Community Research and Development Information Service - CORDIS

Innovative sterilization method and device

Sterilization procedures involve the use of heat, radiation, or chemicals, or the physical removal of cells. A new method and device has been developed, that promises to overcome the weaknesses of the traditionally used systems.
Innovative sterilization method and device
Sterilization is the complete destruction or elimination of all viable organisms (in or on an object being sterilized). Killing of all microorganisms and their spores is necessary in many practical situations, and studies of this area of microbiology have lead to significant advances in agriculture, medicine, and food science. Because of the extreme variability and endurance of microorganisms, several methods of sterilization have been developed. Each method is restricted by different factors, for example heat-sensitive materials cannot be heat sterilized and toxic chemicals cannot be used in food processing.

Researchers in the Russian Federation have developed a sterilizing method that combines traditional methods by using chemically active particles, UV radiation and shock waves. The method can be applied on current-conducted aqueous solutions, and can also use the treated liquid as a disinfectant. This makes it possible to sterilize various objects without restrictions in shape, size or material properties.

The device does not require special sources of high voltage, it works under atmospheric pressure and can be custom made to operate with dissolved or undissolved electrodes. These characteristics make it an environmental friendly, cost effective and flexible method to sterilize solutions and objects.