Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB
Cleaning and disinfection
UV and plasmas have an inactivating effect on microorganisms and enable the removal of organic contaminants. They can thus be used for the sterilization of surfaces, for disinfection in food production, but also for the removal of difficult-to-degrade compounds in wastewater.
We have developed plasma-based sterilization and cleaning processes as well as UV-C LED treatment processes, which we intend to further develop or scale up for industrial use together with partners. In addition, our adsorber particles can be used for the selective removal of environmental pollutants from water or impurities from valuable fractions.
Cleaning processes using plasma
In plasmas highly reactive particles are generated, that can remove surface contamination such as oil residues from surfaces before it be painted or otherwise coated. We have also developed a process to break down micropollutants in water using plasma.
Disinfection and sterilization
The highly reactive particles generated in a plasma can also be used in medical applications because they are able to kill germs and inactivate spores. We develop UV and plasma processes for the inactivation of microorganisms and viruses.