A*STAR has worked together with the local research ecosystem , including Temasek Foundation, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and various public agencies, on scientific studies that examine the efficacy of various COVID-19 environmental mitigation measures. These include ventilation in spaces, air filters, air ionisers, table-top dividers, and UVC lights, among others.

On top of current safe management measures such as wearing of masks, maintaining safe distancing, limiting social contacts and observing good personal hygiene, these additional solutions will help support a safer resumption of activities in Phase 3 as the nation continues to reopen in phases.

Businesses, organisations, as well as families and individuals can explore such insights and customised solutions that best fit their needs and circumstances at work, at play or at home, to supplement the current safe management measures.

VENTILATION IN SPACES TO REDUCE DROPLET AND AEROSOL TRANSMISSION

In an earlier study, A*STAR researchers, together with SingHealth doctors from the SGH Department of Infectious Diseases; and the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, have demonstrated the importance of wearing a mask.

A*STAR researchers have since developed a computational fluid dynamics framework which accurately models the spread of droplets when a person with COVID-19 coughs in Singapore's tropical environment.

Droplet dispersion from a single cough for two persons spaced 1 m apart.

This is the first study that accurately models the characteristics of large cough droplets which evaporate partially, leaving behind smaller droplets which can then be carried even further by the wind. The findings revealed that a 100 micrometre (µm) cough droplet can travel up to 6.6m at a wind speed of 2m/s, if the person who coughs is not wearing a mask.

The simulations done by the team at A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance Computing (IHPC), take into account factors found in Singapore’s climate, such as wind, temperature and humidity levels. The findings showed the spread of droplets and aerosols are greatly dependent on environmental conditions, hence there are different risk levels for different venues, which require different mitigation measures to ensure events can take place safely.

IHPC’s simulation and modelling of cough droplets in an indoor theatre.

The simulations derived through the crunching of multiple variables and complex equations using resources at the National Supercomputing Centre, Singapore (NSCC), produced highly accurate results that depict the paths of droplets, to help advise the design of safe management measures. Read more in this scientific paper.

"Our research has shown scientific proof that it is very important to wear a mask, practise good personal hygiene and social distancing, and ensure the environment is well ventilated, as all these things help to collectively lower the risk of transmission." said Dr Lim Keng Hui, Executive Director of A*STAR’s Institute of High Performance Computing.

"We have been working with the public agencies, the business owners, as well as venue operators to come up with science-based recommendations which will enhance mitigation measures and help reduce the cases of transmission," said Prof Loh Xian Jun, Executive Director of A*STAR’s Institute of Materials Research and Engineering.