# 186. Invisible Shield: Blocking Germs with Wearable Tech

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2024-08-06
- Length: 18m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-08-06-186-invisible-shield-blocking-germs-with-wearable-tech
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/186-invisible-shield-blocking-germs-with-wearable-tech-Ml9_B_o7

## Summary

Daniel and Forbode discuss the wearable air curtain, a prototype device developed by Tazaaya, a spinoff from the University of Michigan led by Professor Herrick Clack. The device uses non-thermal plasma and a jet of air to create an invisible shield that blocks 99.8% of aerosols, addressing the comfort and communication issues of traditional masks for industrial workers. The hosts analyze the technology's efficacy, its origins in livestock protection, and its potential commercial launch in 2025.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-08-06-186-invisible-shield-blocking-germs-with-wearable-tech#t=0) Introduction to the Wearable Air Curtain
- [2:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-08-06-186-invisible-shield-blocking-germs-with-wearable-tech#t=120) The Origin Story: Michigan Turkey and Industrial Needs
- [5:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-08-06-186-invisible-shield-blocking-germs-with-wearable-tech#t=329) Professor Clack’s Background and Plasma Technology
- [7:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-08-06-186-invisible-shield-blocking-germs-with-wearable-tech#t=438) How the Air Curtain and Plasma Work Together
- [9:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-08-06-186-invisible-shield-blocking-germs-with-wearable-tech#t=581) Testing Results and User Experience Benefits
- [12:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-08-06-186-invisible-shield-blocking-germs-with-wearable-tech#t=776) Demonstration, Naming, and Future Outlook

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Tazaaya (company)
- University of Michigan (company)
- Michigan Turkey (company)
- Herrick Clack (other)
- Alberto Ellie (other)
- Johnson and Johnson Innovation Institute (company)
- Wevolver (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#019 - Chairless chair, with Keith Gunura of noonee, Switzerland](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-03-29-019-chairless-chair-with-keith-gunura-of-noonee-switzerland) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)
- [Turning Cow Burps into Clean Energy with Griffin Cherry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2026-07-02-turning-cow-burps-into-clean-energy-with-griffin-cherry) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [Ep 145: Remoticon is On, Movie FX, Cold Plasma, and The Purest Silicon](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2021-11-19-ep-145-remoticon-is-on-movie-fx-cold-plasma-and-the-purest-silicon) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Addressing the PPE Shortage with a No Cost Solution for Healthcare Providers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2020-04-29-addressing-the-ppe-shortage-with-a-no-cost-solution-for-healthcare-providers) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [Addressing Climate Change in Agriculture with Plasma Technology with Daniel White, Co-Founder and CEO at Clean Crop Technologies](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2024-02-01-addressing-climate-change-in-agriculture-with-plasma-technology-with-daniel-whit) (Hardware to Save a Planet)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-08-06-186-invisible-shield-blocking-germs-with-wearable-tech. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Next Byte Podcast.