10 Things We All Hate About Bio-Fire
Bio-Fires – An Eco-Friendly Alternative to Real Fires Biofires offer a warm, cozy form of heat that has no harmful gases or soot. bio-ethanol fireplaces are simple to set up and operate – just like an electric fire. The BARDA contract supports the development of the BioFire emerging CoV panel, a nucleic acid Amplification test that will be used with BioFire filmArray Systems to detect of human acoronaviruses from nasopharyngeal oropharyngeal samples as well as saliva samples. Eco-friendly A bioethanol fire is a great eco-friendly alternative to gas or wood fires. The fuel is created using plant by-products, and an organic process converts sugars into alcohol. It offers many advantages over other fireplace types that include the absence of harmful emissions and a much less carbon footprint. Bioethanol is also a more secure alternative to other types of fires as it does not produce soot or smoke. It also doesn't require a flue, and can therefore be set up anywhere in your garden or home. Multi-drug resistant bacteria (MDR) are one of the most dangerous health threats of today. Fortunately, new testing methods can aid in identifying MDR bacteria and other infections early to avoid further complications. One of these tests is the BioFire FilmArray multiplex PCR system. This test utilizes a symptom driven approach to identify pathogens that could cause sepsis. The results are accessible within an hour so that providers can begin treatment immediately. Molecular PCR is a method that amplifies DNA or RNA molecules into millions to billions of copies. This permits the analysis of small samples of body fluids or tissue to determine if specific genetic sequences are present. It is a useful tool for laboratory professionals and can assist them to diagnose serious diseases in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The BioFire film array PCR system is a revolutionary instrument for the diagnosis of infectious diseases. It can be used in many settings including laboratories and hospitals. For respiratory tests the simplest swab could be wiped over your nose and sent to the lab for analysis. BioFire’s system allows clinicians to take action quickly and has a quick turnaround time. This means fewer waiting for results and improved outcomes for patients. The Chanouf Farm-Biofire company created an agroforestry waste recycling unit, that makes use of olive and pear tree waste to make biochar and biomass energy. The products are offered to the public to replace traditional coal briquettes and charcoal with eco-friendly alternatives. These bio-waste products are also suitable to be burned in a Kachelofen fire that produces radiant heat and is a greener alternative to gas or electric fires. Clean burning When you use a bio-fire, you not only conserve energy, but also aid the environment. The combustion of bioethanol doesn't produce harmful gases like carbon dioxide. Instead, it releases only heat and water vapour. This makes it a safer and cleaner alternative for indoor use. Ethanol is produced by the fermentation of sugars from plants. It is an energy source that is renewable. This means that it can be produced in a short time and won't run out as fossil fuels such as oil and coal. Bioethanol helps reduce the dependency on imports from foreign countries and reduces the risk that come with supply shortages. The bio-fires can be erected easily and in existing fireplace openings or as an independent unit. This makes them a convenient alternative to wood and gas fires. They are an excellent choice for offices and homes which do not have a chimney. When a bio-fire is lit, a specific media is created inside the burner to absorb the liquid ethanol fuel, making it ready for combustion. The ethanol is ignited by the flames and the vapours are expelled out into the atmosphere through the vent. This gives the flames a more natural look and a mesmerising beauty which can't be matched by gas or wood fires. Another advantage of bio-fires is that they don't require a flue or vent to replenish the oxygen used during combustion. They don't release carbon monoxide which is released into the room when gas fireplaces are open-fronted. The BioFire Respiratory Panel utilizes multiplex PCR technology to simultaneously test for 19 respiratory pathogens in about an hour. This lets doctors identify and determine the presence of respiratory illness quicker than traditional lab tests, which require visits to the patient. Both the patient and the health system profit from this. Safe indoors Bio-fires are able to be used indoors more safely than traditional fires because they don't produce smoke, ash, or carcinogenic fumes. They also don't release carbon monoxide that can be fatal if inhaled. However bio-ethanol fuel is flammable, so you must be cautious when handling your burner as well as refueling it. The fuel should only be added after the burner has been turned off and your fire has cool. Any spills need to be cleaned up immediately. The company's diagnostic FilmArray system – BioFire Torch and BioFire 2.0—are easy-to-use and can run eight different diagnostic panels cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration and three additional panels that are approved for use in emergencies, and six environmental test panels. The tests include a respiratory panel that was developed to quickly detect and differentiate respiratory illnesses including COVID-19, emerging coronaviruses and COVID-19. The COVID-19 panel was 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 the symptoms caused by COVID-19 or other respiratory diseases with the same precision as the rapid antigen tests currently being used. Additionally the company is in the process of developing an SARS-CoV-2 assay for their Respiratory 2.1 Panel. This multiplexed nucleic acids amplifying test 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 within less than an hour. The assay will be developed in the shortest timeframe, and FDA approval for EUA and the 510(k) is scheduled to be granted by Q3 2020. While bio-ethanol flame-effect fires are extremely safe to use, they should be kept away from flammable materials such as blankets, curtains and cushions. They should not be set near anything that may catch fire and it is recommended to keep flammable objects at least 10 feet from them. The bioethanol fuel should be stored in a dry, secure location that isn't easily accessible by children or pets. Simple to use A bioethanol fireplace is easy to operate and doesn't have a flue to be concerned about. All you need is a place to put it and some fuel. Once you've filled it and lit it, ignite it. This will create a flame that looks just like a real fire. When the flame is lit, it will heat the room without much smoke. It will also produce a lot of heat, much like a wood-burning fire would. They are also simple to maintain and don't require any servicing. A quick clean is all they need. The BioFire RP2.1 EZ test, unlike most rapid tests that employ the syndromic method of identifying typical signs of infection and symptoms, can provide results within 45 minutes. The test is specifically designed for patients suffering from upper respiratory symptoms and has a 98% specificity rate. The test can detect up to 19 bacteria and viruses in a single sample making it an excellent choice for patient management. The BioFire system integrates multiplex PCR testing, sample preparation and report on results into an integrated platform. This allows laboratories streamline their workflow, and eliminates the requirement for a sequential process that involves individual and send-out test. This can result in better patient outcomes as the right test is used the first time and the need for costly culture-based tests is eliminated. The BioFire system is able to identify pathogens on a cell level as well as their antimicrobial resistance gene. This information is more sensitive than the traditional methods. Molecular diagnostics is increasingly used to improve the quality of patient treatment. The BioFire RP2.1 plus panel makes use of a syndromic approach to simultaneously target 23 of the most frequently identified pathogens that cause respiratory infections. The test can be run on the BioFire FilmArray 2.0 and Torch systems and produces results in around 45 minutes. This assay is available in the US under FDA Emergency Use Authorization. It will be available commercially after initial DoD requirements are satisfied. The BioFire Defense team has created a fully automated sample-to-result assay for the rapid detection of COVID-19. This assay is in the process of development and will be made available once the initial DoD demand is met.