainability-conscious lifestyles. - Type and Size of Partner
- SME 11-49
- SME 50 - 249
- SME <=10
- Other
- Big company
- Type of partnership
- Investment agreement
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 10002001 - Indoor Air Pollution/Treatment
- 06002008 - Microbiology
- 010002001 - Air Pollution/Treatment
- Market keywords
- 07004002 - Health and beauty aids
- 07004003 - Home furnishing and housewares
- 04005 - Biochemistry / Biophysics
- 07004005 - Furnishing and Furniture
- Sector Groups Involved
- Renewable Energy
- Health
- Targeted countries
- All countries
