The world's first smart self-cleaning door handle

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COVID-19 has aroused the public's new knowledge and understanding of hygiene, and it is necessary to innovate the current disinfection and cleaning methods. The Swiss company glass door handle manufacturer Tweaq seized this opportunity with its latest development-the world's first smart self-cleaning door handle.

       The Touch 1 door handle by Hiking Glass door handle manufacturer will be released in 2021 and is designed to be "easily installed on any standard door in 10 minutes" (Tweaq, 2020). The installation process is as convenient as possible for consumers to use, without additional drilling or wiring. The Touch 1 handle is designed to be as easy to install as any other standard door handle.
       Self-sterilizing door handles by hiking glass door handle manufacturer use internal sensors and external aluminum magnetic rings. Each time the door handle is used, the sensor is activated, triggering a signal to the printed circuit board (PCB) to initiate the disinfection process.
       Once activated, the PCB triggers a small motor in the handle. The engine powers the external magnetic ring, which moves from the base of the handle to the end and returns to the base within three seconds (Tweaq, 2020).

       The magnetic ring is equipped with a disposable sponge and rinsed with an antibacterial solution. This disinfectant spreads to the entire handle along with the movement of the magnetic ring, removing approximately 99.99% of the bacteria and viruses on the handle (Tweaq, 2020).

       To further enhance its user-friendliness, the PCB also includes an IoT module that can be connected to Wi-Fi to send data to the accompanying Tweaq application.
       The application will inform the user how much antibacterial solution can be refilled in the ink cartridge and the number of times the door handle has been used.
       These data can not only be used to estimate the remaining life of the ink cartridge (the advertisement says it can be used about 1000 times (Tweaq, 2020)), but also can be used with other Tweaq handles in the building to analyze which rooms are accessed more often More often than others. This provides a more reliable insight into which ones need more care when cleaning.
       Since we started our exploration a few years ago, our motivation has been to help protect contact points to reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses. The innovation that combines everyday products with technology is very exciting. We are more motivated to provide the market with an impact solution not only in terms of design but also in terms of IoT technology. "
       In addition, when asked where they would like to see the company and its products by hiking glass door handle manufacturer in the next few years, Barilla said: “We want to be in a place where tourists feel safe and comfortable. We want to help companies prepare and in the next few years Stand out from the crowd. Tomorrow (after COVID). We want to start with products that protect employees and visitors, and then help companies optimize costs and track their premises."
       This product is used worldwide in areas with a high risk of infection. Public areas such as shopping malls and shared spaces are expected to have the most important customers. These buildings that can accommodate hundreds of people will become safer. Continuous disinfection of door handles can significantly reduce the chance of contracting viruses such as COVID-19 through surface contact.
       By tracking and tracing its importance in the fight against COVID-19, this development has proven to be important.

       Countries such as South Korea have demonstrated the effectiveness of powerful tracking systems. However, in high-density buildings, contact tracing can be much more difficult.

       In addition, COVID-19 can survive up to eight hours on aluminum surfaces (WebMD, 2020) and up to three days on stainless steel surfaces (BBC, 2020). This means that a person can contract the disease from the surface without personal contact with any infected person.
       Many other advancements follow the Touch 1 handle in the global COVID-19 disinfection technology. At San Diegan Sharp Grossmont Hospital, robots are used to disinfect the rooms of coronavirus victims using ultraviolet light, thereby reducing possible human contact. At the same time, South Korea has set up shelters with ultraviolet lamps and temperature-sensitive glass doors to detect fevers.
       Although Tweaq's product is the first of its kind, a smart self-sterilizing handle activated by touch, it is not the first self-sterilizing handle.
       At the end of 2019, two students from the University of Hong Kong, Sum Ming Wong and Kin Pong Li, won the James Dyson Award for their invention-a self-disinfecting door handle designed to respond to the SARS outbreak in 2003.
       Wong and Li's invention consisted of a glass ultraviolet lamp surrounded by a photocatalytic titanium dioxide film and covered with two aluminum fittings. Ultraviolet rays powered by a small generator activate the film to convert the kinetic energy of the door into electrical energy.
       The efficiency of this conversion is not specified, but TiO2 must always be provided with ultraviolet light to provide its antibacterial effect.
       At the time of writing, Wong and Li's inventions have not yet been commercialized. However, the student expressed hope to do so in the future.

       Although Wong and Li's design benefited from the feature that does not require refillable cartridges, Tweaq has incorporated the resulting waste into their business plan.

       The team encourages returning empty ink cartridges for refill instead of disposing of empty ink cartridges, providing additional discounts and promotions for customers who choose to help recycle components.
       Tweaq hopes to create a safer world by integrating disinfection technology into daily life and continuing to innovate. “A series of products are being launched, all of which aim to improve people’s lives to ensure their safety and make their lives easier”.                        
       Keep the hospital clean and safe. (2020) [Online] Sharp Health News. Website: https://www.sharp.com/health-news/keeping-hospitals-clean-and-safe-video.cfm (accessed on November 13, 2020)
       Lerman, R. (2020) Robot cleaners are coming soon, this time to remove your coronavirus germs. [Online] The Washington Post. Website: https://www.hikinglass.com/


       Thanks to Giovanni Barilla, Jamie Love and the Tweaq team for taking the time to answer our questions.
       Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author in a personal capacity, and do not necessarily represent the views of the owner and operator of this website, AZoM.com Limited T/A AZoNetwork. This disclaimer forms part of the terms and conditions of use of this website.
       Terry recently graduated from the University of Liverpool with a master's degree in aerospace engineering. He has always been passionate about writing and studied A-level English Literature at Marlborough College. Terry’s university thesis was related to medical engineering, where he built a test bench to analyze the material properties of soft robotic actuators used in medical environments.  
       Twick. (2020, November 30). Tweaq Touch 1: The world's first smart self-cleaning door handle. AZoM. Retrieved from https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=19901 on December 13, 2021.
       Twick. "Tweaq Touch 1: The world's first smart self-cleaning door handle". AZoM. December 13, 2021. <https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=19901>.
       Twick. "Tweaq Touch 1: The world's first smart self-cleaning door handle". AZoM. https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=19901. (Accessed on December 13, 2021).
       Twick. 2020. Tweaq Touch 1: The world's first smart self-cleaning door handle. AZoM, viewed on December 13, 2021, https://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=19901.
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