Researchers at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) have developed a patent-pending plasma invention for continuously disinfecting high-traffic surfaces.

The method, according to its developers, kills viruses and bacteria using plasma, which is a natural disinfectant. Cold plasma is reportedly directed from assorted orientations using piezoelectric discharge technology to produce the plasma.

Applied to high-transmission surfaces — including hand rails, turnstiles, elevator keypads, touch screens, vending machines, ATMs, slot machines, conveyor belts at grocery stores and door handles, for instance, where viruses responsible for COVID-19, the common cold or the flu can live — the plasma could potentially offer continuous disinfection without using chemical-based solutions or ultraviolet light.

The PPPL team is currently exploring avenues for moving the technology from the lab to market.