Discovery, Evaluation, and Application of the AHPCO and Plasma Nano-Technology towards Industrialization

Transcription

1 Discovery, Evaluation, and Application of the AHPCO and Plasma Nano-Technology towards Industrialization Nabarun Ghosh 1, Jim Rogers 2, Mitsy Veloz 3, Nelofar Sherali 4, Mahin Bastamian 5 Life, Earth & Environmental Sciences, West Texas A&M University, USA 1 nghosh@wtamu.edu, 2 jrogers@mail.wtamu.edu, 3 velozfam6401@yahoo.com, 4 nsherali1@buffs.wtamu.edu, 5 mdbastamian1@buffs.wtamu.edu Jon Bennert 6, Jeff Bennert 7 Research and Development, Air Oasis, USA 6 drj@airoasis.com, 7 jon@airoasis.com Constantine Saadeh 8 Allergy A.R.T.S., USA 8 csaadeh@allergyarts.com and Chandini Revanna 9 Department of Environmental Health & Safety, Texas Tech University, USA 9 c.revanna@ttu.edu Abstract - Intellectual capital influenced various innovative capabilities in organizations that led to industrialization. Collaboration between the corporate worlds with academia has been proved to be beneficial in scientific inventions. A collaborative research between the West Texas A&M University and Air Oasis developed Advanced Hydrated Photo Catalytic Oxidation (AHPCO) Nanotechnology and Plasma Nanotechnology. AHPCO was applied to develop an air purification system to reduce the indoor aeroallergen to improve the air quality, better food preservation. Plasma nanotechnology is applied to sterilize the ice makers. Air Oasis air purifiers utilize a new generation AHPCO technology that simply produces a blanket of redundant oxidizers that not only clean the surrounding air, but target the particulate matters in the air as well as on the surface and sanitize the air eventually. The AHPCO Nanotechnology proved to be efficient for net reduction of microbes, VOCs with the specific effect on Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA. A collaborative research is going on to apply these technologies to develop commodities like efficient air purification system, food preservation system, producing clean ice cubes in the ice makers and cell phone sterilizers. Air Oasis USA is developing strategies to promote small businesses all over the world. Keywords - Advanced Hydrated Photo- Catalytic Oxidation Nano-Technology, IAQ, Air Purifiers, Spore Count, VOC, Air-O- Cell Technology I. INTRODUCTION We performed an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) testing in the public schools of the Texas Panhandle area. This project analyzed the air quality in the classrooms and the molds 13.1

2 Discovery, Evaluation, and Application of the AHPCO and Plasma Nano-Technology towards Industrialization present in the air ducts, ceiling tiles and the surface areas. Children in Amarillo and Canyon, Texas spend at least 1260 hours per year in school. The occurrence of allergy and asthma in children is on the rise [1]. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) testing can provide data to recommend prevention of the increasing rate of respiratory ailments such as asthma, influenza, rhinovirus or colds associated with air quality and to ensure a healthy environment at the public schools [2]. There are many airborne pathogens and allergens that can be quantitatively measured. Aeroallergens including pollens, fungal spores, dusts, plant fibers, burnt residues, insect debris and plant products like gums and resins were observed. The most significant aeroallergens recorded from the prepared slides were the fungal spores like Alternaria, Drechslera, Stachybotrys and Cladosporium. We also found several pollen grains attached to the surface of the ceilings and the air vents. We observed the pollens like grass pollen (Poaceae), Short Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and Lamb's Quarters (Chenopodium album). This IAQ survey directed our research towards the development of an efficient air purification system to reduce the indoor airborne allergens and VOCs to improve the IAQ and the comfort measures by reducing the ailments related to asthma and allergies [3]. A collaborative research between the West Texas A&M University and Air Oasis developed Advanced Hydrated Photo Catalytic Oxidation (AHPCO) Nanotechnology and Plasma Nanotechnology. We evaluated the AHPCO Nanotechnology as a safe and efficient way in reducing indoor aeroallergens, such as pollen, bacteria, fungal spores and hyphae, dust particles, fibers, animal dander and VOCs in the indoor air. There is an ongoing research to apply the AHPCO and Plasma Nanotechnology to develop commodities like air purification system, food preservation system, ice makers and cell phone sterilizers. The indoor air surrounding us plays an extremely important role in our well-being and efficiency. Breathing pure and clean air allows us to think more clearly, sleep soundly, and stay healthier. Studies show that we receive 56% of our energy from the air we breathe, more than from water and food combined. We have assessed the Air Oasis air purifiers that utilize a new generation AHPCO (Advanced Hydrated Photo Catalytic Oxidation) nanotechnology and do not rely on filters or air passing through the air purifier. This new technology simply produces a blanket of redundant oxidizers that not only clean the surrounding air, but sanitize surfaces as well by targeting the particulate matters in the air as well as on the surface and sanitize the air eventually. Collaboration between the corporate worlds with academia has been proved to be beneficial in scientific inventions. New world trade and economy are based on the application of innovative technology developing novel products that are in great demands. Global economies are so tightly interconnected that companies, governments and industries will soon be forced to cooperate in ways we could not have imagined just a few years ago. Innovations in technology continue to have massive effects on business and society. Technology transfer and related topics such as technology diffusion and dissemination have established themselves as essential parts of the prevailing research and technology development policy on both the national and the international level [4]. A collaborative research between the West Texas A&M University and Air Oasis developed Advanced Hydrated Photo Catalytic Oxidation (AHPCO) Nanotechnology ( ) and Plasma Nanotechnology ( ). AHPCO nanotechnology has been successfully applied to develop the air purification system, in food processing facility to reduce contamination and to develop cell phone dock and sanifier that makes the cell phone germ free while charging [5]. A major group of microbes, including bacteria and fungi can cause food contamination during processing. This technology has been used in an efficient way for reducing the food contaminants, especially during meat processing that toll thousands of lives in the world. The AHPCO nanotechnology brought a new era in air purification, advanced contaminant free food processing and a mobile phone sanifier system that are being marketed in the United States, 13.2

3 Nabarun Ghosh, Jim Rogers, Mitsy Veloz, Nelofar Sherali, Mahin Bastamian, Jon Bennert, Jeff Bennert, Constantine Saadeh, and Chandini Revanna United Kingdom, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangladesh, Dubai and Turkey. II. MATERIALS AND METHODS We have assessed the Air Oasis air purifiers that utilize a new generation AHPCO (Advanced Hydrated Photo Catalytic Oxidation) nanotechnology and do not rely on filters or air passing through the air purifier. This new technology simply produces a blanket of redundant oxidizers that not only clean the surrounding air, but sanitize surfaces as well by targeting the particulate matters in the air as well as on the surface and sanitize the air eventually. Air sampling was conducted in a room using two techniques. First, we placed the petri plates prepared with Brain Heart Infusion Agar (Difco) at 5, 10 and 20 feet distances from the air purifier. We exposed the petri-plates for 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours and collected data on microbial colonies formed with and without running the air purifier. Bacteria isolated from the room air exposure were gram positive bacilli such as Bacillus and Coryneform (diptheroids) sp., coagulase negative Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, and encapsulated gram negative bacilli. Fungal colonies included Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium sp., Drechslera, Stachybotrys and Curvularia sp. There was a gradual reduction in the number of microbial colonies formed with increased intervals on running the air purifier. In the second part, we used the Air-O-Cell sampling equipment. It is designed for a rapid collection of a wide range of airborne aerosols including mold spores, pollen, insect parts, skin cells, fibers and inorganic particulate. Samples using Air- O-Cell cassettes analyses using optical microscopy reported the presence of Aspergillus / Penicillium at 200 count/m3 in a room. We used the Air Oasis air purifier AO3000 that uses AHPCO nanotechnology to improve the indoor air quality (IAQ). As a photocatalytic air purifier, it uses a UV lamp to convert the carbon-based molecules into harmless molecules, like carbon dioxide and water vapor. These carbon-based molecules include smoke, bacteria, and fungal spores. After running the unit continuously for two weeks the count came down to 40 count/m3 and in four weeks the count went down to a 0 count/m3. This experiment using AO3000 purifiers established that the use of a negative ion purification system is an effective means of eradicating microbial aeroallergens in the indoor air [6]. Fig 1. Steps of Sampling the Indoor Air Using the A-O-Cell Technology A. AHPCO Nanotechnology to Improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) The implications of nanotechnology can improve the quality of life and add new features to the original functions of the product. Improving the quality of life of individuals is imperative in business because it will improve the well-being of the society as a sum. Health professional in all the countries expressed their concerns on the increasing trend of allergy and asthma cases. Allergies are caused by a hypersensitive reaction of the human body s immune system to the allergen. Global warming exerts substantial effect on flora and fauna. Increasing greenhouse gases cause accelerated pollinosis and fungal spore production, two major aeroallergens for asthma and allergies. Research collaboration for a decade between the West Texas A&M University and the Research and Development division of Air Oasis on aerobiology and biotechnology developed an air purification system that uses Advanced Hydrated Photo Catalytic Oxidation (AHPCO) Nanotechnology to reduce the airborne aeroallergen and VOCs. Air Oasis1 air purifiers utilize a new generation AHPCO 13.3

4 Discovery, Evaluation, and Application of the AHPCO and Plasma Nano-Technology towards Industrialization technology that does not rely on filters or air passing through the air purifier. This new technology simply produces a blanket of redundant oxidizers that not only clean the surrounding air, but sanitize surfaces as well. We have assessed these unique air purifiers that target the particulate matters in the air as well as on the surface and sanitize the air eventually. We assessed the capacity of AO 1000 G3 model of air purifier, Inducts, Wall Mounts and Air Oasis Mobile Sanifier in reducing the aeroallergen: pollen, bacteria, fungal spores and hyphae, dust particles, fibers, animal dander and VOCs in the indoor air. We have been working in developing an efficient device to reduce the indoor aeroallergen to alleviate the symptoms of allergy and asthma. AHPCO has been used in reducing indoor aeroallergens, MRSA in the hospitals, and microflora that cause contamination during food processing. These air purification systems were evaluated in the Microbiology and Mycology laboratories of the BSA Hospital laboratory in Amarillo, Texas in terms of the net reduction of bacteria in a negative pressure laboratory and the specific effect on isolates identified to be methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA. Bacteria isolated from the room air exposure were gram positive bacilli such as Bacillus sp. and Coryneform (diptheroids) sp., coagulase negative Staphylococcus sp., Micrococcus sp., and encapsulated gram negative bacilli. We recorded an average of 68.5% reduction of bacterial population on the TSA plates when running the Air Oasis air purifiers. The AHPCO nanotechnology has been used to develop an efficient air purification system, devices to ensure the safety in food processing chambers and charging docks for the mobile phones. AHPCO nanotechnology has been proved to reduce allergy and asthma symptoms by reducing the indoor VOCs and aeroallergens, such as air-borne pollen, bacteria, fungal spores and hyphae, dust particles, fibers and animal dander. Evaluations on safety measures of the AHPCO nanotechnology showed no side effect on the human cell cultures. The Air Oasis units were exhibited at the world trade show of China Clean Expo 2013 and are being marketed in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangladesh, Dubai, USA and UK. Air Oasis, USA is developing strategies to promote small businesses especially, in Southeast Asia and expanding in the rest of the world. III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Allergy and Asthma cases have been doubled in the Texas Panhandle area since The aeroallergen data that we collected using a Burkard Spore Trap for 15 years showed a steady increase in aeroallergen concentration in the Texas Panhandle area. A fluctuation and gradual shift in aeroallergen index with the warmer climate and a shift in flowering seasons were noticed that contributed to the increased allergy cases. Analysis of aeroallergen can help in diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis. Analyzing the aeroallergens with a Burkard Spore Trap provided information regarding the onset, duration, and severity of the pollen season that clinicians use to guide allergen selection for skin testing and treatment. We have been investigating the daily aeroallergen concentration in terms of the meteorological conditions such as daily temperature, wind speed and precipitation. In a different project on Aerobiology of Texas Panhandle we used a Burkard Volumetric Spore Trap to determine the daily aeroallergen index by collecting aeroallergen samples and characterizing them with digital, fluorescence microscopy for 15 years. The most significant aeroallergens recorded were the pollens from Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, Poaceae and spores from Alternaria, Stachybotrys, Aspergillus and Curvularia. The characterization and analysis of microscopic aeroallergens was accomplished using Fluorescent Microscopy. Aeroallergens were viewed, recorded, and analyzed with fluorescent microscopy exhibited storage protein, oil granules, and the layer of sporopollenin, along with additional ultra-structural details like concordant pattern, exines, pores, colpi, sulci, and other ornamentations. The digital micrographs provided micro-measurements and additional views of the detailed ultra-structural morphology. 13.4

5 Nabarun Ghosh, Jim Rogers, Mitsy Veloz, Nelofar Sherali, Mahin Bastamian, Jon Bennert, Jeff Bennert, Constantine Saadeh, and Chandini Revanna Fig 2. Fungal spores collected from the indoor air by using double sticky tape placed on slides and stained with 2% Safranin after exposing them to the room air for hours. A. Alternaria alternata conidia from the slide placed on a rack, B. Curvularia lunata from the desktop. C. Ascospore collected from top of a refrigerator. D. Drechslera spore from the indoor wall. E. Stachybotrys and F. Cladosporium spores from the air duct. Analyzing the indoor aeroallergens by collection and sampling with the double sticky tape reveals the allergens, the causal agents for allergy and asthma present in the indoor air (Fig. 2). From the analysis of the indoor aeroallergen data it is very clear that the concentration of pollen from the trees, grass and weeds have a significant correlation with the number of patients suffering from allergy and asthma. The implications of nanotechnology can improve the quality of life and add new features to the original functions of the product. AHPCO Nanotechnology has been used in reducing indoor aeroallergens, MRSA in the hospitals, and microflora that cause contamination during food processing. We have recorded a significant reduction in the spore count per cubic meter or spores/m3 (Aspergillus/Penicillium) with increased intervals while running the AHPCO Air Purification unit using the A-O-Cell technology (Fig.3). AHPCO nanotechnology has been successfully applied to develop the air purification system, in food processing facility to reduce contamination and to developed cell phone doc and sanifier that makes the cell phone germ free while charging. A major group of microbes, including bacteria and fungi can cause food contamination during processing. This technology, if used will prove to be an efficient way of reducing the food contaminants, especially during meat processing that toll thousands of lives in the world. The AHPCO nanotechnology brought a new era in air purification, advanced contaminant free food processing and a mobile phone sanifier system that are being marketed in the United States, United Kingdom, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangladesh and Dubai [5, 6]. Abbreviations AHPCO = Advanced Hydrated Photo- Catalytic Oxidation, VOCs = Volatile Organic Compounds, GC-MS = Gas Chromatography-Mass- Spectrum, MRSA = Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. REFERENCES (Arranged in the order of citation in the same fashion as the case of Footnotes.) Fig 3. The graph shows the significant correlation existed between the indoor spore concentration with and without the AHPCO Air Purifier unit in course of time. [1] Chapman, J.A. (2003). Toxic Mold Phantom Risk vs. Science. Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, pp [2] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools. < [3] Ghosh, N., Mahapatra, D., Caraway, E., Saadeh, C., Gaylor, M.C., and Smith, D. (2005). An Investigation on Aeroallergens in the public schools of 13.5

6 Discovery, Evaluation, and Application of the AHPCO and Plasma Nano-Technology towards Industrialization the Texas Panhandle. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Vol. 115, No. 2, S22:88. [4] Hameri, A.P. (1996). Technology transfer between basic research and industry. Technovation, 16(2), pp , Elsevier Science Ltd. [5] Ghosh, N., Estrada, C., Caraway, E., Bennert, J., Bennert, J., and Saadeh, C. (2015). New World of Business with Plasma and AHPCO Nano-Technology in Marketing Air Purifier, Cell Phone and Ice-Maker Sterilizer. (2015). International Journal of the Computer, the Internet and Management (IJCIM). ISSN: , pp < 015V23N2/23n2Page9.pdf>. [6] Revanna, C., Sherali, N., Veloz, M., Bennert, J., Rogers, J., and Ghosh, N. (2016). Microscopic evaluation of the AHPCO Nano-technology in the Air oasis air purifiers using Ai-O-Cell samplers. Texas Journal of Microscopy Vol. 47, No