Non-thermal Plasma Decontamination Technology for Forward-Deployed Forces

Super Pulse proposes to develop a new technology for forward-deployed forces to recover from a bio-chemical terrorist attack. The proposed technology offers an efficient decontamination (neutralization) of chemical and biological warfare (CBW) agents onsurfaces and in open-wounds of casualties personnel. The proposed technology utilizes properties of non-thermal plasmas in which active species that are sterilizing agents can be produced. The active species include strong oxidizing agents such as atomicoxygen and ozone, energetic ions and electrons, and ultraviolet photons. This plasma is produced in an electrodeless microwave discharge. The key element in our novel and potentially highly efficient non-thermal plasma production technique is initiatingplasma in an atmospheric pressure air stream using very short pulses of microwaves. The key to producing a cost effective, non-thermal plasma cleaning device is to produce a discharge in which most of the electrical energy goes into the production ofactive species and, consequently, destruction of chemicals and microorganisms rather than into heating the entire gas volume. The plasma does not contact the surface or the person being treated. Instead the chemically active species (excited species ofmolecular oxygen, atomic oxygen, ozone, OH radicals, etc.) are directed onto the surface or the open wound by the air stream. Our methodology of using non-thermal plasma for decontamination purposes is especially attractive since it is expected to haveadvantages over alternative non-thermal plasma and conventional technologies. Application to the sterilization of medical and/or food facilities/equipment is foreseen in addition to Navy decontamination application.