REALiTY: REmoving Allergens with pLasma TechnologY
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Abstract
Using this award a disruptive technological solution will be developed to alleviate the suffering of millions of people across the UK. It is envisaged that the developed device will be deployed in households and offices across the country to significantly reduce the concentration of airborne allergenic agents from within the indoor environment; thus making a significant contribution to the general wellbeing of over 12 million allergy sufferers in the UK. This disruptive technological solution will reduce the burden of allergy on the UK economy, which is estimated at around £7.1 Bn per annum through lost productivity and a further £311 million per year through the use of NHS resources.
The project proposes the development of a Cold Atmospheric pressure Plasma (CAP) solution that is capable of simultaneously targeting multiple allergenic agents and overcomes many of the drawbacks associated with current approaches. To ensure widespread uptake and therefore maximise the impact from this research, the developed technology will be packaged as a low-cost and energy efficient consumer appliance, suitable for continuous use within the home.
Technological development will not be easy nor risk free; however, the reward for overcoming these challenges will be a substantial improvement in public health and UK prosperity. To succeed, the outcomes of multiple RCUK funded research projects will be brought together to form a unique engineering solution which will be co-developed in collaboration with a forward-thinking UK-based industrial partner.
The project proposes the development of a Cold Atmospheric pressure Plasma (CAP) solution that is capable of simultaneously targeting multiple allergenic agents and overcomes many of the drawbacks associated with current approaches. To ensure widespread uptake and therefore maximise the impact from this research, the developed technology will be packaged as a low-cost and energy efficient consumer appliance, suitable for continuous use within the home.
Technological development will not be easy nor risk free; however, the reward for overcoming these challenges will be a substantial improvement in public health and UK prosperity. To succeed, the outcomes of multiple RCUK funded research projects will be brought together to form a unique engineering solution which will be co-developed in collaboration with a forward-thinking UK-based industrial partner.
Planned Impact
This project proposes the development of a disruptive new technology that targets common airborne allergens within the indoor environment and thus offers a chance to improve the quality of life for a vast number of people (> 12 million in the UK alone), whilst stimulating prosperity through increased productivity (currently a £7 Bn loss to the UK economy each year). The proposed device will be ultimately marketed to the general public, hence the research activity is focused on producing a low-cost, consumable free and efficient system with mass-market appeal.
It is fully anticipated that this adventurous research project will generate widespread impact. In the short-term, considerable academic impact is expected with important discoveries related to plasma chemistry and allergen degradation pathways reported in leading scientific journals/conferences spanning the fields of plasma science, allergy and immunology. On the longer-term, impact will be generated through the commercialisation of the technology and its ultimate introduction in to the home/office environment. To support technological development beyond the lifetime of the project and maximise the potential to generate impact on a national/international scale the inclusion of a forward-thinking UK based industrial partner is key. The partner brings vital expertise in the development of sophisticated home appliances and will inform the research and development process from the outset, thus ensuring technological development remains focused.
It is fully anticipated that this adventurous research project will generate widespread impact. In the short-term, considerable academic impact is expected with important discoveries related to plasma chemistry and allergen degradation pathways reported in leading scientific journals/conferences spanning the fields of plasma science, allergy and immunology. On the longer-term, impact will be generated through the commercialisation of the technology and its ultimate introduction in to the home/office environment. To support technological development beyond the lifetime of the project and maximise the potential to generate impact on a national/international scale the inclusion of a forward-thinking UK based industrial partner is key. The partner brings vital expertise in the development of sophisticated home appliances and will inform the research and development process from the outset, thus ensuring technological development remains focused.
People |
ORCID iD |
James Walsh (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Silsby J
(2021)
The Influence of Gas-Liquid Interfacial Transport Theory on Numerical Modelling of Plasma Activation of Water
in Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing
Simon S
(2021)
Influence of Potable Water Origin on the Physicochemical and Antimicrobial Properties of Plasma Activated Water
in Plasma Chemistry and Plasma Processing
Morabit Y
(2019)
Turbulence and entrainment in an atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier plasma jet
in Plasma Processes and Polymers
Hojnik N
(2020)
Cold atmospheric pressure plasma-assisted removal of aflatoxin B 1 from contaminated corn kernels
in Plasma Processes and Polymers
Salgado BAB
(2021)
Surface barrier discharges for Escherichia coli biofilm inactivation: Modes of action and the importance of UV radiation.
in PloS one
Slikboer E
(2021)
Impact of electrical grounding conditions on plasma-liquid interactions using Thomson scattering on a pulsed argon jet
in Scientific Reports
Morabit Y
(2021)
A review of the gas and liquid phase interactions in low-temperature plasma jets used for biomedical applications
in The European Physical Journal D
Hojnik N
(2019)
Mycotoxin Decontamination Efficacy of Atmospheric Pressure Air Plasma.
in Toxins
Description | Work has been divided in to three distinct areas: (1) Development of plasma source to draw allergens in using EHD forces: We have successfully constructed a device that can draw contaminated air in and decontaminate it using plasma. We applied participle imagine velocimetry to optimise the design of the plasma electrode configuration and found the optimum electrode spacing to provide sufficient contact time between the contaminant and the plasma. A household cleaning product which is known to cause an allergic response was used as a model and the plasma mediated degradation assessed as a function of plasma parameters and electrode configuration. (2) Demonstration of plasma technology on real household allergens (dust-mite & pollen) Working with Dyson, we used our optimised plasma technology (developed in 1) to decontaminate dust mite allergens and pollen presented in aerosolised form. ELISA testing showed a significant reduction in allergen potential. (3) Analysis of allergen breakdown mechanisms Working with the UoL Centre for Proteome research we investigated the degradation products arising from the interaction of an allergenic protein with a cold plasma. This complex interaction was found to cause fragmentation of the protein which was also found to reduce its allergenic potential. |
Exploitation Route | Discussions are underway to establish a spin-out company based on this project. |
Sectors | Healthcare |
Description | Publicity related to the award (https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-02/uol-rtd020918.php) attracted the interest of Tandem Launch, a Canadian company that links researchers to venture capitalists and support the creation of spin-out enterprises. Discussions are underway to secure $400k start-up fund for a spin-out in this area. Building on this, a PDRA within the group has been awarded £35,000 to take part on the ICURe programme, aimed at exploring the market and developing the skills necessary to launch a spin-out company. |
First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | ICURe award |
Amount | £35,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | I-I-003 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2022 |
End | 03/2023 |
Description | TiPToP - TaIlored Pulse excitation for TailOred Plasma chemistries |
Amount | £499,302 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/S025790/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2019 |
End | 09/2022 |
Description | Dyson ltd |
Organisation | Dyson |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | As noted in the original application this project is supported by Dyson, we have worked with Dyson engineers to discuss how plasma technology could be integrted within various products. |
Collaborator Contribution | Dyson scientists have made numerous research visits to the university where they have discussed research design and taken part in experiments. As part of their contribution to the project they have assisted in analysing plasma treated allergens, including the use of expensive ELISA tests. |
Impact | We are currently preparing a manuscript on the plasma treatment of dust-mite allergens. This will be submitted to the highly multidisciplinary and well-respected ACS environmental science and technology journal. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Title | Decontamination of Food by Plasma |
Description | Description of a technique to manipulate plasma species for the purpose of microbial decontamination |
IP Reference | P44601GB1 |
Protection | Patent / Patent application |
Year Protection Granted | 2023 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | Used as the basis for a spin-out company. |
Title | Low temperature plasma for the removal of airborne contamination |
Description | Patent on plasma based system to degrade organic contamintion in air flows. |
IP Reference | GB2208962.7 |
Protection | Patent / Patent application |
Year Protection Granted | 2022 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | Is forming the basis of a spibn-out company. |
Description | EPSRC announcement of Reality project |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Research from this award was used to secure additional EPSRC funding in the area of plasma decontamination. The award of the Reality project resulted in a UoL and EPSRC press release, subsequently this was picked up by six media outlets: https://www.medicalplasticsnews.com/news/researchers-to-develop-device/ https://www.med-technews.com/news/liverpool-researchers-developing-device-to-destroy-household/ https://phys.org/news/2018-02-allergy-relief-device-cold-plasma.html https://www.siasat.com/news/innovative-device-combat-fungal-pollen-allergy-soon-1317243/ https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/wow/?utm_source=OLT_Header! https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/health-and-wellbeing/120218/scientists-develop-novel-device-to-fight-fungal-pollen-allergy-runs.html The news release has had 1371 views on EurekaAlerts (global science/medicine news distribution service). Both the EPSRC and RCUK tweeted about the project. Finally, an interview was given to 'The Engineer' magazine and will appear in print. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.theengineer.co.uk/cold-plasma-allergens-liverpool/ |