A PPE mask that kills viruses at the source to prevent respiratory healthcare-associated infections was announced today as the winner of the Makers Madness – The Coolest Thing Made in New Jersey contest launched by Manufacturing Counts, a partnership between NJBIA and the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program to promote New Jersey manufacturing.
BioGuard UVC™ is a product made by Geared Power, an innovator in healthcare technology based in Wayne.
More than 21,000 votes were cast over four rounds of the competition, with BioGuardUVC receiving the most tallies in the Final Four.
The company was announced as the inaugural winner of the contest on Thursday as part of NJBIA and NJMEP’s State of the State of Manufacturing event at the Statehouse.
“I'm extremely grateful,” said Gary Kellstrom, founder and CEO of Geared Power. “The visibility this contest has brought the company and the product is tremendous. Because so many people were voting, it brought us to thousands of more people than I ever would have imagined.
“The value of this product is enormous and I’m excited to bring it to market.”
“The entrants, feedback and engagement we saw over the course of this contest reaffirmed the strength and importance of manufacturing in New Jersey,” said NJBIA President and CEO Michele Siekerka. “Congratulations to Geared Power for their innovative BioGuard UVC product and to all the quality products that were part of this competition.”
“This Makers Madness initiative has been a success in showcasing the incredible innovation and craftsmanship found within New Jersey’s manufacturing sector,” said NJMEP CEO Peter Connolly. “Congratulations to Geared Power and all the manufacturers who took part in the contest.”
BioGuard UVC™ is PPE mask that uses UVC light in a patented helical air chamber to neutralize pathogens at their source—exhaled breath—without mechanical filters, which ensures effortless breathing.
For winning, BioGuardUVC will receive coverage about the company and product in upcoming issues of New Jersey Business Magazine and Manufacturing Matters magazine.
Other New Jersey-made products in the Final Four of the Makers Madness contest included:
- Thermit Welding Kit – Thermit welding kits are used to weld railroad tracks and are an essential part of railroad infrastructure. Made in Ocean County by Orgo-Thermit, Inc.
- Navy Parka Liner – The Navy Fleece is a high-performance, stand-alone outer garment worn by every sailor in the U.S. Navy and made exclusively by people who are blind. Made in Camden County by Bestwork Industries for the Blind, Inc.
- Emergency Evacuation Slides – This manufacturer saves lives. In the event of an aircraft incident, evacuation slides inflate rapidly, bringing passengers to safety even under the most hazardous conditions. Made by Safran Aerosystems Evacuation in Monmouth County.
Connolly and Siekerka announced at the hearing that the Coolest Thing Made in New Jersey competition will be an annual voting event.
