Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Northwestern Athletics Add Filtration Systems

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 09/21/20

As part of a phased ramp-up in its return to full operations, Northwestern University Athletics and Recreation has installed filtration systems in the locker and weight rooms and other high-traffic spaces in its athletic facilities. The institution has acquired several PuraShield Smart 1000 Cabinets from Purafil.

Northwestern has acquired several PuraShield Smart 1000 Cabinets from Purafil.

According to the company, the system removes "99.99 percent" of aerosols carrying viruses and bacteria from the air. The goal: to improve indoor air hygiene. The technology is purported to clean up to 50,000 cubic feet of space in 60 minutes. The cabinet holds 50 pounds of molecular filtration media. The cabinet design allows the unit to be rolled into areas where it's needed.

"Throughout the process of planning for the return of our campus community, the health and safety of Northwestern student-athletes, coaches and staff have guided every decision," said Marcus Attles, associate athletic director for facilities and operations, in a press release. "As part of our mission to create a safe indoor environment, we chose PuraShield filtration systems for their highly effective particle capture rates, the incredible amount of filtration technology within each unit and layers of proven technology. We are utilizing the technology in multiple on-campus spaces, providing high traffic areas with a significant layer of localized filtration so that our Wildcats can breathe a little easier knowing these safeguards are in place."

Purafil is a division of Madison Industries, which specializes in filtration, safety, energy and industrial solutions.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Doerr School of Sustainability Accelerator

    From Concrete Warehouse to Innovation Hub: Accelerating Sustainability at Stanford

    The transformation of a once windowless, concrete publishing warehouse into a sun-drenched center for global innovation began with a single, fundamental challenge: how to turn an industrial storage shell into a space built for human connection.

  • Houston-Area High School Breaks Ground on 117,000SF Multi-Use Facility

    North Shore Senior High School, part of Galena Park ISD in Houston, Texas, recently broke ground on a new multi-use facility for student extracurriculars, according to a news release. The North Shore Multi-Use Facility will include dedicated practice and training space for the school’s athletics and fine arts programs.

  • Surging Demand for Student Housing Fuels Major Campus Investment Opportunities

    University leaders throughout the U.S. are accelerating plans to modernize and expand student housing as enrollment stabilizes and demand for on-campus living rebounds. Recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicates that total postsecondary enrollment is projected to grow through the end of the decade, with undergraduate enrollment alone expected to increase by more than 8 percent by 2030.

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.