Wayne, NJ – The BioGuard UVC™ personal protective equipment (PPE) mask, designed to prevent respiratory healthcare-associated infections by actively neutralizing viruses during exhalation, has won the 'Makers Madness – The Coolest Thing Made in New Jersey' contest. This contest is organized by 'Manufacturing Counts,' a partnership between the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce (NJBIA) and the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (NJMEP). Produced by Geared Power, a healthcare technology innovation company based in Wayne, the BioGuard UVC™ received the most votes in the final four rounds of voting, with over 21,000 votes counted in total, earning recognition for its innovative technology.

The victory was officially announced on Thursday at the NJBIA and NJMEP's 'State of the State of Manufacturing' event held at the Statehouse.

Gary Kellstrom, Founder and CEO of Geared Power, expressed his gratitude upon receiving the award: "We are extremely grateful. The visibility this contest has brought to our company and product is immense. Thanks to the participation of countless voters, we were able to introduce our product to thousands more people than we could have ever imagined." He added, "The value of this product is enormous, and we are very excited to bring it to market."

Michele Siekerka, President and CEO of NJBIA, commented, "The caliber of our contestants, the feedback, and the engagement we saw through this contest reaffirmed the strength and importance of New Jersey manufacturing. We congratulate Geared Power for their innovative BioGuard UVC™ product and all the excellent products that participated in this competition."

Peter Connolly, CEO of NJMEP, also stated, "This Makers Madness initiative was successful in showcasing the incredible innovation and craftsmanship found within New Jersey's manufacturing sector. Congratulations to Geared Power and all the manufacturers who participated in the contest."

 
BioGuard UVC™'s Innovative Technology: Eliminating Viruses During Respiration

The BioGuard UVC™ is a PPE mask that uses patented UVC (Ultraviolet-C) light within a helical air chamber to actively neutralize pathogens during exhalation. This technology effectively eliminates viruses while ensuring comfortable breathing, even without a mechanical filter. Unlike traditional masks that merely filter particles, the BioGuard UVC™ directly deactivates viruses, a significant breakthrough that can dramatically reduce the potential for infection spread in healthcare settings. This unique capability has garnered considerable attention.

As a result of its win, BioGuard UVC™ and Geared Power will be featured in upcoming issues of 'New Jersey Business Magazine' and 'Manufacturing Matters magazine,' which is expected to significantly aid the product's market entry and expansion.

 
'Coolest Thing' Contest Elevates New Jersey Manufacturing

The 'Makers Madness' contest effectively showcased the diversity and innovation within New Jersey's manufacturing sector. Other New Jersey-made products that advanced to the final four included:

Thermit Welding Kit: Manufactured by Orgo-Thermit, Inc. in Ocean County, this product is used for welding railway tracks and is an essential part of railway infrastructure. This highlights New Jersey manufacturing's crucial role in the industrial infrastructure sector.
Navy Parka Liner: Produced by Bestwork Industries for the Blind, Inc. in Camden County, this high-performance standalone outerwear is worn by all U.S. Navy sailors and is manufactured entirely by visually impaired individuals. This is considered an exemplary case of creating social value while producing high-quality products.
Emergency Evacuation Slides: Manufactured by Safran Aerosystems Evacuation in Monmouth County, these slides are critical safety devices used to safely evacuate passengers during aircraft emergencies. This demonstrates New Jersey manufacturing's capabilities in vital, life-saving technological fields.
 
At the awards ceremony, CEO Connolly and President Siekerka announced that the 'The Coolest Thing Made in New Jersey' contest would be held annually. This initiative is expected to be a significant driving force for continuous innovation and growth in New Jersey manufacturing, identifying and widely promoting outstanding products to the public. All eyes will be on what new innovations New Jersey manufacturing will present in future editions of this annual contest.

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