Research & Chemical
Cold plasma, ozone, nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide are being used or investigated for decontamination, therapeutic and bioprocess engineering applications (see below).
They can also offer benefits for chemical applications – like water treatment, modification of material properties, fertiliser production and semiconductor manufacturing.
Beyond their industrial uses, they can also help reveal fundamental scientific insights.
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and Reactive Nitrogen Species (RNS) are core to research on redox signalling, redox biology and antioxidants. They hold the key to understanding metabolism and many other biological processes.
And precision sources of nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide and ozone are critical for understanding atmospheric chemistry – relevant for public and environmental health.
The chemical outputs of ModuNOx™ OEM solutions and NOxLab™ R&D products have been independently assessed, with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and Surrey Space Centre – funded by Innovate UK, the Space Research & Innovation Network for Technology (SPRINT) and EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account.
Biofilms & Disinfection
Many studies have shown the antimicrobial effects of cold plasma, due mainly to Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species (RONS). These RONS include ozone (widely used as a disinfectant in gas and liquid forms), nitric oxide (an antimicrobial produced naturally by immune cells, which also encourages biofilm dispersal through redox signalling) and nitrogen dioxide (used in low temperature medical sterilisation).
We responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with ModuNOx™ OEM solutions: helping OXONOX implement automatic disinfection of escalator handrails with Air Plasma technology.
And NOxLab™ R&D products have been used in applied microbiology studies at the universities of Surrey, Hull and Cardiff – funded by the National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) and Innovate UK.
Please note: our NOxLab™ R&D products are intended for laboratory ozone / NOx generation only, and are not intended for biocidal or pesticidal use. Contact us to talk about ModuNOx™ OEM solutions.
Healthcare & Wellbeing
Cold plasma has been studied over several decades for wound healing, dermatology, dentistry and oncology applications.
Over a similar timeframe, nitric oxide inhalation, using compressed gas cylinders, has become widely established. Mainly used to treat pulmonary hypertension, it is being investigated for other indications, including COVID-19.
Outside respiratory medicine, topical NO therapies – using a range of delivery modalities – are under development for wound healing and dermatology. Ozone has also been investigated for wound infection management.
Our NOxLab™ R&D products have been used in wound healing & dermatology research by a medtech multinational, University of Hull (British Skin Foundation, National Biofilms Innovation Centre and Innovate UK), Queen Mary University of London (MedCity) and University of Surrey.
Please note: our NOxLab™ R&D products are intended for laboratory ozone / NOx generation only, and are not intended for therapeutic use. Contact us to talk about ModuNOx™ OEM solutions.
Agri-food & Bioprocess
Cold plasma has been shown in laboratory studies to affect plant and fungal growth, as well as accelerate seed germination, via the action of RONS. “Plasma activated water” and other plasma-treated liquids retain these effects, via RONS in solution.
At the same time, other research has demonstrated nitric oxide also influences seed germination, plant and fungal growth – as well as salinity tolerance in plants, and bacterial enzyme synthesis, relevant to industrial bioreactors.
In laboratory studies, our NOxLab™ R&D products have stimulated bioprocesses linked to tissue growth (proliferation, migration). We are also providing ModuNOx™ OEM solutions to a producer of plant-based cosmetics, to optimise plant growth.
Please note: our NOxLab™ R&D products are intended for laboratory ozone / NOx generation only, and are not intended for use on produce, food, food packaging or food contact surfaces. Contact us to talk about ModuNOx™ OEM solutions.