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Battery-Powered Plasma Flashlight Makes Short Work of Bacteria

Posted by samzenpus on from the healthy-light dept.

cylonlover writes "An international team of scientists has created a handheld, battery powered device that has been shown to effectively rid skin of bacteria in an instant by blasting it with plasma. The plasma flashlight, which shouldn't be confused with a plasma torch that will damage much more than bacteria if used on the skin, could provide a convenient way for paramedics and military personnel to deal with harmful bacteria in the field. The self-contained device is powered by a 12 V battery and doesn't require any external gas feed or handling system. The plume of plasma it generates is between 20-23C (68-73.4F), so it won't damage the skin. It is also fitted with resistors to stop it heating up and becoming too hot to touch. Its creators say it can also be easily manufactured at a cost of less than US$100 per unit."

5 of 133 comments (clear)

  1. No thanks. by Adult+film+producer · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I like the bacteria that live on my body.. we have a relationship, once in a while a renegade causes some mayhem but otherwise its a very healthy existance that we've agreed to. Keep your death lights away, I dont need them.

    1. Re:No thanks. by Doubting+Sapien · · Score: 5, Insightful

      You take for granted the skin that acts as a physical barrier between the microbes that live on your body. For injuries such as severe burns and auto accidents involving road rash victims are not so lucky. This device sounds like an amazingly suitable solution that provides minimal interferance/physical contact. Although in this context, the irony of using a plasma to disinfect such wounds is not lost.

      --
      ========== "Hello World" in my programming language of choice: ATG - LET THERE BE LIFE - TAG ==========
    2. Re:No thanks. by WCLPeter · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I like the bacteria that lives on my body too... not so much the bacteria in the creek on the side of the road seeping into my open wounds thanks to the asshat who just cut me off.

      This kind of thing could be great for people who have allergies to anti-bacterial agents or, as the summary states, "provide a convenient way for paramedics and military personnel to deal with harmful bacteria in the field." If you're going to complain about killing off the good bacteria on your skin then rail about anti-bacterial soap and hand sanitizer, their daily use does far more damage to the good bacteria on your skin than any $100+ device used in an emergency will ever do.

    3. Re:No thanks. by DarwinSurvivor · · Score: 1, Insightful

      I've never heard of anyone being allergic to an anti-bacterial agent. I've heard of latex allergies (from gloves) and allergies to some *perfumes* that are *added* to dissinfectants, but none regarding dissinfectants themselves. I do quite a bit of first aid stuff, so if you have any links to a source where I could find out if this is true (and specifically which chemicals are an issue), please post them.

  2. Something Fishy by davetv · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Something fishy about this. "Fitted with resistors to stop it heating up". Is that a joke? As I remember, resistors are about turning unwanted current flow into heat. Also - from the article, the way I interpret it, it seems it takes tens of seconds of exposure to kill the bacteria.