Ionaire Plasma Series — FAQ

How does Ionaire Plasma work?

Ionaire Plasma is a gas-phase purification technology that emits a blend of positive and negative ions that attract oppositely charged contaminants, building heavy clumps that fall out of the air. More importantly, these ions work to deactivate single-celled organisms such as viruses, bacteria and fungi in the air or on surfaces. Simply put, the ions steal away hydrogen from the pathogens, leaving them to die.

How is this different from standard filter-based air purifiers?

80% of air pollutants are sub-micron in size which conventional air filters struggle to remove, while Ionaire can remove and precipitate particles as small as 0.001 microns. Pollutants that can be removed and destroyed include viruses, bacteria, mould, dust, pollen, cigarette smoke, odours and VOCs.

A fan-type air filter can only filter the air drawn through it, whereas ions disperse all over the room and neutralise contaminants in the space where you breathe.

What are the other advantages over conventional air purifiers?

• Whisper silent operation
• No expensive filters, bulbs or cells to replace
• Zero maintenance and very low operating cost
• Room windows can be left open or closed

What is a Plasma?

Plasma — the fourth state of matter (solid, liquid, gas, and plasma) — is created when a gas is heated sufficiently or exposed to a strong electromagnetic field. When a gas becomes a plasma it becomes unstable, thus producing bi-polar ions. Common examples include neon signs, fluorescent lamps, and plasma displays. Naturally occurring plasmas include fire, lightning, the sun and auroras. These bi-polar ions are the same as those that occur in nature. After purifying the air, the ions turn into harmless water vapour.

How are Bi-polar ions generated?

Through plasma discharge generated by applying voltage to special electrodes, positive hydrogen ions (H⁺) and negative oxygen ions (O₂⁻) are generated from the water and oxygen in the air.

Aren't Bi-polar ions the same as Negative ions?

No. Negative ions are oxide ions created from oxygen molecules only — they surround dust particles and allergens to make them heavier to fall down, depositing allergens all over the place. Bipolar ions are created from water vapour and oxygen in the air. Research at Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea has shown that bipolar ion treatment is nearly twice as effective in disinfecting the air than unipolar anions.

What is eV and why is it significant?

Every gas in the atmosphere has an electron volt potential. Understanding this eV value is critical when designing air purification systems to produce the desired effect while avoiding the formation of ozone and other by-products. VOCs such as Formaldehyde (eV 10.88) or Ammonia (eV 10.07) are easily broken down into harmless substances, while ozone formation is prevented by limiting the output to 12 eV.

What is the mechanism of virus destruction by Plasma ions?

The coronavirus is covered in spikes (peplomers) which are a protective protein surface. Bi-polar ions attack that surface protein and change into hydroxyl (OH) radicals which in turn extract a hydrogen molecule from the virus, thereby killing it. The end residual product is just water vapour.