Tiny is mighty may well describe the little dynamo that lies at the heart of Plasmacluster Ion technology. Our Sharp air purifier review continues with a focus on the intense high concentration Plasmacluster Ion generator. Removing this tiny gadget, which measures only 57mm by 28.5mm by 15.5mm, would turn an air purifier into nothing but an electricity guzzler.
Plasmacluster Ion Technology Synopsis
Plasma is generated when negative and positive voltages are directed at the discharge electrodes in the Plasmacluster Ion generator. After the three well-known states of matter (solid, liquid and gas), plasma is gaining recognition as the fourth state. Existing in a partially ionized gaseous form, plasma is a mixture of atoms, molecules and free electrons that are not bound to either. Positive hydrogen ions and negative oxygen ions are formed from the decomposition of water molecules in the plasma. Separately, water molecules in the air cluster around the oxygen and hydrogen ions, resulting in the distinctively stable Plasmacluster Ions being created. Upon contact with the surfaces of pathogens, Plasmacluster Ions are transformed into hydroxyl radicals which are highly reactive but unstable. The quirky nature of hydroxyl radicals made them ideal for speedy bonding with hydrogen atoms lining the surface membranes of pathogens. And the result; inactivated pathogens and a harmless by-product, water. What an ideal solution! But is it fact or fiction?
Plasmacluster Ion – Scientific Fact or Science Fiction?
A serious Sharp air purifier review must not set aside a critical point – are Plasmacluster Ions science fiction or scientific fact? In common with many other nanotechnology products, Plasmacluster Ions are invisible to the human eye. Compounding the issue, the individuals who use air purifiers have no means to validate the claims. There is really no choice but to depend on reported results of experiments with Plasmacluster Ions. Efficacy tests (in laboratory settings) and efficiency tests (in real-world scenarios) are the 2 experiments that are conducted.
Anticipating these valid consumer concerns is testimony of the long track record of successes by Sharp. For this purpose, Sharp introduced and continues to promote the concept of academic marketing. In association with leading academic institutions, Sharp puts its claims for Plasmacluster Ions to the test by scientists. The scientific data that is produced forms the basis for new Sharp products. Sharp has fine-tuned the definition of effectiveness into efficacy and efficiency. The years between 2000 and July 2009 has seen Sharp focusing on efficacy testing. Efficiency testing in conjunction with corporate end users of Plasmacluster Ion technology is the current focus.
Plasmacluster Ion – Certification at Molecular Levels
Digging deeper for this Sharp air purifier review, we are convinced that Sharp believes that science will give them the lead; hence the focus on efficacy and efficiency testing. On 17 November 2004, Sharp announced the results of studies by Professor Gerhard Artmann of the Department of Cell Biophysics and Bioengineering, University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Armed with an electron microscope, leading cellular engineering authority Professor Artmann confirmed that Plasmacluster Ions led to the destruction of more than 60 protein types on the cell membranes of viruses and bacteria, thereby inactivating them.
A test result with important implications was that the core DNA of pathogens were unaffected by Plasmacluster Ions as these do not perforate the cell membrane. As DNA destruction is not relied upon to inactivate pathogens, unlike some other competing air purification technologies, a clear advantage is claimed. The danger to users of other air purification technologies being exposed to cancer from DNA damage was implied.
Plasmacluster Ion – Efficacy Testing
This current Sharp air purifier review puts together some of the efficacy tests on pathogens performed by Sharp together with many organizations. The efficacy of Plasmacluster Ions has been established through tests held from September 2000 to July 2009 which showed that 28 types of virulent microorganisms were totally destroyed. It is noteworthy that the list of 28 includes such notoriously harmful pathgoens like MRSA, a bacterium that infects hospitalized patients, and viruses like the SARS virus, the H5N1 avian flu virus and the H1N1 virus that caused many fatalities in Mexico in 2009.
Among other viruses inactivated by Plasmacluster Ions are the polio virus, the coxsackie virus that afflicts one with the common cold and the feline coronavirus which infects cats. Also inactivated are staphylococcus, white staphylococcus, enterococcus, micrococcus, escherichia coli, serrata bacterium, candida, sarcina, pseudomonas and bacillus subtilis. Pollen, allergens, mites are also effectively destroyed together with stachybotrys, penicillium, mucor, cladosporium, alternaria and aspergillus.
The organizations, some of which conducted multiple tests, were:
- Harvard School of Public Health, USA
- Retroscreen Virology, Ltd,London, UK
- Asthma Society of Canada
- University of Lübeck, Germany
- CT&T, Aachen University of Applied Science, Germany
- Seoul University, Korea
- Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China
- Ishikawa Health Service Association, Japan
- Kitasato Research Center of Environmental Sciences, Japan
- Kitasato Institute, Medical Center Hospital, Japan
- Graduate School of Advanced Sciences of Matter, Hiroshima University, Japan
The last reported efficacy test was reported on 27 July 2009 involving the Osaka City University Medical School validating the inhibitory power of Plasmacluster Ions on allergic reactions caused by mite allergens or mite dust (mite feces and dead mites).
In concluding our Sharp air purifier review in relation to efficacy testing, we note the importance of the GLP (Good Laboratory Practices), an OECD standard that lends weight to test results, status of the testing organizations. Renewable on a 3-year basis, GLP status is internationally recognized. An important factor, yet this fact is often given no weight by critics of academic marketing and air purification technologies. Yet another overlooked fact is the possibility of scientifically peer reviewing the test results of a GLP laboratory. As we know, the scientific peer review is the missing final jigsaw piece in the puzzle of all air purification technologies, Plasmacluster Ion technology included!
Do sign up to follow our continuing Sharp air purifier review.