By Glenn Brinckman, Chief Executive Officer, GPS®
A growing body of scientific evidence shows that indoor air may be more polluted than outdoor air — yet 90% of us spend most of our time indoors (EPA). As a result, there’s an expanded focus on developing technologies to help deliver cleaner indoor air. Today, experts across multiple disciplines are tackling the challenge of how to improve indoor air quality (IAQ).
Since our founding in 2008, GPS® has worked to translate science into practical solutions for this critical challenge, prioritizing ongoing research to help inform product development and fuel ongoing innovation.
In lockstep with our science-forward, data-first approach, GPS established a multidisciplinary scientific advisory board (the “Scientific Advisory Board”). The Scientific Advisory Board is made up of experts in the fields of microbiology, environmental chemistry, physics and data science. In the future, you'll see more thought leadership content from GPS leveraging the perspectives of our advisors.
The pursuit of cleaner indoor air is as complex as it is critical. GPS’ NPBI™ technology is an exciting application for IAQ, and at GPS, we recognize and embrace our responsibility to drive progress with science. As a mechanical engineer, I’m proud to manage a company whose commitment to science is unparalleled in the industry. And, in this series, you’ll hear firsthand how our advisory board members’ expertise and insights influence what we do here at GPS.
In the meantime, the following provides some foundational perspective on our company’s commitment to science in an industry that’s as intricate as it is exciting.
Establishing a scientific advisory board is a necessary investment to improve IAQ.
As the industry leader, GPS is committed to maintaining and expanding an already deep understanding of the science behind ionization and NPBI.
A comprehensive approach to cleaner indoor air requires a multidisciplinary team.
Each member of the GPS Scientific Advisory Board brings unique expertise that is invaluable to helping GPS stay on the cutting edge of this technology. The Scientific Advisory Board’s expertise and experience help GPS further innovate its technology in this area.
But the Scientific Advisory Board will not only help GPS innovate and enhance its own technology — it will also seek to make valuable contributions to the IAQ industry as a whole.
This type of advisory structure is uncommon within the indoor air quality industry.
The Scientific Advisory Board sets a new standard in the IAQ industry. And, from the start, GPS has committed to giving each scientific advisor as much support as possible to advance the science of IAQ.
GPS is committed to having its groundbreaking Scientific Advisory Board lead the way, ensuring that science and data drive innovation and enhancement within IAQ.
Putting science first is central to the GPS approach.
Science isn’t just an essential part of our philosophy — it’s at the core. Again, we rely on science to drive innovation and expand our product portfolio. As we continue to innovate, it’s critical that we make informed decisions. Our engineers depend on solid scientific data to deliver the most effective solutions.
Members of the Scientific Advisory Board support GPS’ science-driven, data-first approach, advising on experimental design and execution of rigorous in-house and third-party testing of our technology. We also leverage these advisors’ expertise to help interpret the data we receive from outside labs. Sophisticated analysis is often required, and the Scientific Advisory Board plays a critical role in understanding and applying the data for product innovation.
Our investment in science will help shape the future of IAQ.
Rigorous scientific research and testing will ultimately dictate the direction of the IAQ industry. What we do know is this: It’s absolutely critical that research inform decisions regarding all IAQ solutions, not just ionization.
We also need to recognize that traditional testing methodologies are important but not always sufficient. This means we may need to explore innovative techniques, which underscores the importance of ongoing testing to support product development.
There’s also a significant need in the IAQ field for testing standards and protocols. Science must drive the development of these guidelines.
For IAQ, the future is now.
The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that when it comes to IAQ, we can never let down our guard. Even as we continue to grapple with the effects of the pandemic, GPS is committed to being a leader in IAQ and providing the most innovative solutions possible.