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

Biofires are a warm and cozy form of heat that has no harmful gases or soot. They are easy to install, just like an electric fire.

The BARDA contract will support the development of the BioFire emerging CoV panel, a nucleic-acid amplifying test that can be used in conjunction with BioFire filmArray Systems to detect of human acoronaviruses in nasopharyngeal or swabs as well as saliva samples.

Eco-friendly

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

A multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria is one of the most serious health threats today. New methods of testing can identify MDR bacteria early and help prevent any further complications. BioFire FilmArray is one such test. This test employs an approach based on symptoms to identify pathogens that could cause sepsis. The results are available within an hour, so healthcare providers can begin treatment right away.

Molecular PCR is a method that amplifies DNA or RNA molecules into millions or billions of copies. This makes it possible to analyze small samples of body fluids or tissues for the presence of specific genetic sequences. It is an invaluable tool for laboratory professionals, and it helps them identify serious illnesses in a timely and cost-effective manner. The BioFire FilmArray PCR system is an innovative tool for the diagnosis of infectious diseases and is suitable to perform a variety of applications in laboratories and hospitals.

For respiratory tests it is possible to use a simple swab to be applied to your nose and sent to the lab to be analyzed. BioFire's system allows doctors to react quickly and has a quick turnaround time. This means that there is less waiting for results and better outcomes for patients.

The Chanouf Farm Biofire company has created an agroforestry recycling unit that makes use of olive and pear waste to create biochar and biomass power. The products that result are offered to the public as a sustainable alternative to traditional charcoal briquettes made of coal and wood. In addition, these bio-waste products can be burned in the Kachelofen fireplace that provides radiant heat that is greener than electric and gas-fired fireplaces.

Clean burning

When you use a bio-fire, you will not only conserve energy, but also aid the environment. Bioethanol's combustion does not release harmful gases like carbon dioxide. It only releases water vapour and heat. This makes it a cleaner and safer option for indoor use.

Ethanol is produced by the fermentation of sugars from plants and is classed as a renewable fuel source. This means that it can be made quickly and won't run out like fossil fuels like oil and coal. Bioethanol can reduce dependence on foreign imports and increases the chance of shortages.

Bio-fires are easy to install and can be utilized in existing fireplaces or as an independent unit. They are a viable alternative to gas and wood fires. They're also an excellent choice for offices and homes that do not have chimneys or flues.

When a bio fire is lit, a special media is created inside the burner to absorb the liquid fuel ethanol while making it available to be used for combustion. The ethanol fuel burns in the flames, and the vapours are released into the atmosphere via the vent. This makes the flames appear more natural and gives a mesmerising beauty that can't be replicated using gas or real wood fires.

Another big advantage of bio-fires is that they don't require vents or flues to replenish the oxygen used during combustion. They don't release carbon monoxide which is released into the air when gas fireplaces are open-fronted.

The BioFire Respiratory panel employs multiplex PCR to simultaneously test for respiratory pathogens. This takes about an hour. This allows doctors to detect and rule out respiratory illnesses much faster than they can by using standard laboratory tests that require patients visits. This saves time and money for both the patient and the health care system.

Safe indoors

Bio-fires are far safer to use indoors than real fires, as they produce no smoke, ash or carcinogenic fumes. Bio-fires don't create carbon monoxide that can be dangerous if breathed in. The bio-ethanol fuel used in them is flammable, however, and you should be careful when handling the burner and refilling your fire. The fuel should only be added after the burner has been turned off and your fire has been cooled. Any spills should be cleaned up immediately.

The company's diagnostic FilmArray system, BioFire Torch and BioFire 2.0--are user-friendly and able to run eight different diagnostic panels cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration and three additional panels that are approved for use in emergency situations and six environmental test panels. These tests include a brand new respiratory panel that has been developed to rapidly identify and discriminate between respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19 and the emerging coronaviruses.

The COVID-19 panel has been awarded a grant from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Initiative (BARDI) which is part of the US Department of Defense's Strategic Access Program. The COVID-19 test is an antigen-based one that allows clinicians to differentiate between symptoms caused by COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses with nearly the same accuracy as rapid antigen tests currently being used.

In addition the company is in the process of developing an SARS-CoV-2 test for its Respiratory 2.1 Panel. This multiplexed nucleic acids test for amplification will be available on the BioFire filmArray 2.0 and bioethanol fireplace Torch Systems and will detect SARS CoV-2 and 21 respiratory pathogens using nasopharyngeal and saliva samples in less than a half hour. The assay is being developed in a speedy timeframe, and submission to the FDA for EUA and 510(k) approval is expected in the third quarter of 2020.

Bio-ethanol flame effect fires are safe to use but should be kept clear of combustible items such as curtains, pillows, Bioethanol Fireplace and blankets. You should never place them near anything that can catch fire. Keep all flammable items away from the flame-effect fires by at minimum 10 feet. The bioethanol fuel should be stored in a location that is dry and secure, where pets or children are unable to access it.

Simple to use

A bioethanol fireplace is easy to operate and doesn't have a flue to be concerned about. All you require is a secure location to place it in and some fuel. Once you've filled the burner with fuel, you can light it. This will create an appearance of an actual flame. After the flame has been ignited, it will heat the room, but it will emit very little or no smoke. It will also generate plenty of heat, just like wood-burning fireplaces do. Bio fires are easy to maintain, and don't need any servicing or maintenance, other than the occasional wipe down.

Contrary to most tests that are rapid, the BioFire RP2.1-EZ test uses a syndromic method to identify common symptoms of infectious diseases and return results in about 45 minutes. This test is designed for patients with respiratory symptoms that are upper respiratory and has a 98% sensitivity rate. The test can detect up to 19 bacteria and three viruses in one sample which makes it a good choice for patient management.

The BioFire system integrates multiplex PCR testing, sample preparation, and reporting of results into one integrated platform. This lets laboratories to streamline their workflow and eliminates the requirement for a sequential process that involves sending out a single test. This can result in better patient outcomes, as the appropriate test is chosen first time, and the requirement for costly tests based on culture is eliminated. In addition the BioFire system can identify pathogens as well as their resistance genes to antimicrobials at an molecular level, providing information that is more sensitive than conventional methods.

Molecular diagnostics is increasingly being used to improve the quality of patient care. The BioFire panel RP2.1+ employs a syndromic method to simultaneously target 23 pathogens frequently implicated in respiratory infections. The assay is available on the BioFire film array 2.0 and Torch systems, and can provide results within 45 minutes.

In the US, this assay is available currently under FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), and will be commercially available once initial DoD demand is satisfied. In addition the BioFire Defense Team has developed an automated, sample-to-result assay to quickly identify of COVID-19. The test is in the process of development and will be available after initial DoD demand is met.