Plasma-catalysed Sterilization of Packaged Consumer Goods
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
We have developed a novel planar dielectric barrier plasma source with multiple applications, one of which is a plasma sterilizing system, capable of producing ozone directly inside sealed plastic bags. The technology can be used to sterilize packaged contents without opening them by causing a plasma discharge to be initiated inside the bag when in contact with the plasma source. The bag is undamaged, and there is no significant thermal load on the contents. Sterilization is effected by the production of ozone from the air inside the sealed container. Ozone is an effective sterilizer, killing bacteria and viruses on contact. It also has a short half-life: the ozone will have dissipated inside the sealed package before the consumer opens it. There is no ozone production outside the packaging, and the plasma system is inherently electrically safe, even in wet conditions. The applications of this technology are diverse: air-tight packaged goods such as foodstuffs, medical supplies (dressings, gauze, gowns, masks etc.) could be processed at the production point, and also retrospectively, since the technology does not require any packaging modification, and can be applied to existing product ranges. Although ozone is used industrially in some applications (particularly the sterilization of water), the ability to harness this most powerful of germicides has been hampered in the past by practical difficulties in the storage and deployment of ozone in a production setting. Our technique generates ozone only where it is needed: directly inside sealed packages; thus there is no ambient ozone hazard from remote production, neither is there any need to store toxic disinfectants on site for use in sterilization procedures, since the ozone will suffice in all contexts. This platform technology has many other applications: our ozone device can be built-in as an active surface component of biomedical laboratory equipment and even domestic appliances - anywhere that requires localised sterilization.
Organisations
Description | We have discovered that plasma discharges in air can be extremely effective gaseous biocides, appropriate for use in the food and medical industries. |
Exploitation Route | We have developed the findings into commercial applications, securing private equity investment of just under £3m, along with significant grant income from InnovateUK and Scottish Enterprise |
Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
URL | http://www.anacail.com |
Description | We have developed the findings into commercial applications in the food, medical and healthcare sectores. Our technology is able to reduce the surface bioburden on targets sealed into their final packaging, without having to disturb that packaging and break the seal. The target can be food (such as fresh fruit) or a medical instrument or other sensitive surface. |
First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
Description | SUPA Advanced Fellowship |
Amount | £35,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA) |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2011 |
End | 12/2013 |
Title | PLASMA GENERATION AND USE OF PLASMA GENERATION APPARATUS |
Description | A plasma generating apparatus comprises a first, powered electrode and a second electrode structure located in front of the first electrode. An insulating layer is interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode structure. The second electrode structure has a plurality of second electrode portions defining gap portions there between. The width of the gap portions is w. The second electrode portions each have a forward surface and the gap portions each having a forward surface, the height difference between the forward surface of each second electrode portion and the forward surfaces of the adjacent gap portions being h, and wherein h is at most 1 mm and the ratio w/h is at least 1. Thus, the forward surfaces of the second electrode portions and the forward surfaces of the gap portions together provide a smooth topography. The plasma generated by the apparatus (in air or other oxygen-containing gas) forms ozone, which can be used to treat foodstuffs, for example. The smooth topography allows substantially all of the plasma to be generated inside a package whose wall is pressed towards the second electrode structure. |
IP Reference | WO2011055113 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2011 |
Licensed | Commercial In Confidence |
Impact | creation of a commercial company, with venture capital backing |
Title | Anacail plasma device |
Description | plasma electrode design specially for the production of ozone from cold plasma inside sealed packages |
Type Of Technology | Physical Model/Kit |
Year Produced | 2012 |
Impact | Deployed in food industry for detailed and extensive trials: shows considerable potential for extending the shelf life of packaged food products, both fresh and chilled foods. |
URL | http://anacail.com |
Company Name | Anacail Ltd |
Description | An SME using cold plasma technology to generate gaseous biocide, used in food and medical device industries. Unique selling point is that our technology can decontaminate sealed packages without opening them, using the gases already sealed inside. |
Year Established | 2011 |
Impact | Generated new employment, major food manufacturer has purchased machine for evaluation at food production line, secured funding from venture capitalists and also from TSB/Innovate UK competitions (most recently, Biomedical Catalyst). |
Website | http://anacail.com |
Description | School visits and planetarium programme |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | We ran weekly outreach visits, and monthly planetarium sessions/tours of our teaching observatory. Over the whole programme, we must have engaged with hundreds of school pupils, and certainly sparked many discussions and questions after each session. Outreach training (ie Roberts Training) of STFC pg students; creation of the Scottish Solar System project; Science Fair projects on debunking Moon Hoax theories; Bradford Robotic telescope funding; many activities under the IYA with Astronomer Royal for Scotland; promotion of historic astronomical sites within locality; development of multimedia resources for SQA examinations. We also have many work-placement school pupils visiting each year. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2009,2010 |
Description | food safety forum |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Generated commercial interest in our technology currently in negotiation with commercial partners who were present at the forum |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |