Bio-Fires - An Eco-Friendly Alternative to Real Fires

Biofires provide a warm, cosy form of heat with no harmful gases or soot. They are easy to install as an electric fire.

The contract funded by BARDA supports the development of the BioFire Emerging CoV Panel, which is a nucleic acid Amplification test to be used with BioFire FilmArray Systems to identify human coronaviruses that are emerging and known in nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal sw and saliva specimens.

Eco-friendly

A bioethanol fire is an excellent alternative to gas or wood fires. The fuel is made from plant by-products and utilizes a natural process to convert sugars into alcohol. It is a better choice over other fireplaces as it produces no harmful emissions and also has lower carbon footprint. Bioethanol is also a more secure option than other fires, as it does not produce soot or smoke. It also does not require a flue, so it can be placed anywhere in your home or garden.

Multi-drug resistant bacteria (MDR) are one of today's most serious health threats. Fortunately, modern testing methods can aid in identifying MDR bacteria and other infections early to avoid further complications. BioFire FilmArray is one of these tests. This test utilizes a symptom-driven approach to detect common pathogens that cause sepsis. The results are available within a matter of hours, bio-Fire so healthcare providers can begin treatment immediately.

Molecular PCR is a process that amplifies DNA or RNA molecules into millions to billions of copies. This allows for the analysis of small quantities of body fluids or tissue to determine if specific genetic sequences are present. It is a useful tool for lab professionals, and can assist them in diagnosing serious illnesses in a timely and cost-effective way. The BioFire FilmArray PCR system is a cutting-edge tool for infectious disease diagnosis and is suitable in a myriad of applications in hospitals and labs.

For respiratory tests the simplest swab could be wiped across your nose and sent to the lab for analysis. BioFire's system offers a quick turnaround time and allows clinicians to respond quickly. This means less time waiting for results and improved outcomes for patients.

The Chanouf Farm Biofire company has created an Agroforestry waste recycling unit which utilizes pear and olive tree waste to produce biochar and biomass energy. The resulting products are offered to the public as a sustainable alternative to traditional charcoal briquettes made of coal and wood. These bio-waste products are suitable for burning in a Kachelofen-fire that produces radiant heat and is a greener alternative to electric or gas fires.

Clean burning

When you use bio-fire, you're not only saving energy, but you're also helping the environment by using a renewable fuel source. This is because the combustion of bioethanol doesn't release any harmful gasses like carbon dioxide. Instead, it releases only water vapour and heat. This makes it a cleaner and safer alternative for indoor use.

Ethanol is produced by the fermentation of plant sugars and is classed as an energy source that is renewable. This means it can be produced quickly and won't be depleted as fossil fuels such as oil and coal. Bioethanol also helps to reduce dependence on foreign imports and reduces the risks of supply shortages.

Bio-fires are very easy to set up and can be utilized in existing fireplace openings or as a freestanding unit. This makes them an alternative to gas and wood fires. They are also a great choice for offices and homes without a chimney or flue.

When a bio-fire is ignited, a special media is installed in the burner that absorbs the liquid ethanol fuel, making it available to burn. The ethanol is then burned by the flames and the vapours are expelled into the air via the vent. The flames appear more natural and gives stunning beauty that cannot be replicated with gas or real wood fires.

Another advantage of bio-fires is that they don't need vents or flues to replenish the oxygen used during combustion. They don't emit carbon monoxide that is released into the air by open fronted gas fireplaces.

The BioFire Respiratory Panel uses multiplex technology to simultaneously test for 19 respiratory pathogens within an hour. This allows doctors to detect and determine the presence of respiratory illness quicker than traditional laboratory tests, which require patient visits. This saves time and money for both the patient and the health system.

Safe indoors

Bio-fires are much safer to use indoors compared to real fires, as they produce no smoke or ash, nor carcinogenic fumes. The bio-fires don't produce carbon monoxide that can be deadly if inhaled. The bio-ethanol fuel they use is flammable however you must be careful when handling the burner and refuelling your fire. It should be filled only after the burner has been shut off and the fire is cool, and any spills need to be cleaned immediately.

The diagnostics offered by the company's FilmArray systems--BioFire 2.0 and BioFire Torch--are easy to use, and run eight different commercially available US Food and Drug Administration approved diagnostic panels as well as three additional panels that have been cleared for use in emergency situations, and six environmental test panels. The tests include a respiratory test panel designed to quickly recognize and distinguish respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19. emerging coronaviruses and COVID-19.

The Biomedical Advance Research and Development Initiative, a part of the US Department of Defense Strategic Access Program, has awarded the COVID-19 panel a grant. The COVID-19 test is an antigen-based system that allows clinicians to differentiate between the symptoms caused by COVID-19 and other respiratory infections with the same precision as the current rapid antigen tests in use.

In addition the company is in the process of developing an SARS-CoV-2 test for its Respiratory 2.1 Panel. The multiplexed nucleic acid amplification assay will be available for use with the BioFire FilmArray 2.0 and Torch Systems, and will detect SARS-CoV-2 and 21 other respiratory pathogens in nasopharyngeal and saliva samples in less than an hour. The assay will be developed within the shortest timeframe and FDA approval for EUA and 510(k) will be expected to be granted by Q3 2020.

Although bio ethanal fire-ethanol flame-effect fires are extremely safe to use, they must be kept away from any flammable material such as blankets, curtains and cushions. They should not be set close to anything that could ignite, and you should always keep flammable items at least 10 feet away from them. The bioethanol fuel should be stored in a location that is dry and secure where children or pets cannot easily reach it.

Simple to use

A bioethanol fireplace is easy to use and has no flue to be concerned about. You will require a space to store it as well as fuel. After you've filled the burner and lit it, ignite it. This will give the appearance of an actual flame. Once the flame is lit, it will heat the room without releasing much smoke. It will also produce heat, similar to a wood-burning fireplace. Bio fires are also very easy to maintain and don't require any maintenance, just the odd cleaning.

Unlike most rapid tests however, the BioFire RP2.1-EZ test employs a syndromic approach to identify common infectious disease symptoms and return results within 45 minutes. The test is designed for patients with upper-respiratory symptoms and has a specificity rate of 98 percent. The test can identify 19 viruses and 3 bacteria in a single sample which makes it an excellent option for managing patients.

The BioFire system integrates multiplex PCR testing, sample preparation and report on results into an integrated platform. This allows laboratories to simplify their processes and Bio-Fire eliminate the need for a sequential procedure that involves individual and send-out tests. This can result in better patient outcomes as the correct test is selected first time, and the need for costly tests that are based on culture is eliminated. Additionally the BioFire system can identify pathogens as well as their antimicrobial resistance genes at the molecular level, giving information that is more accurate than traditional methods.

Molecular diagnostics are being used to improve the care of patients and outcomes. The BioFire RP2.1 plus panel utilizes a syndromic approach to simultaneously target 23 of the most commonly identified pathogens that cause respiratory infections. The assay can be performed on the BioFire FilmArray 2.0 and Torch systems and produces results in around 45 minutes.

In the US this test is currently available under FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), and will be made available commercially after the initial DoD demand is satisfied. The BioFire Defense team has created a fully automated sample-to-result assay for the rapid detection of COVID-19. This assay is currently under development and will be available once the initial DoD demand is satisfied.