---
title: "Technology | Non-Thermal Plasma Sterilization | Plasmatico"
description: "Cold atmospheric plasma kills viruses and bacteria at room temperature. No chemicals, no vacuum, and no heat damage to delicate laboratory instruments."
canonical: "https://plasmatico.eu/technology"
markdown: "https://plasmatico.eu/technology.md"
lang: en
---

# The Science of Cold Plasma Decontamination

Broad-spectrum antimicrobial inactivation at room temperature. No toxic consumables, no liquid chemicals, and no thermal damage to heat-sensitive instruments.

Traditional sterilization techniques have remained largely unchanged for decades: steam autoclaves apply intense heat (121–134 °C) and pressure, while chemical sterilizers rely on toxic, volatile compounds such as ethylene oxide (EtO) or vaporized hydrogen peroxide. 

While effective for heavy stainless-steel surgical instruments, both approaches fundamentally fail when dealing with modern heat-sensitive polymers, delicate diagnostic micro-electronics, camera sensors, and precision optics.

Plasmatico introduces an innovative third paradigm: **Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP)** at atmospheric pressure.

## What is Non-Thermal (Cold) Plasma?

Plasma is commonly referred to as the fourth state of matter, alongside solids, liquids, and gases. When energy is applied to a gas, neutral atoms dissociate into an ionized mixture consisting of free electrons, positive ions, free radicals, excited atoms, and photons.

In *thermal* plasmas (like the surface of the sun or lightning strikes), heavy ions and lightweight electrons share the same extreme temperatures. 

In **non-thermal (cold) plasma**, however, electric field energy is transferred primarily to lightweight electrons, while the heavy gas ions and neutral molecules remain virtually cold. As a result:
* **The bulk gas temperature remains near ambient**—rising only **5–10 °C above room temperature** (maximum internal chamber temperature under 40 °C).
* Highly reactive antimicrobial chemical species are generated without high heat, moisture, or vacuum.

## Mechanism of Pathogen Inactivation

Plasmatico destroys bacteria, bacterial endospores, and viruses through a synergistic physical-chemical attack:

1. **Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species (RONS):** The discharge continuously synthesizes short-lived reactive species (such as hydroxyl radicals, singlet oxygen, ozone, and nitric oxide radicals) from ambient air. These species induce rapid lipid peroxidation of viral envelopes and bacterial membranes.
2. **Cell Wall & Capsid Disruption:** Electrostatic shear stress and radical attack compromise the structural integrity of cell walls and protein capsids.
3. **DNA & RNA Degradation:** Active species penetrate into the pathogen core, fragmenting viral and bacterial nucleic acids. In laboratory testing, this prevents any possibility of genetic replication or reactivation.
4. **Photonic Emission (UV):** Low-intensity ultraviolet radiation generated within the plasma discharge causes localized thymine dimerization in microbial genomes.

## Technical Comparison

| Feature | Steam Autoclave | Ethylene Oxide (EtO) | Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor | Plasmatico v1.0 |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Operating Temperature** | 121–134 °C | 37–63 °C | 40–55 °C | **25–38 °C (Ambient +5–10°C)** |
| **Chemical Additives** | None (uses steam) | Toxic Carcinogenic Gas | Corrosive Chemical Liquid | **None (Pure Physical Process)** |
| **Vacuum System Needed** | Yes | Yes | Yes | **No (Atmospheric Pressure)** |
| **Cycle Running Cost** | High (energy) | High (gas + aeration) | Medium (cartridges) | **Ultra-Low (< 10 cents)** |
| **Aeration Required** | No | 12–24 hours | 1–3 hours | **None (Immediate Use)** |
| **Safe for Electronics & Optics** | No (melts / shorts) | Yes (long cycle) | Risk of oxidation | **Yes (100% Safe & Dry)** |
| **Reusable Filtered Tips** | No (deforms plastic) | No (toxic residue) | Questionable | **Yes (Certified Protocol)** |

## Engineering Specifications of Plasmatico v1.0

* **Internal Chamber Dimensions:** 320 mm (W) × 370 mm (D) × 140 mm (H)
* **Gross Capacity:** Accommodates up to 400 pipette tips per batch, or standard surgical/diagnostic instrument cassettes
* **Operating Pressure:** Ambient atmospheric pressure (no vacuum pump required)
* **Power Supply:** Standard 230V / 50 Hz electrical outlet
* **Generator Service Life:** Rated for 2,000 operational hours before routine inspection
* **Certifications:** CE certified for laboratory deployment; MDR conformity assessment in active progress

## Specification summary

| Parameter | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Internal chamber dimensions | 320 × 370 × 140 mm (12.6 × 14.6 × 5.5 in) |
| Operating temperature | Ambient + 5–10 °C (maximum < 40 °C) |
| Operating pressure | Atmospheric pressure (no vacuum needed) |
| Cycle duration | 30 minutes to 3 hours (application dependent) |
| Operating cost per cycle | < 0.10 USD / EUR (electrical power only) |
| Consumable reagents | None (no H2O2, no EtO, no chemical refills) |
| Plasma generator life | 2,000 operational hours |
| Electrical connection | Standard 230V / 50 Hz single-phase outlet |
| Regulatory status | CE certified for laboratory use; MDR conformity in progress |
| Primary pathogen inactivation | Virucidal (100%), bactericidal (100%), spores (>99.9%) |