Yingtai: New Applications of Plasma-UV Synergistic Sterilization

Yingtai: New Applications of Plasma-UV Synergistic Sterilization

New Directions for Plasma-UV Synergistic Sterilization Applications:

1. Deep Sterilization of Complex Medical Devices and Endoscope Channel Treatment Mechanism:  

   Plasma-active particles (such as OH⁻, O₃) penetrate biofilms, while ultraviolet (UV) light (265 nm wavelength) directly damages the DNA of residual microorganisms, achieving a sterilization rate of 99.9999% (traditional single technologies achieve only 99.9%).  

   Case Study: Johnson & Johnson's Synergis system launched in 2024 reduces the sterilization cycle of duodenoscopes to 28 minutes (compared to 12 hours with traditional ethylene oxide).  

   Implant Pre-treatment Innovation: A pulse UV array integrated into the plasma sterilization chamber eliminates biofilm residues on titanium alloy joint prostheses, reducing postoperative infection rates by 76%.

2. Efficient Deactivation of High-pathogenic Pathogens in Biosafety Laboratories through Synergistic Effect:  

   The active nitrogen species (RNS) produced by plasma, when combined with UV light, significantly increases the inactivation efficiency of enveloped viruses such as Ebola and COVID-19, achieving a 6-log reduction (UV alone achieves only a 3-log reduction).  

   Application Scenario: The protective clothing treatment system in P4 labs shortens deactivation time from 120 minutes to 45 minutes.  

   Aerosol Rapid Purification Breakthrough: By using a plasma cloud and UV light curtain design, the technology achieves over 99.97% inactivation efficiency for pathogen aerosols ranging from 0.1–10 μm (2024 Wuhan Institute of Virology data).

3. Innovative Applications in the Food Industry:

   - Cold Chain Food Packaging Sterilization with Low-Temperature Adaptability: Plasma maintains ionization at -18°C, and UV penetrates ice crystals to directly kill Listeria, extending the shelf life by 40%.  

     Commercial Case: In 2024, Mengniu Dairy Group implemented this technology, reducing contamination rates on dairy production lines to 0.003/1,000 packages.  

   - Non-destructive Sterilization of Ready-to-Eat Vegetables: The synergistic technology retains over 95% of Vitamin C in lettuce leaves while achieving a 5-log inactivation of *E. coli* O157:H7 (compared to only a 3-log reduction with traditional chlorine washing).

4. Public Space Dynamic Protection:

   - Real-time Air Purification in Subway Systems: A plasma generation unit integrated with a UVC-LED array embedded in ventilation systems achieves a 92% efficiency in blocking the airborne transmission of H1N1 influenza virus (pilot data from Beijing Subway Line 10 in 2025).  

   - Negative Pressure System in Isolation Wards with Closed-loop Deactivation: Plasma-UV double-stage sterilization in the exhaust ducts reduces multidrug-resistant bacteria emissions to below 1 CFU/m³ (WHO safety standard is 10 CFU/m³).

5. Expansion in Water Treatment:

   - Medical Wastewater Treatment for Resistant Gene Elimination: The synergistic technology achieves a 99.8% efficiency in breaking down sulfonamide-resistant genes, reducing processing costs by 62% compared to ozone methods.  

   - Direct Drinking Water Terminal Sterilization with No Chemical Residue: Household water purifiers using a miniaturized synergistic module achieve a >99.99% inactivation rate of Cryptosporidium oocysts, maintaining a flow rate of 2L/min (traditional UV systems sacrifice flow rate).