Every air treatment technology has a job it does well. Knowing what each one can and cannot do is the best way to decide what belongs in a cabin, a home or an office, and why AURA is designed to work alongside filtration rather than replace it.
At a glance
| Technology | How it works | Strengths | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical filters (including HEPA) | Air passes through a fibrous medium that traps particles | Very effective on dust, pollen, dander and other particles; a true HEPA filter captures at least 99.97% of 0.3-micron particles | Only treats air that passes through it; little effect on gases and odors; media must be replaced; adds airflow resistance |
| Activated carbon | Porous carbon adsorbs gas molecules onto its surface | Good for many odors and VOCs | Saturates over time and must be replaced; no effect on microorganisms |
| UV-C lamps | Ultraviolet light damages the genetic material of microorganisms | Can inactivate microorganisms that pass close to the lamp for long enough | Only treats what passes the lamp; little effect on odors and VOCs; lamps age and need replacement |
| Bipolar ionization | Emits ions that charge airborne particles | Helps fine particles clump so filters catch them | Mainly one pathway; performance varies by device; some devices produce ozone or byproducts, which is why the EPA points buyers to the UL 2998 standard |
| Ozone generators | Produce ozone deliberately as the treatment agent | Strong oxidizer | Effective concentrations can exceed safe indoor levels; the EPA advises against use in occupied spaces |
| AURA cold plasma | Energizes air into plasma, generating short-lived reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, with catalytic ozone control | Three pathways: charges particles, oxidizes odors and VOCs, can inactivate certain microorganisms; no filter media to replace | Supplements rather than replaces filtration; results depend on space, airflow and exposure time |
Filters and AURA work together
A filter is a net: it catches what passes through it, and it is very good at that. Cold plasma works on the air in the space itself, including the gases and odors a filter lets through. AURA also charges fine particles so they clump and are more easily caught by your HVAC filter. Keep your filters in service, and on a schedule, with AURA running.
Why three pathways matters
An ionizer primarily charges airborne particles so they combine or settle. AURA combines that particle charging with reactive chemistry designed to address certain odors, VOCs and microorganisms. In simple terms, a basic ionizer uses one treatment pathway and AURA uses three.
| Capability | Basic ionizer | AURA |
|---|---|---|
| Charges airborne particles | Yes | Yes |
| Generates reactive species | Limited, design-dependent | Yes |
| Can chemically transform certain VOCs and odors | Generally limited | Yes |
| Can inactivate certain microorganisms | Claims vary | Yes, under tested conditions |
| Ozone control built in | Varies by device | Catalytic element in every unit |
Choosing for a yacht
Aboard, space, power and maintenance matter as much as performance. AURA adds no airflow restriction to your HVAC, draws 20 W at most, has no filter media to stock at sea, and sits in the cabin it treats, so it works whether the A/C is cycling or not. Pair it with well-maintained HVAC filters for the best result.
Comparisons describe how each technology generally works; individual products vary. AURA is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
