SBIR Phase I: UV Plasma-Shell Device for Novel Photocatalytic Process

这个小企业创新研究计划（SBIR）第一阶段项目将允许优化新的等离子体壳技术，用于大面积紫外线（UV）发射瓷砖，用于杀菌应用。等离子体壳是小型气体封装装置，通电时会发光。这项研究将集中在提高等离子体壳的密封外壁的透射率，以提高整体效率。等离子体外壳是重量轻、成本低且极其坚固的设备。Plasma-shell是唯一一种可以提供超大面积完全漫射（朗伯）光输出的紫外线技术，这对传统的紫外线灭菌非常有用。这些属性在光催化过程中用于激发TiO 2时将具有更大的影响。紫外线活化的二氧化钛是一种强大的催化剂，可用于分解化学品和破坏受污染的水中的病原体。然而，TiO 2光催化过程的有效缩放取决于UV光源与TiO 2的有效耦合。所设想的来自等离子体壳阵列的大面积低成本朗伯输出将提供先前不可用的照明选项，这将使得基于TiO 2的水净化系统的有效缩放成为可能。该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力包括一项新技术，该技术将提供大面积，高效和低成本的紫外线（UV）光源。这项研究具有很高的商业潜力，因为最终产品将比目前最先进的紫外线光源更高效，环保，坚固耐用，更具成本效益。根据SBIR，重点将放在优化等离子体壳作为一个强大的紫外线光源，以刺激光催化过程，主要用于水处理。这将对一个不断增长的全球市场产生影响。纯净水的经济交付具有社会影响，因为世界上许多人仍然无法获得清洁水。这项研究所产生的低成本、坚固耐用、高效的净化系统将有助于普及清洁水。紫外光发射等离子体壳的其他有前景的应用包括表面区域的消毒、空气净化、医疗光疗法、蛋白质分析、药物发现、聚合物和油墨印刷、光学传感器和仪器、紫外ID验证、条形码、法医和体液检测和分析、假冒检测和表面/美容处理。

This Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase I project will allow the optimization of the novel Plasma-shell technology for incorporation into a large area Ultra-Violet (UV) emitting tile for use in germicidal applications. Plasma-shells are small gas encapsulating devices that emit light when energized. This research will focus on improving the transmissivity of the hermetic outer wall of the Plasma-shell to improve overall efficiency. Plasma-shells are lightweight, low cost and extremely rugged devices. The Plasma-shell is the only UV technology that can offer ultra large area completely diffuse (Lambertian) light output, which is very useful for conventional UV sterilization. These attributes will have an even greater impact when used to energize TiO2 in a photocatalytic process. UV activated TiO2 is a powerful catalyst that can be used in the breakdown of chemicals and the destruction of pathogens in contaminated water. However, the efficient scaling of the TiO2 photocatalytic process is dependent on efficiently coupling the UV light source to the TiO2. The envisioned large area low cost Lambertian output from an array of Plasma-shells will provide a previously unavailable lighting option that will make possible the efficient scaling of a TiO2 based water purification system. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project includes a novel technology that will provide a large area, efficient and low cost Ultra-Violet (UV) light source. This research has high commercial potential as the end product will be more efficient, environmentally safe, rugged and more cost effective than the current state-of-the-art UV light sources. Under this SBIR, the focus will be on the optimization of the Plasma-shells as a powerful UV light source to stimulate photocatalytic processes, primarily for water treatment. This will have an impact on a large growing global market. The economic delivery of pure water has societal impact, as many in the world still do not have access to clean water. Low cost, rugged, efficient purification systems that will result from this research will help to spread access to clean water. Additional promising applications for the UV light emitting Plasma-shells include sterilization of surface areas, purification of air, medical light therapy, protein analysis, drug discovery, polymer and ink printing, optical sensors and instrumentation, UV ID verification, barcodes, forensic and bodily fluid detection and analysis, counterfeit detection, and superficial/cosmetic treatment.