Grantee Research Project Results
Development of a Portable Field Decontamination Unit
EPA Contract Number: 68D02085Title: Development of a Portable Field Decontamination Unit
Investigators: Kovach, Kurt
Small Business: PlasmaSol Corporation
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: September 30, 2002 through March 31, 2003
Project Amount: $70,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2002) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Air Quality and Air Toxics , SBIR - Air Pollution , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
PlasmaSol Corporation proposes the development of a non-thermal plasma surface contaminant destruction system that would sterilize surfaces in an affected building following a bioterror attack. The PlasmaSol technology will be scaled and fitted to a portable cleaning system that can be moved throughout a contaminated building and clean flat and odd-shaped surfaces. The PlasmaSol system will destroy surface contaminants ranging from 0.3 microns (chemical agents and viruses) to thousands of microns (Bacillus spores). The process may use an additive carrier gas to accelerate destruction. The carrier gas also will assist in maintaining residual ozone levels to within legal standards.
Experience shows that destruction of spores, viruses, and chemical compounds can be accomplished without damaging the surface of the object being cleaned. When compared to other means and techniques, PlasmaSol's destruction mechanism produces no collateral damage. This cannot be said for devices such as autoclaves or processes using chemical oxidants, such as chlorine dioxide. The success of this project will not only meet a critical short-term need of the Nation, but also will fill a critical void in the technology servicing the medical and food processing industries.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, EPA, bioterrorism, Bacillus, chemical agents, chlorine dioxide, viruses, decontamination., Scientific Discipline, Air, Environmental Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Atmospheric Sciences, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, homeland security, decontamination, portable decontamination, biological warfare agents, portable decontamination unit, bioterrorism, Bacillus spores, compact decontamination device, microbial contaminants, surface sterilization, plasma contamination destruction systemProgress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase II:
Development of a Portable Field Decontamination Unit | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.