‘Plasmacluster’ tech kills airborne flu virus

Sharp Corp. of Japan has developed new air purification technology that effectively inactivates airborne viruses such as the influenza virus and disease-causing bacteria such as the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The plasmacluster ion air purification technology, created in Sharp’s research and development laboratories, generates "cluster ions" which surround microparticles, such as viruses, bacteria, molds and even odor-causing molecules. Ions are atoms that have become electrically charged.

According to Sharp scientists, the cluster ions transform harmful airborne substances into "extremely active hydroxyl groups" (chemically represented as OH), which are basically harmless. They withdraw hydrogen atoms from the harmful substances’ cell walls, thus breaking down their structure.

In April 2001, an independent institute, the Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences in Tokyo, began tests on Sharp’s new technology, with special emphasis on airborne influenza viruses.

The tests involved preparing two identically shaped cylindrical containers. A plasmacluster ion generator was installed in one of the containers, and the difference in virus concentration was compared to provide a measure of the efficacy of the plasmacluster ions.

The results showed that the "cell infection rate" or virus concentration in the containers that passed through the ion generator dropped to less than one percent (0.52 percent).

The cell infection rate for the container in which no generator was installed was 100 percent. Notably, the efficacy of the plasmacluster ion technology has been validated by the Lubeck University Clinic in Germany.

According to a Sharp Phils. Corp. statement, plasmacluster ion airconditioners are now available in select dealerships in the Philippines.