RESEARCHERS from the University of California have created a solution that uses cold plasma to interfere with the coronavirus’ physical integrity and render it useless. That type o plasma refers to the fourth state of matter that joins solid, liquid, and gas. It’s not to be confused with blood plasma, the yellow tint liquid that makes up the blood together with the red blood cells. That plasma contains virus-killing antibodies.

The researchers published their work in Physics of Fluids, via Science Alert, where they explained the tech they used to create a tool that can potentially eradicate pathogens from surfaces.

Unlike ultraviolet light, which can kill the virus and harm humans, this cold plasma tool isn’t harmful to people — plasma forms in the upper atmosphere when electrons become separate from atoms. The mix of positively charged atoms and negatively charged electrons is unstable and more reactive, binding to nearby compounds.

The researchers created a 3-D printed plasma jet gun that’s fueled by a common gas called argon. The “gun” works with just 12W of power, sending speeding electrons through the gas and impacting its structure.

The result is a near-room-temperature stream of reactive particles that can be directed to surfaces. The cold plasma mix was tested against six contaminated surfaces, including cardboard, football leather, plastic, metal, and cotton cloth material from face masks. The virus was inactivated after 30 seconds, and the plasma destroyed the virus within three minutes.

The researchers found that material composition, roughness, and absorptivity impact the results. Virus on metal and plastic was inactivated in 30 seconds, but cardboard and leather needed a minute.

The virus has a simple structure. The genetic information (ARN) is protected inside a lipid capsule. There’s a corona (crown) of spike proteins that bind to the cells outside the capsule. Soap destroys the lipid capsule and renders the virus useless. The plasma gun might have a similar effect on the virus.

The researchers think that the reactive oxygen and nitrogen ions formed as the plasma interacts with the air will destroy the viral particles. A similar concept using helium plasma wasn’t as effective. The electrostatic forces that are formed on the outside of the capsule can break it.

The researchers think that cold plasma could also inactivate the aerosolized virus, although more research is required. It’s unclear what practical use the findings might have and how quickly plasma-based solutions can be used to neutralize the virus at home or in public places.

(SD-Agencies)