UCLA researchers in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering have developed a novel sanitizer that is easy to use, safe, portable, and rechargeable, providing an innovative approach for infectious disease control.
BACKGROUND
Surface and hand sanitizing is one of the most critical measures to control the spread of infectious diseases. Hands often come into direct contact with pathogens and bring them to known entry points such as the mouth, nose, or eyes. As a corollary to their importance, the global hand sanitizer market is projected to reach $1.7 billion by 2023. Although alcohol-based sanitizers have been successfully commercialized to the health care and consumer markets, to be effective the sanitizers need to have a concentration of ethanol higher than 60%: making them flammable.
Ultraviolet (UV) light sanitizers are inherently unsafe for humans and are indiscriminate in what organisms or cells they kill. Alcohol-based sanitizers can induce skin irritation. Also, liquid-based and UV sanitizers are limited in what surfaces they can effectively treat; for example, neither can effectively treat porous surfaces. Therefore, a new type of sanitizer that is not alcohol based may help prevent the transmission of infectious diseases without these disadvantages. Cold plasma has many forms (e.g., partially ionized gas comprising electrons, charged particles, reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), free radicals, or ultraviolet (UV) photons) and has been shown to effectively inactivate pathogens. Plasma devices that are appropriate for sanitization and disinfection have been traditionally complicated and high cost, thus limiting their potential as a widespread sanitizing/disinfection option.
INNOVATION
Researchers in UCLA’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering have developed a cold plasma hand sanitizer that is rechargeable and portable. This cold plasma device allows surface and hand sanitizing and disinfection, with a methodology that only requires water, air, and electricity. Aside from common pathogens, cold plasma can efficiently kill yeasts, mold, and other hazardous microorganisms that are unusually difficult to inactivate through alcohol. Due to this devices’ simplicity and effectiveness, this device could help prevent infections in a safe and accessible manner.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS
● Sanitizes and disinfects surfaces and hands to prevent infections.
● Treats wounds, skin diseases, and others.
ADVANTAGES
● Simple and convenient to use. The water needed can be from tap, bottle, or any purified source, while the air needed is taken automatically from the surrounding environment.
● Avoids the disadvantages of UV and alcohol-based products.
DEVELOPMENT-TO-DATE: Working parts for the prototype have been developed and validated. Experiments optimizing the device are ongoing.
RELATED PAPERS
Chen Z., Garcia G., Arumugaswami V., Wirz R.E., “Cold atmospheric plasma for SARS-CoV-2 inactivation,” Featured Article Physics of Fluids 32, 111702 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0031332
Chen Z., Obenchain R., Wirz R.E., “Tiny cold atmospheric plasma jet for biomedical applications,” Featured Article Processes, 9(2), 249 (2021); https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9020249