Low Temperature Plasma Source for Chemical and Biological Decontamination

The excited or dissociated gaseous species created in non-thermal glow discharge plasmas are effective agents for killing or neutralizing certain biological or chemical warfare agents. For decontaminating sensitive equipment or personnel, the effluentfrom such plasmas must be near room temperature to avoid harming the equipment or persons being cleaned and to prevent unintentional dispersal of the hazardous warfare agents. We propose a unique method for generating room-temperature decontaminatingplasma effluent without the use of bottled gases. The technique can be embodied in an easily fieldable system that employs a handheld or fixed-position Cool Air-Plasma Gun. In Phase I, we clearly demonstrated the feasibility of generating cooldecontaminating plasma effluent. In Phase II, we will build a prototype Cool Air-Plasma Gun system and demonstrate its efficacy for decontaminating simulated biological warfare agents. The system will be delivered to Brooks Air Force Base for testingwith actual chemical and biological warfare agents.