TridentAir, an advanced line of medical-grade air and surface sanitisation systems from Plasma Science, a spinoff from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), has partnered with Crestar Education Group (Crestar) to install more than 400 AirDome™ purifiers across 40 preschools, including Kinderland, ELFA, Skool4Kidz, and NurtureStars, since September. The collaboration marks one of the largest rollouts of locally developed sanitisation technology in Singapore’s early childhood sector to date.

This deployment comes at a time when Singapore is seeing a notable seasonal spike in respiratory infections. According to the Ministry of Health, human metapneumovirus (HMPV) positivity among acute respiratory infection samples rose to between 5.5% and 9.0% during December 2024, a typical end-of-year increase but one that still stresses health and childcare systems. 

Addressing this challenge, TridentAir’s AirDome™ technology neutralises airborne viruses, germs, and pollutants while improving airflow by up to 40%, resulting in cleaner and fresher classrooms.

In laboratory tests conducted with A*STAR, the system achieved 50% disinfection within two minutes and up to 99.99% within 15 minutes, including eliminating 95% of Enterovirus 71 (EV71), the primary virus behind hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), which commonly affects young children.

The TridentAir system also utilises washable AirCAGE™ filters instead of conventional HEPA filters, which require costly and non-recyclable replacements. These deliver wider air coverage, lower noise levels, and consume about S$50 in energy per year based on typical daily use of around 8 hours, making them both effective and sustainable. These devices provide extensive air coverage, operate quietly, and use approximately S$50 in energy annually, assuming typical daily usage of about 8 hours. This functionality makes them both efficient and environmentally friendly.

“Our collaboration with Crestar allows us to extend the benefits of TridentAir to even more children across Singapore,” said Samuel Teh, co-founder of Plasma Science. “The AirDome™ technology is designed to work quietly and efficiently, so classrooms stay focused without disrupting learning. Seeing schools embrace it reinforces our mission to make every learning space healthier, allowing parents to focus on other aspects of their children’s growth and daily lives.”

“For us, adopting TridentAir wasn’t just about installing another air purifier, it was about bringing the most basic respiratory safety to our children through clean air into our classrooms,” said Zolynne Tan, Food, Nutrition and Hygiene Assistant Manager at Kinderland International Education. “Having seen the visible results from other preschools using this technology, we’re excited to introduce it to our children and teachers. Beyond meeting regulatory standards for childcare safety, our teachers are equally thrilled to be in their best health so they can continue to give their best every day. This implementation will allow both our children and educators to thrive better every day, in the best of health.”

TridentAir has been installed since January 2023 in over 70 preschools in Singapore, including other operators such as Winchester Infant Care and Preschool and Chows and Chows Childcare and Early Learning Limited, serving children aged 2 months to 6 years. 

“Since installing TridentAir, we’ve seen a significant drop in children falling sick, especially the younger ones. The units are easy to use, simple to maintain with washable filters, and help save costs,” said Valerie Francis, co-founder and principal of Winchester Infant Care. 

Looking ahead, Plasma Science intends to expand the reach of AirDome™ technology beyond preschools to more schools and public spaces, building healthier communities across Singapore. As part of this effort, Crestar Education Group has committed to upgrading all 51 of its centres, including future new centres, with TridentAir systems in the years ahead.