Bacterial decontamination using ambient pressure nonthermal discharges
Atmospheric pressure nonthermal plasmas can efficiently deactivate bacteria in gases, liquids, and on surfaces, as well as can decompose hazardous chemicals. This paper focuses on the changes to bacterial spores and toxic biochemical compounds, such as mycotoxins, after their treatment in ambient pressure discharges. The ability of nonthermal plasmas to decompose toxic chemicals and deactivate hazardous biological materials has been applied to sterilizing medical instruments, ozonating water, and purifying air. In addition, the fast lysis of bacterial spores and other cells has led us to include plasma devices within pathogen detection instruments, where nucleic acids must be accessed. Decontaminating chemical and biological warfare materials from large, high value targets such as building surfaces, after a terrorist attack, are especially challenging. A large area plasma decontamination technology is described.
- Research Organization:
- MesoSystems Technology, Inc., Richland, WA (US)
- OSTI ID:
- 20067747
- Journal Information:
- IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), Vol. 28, Issue 1; Other Information: PBD: Feb 2000; ISSN 0093-3813
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
TOXIC MATERIALS
BACTERIA
DECOMPOSITION
PLASMA
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
STERILIZATION
CHEMICAL WARFARE AGENTS
BIOLOGICAL WARFARE AGENTS
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION